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[nolube]

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[sadpoem]

[Omori does nothing more than bob his head in response, drawing away. It takes him quite a while, and at times he looks extremely focused, squinting at Adam to get the right details; that being said, the final result looks rather crude and childish, and doesn't have many details to speak of.

[He turns the sketchbook to show Adam the little page of doodles he's created, all featuring Adam in his rat form; driving a pickle, balancing on Omori's head, suffocating in the pile, being stuck in a big mouth (it was funny, okay?), running away from a kaiju version of Omori - you know! Normal stuff!

[Do you like it, Adam?]

[nolube]

[Adam is pretty patient as Omori draws, not really moving very much, staying as still as he’s comfortable to. He gets the importance of having a decent model.

When he’s done and shows the sketchbook, he’s grateful for the fact his face doesn’t really emote very well. Some of these are…]

Exploiting my trauma for inspiration. [He says, sniffing at the kaiju drawing.] You’re a real artist, Omori.

[sadpoem]

[Omori wiggles happily in place. Adam likes them...]

Wanna keep it?

BATH! HEAVEN!! NOW!!!

[placation]

[ Welcome to Maruki's favorite place in Somnius, Adam!

Seriously, the day Akechi told him that there was a bathhouse strikingly similar to those they might find in Tokyo was one of his best days here. Easily in the top ten. They go fairly often, at least a few times a week. It's so routine, yet the place has never lost its charm to Maruki. Clean, well-kept, sparsely populated at best.

Tonight is no exception – it's only them, the large pool of piping hot water, the cool tile underfoot and steam in the air.

It's bliss. Hopefully Adam enjoys it anywhere near as much as he does.

Maruki dutifully brought two oranges, just as Adam requested, and sets them on the edge of one of the pool walls before stepping down and sinking into the water gratefully. He's still wearing his glasses, though they fog up almost immediately and when he turns his attention to where Adam was standing in the room, he can't see him at all. Perhaps a blessing in case he's more modest, like Vash was when they brought him along – but isn't modesty antithetical to Americans...?

Ah, well, matters not. Maruki lowers further into the water until it's up to his shoulders and sighs deeply. ]

If it's too hot for you, we don't have to stay long. Don't push yourself and get dizzy, I'm not carrying a wet rat home.

[nolube]

Yeah, ‘course. It deserves to be framed on the most prestigious site there is: the fridge door.

we can wrap up here soon hehe

[sadpoem]

[The fridge door...

[A place of great honor.

[He wants to see it there right now!]

Need a ride home?

[nolube]

[This is…nothing like Adam’s used to. Completely out of his cultural experience, actually - the closest comparison is a public pool, but that afforded a little more modesty and had a lot more screaming children involved.

It’s not bad. That’s his first impression. Different, but not bad. Kind of insane that it’s just him and Maruki; it’s a startlingly intimate setup for the kind of person he believes Maruki to be, but that’s also far from a negative.

He brought the beers - of course he was gonna bring the beers. He doesn’t stop to think whether it’s unwise to drink. This all started because of some sake, anyway, right? It’s fine. They’ll be fine. They sit on the edge next to the oranges, placed down with a light clink.

Stepping out into the pool, sliding off his towel, he’s pretty grateful that Maruki probably can’t see shit through his glasses. It’s not that he’s shy, but…it’s awkward, right? It’s awkward.]

Don’t underestimate me, man. [FUCK. It’s hot. It’s really hot. What the fuck. He grits his teeth, trying not to immediately jump back out.] I could stay here all night.

[placation]

[ It's not awkward at all! Not to Maruki. For as easily flustered as he is by so many things, bathing together is not one of them. It's so commonplace, such an easy bonding activity. He's grateful to be able to share it with friends here.

Including Adam, who immediately looks... well, like a guy who's not used to boiling himself for fun every night.

Maruki stifles a laugh behind a hand and then pushes his glasses up into his hair. Adam is blurry without them, but at least he's visible. ]

It's not a competition, seriously! Please let me know if you start to feel faint. I'll have to keep an eye on you... How troublesome.

[ It's a tease that's entirely good-natured, even fond.

Maruki moves through the water to sit along the back ledge, head and shoulders leaned back against the stone-and-tile wall. ]

We'll wait until you've acclimated before we even attempt oranges or beer. I can't decide if those will help you or not...

👍

[nolube]

[He could just walk home himself, but…if Omori insists.]

Sure.

[nolube]

[He rests his arms on the edge of the pool, hoping the cool tile might do something to balance out the heat of the water. If he were on his own he’d just bail right now, but since it’s Maruki…he ought to stick it out. Who knows. Maybe he’ll get used to it.]

When hasn’t beer ever helped?

[Multiple occasions in his life, but anyway.]

Don’t wanna leave it too long, or they’ll get warm. How long do you think it’ll take to get used to being boiled alive?

[placation]

[ When hasn't beer ever helped? Well, when one guy is about to get heat stroke! Ah, he really should have had the foresight to bring a flask of cool water... Maybe even a cloth to dampen and place on Adam's head... Such a strange feeling. Like caring for a pathetic baby chick.

However, he's not wrong about not letting the beer get warm. Maruki soaks happily where he is for a moment longer before drifting over to rest next to Adam, folding his arms along the edge as well and taking one of the bottles in hand. ]

Oh, it'll take a while if you're not used to this. If you end up enjoying it, I'd recommend coming back every few days for an hour or so. After a couple weeks, your body will be much more acclimated to the temperature and it will be a more calming experience.

[ Until then! Suffer a bit! It's good for the soul. ]

I take it this isn't a common practice in America...?

text; un: sunmori (07/19)

[sadpoem]

guess what