[Haku drops some of the conversational bait, just as Souma predicted. That’s fine, even if it’s a little sad. Souma has- had friends where they could pick up where they left off, even if time and years had separated them. He also has- had friends who were aloof, and careful with their affections. Haku was a bit more extreme than the latter group, but Souma knows not to be offended.
So he watches, and follows. He’s fine with letting his loved ones set the pace and tone of a conversation, if that’s what’s needed. Haku straightening his shoulders, and slipping into a professional mode hits him hard, though. More so than expected. Back in headquarters, Souma had grieved and been a little awed by Haku’s ability to switch into this particular demeanor. It had been hard to watch, because Haku is so very young, still, and this tic seems to be something well-practiced, and honed over the years. Just one gesture, and Souma knows Haku has not had much of a childhood.
But it’s not all bad. For someone so accustomed to self-denial, Haku has a lot of pride. He’s good at his job, and Souma is glad that Haku knows this at least.]
Wow. This takes me back.
[So much for formality. Souma crouches down a little. It’s a very familiar bag, even though probably not the same one as they used in joint missions. He can guess at all its contents, though. The disguises, the juice boxes. Moreover, he can remember all the times a bag like this would be hoisted onto Eiri, dwarfing him further. He remembers how Eiri would start yelling about it immediately. Or he’d accept it, until he’d remember he was supposed to be mad. And then he’d yell.
Souma won’t talk about Eiri, though. He’s noticed that Haku side-stepped Souma’s observations about what Eiri might be doing now. Again; Haku needs to take the lead.
He pulls himself back to his feet as Haku moves over to the bed. Opening a candy wrapper should be routine, at this point, but Haku takes longer than Souma expects. He wonders if there’s minute trembling coiled in Haku’s hands. He wonders about Haku’s heart rate right now.]
I’ve been doing okay.
[It’s hard to read anything in Haku’s eyes, ever, but sometimes it’s easy to worry he idealizes Souma a little too much. Reading strength into what’s just scrappiness, and brashness. So he tests the waters a little.]
Hah, actually… Honestly, it’s been a little hard to adjust. There’s no time to watch hero shows, after all.
[He wonders if that last bit lands the way it should. Is it presumptuous? Or does it temper the previous statement, letter Haku know he doesn’t have to spill his guts immediately. Only time will tell.]
no subject
So he watches, and follows. He’s fine with letting his loved ones set the pace and tone of a conversation, if that’s what’s needed. Haku straightening his shoulders, and slipping into a professional mode hits him hard, though. More so than expected. Back in headquarters, Souma had grieved and been a little awed by Haku’s ability to switch into this particular demeanor. It had been hard to watch, because Haku is so very young, still, and this tic seems to be something well-practiced, and honed over the years. Just one gesture, and Souma knows Haku has not had much of a childhood.
But it’s not all bad. For someone so accustomed to self-denial, Haku has a lot of pride. He’s good at his job, and Souma is glad that Haku knows this at least.]
Wow. This takes me back.
[So much for formality. Souma crouches down a little. It’s a very familiar bag, even though probably not the same one as they used in joint missions. He can guess at all its contents, though. The disguises, the juice boxes. Moreover, he can remember all the times a bag like this would be hoisted onto Eiri, dwarfing him further. He remembers how Eiri would start yelling about it immediately. Or he’d accept it, until he’d remember he was supposed to be mad. And then he’d yell.
Souma won’t talk about Eiri, though. He’s noticed that Haku side-stepped Souma’s observations about what Eiri might be doing now. Again; Haku needs to take the lead.
He pulls himself back to his feet as Haku moves over to the bed. Opening a candy wrapper should be routine, at this point, but Haku takes longer than Souma expects. He wonders if there’s minute trembling coiled in Haku’s hands. He wonders about Haku’s heart rate right now.]
I’ve been doing okay.
[It’s hard to read anything in Haku’s eyes, ever, but sometimes it’s easy to worry he idealizes Souma a little too much. Reading strength into what’s just scrappiness, and brashness. So he tests the waters a little.]
Hah, actually… Honestly, it’s been a little hard to adjust. There’s no time to watch hero shows, after all.
[He wonders if that last bit lands the way it should. Is it presumptuous? Or does it temper the previous statement, letter Haku know he doesn’t have to spill his guts immediately. Only time will tell.]