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Odette had noticed right away when Alyosha started cutting down on what he was eating. He gave more food to his dog, started picking at his meals while biting the inside of his cheek. Most noticable of all was him turning down foods that the others offered him. She frowned at that, despite doing the same thing.
The same thing...
That got her thinking. Did he have less of a healthy relationship with food than what others thought? She tried finding out, tried offering him food herself, but that just ended with him taking it and stuffing it into her mouth while he smiled a knowing smile. She only tried during her off days, so she didn't have to worry as much about appearances. But she chose the food based off of his preferences, not hers. It was mainly meats, and having a mostly vegetarian diet didn't bode well with that.
Whatever, she'd just have to get more clever about it. He had to eat something, after all. If it weren't for his jobs, the man would be nothing but skin and bones. Hell, she'd weigh more than him if not for his muscles. That wasn't a good thing.
The solution came with two apples. Specifically, apple slices. Something she could pass off as a snack for herself. Perfect.
She had the slices set up in a cute little swirl on a plate, and was heading over to the dining table silently. Her gloves were off, she hadn't wanted them to smell of apple juice after she was done slicing the apples. She had waited until the exact moment that Alyosha came "home". Well... technically the apartment wasn't his home, but he'd been spending more time over here for some reason. So as far as she cared, this was his home too.
He walked through the door as she set the plate down.
"Oh, Alyo. Come chat with me." She requested of him once the door shut. He raised a brow at her, opting to take his shoes and coat off first before sitting in his spot at the table. She was sure no one else would interrupt the two, so she sat in Mitya's seat, which was next to his.
"Hello to you too..? Did something happen?" Oh, his concern was adorable. She shook her head.
"No. We just haven't caught up in a bit. Tell me about your recent hunt." He blinked at her. She played innocent, taking a slice of apple and biting off the end of it. It was sweet, and refreshing.
"Well, it wasn't anything special... only a few birds and rabbits." He replied, scratching the back of his neck and averting his gaze. His eye caught the plate, and a spark of want flashed through his eyes. Bingo.
"No no, not that hunt. The other one." She pressed, trying to get him to rant about something. It was easier said than done, as the man could rival her own choice in not using her voice.
"The other one... oh, that one. Right. Well, this gang was a tiny bit tougher than typical. I think word about me got around after I didn't check the group before this one as thouroughly as I usually do. Either way... they were more cautious and brought helmets. I think it made them stand out m-"
Before he could finish, she'd snuck another slice into her hand and put it in his mouth. His eyes widened, teeth clasping the slice as he looked bewildered. Their eyes met, and she made a small show of putting the rest of her own apple slice into her mouth. She covered his mouth with her hand to prevent him from spitting it out, chewing on the slice slowly as she stared at his soul through his eyes.
It took a moment before he himself started chewing the slice. He swallowed and went to talk, only to get another apple slice put into his mouth. He was just as shocked this time. And then his mind seemed to catch onto the very simple logic she was showing him. He picked up a slice himself before placing it in between her lips. His brows furrowed. She matched his expression in a gentler fashion.
This was now a challenge between the two of them, to get the other to eat... even if it meant they themselves had to eat in the process.
This little back and forth went on for about five minutes before Mitya walked into the kitchen, hummed, and walked back out while calling to them.
"Lovers? Do you know where Vodyanitsa went? She isn't home and I need to tell her something." The light haired man asked, a small half smile on his face. Was he puzzled? Alyosha shrugged his shoulders, going to tell their boyfriend that he himself had just got here. Odette saw her oportunity, interrupting him with yet another apple slice, before answering Mitya herself.
"I don't know. She stormed out of the apartment about twenty minutes ago without saying anything. We didn't have the guts or heart to ask what was going on." She replied, playing it off as if Alyosha had been here for a while. Mitya hadn't known he left, having been holed up in his study for most of the day. Also, what she said about Vodyanitsa was true. She'd been sitting on the counter watching the clock when the water imp stormed into the kitchen, took an apple from the counter, and left. In fact, that was what gave her the initial idea.
"Alright. I'm gonna go find her... and probably get her some sweets." Mitya ended, nodding before leaving. Odette turned to Alyosha, who had finished the apple slice.
"Should we stop him? Sounds like Vodyanitsa's mad." He suggested. Odette shook her head. She doubted anything bad would happen to either of the two. And she would've said so, if not for the last apple slice being pressed against her lips. She sighed gently, taking it into her mouth and enjoying the sweetness. Luckily apples were healthy and sweet, not just sweet.
She swallowed. "You know you can use nicknames for us, right Alyo?" She reminded the man, who grunted.
"It'd be weird now. I've been calling you guys by your names for so long that even calling you all 'love' feels off." He reasoned. Odette smiled lightly.
"If you say so. I can understand if 'love' or 'dear' feels weird. I found that just shortening names is easier for me."
"Mn, is that why you call me Alyo?"
"Mhm. And why I call Vodyanitsa 'Vodya.' Mitya's name is already short as is, so I don't have one for him." Alyosha gave a huff at that.