[Gently, he gives Ash a kind of chiding cluck.] No. [That's all he can think to day at first because English.]
Okay, a little harder this time. You can do it.
[He folds maybe a foot of one end of the obi in half like a taco, then places it against Ash's waist over the other belt.]
Hold this, please. Why wrap a gift for myself, then unwrap it later?!
[He does not mean for this to sound the way it does. More... why would he wrap Ash like a gift if he is just going to have to help Ash take it all off later.]
[ he holds the obi like instructed, although he almost lets go after eiji says that. like, ash knows what he actually meant, but it's so funny and he's having trouble controlling his expression to not laugh.
he fails. ash totally laughs. ]
Eiji... you sound so dirty!
[ as if eiji could ever actually be that, but it's nice to joke. ]
[Oh no............ an Ash laugh. UwAH. Eiji is THRILLED!!! But he doesn't make a huge fuss about it, too worried he'll scare it away. Ash's laugh... soft and wonderful, something to be protected.
He makes a fussed face, pretending to be insulted because even if he doesn't know what the hell Ash is talking about, he can tell by the laugh and the tone he's being teased.]
What? Ash, the obi will be bad! [He forgets the word for "crooked" in his time of need. Carefully, he straightens Ash's hand again, and then shows Ash how the rest of the belt, not folded, loops around Ash's waist over the other one until it's in the front once more.
And then!! he shows Ash how to do the artsy "clam's mouth" knot.] There. It looks good in the back, like this. [He twists it around.] But to the side. [Why does it not line up with the damn seam in the back? We just don't fucking know, but it's fashionable to have it to the side. Whatever.]
[ he gives it a slight tug, not forceful enough to undo it or anything, before nodding his head in approval. ]
Good work. I'll try to learn it so I can do it myself next time.
[ even if it's a little nice to be taken care of like this.
... although that's odd to think about, since it's something he never allowed anyone else to do. but it's safe, to let eiji do it at times. even if ash has probably just memorized the instructions and will have no issues with doing this if they ever have to wear yukata again. ]
[Ash is sooooo smart, and Eiji will be sad he does not have to help next time. But maybe Ash will take pity on his puppy eyes and pretend to need help.]
...Ah. [Eiji steps back to look Ash over, and it's terribly far from the looks Ash has always received. He beams a bit, not an ounce of scrutiny in his expression even if he idly smooths out the lapels.] You really look amazing!
[Now he and Ash matchies! Nevermind Ash's yukata happens to be one of his own. He will buy Ash another yukata later, one Ash can personally keep, not some kind of hand-me-down.]
but hakama... he makes a note to look that up later. honestly, ash isn't the type to wear restricting clothing considering he's used to always needing to be ready to move at a moment's notice. even now, he can't fully believe that they might not have to drop everything and leave if something happens.
it's not like anyone would have followed him this far out, though. it's okay. ]
Yeah, what is with the heat here? The humidity is awful.
[ he fans himself with his hand, to drive the point home. ]
The end of rainy season, and summer. We're by the coast, too.
[This makes him happy... to see Ash with such small worries, nothing at all like the life-or-death or New York. But despite wanting to bubble over eagerly saying they could visit the coast, Eiji tables it for now.
Ash had such a time with his home, and he doesn't want to make the mood sour.]
Now we have to get out without my sister being annoying... [His expression says the "hmph" he doesn't voice.] Oh--is the obi okay? On your...
[Well, he sort of pats his own stomach where Ash got fucking shanked.]
[Ash........ Why are you gonna switch topics from getting shanked and almost dying to siblings? "He said brother and sister siblings." SIBLINGS?
Eiji hesitates, but manages to muster up a disgruntled expression.]
We won't ever make it to the festival if she keeps asking you nosy questions, [is his reasoning, and his excuse. He nyooms around that topic because he doesn't want to think about Griff.] Ready?
We will ride a bike to the station. Okay?
[Eiji, in his own town, in his own country: is this okay for you to do, ash???]
[ yea he worded it that way on purpose. it's fine.
a bike... he considers that, and just shrugs. he's done more strenuous things than that while injured, so it doesn't really seem like a problem other than the fact that with their luck, they'd probably crash. ]
Okay, okay... I want the authentic Japanese experience, you know?
[ and apparently that means riding a bike in yukata ]
[ASHU. Eiji gives him a Look.] You have to stand on the back just like real American tourist. [Like hell he is going to let Ash pedal anyway. Not in this post New York stabbing economy.
He takes Ash my the elbow of one arm and pulls him toward the door.]
[ but it's said with a smile, because eiji being pushy about these sort of things is very familiar at this point.
and so is sneaking out, technically, but normally it's sneaking away from gangsters and not sisters who are thinking who even knows what. ash doesn't know if she has a crush or what. ]
[He makes Ash stop behind him at the door, just so he can open it and stick only is head out to look for """"danger"""" in the hallway. Hmmmm. Safe? Safe.
He eases out into the hall, and then beckons for Ash to follow him. They can creep downstairs to the front door. Time to put Ash in geta.] Sometimes. [He is whispering. He is so sweet, but he's going to die on the annoying little sister hill.] Little sisters can be annoying. [It doesn't sound like he hates his sister, though. Soft Eiji.] They want you to do everything for them, and they escape trouble with a cute face.
[ he glances at eiji, then around the house as they walk through it. ]
Maybe I had the wrong sibling with me in New York, if she's so good at that. [ he gently pokes the back of eiji's head. gently, but also annoyingly. ] Since you kept running into it.
She's a girl, Ash. [He reaches up to gently swat at Ash's poking, probing fingers while offering a sour face.] It wasn't that much...
[It was A LOT.]
I won't say sorry because... it meant helping you. [And he said he wouldn't blame himself anymore.] Besides... We are in Japan now. There's no trouble here.
[He points at the wooden sandals in the genkan once they reach it, and then sort of smiles.]
[ instead of answering, ash busies himself with putting the sandals on, slowly putting them on one foot at a time as he looks down at the floor.
it's mostly to hide his expression, something so incredibly, sincerely fond, but mixed with a sadness that's forever a weight. what would he have done without eiji?
... it's best to not think too hard on that question. ]
It wouldn't be much of a vacation if we ran into trouble. [ the shoes are on. ] There.
[When he sits down on the edge of the genkan, he doesn't mean to sit close enough they touch at the arms and the waist, but he does. He only has one pair of wooden sandals unfortunately, and his sister's feet are too small for him...
...so Ash gets to clomp around in sandals, and he gets to put on his sneakers. Fitting since they are technically "sneaking," right?]
Well, you are having a vacation. There isn't any trouble. Just a festival. A lot of people, so I hope you don't mind. [But he feels kind of stupid saying this to Ash. He scratches his cheek.] I guess you understand, living in New York. Oh!
They look good. [He hops up to offer Ash his hands. Help up! Help up! Help up!] Can you walk on them okay?
[ he takes the offered help, easing up back to his feet. ash takes a few experimental steps. it's weird, but at the very least he's used to wearing heels, so being slightly off balanced while walking isn't something completely new to him. ]
This will probably be a different kind of crowd.
[ it is very hard to compare nyc crowds to other ones. ]
[ it's very funny, since the best case scenario would be a situation where ash could completely blend in with a crowd, and become just like everyone else in an average life. it's not... entirely possible here, just because he is so clearly not japanese, but.
it's a different kind of peace, with eiji here. ash is content. ]
[He will protect Ash! From... the don't-get-involved Japanese society, yes.
Opening the door, he gestures for Ash to go ahead. Now is the conundrum. He hesitates. A good Japanese boy says he's leaving to the house... but they were meant to be sneaking out... Damn.
Very quickly, he yells,] Ittekimasu! [and, like, almost barrels into Ash trying to hurry out of the door and shut it behind him.]
[ there is just a moment of genuine confusion as eiji calls back to the house and closes the door after him. wow, japanese people are... interesting. if he didn't know any better he would have originally assumed that was just a weird eiji thing though, but he's been staying here long enough to now know better. ]
[Hurriedly, he points over by the stone fence were a cruiser bike is parked. It isn't brand new, but it isn't extremely old or broken down either. There are two spokes on the back tire's frame where Ash gets to stand.
Eiji is already moving over to pull it away from the wall and ease one leg across the frame. He holds it up so Ash can step on the back.]
Will standing be okay for you...? You really shouldn't pedal right now. [He's mother henning.] But later, we can get you one, too.
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Okay, a little harder this time. You can do it.
[He folds maybe a foot of one end of the obi in half like a taco, then places it against Ash's waist over the other belt.]
Hold this, please. Why wrap a gift for myself, then unwrap it later?!
[He does not mean for this to sound the way it does. More... why would he wrap Ash like a gift if he is just going to have to help Ash take it all off later.]
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he fails. ash totally laughs. ]
Eiji... you sound so dirty!
[ as if eiji could ever actually be that, but it's nice to joke. ]
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He makes a fussed face, pretending to be insulted because even if he doesn't know what the hell Ash is talking about, he can tell by the laugh and the tone he's being teased.]
What? Ash, the obi will be bad! [He forgets the word for "crooked" in his time of need. Carefully, he straightens Ash's hand again, and then shows Ash how the rest of the belt, not folded, loops around Ash's waist over the other one until it's in the front once more.
And then!! he shows Ash how to do the artsy "clam's mouth" knot.] There. It looks good in the back, like this. [He twists it around.] But to the side. [Why does it not line up with the damn seam in the back? We just don't fucking know, but it's fashionable to have it to the side. Whatever.]
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[ he gives it a slight tug, not forceful enough to undo it or anything, before nodding his head in approval. ]
Good work. I'll try to learn it so I can do it myself next time.
[ even if it's a little nice to be taken care of like this.
... although that's odd to think about, since it's something he never allowed anyone else to do. but it's safe, to let eiji do it at times. even if ash has probably just memorized the instructions and will have no issues with doing this if they ever have to wear yukata again. ]
... how do I look?
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...Ah. [Eiji steps back to look Ash over, and it's terribly far from the looks Ash has always received. He beams a bit, not an ounce of scrutiny in his expression even if he idly smooths out the lapels.] You really look amazing!
[Now he and Ash matchies! Nevermind Ash's yukata happens to be one of his own. He will buy Ash another yukata later, one Ash can personally keep, not some kind of hand-me-down.]
...are you sure you haven't worn yukata before?
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It's not like I would have had a chance before this.
[ ash is so very, very american, in so many ways. but he lets eiji continue to fuss over him with no complaints. ]
They seem like they'd be hard to run in.
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[He about-faces and goes to a little dresser to dig around in one of the top drawers.]
Yukata aren't made for running, no. You need hakama for moving. Here!
[He brandishes...... an uchiwa! He comes back over to tuck the fan behind the obi on Ash's yukata in the front. Now Ash is Sasuke.]
It will be hot. Even at night for fireworks.
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but hakama... he makes a note to look that up later. honestly, ash isn't the type to wear restricting clothing considering he's used to always needing to be ready to move at a moment's notice. even now, he can't fully believe that they might not have to drop everything and leave if something happens.
it's not like anyone would have followed him this far out, though. it's okay. ]
Yeah, what is with the heat here? The humidity is awful.
[ he fans himself with his hand, to drive the point home. ]
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[This makes him happy... to see Ash with such small worries, nothing at all like the life-or-death or New York. But despite wanting to bubble over eagerly saying they could visit the coast, Eiji tables it for now.
Ash had such a time with his home, and he doesn't want to make the mood sour.]
Now we have to get out without my sister being annoying... [His expression says the "hmph" he doesn't voice.] Oh--is the obi okay? On your...
[Well, he sort of pats his own stomach where Ash got fucking shanked.]
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It's fine. You were pretty gentle.
[ he's always gentle.
... but he decides to switch topics, not wanting to linger on that one for too long. ]
But geez, are all brother and sister siblings like this?
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Eiji hesitates, but manages to muster up a disgruntled expression.]
We won't ever make it to the festival if she keeps asking you nosy questions, [is his reasoning, and his excuse. He nyooms around that topic because he doesn't want to think about Griff.] Ready?
We will ride a bike to the station. Okay?
[Eiji, in his own town, in his own country: is this okay for you to do, ash???]
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a bike... he considers that, and just shrugs. he's done more strenuous things than that while injured, so it doesn't really seem like a problem other than the fact that with their luck, they'd probably crash. ]
Okay, okay... I want the authentic Japanese experience, you know?
[ and apparently that means riding a bike in yukata ]
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He takes Ash my the elbow of one arm and pulls him toward the door.]
Now we will sneak out.
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[ but it's said with a smile, because eiji being pushy about these sort of things is very familiar at this point.
and so is sneaking out, technically, but normally it's sneaking away from gangsters and not sisters who are thinking who even knows what. ash doesn't know if she has a crush or what. ]
Are you used to doing things like this?
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[He makes Ash stop behind him at the door, just so he can open it and stick only is head out to look for """"danger"""" in the hallway. Hmmmm. Safe? Safe.
He eases out into the hall, and then beckons for Ash to follow him. They can creep downstairs to the front door. Time to put Ash in geta.] Sometimes. [He is whispering. He is so sweet, but he's going to die on the annoying little sister hill.] Little sisters can be annoying. [It doesn't sound like he hates his sister, though. Soft Eiji.] They want you to do everything for them, and they escape trouble with a cute face.
Probably not like American little sisters.
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[ he glances at eiji, then around the house as they walk through it. ]
Maybe I had the wrong sibling with me in New York, if she's so good at that. [ he gently pokes the back of eiji's head. gently, but also annoyingly. ] Since you kept running into it.
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[It was A LOT.]
I won't say sorry because... it meant helping you. [And he said he wouldn't blame himself anymore.] Besides... We are in Japan now. There's no trouble here.
[He points at the wooden sandals in the genkan once they reach it, and then sort of smiles.]
Full Japanese experience.
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it's mostly to hide his expression, something so incredibly, sincerely fond, but mixed with a sadness that's forever a weight. what would he have done without eiji?
... it's best to not think too hard on that question. ]
It wouldn't be much of a vacation if we ran into trouble. [ the shoes are on. ] There.
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...so Ash gets to clomp around in sandals, and he gets to put on his sneakers. Fitting since they are technically "sneaking," right?]
Well, you are having a vacation. There isn't any trouble. Just a festival. A lot of people, so I hope you don't mind. [But he feels kind of stupid saying this to Ash. He scratches his cheek.] I guess you understand, living in New York. Oh!
They look good. [He hops up to offer Ash his hands. Help up! Help up! Help up!] Can you walk on them okay?
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[ he takes the offered help, easing up back to his feet. ash takes a few experimental steps. it's weird, but at the very least he's used to wearing heels, so being slightly off balanced while walking isn't something completely new to him. ]
This will probably be a different kind of crowd.
[ it is very hard to compare nyc crowds to other ones. ]
I'll probably stand out though.
[ blonde foreigner. ]
i almost tagged this with blanca
I'll protect you. [He sounds extremely sincere when he says this.] Mmm... Everyone will look at you, yes. I hope... that is okay.
[It isn't he doesn't think Ash gets look at all the time anyway, but he doesn't want Ash to think it will be those kinds of looks here.]
Don't worry. We do not like... attention. So they will only look. They won't say anything.
i hate you
it's a different kind of peace, with eiji here. ash is content. ]
... well, my safety is in your hands then.
(blanca, in an eiji voice) i'll protect you
[He will protect Ash! From... the don't-get-involved Japanese society, yes.
Opening the door, he gestures for Ash to go ahead. Now is the conundrum. He hesitates. A good Japanese boy says he's leaving to the house... but they were meant to be sneaking out... Damn.
Very quickly, he yells,] Ittekimasu! [and, like, almost barrels into Ash trying to hurry out of the door and shut it behind him.]
Now we hurry.
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[ there is just a moment of genuine confusion as eiji calls back to the house and closes the door after him. wow, japanese people are... interesting. if he didn't know any better he would have originally assumed that was just a weird eiji thing though, but he's been staying here long enough to now know better. ]
Where's your bike?
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Eiji is already moving over to pull it away from the wall and ease one leg across the frame. He holds it up so Ash can step on the back.]
Will standing be okay for you...? You really shouldn't pedal right now. [He's mother henning.] But later, we can get you one, too.
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