[ Geez!! Dextera, he’s more and more worried about you. Still, Guren looks like he’s more amused than angry right now, shifting to stand. He offers his hand to Dextera. ] You dont even have a fireplace, so cooking is a pain... But let me see what you have. I can make us something.
[ if estelle were here, she could start a fire no problem, but dextera thinks she and joshua might be out having a romantic night under the stars. actually, he could probably guess the same about noctis and... iggy... as dextera has observed him being called.
either way, that leaves just the two of them with the house to themselves, for now, and cooking will indeed be a pain. ]
...
[ he nods, closing his laptop and gently setting it aside to take guren's hand. ]
[Guren helps him up and takes a few steps towards the door to Dextera's room before he lets his hand slip away, running ideas through his head before he's even seen what ingredients they might have.]
I guess they're all out looking at the sky too. [He has the same thoughts... Meanwhile, here he is with Dextera. A very platonic night indoors, two bros loving each other's company.
[ dextera supposes they didn't strictly need to continue holding hands, without need for it, but he finds himself watching guren's fingers for a moment longer anyway. guren's comment about what the others are doing isn't particularly distracting, and dextera nods along with it.
he taps down the stairs, and guren will find that their kitchen is relatively well-stocked, for this town, but there's a definite corner of grey nonsense that is probably what dextera has elected to consume for himself. ]
[There's a gesture at that grey corner, and then Guren sighs and moves to grab some other things out. Vegetables... fruit... He will find something to make even if I have no idea what the fuck!!]
I wish we had rice. [Damn it, he's annoyed, even he isn't sure what he's going to make yet. Still, "we" just slips out, even if this isn't his supply of food by any means...]
[ it's easy and abundant, and it sates his hunger! it probably has absolutely no nutritional value, but it gets something in his stomach, and that's all he can ask for from food, really.
dextera seems oddly amused at what guren's just said, but he doesn't actually mention it aloud or anything. "we," like this is guren's house. he taps the countertop, writing his answer out there while he has guren's attention. ]
dextera was not paying attention, but when guren kind of demands it of him, he jolts—and nods, because yes, he is certainly paying attention now. is guren going to show him how to cook? ]
...
[ he really is focused, curious about what guren is going to do with this assortment of vegetables. ]
[He was so not paying attention. But that's okay. Guren is making him pay attention now, and he's sort of going to teach him! They're going to cook together. He eyes where he's planning on starting the fire a little longer, and then passes the pot over to Dextera, pointing at a spot on the inside.]
Joshua should have some of the good water around here somewhere. I saw him working with it before. Can you fill it up to there with it?
[Water that is not... grey... That's all he cares about. Though he guesses he can work with gross grey water if he has to.] Then bring it back here. I'm going to start the fire and start getting everything else ready.
[ thank goodness that joshua is so diligent and concerned with the health of the town, because he has been stockpiling plenty of filtered water for everyone's safety. the water is a novelty for dextera, in a way—there's none in the outer world, and of course, he's only gotten hydrated from blood and flesh.
access to pure, clean water is exciting, even now. ]
...
[ he fills the pot with water, taking a little longer than is strictly necessary because he's just looking at it, and then he wanders back to guren with his task completed.
[Guren has managed to start a fire, so he reaches to take that pot and place it over it. He stands, after that, gesturing for Dextera to follow him back to a counter where he's laid out his variety of vegetables. There's a knife for cutting, and he takes it with one hand and holds his other out for Dextera's.]
[ what does he want? dextera has nothing to say, but of course he's not going to turn down a chance to touch guren's hand if he's invited to it. glancing between the knife and guren's face, he tentatively places his hand in guren's, uncertain of where this is going. ]
If you haven't cooked, I doubt you've ever sliced up vegetables before.
[It's different than using a sword! Carefully, he takes Dextera's hand closer and transfers the knife to his hold, all while placing his own palm over it in a controlling grip.]
It's not the same as fighting, so it should be fine. [Right? Hm, it's a little awkward like this, now, so he steps behind Dextera a little more, placing his free hand on his opposite shoulder.]
Hold it with your other hand, but keep your fingers close.
[ dextera turns his head when guren moves, like he's afraid guren is just going to walk away and leave him with this knife... but it's fine. he relaxes somewhat, under guren's firm, comforting grip, and nods as he examines the setting before him. ]
...
[ he adjusts until the knife feels comfortable in his hand, and it is very different from holding a sword, or even one of the knives that they got from the quest. they're just trying to cut some vegetables, now, and veggies don't yield quite the same as flesh.
when he thinks he's got it, he hesitates again, signalling that he's ready for the next step. ]
[Annnd... chop chop chop! Guren takes it very slow, because the last thing he wants is to end up cutting Dextera's hand on accident because he fumbles. There's no rush, the water's going to take a while to boil anyway, and they can add these slowly.
He ends up peering over his shoulder at it all, close and not thinking about it outside of it being relaxing.]
It's not too hard, right? You just can't lose focus, or you might hurt yourself.
[ dextera glances to guren out of his periphery. the last time someone was this close, guiding him... it was a very different situation. it's much nicer to have guren at his back, showing him how to use a knife, than the unfortunate, distant alternative.
he nods. it isn't too hard, and he's a quick learner. inevitably, his one-track mind drifts from guren in order to get these vegetables chopped, and his brow is furrowed in his intense concentration.
[He's so focused it's incredible, and Guren doesn't want to break his concentration. He's quiet, instead, guiding his hand even when he doesn't have to, relaxing a little and just following once Dextera's got the hang of it.
But he doesn't let go or pull back until they're done. Then, it's a light squeeze of his hand and his other running across Dextera's back before both of his hands are reaching to grab some vegetables.]
Now we just have to drop them in. Come on, you can grab the rest.
[ it's not until guren touches his back that dextera seems to come out of his intense chopping fugue—if the touch had lasted a second longer, it might have felt intimate, but it was just long enough to get dextera's attention instead. ]
...?
[ it takes him a moment to actually hear guren's instruction, even though he's watching guren's face and the way he grabs the vegetables, and dextera hurries to catch up.
the water is boiling, they're making something, and dextera's chest feels incredibly warm, from doing something even this small. or, perhaps it's because it's so small that he appreciates it all the more. ]
[One second Dextera is looking so focused, and the next he's almost a little spacey? But Guren can't tell if he's imagining it, or if Dextera is just surprised, or what.
He's a little distracted himself, though he won't admit it. Doing something like this with someone else is warming. Watching him get so into it is satisfying in a way he can't describe, too. It's a simple soup. Lots of potatoes, onions, and a mix of other vegetables they restored color to here. Man, Guren needs to look at that garden and everything Ignis had put into it from home, because this is ending up better than what he could have made at his own place.]
[ they are lucky indeed to share a kitchen—sort of—with someone who cares a lot about the things he puts into his body. ignis’ attention to detail means that the soup will turn out quite nice no matter how talented the people making it actually are.
luckily, though, guren is a good teacher in this way, too. dextera nods, peering over the boiling water—his face gets hot from the steam, but he doesn’t really seem to mind. he’s happy, enough to let himself get burned a bit from a bubbling vegetable medley.
when he’s flushed from the heat, he turns back to guren, tapping his wrist in a universal gesture for a watch. how long? ]
[ Dex... Dextera!! Guren lets out a little laugh at his face, taking his arm gently and moving him back towards some chairs. ]
Probably like half an hour. [ But he doesn’t know how different that’ll be with heat he can’t control or how to work these old stoves, so he’ll just be here in case he has to rush to fix it. ] But it’ll be worth it.
[ He falls back to sit in one of the chairs, sighing— but it’s more like he’s satisfied than anything else. ] I know you’re probably still going to eat whatever the hell you want after this, but maybe I can at least get you to eat real food sometimes.
[ dextera does agree that it'll probably be worth it. although he's been eating better, he hasn't wanted to inconvenience anyone by having them cook for him—so he eats even the colored food raw, and that's got to be enough for the days that he isn't sitting down with the rest of his house to a meal someone put together.
if he could make even something like this... he could repay the others, for taking care of him. ]
...hah.
[ rather than sitting, he leans over the back of a chair, looking at guren... incredibly fondly, really, with how content he's feeling. there's something apologetic too, however, since he knows it's certainly true that he's going to eat whatever. ]
[It would be impossible to ignore a look like Dextera is giving him now. He holds his gaze for a few solid seconds before it's too much, and then he's closing his eyes and looking down to hide his own smile, also embarrassingly fond.
Well, tonight turned out better than expected. Even one day like that is unexpected, but it seems like there are more and more. If it's not any of the others caring for him, wanting to make sure he's eaten, nagging him, calling him sensei, then it's Dextera, helping him relax. Playing chess with him. Being his friend.
He crosses one leg over the other and leans back. Really, he can't think of anything to say. It'd all be fillers for the silence, anyway, and he thinks this silence is a little comfortable, even if he is embarrassed. It's fine, as long as attention isn't being drawn to it. They can enjoy each other's company and wait for the soup.]
dextera isn't all that surprised that it turns out better than most things he puts in his mouth—the vegetables are homegrown and lovingly tended to, and making it together made sure that the broth was seasoned with love the bias of hard work. it's a warm meal that relaxes dextera's whole body, and when all is said and done, he looks like he could gladly just curl up and go to sleep.
if a few bowls of soup could do this to him, it's probably painfully obvious that his diet does not normally consist of hot, filling food. ]
[Guren has just taken care of both of their bowls, since he refuses to leave dirty dishes for Ignis to take care of even if washing is a pain with no running water. With those set aside and everything cleaned up, he's really feeling relaxed, himself. That wasn't too bad! Which is good, since he wants to encourage Dextera to eat.
He moves over to where he is, now, like he needs to be close to speak to him. The house is still so quiet, so maybe that's it. His hand hovers near Dextera's back... he's hoverhanding, stop him.]
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[ Geez!! Dextera, he’s more and more worried about you. Still, Guren looks like he’s more amused than angry right now, shifting to stand. He offers his hand to Dextera. ] You dont even have a fireplace, so cooking is a pain... But let me see what you have. I can make us something.
[ Something very easy but like, still. ]
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either way, that leaves just the two of them with the house to themselves, for now, and cooking will indeed be a pain. ]
...
[ he nods, closing his laptop and gently setting it aside to take guren's hand. ]
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I guess they're all out looking at the sky too. [He has the same thoughts... Meanwhile, here he is with Dextera. A very platonic night indoors, two bros loving each other's company.
Maybe he'll catch a couple fish.]
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he taps down the stairs, and guren will find that their kitchen is relatively well-stocked, for this town, but there's a definite corner of grey nonsense that is probably what dextera has elected to consume for himself. ]
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[There's a gesture at that grey corner, and then Guren sighs and moves to grab some other things out. Vegetables... fruit... He will find something to make even if I have no idea what the fuck!!]
I wish we had rice. [Damn it, he's annoyed, even he isn't sure what he's going to make yet. Still, "we" just slips out, even if this isn't his supply of food by any means...]
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dextera seems oddly amused at what guren's just said, but he doesn't actually mention it aloud or anything. "we," like this is guren's house. he taps the countertop, writing his answer out there while he has guren's attention. ]
Grey is easy.
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Just because it's easy doesn't mean you should do it.
[Says the man who like, forgets to eat in general, but shhh. He's leading him over to wherever there might be a stove?? That he can light a fire in??]
Are you paying attention?
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dextera was not paying attention, but when guren kind of demands it of him, he jolts—and nods, because yes, he is certainly paying attention now. is guren going to show him how to cook? ]
...
[ he really is focused, curious about what guren is going to do with this assortment of vegetables. ]
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Joshua should have some of the good water around here somewhere. I saw him working with it before. Can you fill it up to there with it?
[Water that is not... grey... That's all he cares about. Though he guesses he can work with gross grey water if he has to.] Then bring it back here. I'm going to start the fire and start getting everything else ready.
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access to pure, clean water is exciting, even now. ]
...
[ he fills the pot with water, taking a little longer than is strictly necessary because he's just looking at it, and then he wanders back to guren with his task completed.
he's being helpful! ]
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[Guren has managed to start a fire, so he reaches to take that pot and place it over it. He stands, after that, gesturing for Dextera to follow him back to a counter where he's laid out his variety of vegetables. There's a knife for cutting, and he takes it with one hand and holds his other out for Dextera's.]
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[ what does he want? dextera has nothing to say, but of course he's not going to turn down a chance to touch guren's hand if he's invited to it. glancing between the knife and guren's face, he tentatively places his hand in guren's, uncertain of where this is going. ]
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[It's different than using a sword! Carefully, he takes Dextera's hand closer and transfers the knife to his hold, all while placing his own palm over it in a controlling grip.]
It's not the same as fighting, so it should be fine. [Right? Hm, it's a little awkward like this, now, so he steps behind Dextera a little more, placing his free hand on his opposite shoulder.]
Hold it with your other hand, but keep your fingers close.
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...
[ he adjusts until the knife feels comfortable in his hand, and it is very different from holding a sword, or even one of the knives that they got from the quest. they're just trying to cut some vegetables, now, and veggies don't yield quite the same as flesh.
when he thinks he's got it, he hesitates again, signalling that he's ready for the next step. ]
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He ends up peering over his shoulder at it all, close and not thinking about it outside of it being relaxing.]
It's not too hard, right? You just can't lose focus, or you might hurt yourself.
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he nods. it isn't too hard, and he's a quick learner. inevitably, his one-track mind drifts from guren in order to get these vegetables chopped, and his brow is furrowed in his intense concentration.
he's taking it seriously. ]
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But he doesn't let go or pull back until they're done. Then, it's a light squeeze of his hand and his other running across Dextera's back before both of his hands are reaching to grab some vegetables.]
Now we just have to drop them in. Come on, you can grab the rest.
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...?
[ it takes him a moment to actually hear guren's instruction, even though he's watching guren's face and the way he grabs the vegetables, and dextera hurries to catch up.
the water is boiling, they're making something, and dextera's chest feels incredibly warm, from doing something even this small. or, perhaps it's because it's so small that he appreciates it all the more. ]
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[One second Dextera is looking so focused, and the next he's almost a little spacey? But Guren can't tell if he's imagining it, or if Dextera is just surprised, or what.
He's a little distracted himself, though he won't admit it. Doing something like this with someone else is warming. Watching him get so into it is satisfying in a way he can't describe, too. It's a simple soup. Lots of potatoes, onions, and a mix of other vegetables they restored color to here. Man, Guren needs to look at that garden and everything Ignis had put into it from home, because this is ending up better than what he could have made at his own place.]
We just have to wait, now.
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luckily, though, guren is a good teacher in this way, too. dextera nods, peering over the boiling water—his face gets hot from the steam, but he doesn’t really seem to mind. he’s happy, enough to let himself get burned a bit from a bubbling vegetable medley.
when he’s flushed from the heat, he turns back to guren, tapping his wrist in a universal gesture for a watch. how long? ]
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Probably like half an hour. [ But he doesn’t know how different that’ll be with heat he can’t control or how to work these old stoves, so he’ll just be here in case he has to rush to fix it. ] But it’ll be worth it.
[ He falls back to sit in one of the chairs, sighing— but it’s more like he’s satisfied than anything else. ] I know you’re probably still going to eat whatever the hell you want after this, but maybe I can at least get you to eat real food sometimes.
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if he could make even something like this... he could repay the others, for taking care of him. ]
...hah.
[ rather than sitting, he leans over the back of a chair, looking at guren... incredibly fondly, really, with how content he's feeling. there's something apologetic too, however, since he knows it's certainly true that he's going to eat whatever. ]
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Well, tonight turned out better than expected. Even one day like that is unexpected, but it seems like there are more and more. If it's not any of the others caring for him, wanting to make sure he's eaten, nagging him, calling him sensei, then it's Dextera, helping him relax. Playing chess with him. Being his friend.
He crosses one leg over the other and leans back. Really, he can't think of anything to say. It'd all be fillers for the silence, anyway, and he thinks this silence is a little comfortable, even if he is embarrassed. It's fine, as long as attention isn't being drawn to it. They can enjoy each other's company and wait for the soup.]
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dextera isn't all that surprised that it turns out better than most things he puts in his mouth—the vegetables are homegrown and lovingly tended to, and making it together made sure that the broth was seasoned with
lovethe bias of hard work. it's a warm meal that relaxes dextera's whole body, and when all is said and done, he looks like he could gladly just curl up and go to sleep.if a few bowls of soup could do this to him, it's probably painfully obvious that his diet does not normally consist of hot, filling food. ]
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He moves over to where he is, now, like he needs to be close to speak to him. The house is still so quiet, so maybe that's it. His hand hovers near Dextera's back... he's hoverhanding, stop him.]
Good?
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