recolle | [semi-closed] i have loveshack stuck in my head that's not good for pretentious log lyrics

[ Well.

They'd agreed upon it at the twins' birthday party, but it's not till today that Yu and Noah have actually had time to make good on Yu's... threat? promise? something-- of getting dinner.

Yu still thinks it's quietly funny that this is even happening. God give him the strength not to needle Noah while they're out eating. ]

Did you have a preference for where we go? [ Asked after school, while they're walking out together. ] I have some ideas, but figured I should get your opinion first.

[ This has been a long week.

Yu has been wearing sunglasses to school each day, though when he comes over to Ardyn's house to do homework he takes them off and tucks them into his bag; he feels comfortable enough around his uncle to feel no need to keep them covered. He knows Ardyn won't do anything to make him uncomfortable, and he figures he'll have to get used to it eventually.

Still, this is the first time he's seen his uncle in person since the change, so his nerves still prickle just a bit as he-- hesitates at the front door, remembering he's allowed to let himself in and not have to knock before doing just that, stepping inside and toeing off his shoes. ]

Izunia-san?

[ Calling out, trying to see if his uncle's home. ]

[Noah's not entirely sure how they got to this, but at the same time, he wasn't going to deny the offer to go to dinner. He liked Yu just fine, and food was always something he loved- so it sounded like a fine evening for him.

So he strolls along with Yu after school. Timcanpy's been let out of his bag and is now sitting on his shoulder, stretching his wings after being cooped in a bag all day. Fortunately, Timcanpy decided to spare Noah's textbooks from being eaten]

Nah, I'm not picky. I'm still learning all the restaurants in this town.

[ Once again, he's got a bag hanging off his arm. This time, the tupperware inside it is full of katsu curry.

Yu isn't the greatest at apologizing, but he's trying.

He'll loiter in the hall while waiting for his friend, not leaning against a wall and actually standing sort of stiffly, his shoulders too straight. What is normal is that he's fidgeting with his phone, though perhaps somewhat more nervously than usual.

Yosuke hadn't sounded too mad in their texts, but... he's never been great at reading tone. He'll know for sure once his friend turns up.

They are still friends, right? ]

[Ardyn is indeed home, seated at his desk in his study. He's answering an email on his laptop, and it's not too far removed from the front entrance -- enough for him to hear Yu entering his home.

So of course he's going to greet the boy, setting his work aside for now and moving down the hall to say hello his nephew. (As for the issue of the changed eye color-- It's difficult to forget, and he'd be lying if he said it wasn't at the forefront of his mind. But Ardyn is also unwilling to make this particular visit an awkward one, and thus won't linger on the issue if it's brought up.)

At any rate, when finally does come into view, Ardyn is sporting his usual lackadaisical grin.]

Yu. How was your day?

[ This feels like a joke that hasn't quite found its punchline yet. Not that he doesn't enjoy spending time with Noah - sure he does. Just their reasons for doing this are--

Well, it's fine, isn't it?

Yu ends up watching Timcanpy out of sheer curiosity, amazed by this little ... creature? Robot? What even is it? Given the things he's seen in his own memories, a flying little monster maybe isn't that strange. But the pieces of him that are still grounded in the real world - and that's most of him - find it almost impossible to believe, like he must be seeing things. He lifts a hand to his face like he might rub his eyes, encounters the sunglasses that he briefly forgot he was wearing, and ... drops his hand again. ]

There are a few cafes not far from here that I like. Some of them serve more food than others, but they'd all be more like lunch options. If you want a real dinner we'll have to head for a restaurant. It might be a bit of a longer walk, but it's a nice day, isn't it?

[It's fine. It's totally fine. There's going to be food, so that's fine enough for Noah.

Truthfully, Noah still didn't really know what Timcanpy was, beyond really strange. But even so, he was getting used to the creature's constant presence. Timcanpy wasn't demanding, nor did he cause much ruckus - he was an easy companion to have. What more, Noah couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia he got with the creature, even though he knows he never knew him before this week. It was strange, but Noah was just lonely enough not to fight it.]

I can handle a walk! Full dinner it is. [He glances over at Yu. He's noticed the sunglasses, but hasn't commented on them. He's very sure of the reason he decided to wear them] Oh, if there's an accessory store on the way, I might need to stop to look in it. That fine?

[ It's a little funny to him, how this came about. Incidentally getting paired up for an assignment in class had led to the two of them discussing the subject - and the homework for it - in enough depth that somehow they'd ended up agreeing to work on their homework together. Yu hardly minded; it wasn't really tutoring, it was working together, so he wouldn't have to worry about trying to teach her the subject. Plus, she seemed like nice enough company, sweet and outgoing, so it struck him as a nice way to spend the afternoon. If they made this a regular thing, it might be something to look forward to.

Anyway, he meets her after school just outside the building as they'd agreed upon. ]

Where did you want to go? We could use the school library, or head somewhere else.

[ So, as discussed, Yu heads over to the hospital after school. He feels nervous for reasons he can't quite place. A hospital is... someplace he might like to be, but -- in a professional sense. Not in a patient sense. He feels fine, he's pretty sure he's okay, but this sudden change is still deeply unsettling to him.

It does help keep any worry in check that this doctor is someone, apparently, his uncle trusts.

So Yu will text Grell once he arrives at the agreed-upon general reception area, then pocket his phone and simply wait, shifting his backpack on his shoulders. He's got on sunglasses ... indoors ... and is just kinda. Rolling with that. No one's really looking at him for it, which is nice. Maybe in a hospital it's not so unusual someone might be shielding their eyes. ]

[she'd made sure that she'd cleared out enough space in her workday for this, that nothing unexpected was going to pop up during his visit - enough that was in her control, anyway. coming up from her office, she steps into reception, looking for someone who could be the one she was talking to. the profile picture only tells her so much.

the one in glasses. that's probably him, especially with the backpack. Grell approaches with a smile.]

Yu? I'm Dr. Sutcliffe. It's good to meet you.

[ When Ardyn treats him as he always does, Yu lets go a silent sigh he didn't know he was holding and smiles in response. ]

It was fine. You know, I haven't even gotten that many comments about the sunglasses. [ Briefly his smile flickers into a grin as he makes his way over to the couch he usually uses when studying here. ]

How about you, uncle?

[ Feeling rather uncertain of himself, Yu gives her a somewhat mechanical, if very polite, nod of the head. ]

It's good to meet you as well. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to see me. I'm sure you're busy.

Oh, you say it like it's a bother. It's certainly nothing of the sort.

[she's glad that people are taking her up on the offer - if she's busy, it's her own doing.]

If you could follow me.

[she gestures for him to walk with her, only a short distance to the elevator, where she presses the button for the basement level. as the doors close, Grell turns to Yu.]

Did your uncle happen to mention what kind of doctor I was, in his recommendation?

[she doesn't want to surprise him too badly, even as the elevator's settling down. but the fact that she's taking him to the basement is probably enough of a sign that she's not like Dr. Trevelyan, who runs a clinic.]

Uneventful. [-comes the airy reply, as unaffected as ever. He even gives a slight shrug of his shoulders to accentuate the notion. Classes had proceeded as normal, nothing particularly out of the ordinary happening to him. As far as Ardyn's concerned, these days that's more of a blessing than anything else.]

Though you'll certainly not hear me complaining about that.

[He follows Yu into the living room, taking a seat in an armchair located adjacent to the couch. A bit of idle chatter, then, before he leaves his nephew alone to do his homework.]

Where the sunglasses are concerned, I think they lend you an air of mystery.

I hadn't thought about it... [a pause, as she readjusts her backpack. Admittedly, part of her was tempted to just propose they went somewhere nice. Like maybe a park? And do their homework there. But there was always the possibility of the wind not cooperating, and papers flying everywhere-- even if it was just nice outside.]

What do you say we work outside today? [now that the idea's in her head, it just won't go away.]

It's lovely outside today, and I'm sure we'll get more done in the sun than in the library. [a pause] It's a little dusty inside there anyway, isn't it?

[Still. She's smiling eagerly for him to agree to it.]

[ Yosuke had been rightfully annoyed, but after seeing how bad Yu clearly feels, it's hard to stay properly upset. Honestly, Yosuke is actually pretty bad at holding grudges. He's too keen on having friends and people to interact with. A real transgression would have to stop him from actually wanting to contact Yu again. This? Embarrassing, definitely, and Yu should have been honest, but...

It wasn't the worst. By far.

Not that he won't turn down Yu's cooking. He did try to let the other boy know he didn't have to make it up to him like that, but Yu seemed insistent. Maybe it was more for him than Yosuke? Either way, he's okay with it. And that's why he actually greets the other boy with a nod and a small grin when he rounds the corridor. ]

Hey.

[ Yu follows her without question, idly glancing around until they step into the elevator together. Once they do, his attention refocuses on her, and he finds himself ... pausing, though only briefly. ]

No, he didn't.

[ Still politely, implicitly inviting her to explain if he wishes. Ardyn's faith is enough for him, but he may as well know what he's getting into. ]

[ That gets a faint smile, and Yu ducks his head in a nod. ]

That sounds like a great idea. The fresh air will help us think. There's a park not far from here.

[ He's smiling...

Yosuke, he's ... smiling.

Wondering about things he'd be hard-pressed to put a real name to, Yu lets his own expression soften. He isn't quite smiling, but the set of his body is a little gentler now. Less stiff, less uncertain. ]

Hey, Yosuke. Where do you want to head?

[ Yu will settle onto the couch, automatically going through the motions of taking out his books even if his attention is still on his uncle. He's still smiling a little, the airiness of Ardyn's response apparently expected.

His shoulders jump in a silent laugh, and Yu pulls the sunglasses out of his back, briefly slipping them on and immediately affecting a perfect pokerface. ]

Think I'd make a convincing secret agent?

It'll help work up our appetites, too. [ With a faint smile. He's fine with this, too. He genuinely enjoys Noah's company.

Yu will tilt his head at the question, his expression shifting into curiosity instead. Still, he'll nod. ] Sure, that's no problem. What are you looking for?

Well.... [He hesitates, trying to think how to answer. Then again, he had heard Yu was part of that pageant thing, so maybe it'd be no big deal? Hell, his brother ran the thing after all]

You see, I got this new job? It pays good, but the uniform...well, it's pretty fucking weird. So I need to get some stuff for it.

[ A very mild but still somewhat curious look. ]

Weird how?

It's... [Well, no point in hiding it really]

Hold on.

[He pulls out his phone and takes a moment to pull up a photo of this dress, which he'll show to Yu]

[ Silence for an extended moment as he peers at it.

And then, rather solemnly, he'll offer a nod of approval. ]

It's cute. Are you looking for hair accessories, then?

[semi-closed] i have loveshack stuck in my head that's not good for pretentious log lyrics

NOAH | 4/5

ARDYN | 4/6

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YOSUKE | 3/31

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ALLURA | 4/4

GRELL | 4/3

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