trans_9 | Yesterday's holiday [Semi-open]

An appetizing aroma drifted out of the kitchen of the Susono Inn this afternoon, making its way up to the second floor. Not one that was particularly familiar, for Zouichi, but one Howard might recognize from the time he'd spent before the FAYZ had cut Perdido Beach off from the rest of the world. Though it might not be Thanksgiving anywhere else in the multiverse, Howard had decided it might as well be Thanksgiving now... and he'd coached Zouichi on the basics of the holiday as he remembered them.

[First thread is for residents of the inn only, characters passing by that notice something's up can show up in the second thread]

Zouichi had spent most of the morning setting up for the surprise meal while most of the others were out and Howard, in a gesture of unusual magnanimity, had offered to share some of the food he'd been stockpiling. They'd even found a nice tablecloth to drape over the table in the main hall, upon which each of foods was set: turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin bread -- even some homemade Swedish meatballs for Allenby (they weren't really a Thanksgiving food, apparently, but she'd requested them some time ago).

Of course, many of these had been canned or created from mixes -- easier to store, and much easier to make. But food was food. Now it was just time to wait for everyone else to show up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"How about no? I mean, there's no way that won't end in total disaster. What if he says no? And worse than that, what if he goes on and tells everyone about it? Or gets freaked out and hexes me? Not everyone on this ship is as cool as you." And of course, Howard's real long-term flame is Worst Case Scenarios, so that's exactly what he expects to happen.

"Known what? That I liked Cedric or that I like guys, period?"

"Either. Both. I didn't even know you knew him, honestly."

Zouichi frowned. "You really think that'll happen? If he hexes you, that would be assault, wouldn't it? And I don't remember anyone kicking up a fuss when Fate and Nanoha got married."

"Five hours for Cedric and maybe two months for the other thing. I figured out I didn't like girls before I figured out that I did like guys, so." He shrugs.

"Yeah, well, they're girls, and people like them a lot more than people like me, and worrying about what counted as assault didn't stop that one medic guy from trying to shoot me with tranquilizer darts on my second day here. So yes. I do think that might happen."

"You've been sitting on this for two months? I had no idea." Apparently, he hadn't even noticed this had been bothering Howard. Granted, Howard was probably working to make sure he didn't suspect anything, but still.

"You might be right. But I think in this case, the people on board may be better-behaved than you're giving them credit for." It was Howard's choice, though. Perhaps people were much less forgiving in the 21st century.

Actually, that was pretty likely.

Edited 2011-12-09 05:20 (UTC)

"I was afraid you wouldn't be cool with it." And he's going to get to sleep 15% easier knowing that Zou is. "And I didn't want to deal with that if you were."

He twitches the corners of his mouth side-to-side, thinking about it. "Maybe. I don't know. Have you told anyone besides me?"

Only 15% easier?

"...That would be an awfully minor thing to balk at, considering." Sheesh. Had Zouichi seemed homophobic to Howard somehow?

"And no. No one's asked. And frankly, I don't think my relationships are anyone else's business but my own." Even though somehow details of his sordid love life kept getting out.

As if this is the only thing that goes bump in Howard's nights.

'Considering'. Howard feels great about that little addendum. "Yeah, well, some people are like that. I mean, I didn't think you'd wig out or anything, I just thought you might be weirded out. Like you might think I was crushing on you or something."

Which, no. God no.

"I won't tell anyone. Promise." He makes a motion like he's turning a key over his lips.

Howard... you kind of should feel bad about that whole buried-kid thing. At any rate, the idea that Howard might be interested in him had never occurred to Zouichi before. And it was not an idea Zouichi found compelling. Like at all. "To be honest, I'd never considered the idea." Thanks but no thanks for that mental image, Howard.

"And it's not a secret. I just don't particularly like having everyone know about my private life."

He does feel bad! A lot! And that makes it all better, right? ~~NOPE.jpg~~

"Don't get set on it, man. I am never, ever going to date you." Because no, just no. Besides, why wreck a rad bromance with a bad romance?

"Fine. Be totally comfortable in your own skin. Whatever works for you."

"Oh, however will I recover from this rejection?" Zouichi asked with considerable mock-sorrow. "I shall withdraw to my chambers and pine delicately until you change your mind."

"It'll be hard, but I know your heart will mend itself in time. I hear ice cream and Sandra Bullock movies do wonders." And somehow Howard's adopted a snooty British accent when he says that. "Maybe I can help you put out personals."

"Such cruelty, such callousness," Zouichi sighed. "Very well, as long as you provide the ice cream."

Howard winks and taps his nose. "Only for you, man. And only because you don't eat."

"Clearly, the trait of any true friend."

Yesterday's holiday [Semi-open]

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wrap!