***[1]
***[2]
I'd been walking for a good while to get back to the apartment.
Long enough for the clouds overhead to finally clear, bright sun shining down on the water soaked backstreets, which simply meant my eyes were the ones suffering the sensory assault this time, as opposed to my skin and hair.
''...Eh...'' Was the best way to describe my current emotional state, wandering through the backstreets without any fear, a newly decorated neck and paper shopping bags in hand, sipping from a juice box and trying to forget the fact that it somehow took over 10 attempts to get that stupid straw in.
''Mmph...'' Whatever, it was some good juice so i'l let it slide.
My earlier grumpiness about the unfortunate series of events transpiring this morning was waning slightly, still present of course, trudging barefoot on wet asphalt was an experience a masochist might get some enjoyment out of but certainly not me, just another reminder on why I need shoes, a problem for another time though.
Cause, yknow, the most pressing problem right now was.
GROWL
My stomach.
Eating 3 boxes of cookies (The crumbs of which we're currently clinging to my face and clothes) back to back had staved off my hunger slightly, but a full meal was alas, unfortunately, required.
Very fortunately however, the little shopping excursion garnered as many ingredients for cooking as I knew what to do with.
Very unfortunately however, there was one teensy, just like, a tiny little flaw holding me back.
I had no fucking idea how to cook.
''Oh well.'' Merely shrugged my shoulders at the thought as my mouth pulled away from the straw ''How hard could it be.''
Seems like I'll get to learn, the building where I was currently taking up residence had come into view after turning a corner.
With a slight sigh and a dusting of my feet against the welcoming mat, I was officially sort of home, just needed to get these bags all the way to the 5th floor.
''...''
Had to eye the closet with a slight squint before any of that though.
''You in there?''
Only to have my inquiry be met by blissful silence, looks like he finally left, thank god, literally.
Moving on from that, I began ascending up the flight of stairs, just about the only noise there being the crinkling of paper bags and the patting of my feet against concrete, music to my ears.
Lots of trash in those bags actually, a good bloodfiend such as myself would never dare to litter, 3 empty boxes of cookies still gotta go somewhere though, there was also the matter of me having already sucked out every last drop of liquid from that juice box, meaning that currently I was just biting on the straw for fun.
Not exactly like it mattered, the fabled doorstep had been reached.
KNOCK KNOCK
I gave the door two light taps with my knuckles, wasn't exactly sure why, it was never locked to begin with and whether or not Byron understood the meaning of knocking on doors was still up for debate, guess it just felt like the right thing to do.
My hand moved to the doorknob, giving it a slight twist, followed by a push.
''Yawn, I'm hom-''
SNAP
''...Huh?''
SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP
I was immediately bombarded with several incredibly bright flashes of light, that was the first thing I registered, if the sun was an assault on my eyes this could be considered full on warfare against them.
The second thing I registered was the distinct sound of camera lens, over, and over again, seems I'm being photographed.
And well, since Bishop wasn't here right now, there was literally only one person who could possibly be doing it.
SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP
''Uh....Father...?''
SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP
''Fatherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr~''
SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP
''...''
A vein began bulging on my temple.
''Don't you think that's enough photos -_-?''
Finally after my snarky comment did the endless photoshoot stop, allowing a clearly pouty Byron, crouched down till he was at my height, to finally move the phone out of my face and let me get a look at him.
''Mmph...but I'm only repaying my kindred's cruelty...''
''....Cruelty?''
''Indeed'' He crossed his arms and looked away with a huff. ''You were most cruel to leave my side for such an extended period of time.''
''...I was gone for 2 hours.''
''My point proven exactly! And thusly~''
A new kind of expression formed on his face, first time seeing it, something dangerously close to a smug grin with one hand resting on his chin and the other waving a phone in between his fingers.
''I expect nothing less than a million photographs depicting my kindred's oh so adorable for-''
''Not happening.''
''B-but.... ~_~''
I just calmly tossed the bags onto the couch. ''Not Happening.''
That new expression lasted for all of 10 seconds before he began pouting again. ''Hmph! Such unwarranted cruelty against one's own kin! Forcing me to settle for a mere 82 photographs of my dearest kindred!''
''Mhm, I'm suuuuuuuuper evil-''
''...''
''Wait since when do you know how to use a phone?''
''Oh, sir Bishop had instilled the knowledge upon me!'' Byron stood up to his full height and crossed his arms smugly ''My talent for learning was unprecedented according to him! Taking no less than 18 attempts to open the supposed ''Notes'' application.''
''Oh wow, your knowledge regarding technology is impeccable -_-''
''Of which I am keenly aware, just like my beloved kindred's knowledge of falchion-''
''Fashio-''
''Wait...'' The realization dawned upon me after correcting him.
''Are you uh...talking about this....?'' I said in reference to the choker, tugging at it lightly with a shaky smile.
''Oh yes! When you initially came in I had noticed it! Hmph! It compliments my beloved kindred's appearance quite well.''
''O-oh that's...'' Damnit why was I fidgeting....probably blushing too, thankfully no reflection to confirm that last part. ''Uh...glad you like it....?'' Were the only words I could muster.
''Hmph!'' This caused Byron to begin pouting again for some reason... ''I do not merely ''Like'' it! Any accessory that accentuates my finest of kindred's charm to such a degree does not warrant a mere ''Like'' from me!''
''...''
''W-Whatever I guess..'' Like the grumpy brat that I was, I'd turned my back on him, because I didn't need to guess if I was blushing anymore, it was apparent to me, the heat in my cheeks was becoming unbearable. ''Not like I care if you like it or anything....''
''...''
Byron went uncharacteristically silent at my reply.
''Hm...'' During which his thumb and index fingers found their way to his chin.
''Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm~''
''AH!''
He snapped his fingers like some grand revelation had been revealed to him.
''You reference the books of comedic do you not!?''
''...''
Very slowly, I turned my head around to look at him.
''The what?''
''The books of comedic and romance! Sir Bishop had recommended some of his personal favorites! Impeccable taste! As expected of my kindred's frien-''
''We're not friends.''
''...Also...what do you mean I'm ''referencing'' them.''
''Oh, art thou not a tsundere-''
''AM NOT!''
''Hmph, but my attempts at affection elicit responses similar to the twin tails bearing women in those books!''
''YEAH WELL THEY'RE ASSHOLES AND MY HEART'S MADE OF JELLO OKAY, HOW'D YOU EVEN LEARN THOSE STUPID TERMS SO FAST, YOU'VE HAD A PHONE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT BEST!?''
''My brilliance is simply unmatched I suppose~''
''...''
Dickhead....
''Sigh, look, how about a deal for you to never use that term when it comes to referring to me.''
''Oh, I would cease using the term entirely if asked, no need for a deal.''
''..Really?''
''Yes, there are loads of others I could use, such as the elusive ''Feminine boy'' for exam-''
''DON'T CALL ME ANY OF THOSE THINGS!''
''Mmph...but the titles are most accurate...''
''I STILL DON'T WANT YOU TO CALL ME THAT!''
''Hmph! Fine then, if the deal is elusive enough I shall refrain.''
''Haah~ Good...now catch.''
I tossed my phone straight at him, Byron caught it perfectly of course.
''Mhm? Pray tell?''
''Just...you know what games are right...?''
''Oh yes, I am familiar with the term, although the naming convention is confusing....why call them ''Video games'' If no video is included...''[3]
''Look...I don't know just- Download a game or something for you and me to play while I cook.''
''...''
''Did I hear my dearest kindred correctly?''
''...Probably...?''
''...''
Byron's expression hardened, nodding solemnly.
''I see, never did a matter of life and death such as this expect to befall into my hands so soon.''
''...''
''This fucking guy I s-''
''Yknow what good for you. Have fun downloading games I guess, I'll go cook something.''
And with Byron nodding solemnly again, my attention was turned to the kitchenette, a brief reprise from his endless bullshit.
Decided I was going to make some soup, and so with a roll of my sleeves, I got to it.
Like c'mon, just how hard can cooking be anyway~?
[1] Kindly play ''Limbus Company OST - Clear Wind'' For optimal reading experience
[2] Let Him Cook
[3] Byron attempted to download ''Grand Robbery Automobile V'' in the form of a videofile.