[And Yato is happy being friends! More than he can properly express some days. Hiyori is the best friend he's ever had, the closest one who's saved his life more times than he cares to count. He treasures her presence so much that he can't help wondering if there's something more to what they have than mere friendship - something between that and romance. But he doesn't know how to qualify it.
Thinking about Kofuku and weddings gets him contemplating. Maybe they could at least throw the two of them a private wedding do, if it's something they wanted? Just a small affair with her closest friends, like Bishamon and Ebisu. It could be fun, and a good way of repaying them for being there for him through the ages.
The silence remains for a time while they both mull over their thoughts, Yato's being slightly more panicked than Hiyori's. He realizes he's done that thing of stopping himself again, but when it comes to this topic he finds himself scared to continue. Afraid of what his words might bring. And when Hiyori dares to go where gods fear to tread, his eyes widen, teeth worrying at the inside of his bottom lip.
Does she know what she does to him...? She can't possibly, she's not that cruel. Although using generic terms for them... Maybe she is more aware than she lets on.]
Y-Yeah... A mortal isn't under the care of a god like shinki are, so they're free to form a different kind of relationship from the outset.
[He pokes at his pancake a bit, then takes a slow bite of it without really tasting it.]
I could see them being anything from strictly transactional to friends to... well, more. There's many tales of gods falling in love with humans.
[ hiyori can't help but look up slowly. many tales? there is a library here in reverein. she could always poke around and see what sort of mythology exists here.
without thinking, she reaches up for the pendant yato gifted her and touches the cool stones that rest on her collar. they're definitely not a merely transactional relationship. maybe it started that way, with hiyori employing yato's services to turn her back to normal. from there, slowly but surely, she saw yato as a friend and someone she cared about. someone vital to her.
they do exist somewhere between friends and this more he talks about. it took a conversation with one anon-san and living with yato for a month to realize the way she feels about aimi and yama, her human friends, is very different from how she feels about yato. yukine is more like a little brother, too.
she picks up another piece of pancake and puts it in her mouth. it practically melts on her tongue for how fluffy and light it is. ]
... Do you, um, know any? Any gods that... fell in l-love with a mortal? You've been alive for a long time, haven't you? There were a lot around at the match-making.
[ once again, hiyori's desire to know about the far shore and about yato gets the better of her. she ends up blurting questions about things she's curious about but should probably keep to herself.
they're just questions, though. she's not hinting at anything. he's her best friend, too. maybe that's the difference. the line between friends and more that he's talking about. ]
[Perhaps it's not accurate to say there's many Japanese tales of mortals and gods consorting with one another, but the Greeks sure do have a thing for mixing freely. He can't but wonder if - when he gets home - it might be worth trying to visit Greece to meet some of them and see whether it's mere myth. He's never been one to adhere to the rules, but hearing there's precedence among foreign gods is better than not at all.
N-Not that it would stop him from asking Hiyori anyway, if he thought she might answer him truly. Right now, though he's scared of any answer she could give, both positive and negative. It's why he hasn't asked in quite a while. His heart couldn't take the rejection anymore.
Because for him at least, Hiyori has gone beyond mere friendship into something much more amorphous and dangerous. A nameless category which he can't help treasuring above most others.
Even though his pancake is only half eaten, he takes to playing with it, cutting it into pieces and arranging them into a smiley face.]
I have, but for most of that time I was never part of the Heaven's world. I was just a lowly upstart, a wannabe unable to get his foot in the door. Though I've heard tell that Susanoo married a mortal woman he rescued. They even had children, so the story goes.
[Only after that comment does he look up to stare at her with a piercing gaze, trying to read her expression. Discern what it is she's after, besides local history or romantic gossip. Because that doesn't seem like the sort of thing Hiyori would care much about. So there must be more to her questions. Right?]
[ those greeks are up to all MANNER OF SHENANIGANS. unlike yato, nowadays. it could be the effect of them living together. yato has no reason to complain about his "hiyori time" when they live under the same roof. reverein itself gives them plenty of shenanigans, too.
he isn't the same god he was before. his foot is in the door. yukine is doing what he can to make sure yato reaches his dream of becoming a god of happiness. he has his small shrine in the waking world and he has his small shrine in his room. one day, in the future, he'll have a shrine on that little piece of land they found.
yatogami could be a name as well known as susanoo, like he wants. as yato's gaze lands on her, her fingers go slack on her fork and she nearly drops it. before her face gets too red, she shoves another large piece of pancake in her mouth so her cheeks are full. why is she blushing? they're just some questions! why was yato looking at that suddenly making her nervous?
no, she's not into romantic gossip at all. local history, maybe a little. ]
Oh. Y-yeah. Kushinadahime-sama. He saved her from Yamata-no-Orochi. I-I thought I saw him at the Divine Council! There were a lot of gods there. Uka-no-mitama was cute! With all those tails!!
[They practically have orgies, those crazy Greek gods! Maybe when he marries Hiyori, they can go there for their honeymoon and experience the debauchery for themselves! Haha... Yeah right, on all accounts. Part of him worries about his changed behavior since arriving. If maybe finally having Hiyori all to himself has made him resigned to permanent Roommate status.
Although upon reflecting on it, it's not resignation, but fear or losing that new closeness that keeps him from acting out quite so much. He doesn't have to fight anyone for her attention, for starters, and he has a new purpose in taking care of her while she's away from home. The obnoxious behaviors are... unnecessary, here. And might even be detrimental to keeping Hiyori close. Which is all he wants right now. Aside from maybe a k-ki.... He can't even think it!
That aside--! He watches her fumble her fork with mild amusement, a teasing smile playing at his lips. Seems that she has some things to hide, too, huh... Maybe... Nah.
He nods as she lists of the gods they saw at the Council, gradually stacking his pancake pieces into a tower.]
That's the one. So you see, there's no way we can know for sure if there isn't more mortal lovers among all those gods. There's bound to be, in fact. Some more under the table deals than widely announced, but there all the same. Thinking about asking one of them out?
[He may be teasing, but there's also a slight accusatory edge to his tone as he eyes her ever more critically.]
the thing about hiyori is that she's incredibly straightforward. in everything but this, it seems. this is the one thing she can't, just can't be direct about. she never could. not with herself and not with others. for one thing, she never had to be. romance and crushes never interested her. the closest she came to it was her admiration of touno.
but he's saying that gods and mortals aren't totally strange in the heavens. another secret among the gods, huh? it brings the god's greatest secret back to mind but she casts it away. not today. besides, yato would ask how she knows about it. how could she tell him she saw his memories? the playing. his father. sakura.
if she didn't force herself to forget about the secret, yato's question would. she goes wide-eyed and this time DOES drop her fork. ]
What! [ HOW DID HE ]
I couldn't...! Who, that's the first--?! I was just...! J-just-- [ just. ] Curious about Kofuku-san and Daikoku-san since it's Christmas! I was thinking about them. And then you said it would be different if it was m... a god and a mortal. That gods have fallen in l-love with mortals before! So, really, I should be asking if you're thinking of asking a mortal out.
[ ah ]
W-wait, no, I'm not asking that! I don't want to ask that!
[WELL YOU SEE, WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE GET REAL HORNY--
It's one of those traits in her that he admires, honestly. Because he's... not usually so straightforward. Evasive, even. He tries not to ever lie if he can help it, but he isn't always forthcoming with pertinent information unless absolutely necessary. Whereas Hiyori is as honest to herself and others as the day is long. They compliment each other, he feels. And he wants to be more like her.
Although it hardly matters if she's got her eye on some other god, now does it. Did she meet someone there...? They weren't together all time, so it's possible. Did Take woo her?! Was she taken in by his beauty?? Sure as hell couldn't have been his personality, he hopes. Although her plaque did seem attracted to the lowest of low lifes.... A god would at least be a better prospect for her. Dammit! He won't stand for it, though!!
Putting his own fork down, he braces both hands on the table and leans halfway across it, eyes sparkling with... something bright. Daring. Challenging. Determined.]
So you didn't meet somebody at the Council and fall madly in love with them, huh?? Somebody with big, beefy, sweaty pecs like your Touno? [He's heard some of those war gods can be pretty buff.] But Kofuku and Daikoku are a god and a shinki, so where did-- [How did this even start?] Wait, me? You think I've found somebody? But you don't really wanna know. So-- it doesn't matter to you if I asked a mortal out, huh??
[Swallowing, he's standing up to lean over to her side of the table before he realizes it.]
[ alright, takemikazuchi may be cute, but he's worse than yato when it comes to social etiquette. also, as if she could go for the rival of her best friend! that's messed up.
hiyori leans back in her chair as he stands out of his seat and leans across their small table, accusing her of things she wouldn't do! don't bring touno into this. it's not his muscles she likes, ok! muscleheads aren't her type either. ]
I didn't!! Yato!
[ with something like apprehension on her face, hiyori stares up at yato looming over her in her chair. asking her questions she doesn't want to answer. there's so much conflict warring in her that her eyes start to water. no, it's not how it is. yes, it matters if he asked a mortal out. but also it shouldn't.
how DID it get like this? he's doing the scary thing! and yukine isn't here to buffer yato or smack him when he's getting to be too much. gentleman yukine. maybe the uncomfortable pinch of her brows answers what she won't say. that it does matter. ]
Should it matter? [ she clenches her fists around the edge of her chair and sets her jaw. fights the thickness of her throat. ] As long as that mortal supports you and likes you for who you are and they make you happy, that's what matters to me.
[Where did this flurry of emotion come from, even? He's not quite sure, but it's overwhelming him in the worst way imaginable. Normally Yukine would be here to talk him down, tug on his arm until he remembers to breathe and stop crowding poor Hiyori.
But his shinki isn't here and he is barely breathing, and when he does, it comes out hard, making his shoulders heave. He wants to spit it out so badly, to tell her that it's her he wants to ask out. But... what if... she isn't interested? If she has somebody else she likes? He can't get in the way of her happiness, even at the expense of his own.
Without noticing, his nails dig into the table as he stares at her, searching hard for unspoken answers - both from her and for himself.]
It should! Because--! ["I want you to care, because it's you" gets hung up in his throat somewhere. Lost among everything else he wants and longs to say. Finally what comes out is:] W-Well, they do. They make me happier than I've ever been...! And I'm gonna stay by them forever.
hiyori holds her breath. unlike yato, she can read between the lines a little easier. he doesn't need to say it's you because he's given her all the hints already. she keeps them apart, though. rather it would be more accurate to say she pulls the wool over her eyes so she can't see the big picture.
no matter how obvious it might be. ]
I-I'm happy for you.
[ eventually, finally, she breathes. keeps staring at him with her eyes still round and watering from not being able to blink this entire time. getting over herself, glancing at his hand and how his nails dig into the wood, she reaches over and puts a hand on his before prying his fingers off the piece of furniture.
did she start this? with an innocent, innocuous question about gods and shinki. ]
Yato, I'm sorry. Don't be upset on Christmas, please. It's supposed to be a good day.
[Uncertain as to whether his message got across or if it was lost in translation, her words seem to answer that question unequivocally. Except. Except... What if this is her way of turning him down? Of letting him down gently, without having to come right out and say "no"?]
Are you?
[Now he's even more confused than he was before. And he's made a pig's ear of things, at that. She looks like she's on the verge of wanting to cry, and it takes him way too long to figure out why. His hovering. His stance. His voice. All aren't very... encouraging when put together, are they.
It makes his grip on the table tighten even more, until she's pulling his nails from the wood. That one action seems to deflate him, leading him to sitting back down heavily with his head hanging. He props it up on the one hand not in her grasp, breathing hard. He's not even sure what's going on anymore. Only that it's like they're speaking two very different languages here.]
Upset? I'm not-- [He looks at her with eyes that go from hurt to guilty in a matter of moments when he takes the time to try seeing things from her perspective. A scary god, indeed.] Hiyori, I'm sorry...
[For getting so worked up over nothing, for scaring her, if he did.]
[ even hiyori doesn't know what her words mean other than what they are at face value. ergo: they make him happy, so she's happy for him. because his happiness is important to her. more than a lot of things. more than nearly everything.
she is happy, truly. about that. perhaps not about being crowded into her chair but she's done her best to keep her backbone straight and tell him her beliefs. what she wishes for him.
looking across the table, she furrows her brow at him holding his head up with his hand. he's not upset? he looked pretty upset to her. she squeezes his hand and releases a small sigh, shaking her head. water under the bridge. theirs won't collapse so easily. they've been through too much together.
he sure gets intense, though. when it comes to romance. ]
I'm serious though, Yato. I just want you to be happy. But today of all days, especially.
[He stares at her for several moments longer before letting out a quiet sigh, allowing his shoulders to finally relax and the tension to drain from his body. How is it that she can stir up the most volatile emotions in him? Even when it's just the two of them.
Or maybe that's why. It's just the two of them. Them, sharing Christmas together, like, l-like a couple. How he imagines Kofuku and Daikoku used to before they butted in. Only there's no subtle lovey-dovey displays between them. Instead they get into heated... conversations over mortals and gods having romances. Stupid.
Turning his hand over in order to hold on to hers, he fixes Hiyori with a emphatic stare, not harsh like before, but much softer. There's even a hint of smile to his lips.]
I- I am. There's hardly anything that could make me happier. I just...
["Got worked up" would be an understatement, to put it mildly. "Wanted to say 'I love you' might be more accurate, but that'd be opening the biggest can of (gummy) worms they've ever known. He's not sure he's ready for that yet. Especially if she's already turned him down in her own way.]
[ as soon as yato relaxes, his shoulders sagging, hiyori feels the tension in her gut loosen too. she can breathe a bit easier and the air around them is more comfortable instead of on the edge of something. talking about romances between gods and mortals hit too close to home. smacked her in her blind spot and before she knew it she was asking questions and making things worse.
now that she's used to more physical contact with yato, she doesn't pull away from his hand turning. or from his blue gaze piercing her again, just as striking but warmer. heating up and replacing that tension in her stomach.
cutting himself off again. she attempts to parse what he means without asking him outright and she's able to figure it out. only she figures it's "found someone" instead of else. ]
I told you that you would be the first to know if I ever did. [ this "someone" he's always worried about. meanwhile, she's always thinking about their ema and what it could mean. scooting forward onto the edge of her seat, she holds his hand with both of hers. ]
We should be thinking of things that make us happy, anyway. Like, mmm, I'm glad you made such a special breakfast for me this morning of whatever I wanted. That was really nice of you, Yato. I'm grateful.
[As quickly as the tension had manifested, it's gone again, like it'd never been there apart from the slight furrow in Yato's brow. That much he can't seem to shake without concentrated effort. Which is hard to do when you don't realize it's happening.
His fingers latch onto her hand, not tightly, but firmly. Warmly. Part of him wants nothing more than to lean across the table and place his lips upon hers, but he quickly shakes that thought away. They don't have that kind of relationship.
Not now, possibly not ever. That somber fact dampens his mood somewhat, and he ducks his head in something between shame and embarrassment. She did indeed say that. He should've remembered and trusted in her to keep her word on that as well. It seems like he never can when it comes to her, though. Even at his very first Divine Council he lost it when her plaque kept ending up tied to unsuitable men.]
Y...Yeah. You did. Sorry. [Peering up at their hands from between his shaggy bangs, he nods. It won't do to dwell on the bad or sad aspects of life. The parts he can't change. Better to be grateful for what's right here in front of him so he can treasure that for as long as possible.]
...you're doing a good job as my temporary guidepost. That's something that makes me happy, too. I... didn't ruin breakfast for you, did I?
[Finally dragging his head all the way up, he gazes at her with raised brows and a sheepish half-smile.] You can hit me if I did.
[ as much as it pains her, this isn't the first time he's struggled to believe her words. from telling him she won't forget him, to saying she wants to be with him longer at capyperland (though that's her own damn fault for being so stubborn about not watching the parade but she had her reasons), to calling him her god of happiness and fortune. she just sends him a slightly wan smile. ]
You don't need to apologize. I'll just keep reminding you.
[ one that drops and for her cheeks to color for his praise. she is...? gosh, but it feels like she's struggling a lot of the time. yukine is better at it. maybe it's the connection that gods and shinki have. she was never the leader type until recently. ]
N... no, you didn't ruin it. [ she's quick to reassure and then fights a scoff for permission to hit him. all she does is give his wrist a light smack. right after, she gives him a softer pat. for saying she can hit him at all. that's awful. wrestling moves when he's being Too Much is one thing. hitting him because he was trying to express himself is another. besides, when was the last time she put him in some submission hold or any kind of wrestling move? oh. when she threw him off the zombie ride for laying in her lap, wasn't it? she couldn't help herself and she felt terrible afterward. ]
After we clean up and I get ready for the day, I'm going to hand out all the Capyper O-inari-san we made just like we planned. You should think about visiting the friends you've made here too, Yato. Do you want some inari to give to them?
[Trust with him has always been hard to earn, even more so for a human, as they can't help being of the Near Shore and fallible. It's just part of their nature, and he's come to accept that.
Except for Hiyori. Her words hold real weight and meaning. He can hold them close to his heart where he's most vulnerable, let them seep into his soul and trust in them. A struggle every step of the way to be sure, but he's doing it. He believes her. He wouldn't listen to her otherwise.]
Mmm. 'kay. I appreciate it.
[Because he does need the reminder. He knows that much is true. Together they both might not be the perfect pair of god and temporary guidepost, but they still make for a good team.
Her reassurance that the day isn't spoiled sends a wave of clear relief through him, washing away the last traces of the near-argument. He even laughs lightly upon getting a literal slap on the wrist and a comforting pat to go with it. Both make him feel heard. All is as right with the world as can be here.]
Ah, yeah, of course! I'm sure they'll love them! And I'll be sure to mention that since you made them, they're from you as well. Can't have anyone think I'm taking all the credit myself, heh.
[He skewers his tower of pancake bites and shoves them into his beaming face, nodding. He'll definitely have to pick up a few extra gifts for Hiyori while he's out and about, too. To make up for Santa's mistake and as a way of saying 'thank you' for all her hard work on the inari.]
[ it always means a lot when her words are taken to heart. but why he needs the reminder -- she has some idea. speaking it aloud? acknowledging it? that's another thing.
that's for some other time. after coming to a tenuous understanding, she doesn't want to break it. yato seems pleased, anyway. she nearly goes back on her word at yato suggesting he can say the inari gift will be from her, too. she didn't think of it as yato taking all the credit.
although... she could see him doing that before. not now. that bottomless stomach hasn't changed like the rest of him has. she can't help herself but to smile at him.
inari gifts from both the yatogami, god of happiness, and his faithful... follower. yeah. ]
But I'm not trying so hard to be a God of Fortune, you are. I made them so that people could believe in you. As a sign of good ties between you and others. [ except... like one. that's a teeny tiny cookieper for a cookie person. BUT ALL THE OTHERS ARE NORMAL CAPYPER INARI. ] I don't really need credit. [ she pauses. ] But if you want to say they're from me too, you can. I don't mind.
[That would definitely be treading a little too close to vulnerable territory so soon after their near miss of a thing that was them butting heads. He doesn't want to spoil today with dwelling on matters that can wait for another time.
Today's the day to play Santa, after all! For them to get all dressed up in their new winter gear and go visit friends and neighbors to spread cheer and Yatoism! Then maybe come home all covered in snow to warm cookies and milk, and a roaring fire. Play some games, have a nice dinner... N-Nothing romantic, just... normal roommate things!]
Of course! They may represent the blessing of Yatogami, but they're made with love and care by you - nothing I say will change that.
[Meaning her contribution shouldn't be taken for granted or trivialized just to feed his ego or reputation. After all, he still has the hand-woven omamori charms to go with them!]
I mean, what better way to prove I'm a good God of Fortune than by having such a wonderful and dedicated loyal follower, right? You're like free advertising! [H-He means that lovingly.....]
[ near miss -- that's for damn sure. she's just glad that she came to her senses and was able to settle yato down, too, before something happened. the air was so thick with suspense. she felt it weighing down on her body like it was a tangible thing. this is much better. yato smiling and making jokes at her expense...
..........
it's christmas, she reminds herself and knows yato doesn't mean it in a demeaning way. probably. some people are likely already questioning him from his previous advertisement. which while it wasn't bad, it was still -- he can do better.
and she is also DOING her BEST. wonderful and dedicated and loyal. it's nice that yato notices it. too bad calling her free advertising kills it. ] Putting in a good word never hurts, but I think you, yourself, proving you're a God of Fortune means more. Actions say more than words. Even mine.
[ TOUNO-SAMA TAUGHT HER THAT.
hiyori gives his hand another pat and then stands to get... one more pancake. she needs fuel for all the work she's going to do today!! ]
Mm~ I might ashk you to teach me to make theesh, too... otherwhysh I'll jusht beg you to make them all the time...
[It's good that one of them had some senses to come to, as Yato's aramitama was starting to rear its ugly head in a 'jealous lover' sort of way that was wholly inappropriate for the setting. Besides, everything is much better when they're both happy and content.
Though of course he doesn't mean it in a demeaning way! How could you think such a thing of this smiling angel?? Everybody else is just mean to think him suspicious after that perfectly honest, 100% accurate advertisement.
Maybe they should compare notes and see whose methods work better for luring in customers and believers. That way they could cover twice as much ground! Maybe he'll bring it up later when they get back.]
Yeah, but it helps to have a way of proving myself first, without butting in where I'm not wanted, yeah?
[He grins after her getting another pancake, slinging an arm over the back of his chair.]
Hehe, that can probably be arranged. Though maybe I'd like to hear you begging~
[ the same way when yato talks about "pest control" and comes flying in with a bat at one of the baseball guys that talks to her when she was filling in as manager.
she prefers this happy and comfortable atmosphere by a landslide, too. yato can be scary, at times, but she's fairly sure he doesn't realize it. or he's only just starting to. that guilty expression on his face was impossible to miss.
hiyori mulls and chews. that's why he wanted people to call him first. to be wanted or needed. hmm. ] I think you can tell when and where you should help others. Have more faith in yourself.
[ something she always tells him.
as for BEGGING. she's tempted to throw her fork at him. he WOULD like to hear that, wouldn't he? yato and his prayers. ]
[Considering the strange ideas those guys got just because Hiyori was offering to help them out, he feels perfectly justified in warding them off with their own sports equipment.
Thankfully nobody's tried to pull that kind of crap here (to his knowledge.) Otherwise he might get just a bit more scary than she saw just now. No one's allowed to mess with his believer/temp guidepost...! NOT ALLOWED.
To her comment, he pouts a little bit, twisting around more in his chair until he's kneeling in it.] Yeah, but...
[She's completely right about him wanting to be wanted. Needed. That's the trouble of trying to force himself into people's lives. Without knowing them he can't tell when he should step in. Like now, with how Hiyori offers to pay him for his services. He immediately perks up, one foot coming down to rest on the ground.]
You'll make it a proper wish??
[He's out of his chair in an instant, glomming onto her with both arms and his cheek pressed to the side of her head.]
[ ah, well... yeah... there's that, the team having very STRANGE ideas, but that was because of YOU. YATO.
clemency to the poor soul that ever tries to hit on hiyori (nor to her knowledge) with the yatogami protecting her like a hound.
she fights the amusement to no avail at how quickly yato's lured in by the gleam of a coin. she'll make it a proper wish, she doesn't get to say before he's grabbing onto her and his face is so damn CLOSE. ]
Gyah! Yato!! C-Careful!
[ her chair tips sideways with yato's exuberance and she clings to his shirt in order not to topple sideways with it, her balance upset. once she realizes she's safe and won't end up on a heap on the floor, her body sags and she pats his back. ]
[T-There may be some truth in that he had a hand in coloring their impression of her, but they jumped to their own conclusions! It's not his fault they're horny teenagers who think with their equipment--!
And hey, if he's willing to curse her future husband to smell like musty laundry, there's no way anyone actually making a pass at her will get off lightly. Divine protection guaranteed!!
If there's any consolation, it's that he misses her amusement at his antics and doesn't receive any positive reinforcement to his doofy behavior. Though there's also the way they both almost go overboard , even if thankfully it doesn't come to pass due to him having one foot firmly planted on the floor.]
Hehe~ It's fiiiine!
[His cheeks flush warmly at how she clings to him, certainly not missing this opportunity to enjoy their closeness, however brief it may be. Still, he backs off after a minute, allowing her chair to settle back on all four legs.]
I gotcha. I still appreciate it, though. I haven't gotten any requests since my advertisement. There doesn't seem to be much call for a Delivery God when they have the likes of a message board.
[Yes, he sounds a little put out about that. Being beaten by a community board of all things...]
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Thinking about Kofuku and weddings gets him contemplating. Maybe they could at least throw the two of them a private wedding do, if it's something they wanted? Just a small affair with her closest friends, like Bishamon and Ebisu. It could be fun, and a good way of repaying them for being there for him through the ages.
The silence remains for a time while they both mull over their thoughts, Yato's being slightly more panicked than Hiyori's. He realizes he's done that thing of stopping himself again, but when it comes to this topic he finds himself scared to continue. Afraid of what his words might bring. And when Hiyori dares to go where gods fear to tread, his eyes widen, teeth worrying at the inside of his bottom lip.
Does she know what she does to him...? She can't possibly, she's not that cruel. Although using generic terms for them... Maybe she is more aware than she lets on.]
Y-Yeah... A mortal isn't under the care of a god like shinki are, so they're free to form a different kind of relationship from the outset.
[He pokes at his pancake a bit, then takes a slow bite of it without really tasting it.]
I could see them being anything from strictly transactional to friends to... well, more. There's many tales of gods falling in love with humans.
no subject
without thinking, she reaches up for the pendant yato gifted her and touches the cool stones that rest on her collar. they're definitely not a merely transactional relationship. maybe it started that way, with hiyori employing yato's services to turn her back to normal. from there, slowly but surely, she saw yato as a friend and someone she cared about. someone vital to her.
they do exist somewhere between friends and this more he talks about. it took a conversation with one anon-san and living with yato for a month to realize the way she feels about aimi and yama, her human friends, is very different from how she feels about yato. yukine is more like a little brother, too.
she picks up another piece of pancake and puts it in her mouth. it practically melts on her tongue for how fluffy and light it is. ]
... Do you, um, know any? Any gods that... fell in l-love with a mortal? You've been alive for a long time, haven't you? There were a lot around at the match-making.
[ once again, hiyori's desire to know about the far shore and about yato gets the better of her. she ends up blurting questions about things she's curious about but should probably keep to herself.
they're just questions, though. she's not hinting at anything. he's her best friend, too. maybe that's the difference. the line between friends and more that he's talking about. ]
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N-Not that it would stop him from asking Hiyori anyway, if he thought she might answer him truly. Right now, though he's scared of any answer she could give, both positive and negative. It's why he hasn't asked in quite a while. His heart couldn't take the rejection anymore.
Because for him at least, Hiyori has gone beyond mere friendship into something much more amorphous and dangerous. A nameless category which he can't help treasuring above most others.
Even though his pancake is only half eaten, he takes to playing with it, cutting it into pieces and arranging them into a smiley face.]
I have, but for most of that time I was never part of the Heaven's world. I was just a lowly upstart, a wannabe unable to get his foot in the door. Though I've heard tell that Susanoo married a mortal woman he rescued. They even had children, so the story goes.
[Only after that comment does he look up to stare at her with a piercing gaze, trying to read her expression. Discern what it is she's after, besides local history or romantic gossip. Because that doesn't seem like the sort of thing Hiyori would care much about. So there must be more to her questions. Right?]
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he isn't the same god he was before. his foot is in the door. yukine is doing what he can to make sure yato reaches his dream of becoming a god of happiness. he has his small shrine in the waking world and he has his small shrine in his room. one day, in the future, he'll have a shrine on that little piece of land they found.
yatogami could be a name as well known as susanoo, like he wants. as yato's gaze lands on her, her fingers go slack on her fork and she nearly drops it. before her face gets too red, she shoves another large piece of pancake in her mouth so her cheeks are full. why is she blushing? they're just some questions! why was yato looking at that suddenly making her nervous?
no, she's not into romantic gossip at all. local history, maybe a little. ]
Oh. Y-yeah. Kushinadahime-sama. He saved her from Yamata-no-Orochi. I-I thought I saw him at the Divine Council! There were a lot of gods there. Uka-no-mitama was cute! With all those tails!!
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Although upon reflecting on it, it's not resignation, but fear or losing that new closeness that keeps him from acting out quite so much. He doesn't have to fight anyone for her attention, for starters, and he has a new purpose in taking care of her while she's away from home. The obnoxious behaviors are... unnecessary, here. And might even be detrimental to keeping Hiyori close. Which is all he wants right now. Aside from maybe a k-ki.... He can't even think it!
That aside--! He watches her fumble her fork with mild amusement, a teasing smile playing at his lips. Seems that she has some things to hide, too, huh... Maybe... Nah.
He nods as she lists of the gods they saw at the Council, gradually stacking his pancake pieces into a tower.]
That's the one. So you see, there's no way we can know for sure if there isn't more mortal lovers among all those gods. There's bound to be, in fact. Some more under the table deals than widely announced, but there all the same. Thinking about asking one of them out?
[He may be teasing, but there's also a slight accusatory edge to his tone as he eyes her ever more critically.]
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the thing about hiyori is that she's incredibly straightforward. in everything but this, it seems. this is the one thing she can't, just can't be direct about. she never could. not with herself and not with others. for one thing, she never had to be. romance and crushes never interested her. the closest she came to it was her admiration of touno.
but he's saying that gods and mortals aren't totally strange in the heavens. another secret among the gods, huh? it brings the god's greatest secret back to mind but she casts it away. not today. besides, yato would ask how she knows about it. how could she tell him she saw his memories? the playing. his father. sakura.
if she didn't force herself to forget about the secret, yato's question would. she goes wide-eyed and this time DOES drop her fork. ]
What! [ HOW DID HE ]
I couldn't...! Who, that's the first--?! I was just...! J-just-- [ just. ] Curious about Kofuku-san and Daikoku-san since it's Christmas! I was thinking about them. And then you said it would be different if it was m... a god and a mortal. That gods have fallen in l-love with mortals before! So, really, I should be asking if you're thinking of asking a mortal out.
[ ah ]
W-wait, no, I'm not asking that! I don't want to ask that!
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It's one of those traits in her that he admires, honestly. Because he's... not usually so straightforward. Evasive, even. He tries not to ever lie if he can help it, but he isn't always forthcoming with pertinent information unless absolutely necessary. Whereas Hiyori is as honest to herself and others as the day is long. They compliment each other, he feels. And he wants to be more like her.
Although it hardly matters if she's got her eye on some other god, now does it. Did she meet someone there...? They weren't together all time, so it's possible. Did Take woo her?! Was she taken in by his beauty?? Sure as hell couldn't have been his personality, he hopes. Although her plaque did seem attracted to the lowest of low lifes.... A god would at least be a better prospect for her. Dammit! He won't stand for it, though!!
Putting his own fork down, he braces both hands on the table and leans halfway across it, eyes sparkling with... something bright. Daring. Challenging. Determined.]
So you didn't meet somebody at the Council and fall madly in love with them, huh?? Somebody with big, beefy, sweaty pecs like your Touno? [He's heard some of those war gods can be pretty buff.] But Kofuku and Daikoku are a god and a shinki, so where did-- [How did this even start?] Wait, me? You think I've found somebody? But you don't really wanna know. So-- it doesn't matter to you if I asked a mortal out, huh??
[Swallowing, he's standing up to lean over to her side of the table before he realizes it.]
Is that how it is?
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hiyori leans back in her chair as he stands out of his seat and leans across their small table, accusing her of things she wouldn't do! don't bring touno into this. it's not his muscles she likes, ok! muscleheads aren't her type either. ]
I didn't!! Yato!
[ with something like apprehension on her face, hiyori stares up at yato looming over her in her chair. asking her questions she doesn't want to answer. there's so much conflict warring in her that her eyes start to water. no, it's not how it is. yes, it matters if he asked a mortal out. but also it shouldn't.
how DID it get like this? he's doing the scary thing! and yukine isn't here to buffer yato or smack him when he's getting to be too much. gentleman yukine. maybe the uncomfortable pinch of her brows answers what she won't say. that it does matter. ]
Should it matter? [ she clenches her fists around the edge of her chair and sets her jaw. fights the thickness of her throat. ] As long as that mortal supports you and likes you for who you are and they make you happy, that's what matters to me.
[ even if
even if ]
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But his shinki isn't here and he is barely breathing, and when he does, it comes out hard, making his shoulders heave. He wants to spit it out so badly, to tell her that it's her he wants to ask out. But... what if... she isn't interested? If she has somebody else she likes? He can't get in the way of her happiness, even at the expense of his own.
Without noticing, his nails dig into the table as he stares at her, searching hard for unspoken answers - both from her and for himself.]
It should! Because--! ["I want you to care, because it's you" gets hung up in his throat somewhere. Lost among everything else he wants and longs to say. Finally what comes out is:] W-Well, they do. They make me happier than I've ever been...! And I'm gonna stay by them forever.
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hiyori holds her breath. unlike yato, she can read between the lines a little easier. he doesn't need to say it's you because he's given her all the hints already. she keeps them apart, though. rather it would be more accurate to say she pulls the wool over her eyes so she can't see the big picture.
no matter how obvious it might be. ]
I-I'm happy for you.
[ eventually, finally, she breathes. keeps staring at him with her eyes still round and watering from not being able to blink this entire time. getting over herself, glancing at his hand and how his nails dig into the wood, she reaches over and puts a hand on his before prying his fingers off the piece of furniture.
did she start this? with an innocent, innocuous question about gods and shinki. ]
Yato, I'm sorry. Don't be upset on Christmas, please. It's supposed to be a good day.
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Are you?
[Now he's even more confused than he was before. And he's made a pig's ear of things, at that. She looks like she's on the verge of wanting to cry, and it takes him way too long to figure out why. His hovering. His stance. His voice. All aren't very... encouraging when put together, are they.
It makes his grip on the table tighten even more, until she's pulling his nails from the wood. That one action seems to deflate him, leading him to sitting back down heavily with his head hanging. He props it up on the one hand not in her grasp, breathing hard. He's not even sure what's going on anymore. Only that it's like they're speaking two very different languages here.]
Upset? I'm not-- [He looks at her with eyes that go from hurt to guilty in a matter of moments when he takes the time to try seeing things from her perspective. A scary god, indeed.] Hiyori, I'm sorry...
[For getting so worked up over nothing, for scaring her, if he did.]
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she is happy, truly. about that. perhaps not about being crowded into her chair but she's done her best to keep her backbone straight and tell him her beliefs. what she wishes for him.
looking across the table, she furrows her brow at him holding his head up with his hand. he's not upset? he looked pretty upset to her. she squeezes his hand and releases a small sigh, shaking her head. water under the bridge. theirs won't collapse so easily. they've been through too much together.
he sure gets intense, though. when it comes to romance. ]
I'm serious though, Yato. I just want you to be happy. But today of all days, especially.
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Or maybe that's why. It's just the two of them. Them, sharing Christmas together, like, l-like a couple. How he imagines Kofuku and Daikoku used to before they butted in. Only there's no subtle lovey-dovey displays between them. Instead they get into heated... conversations over mortals and gods having romances. Stupid.
Turning his hand over in order to hold on to hers, he fixes Hiyori with a emphatic stare, not harsh like before, but much softer. There's even a hint of smile to his lips.]
I- I am. There's hardly anything that could make me happier. I just...
["Got worked up" would be an understatement, to put it mildly. "Wanted to say 'I love you' might be more accurate, but that'd be opening the biggest can of (gummy) worms they've ever known. He's not sure he's ready for that yet. Especially if she's already turned him down in her own way.]
I just thought that you... [Found someone else.]
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now that she's used to more physical contact with yato, she doesn't pull away from his hand turning. or from his blue gaze piercing her again, just as striking but warmer. heating up and replacing that tension in her stomach.
cutting himself off again. she attempts to parse what he means without asking him outright and she's able to figure it out. only she figures it's "found someone" instead of else. ]
I told you that you would be the first to know if I ever did. [ this "someone" he's always worried about. meanwhile, she's always thinking about their ema and what it could mean. scooting forward onto the edge of her seat, she holds his hand with both of hers. ]
We should be thinking of things that make us happy, anyway. Like, mmm, I'm glad you made such a special breakfast for me this morning of whatever I wanted. That was really nice of you, Yato. I'm grateful.
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His fingers latch onto her hand, not tightly, but firmly. Warmly. Part of him wants nothing more than to lean across the table and place his lips upon hers, but he quickly shakes that thought away. They don't have that kind of relationship.
Not now, possibly not ever. That somber fact dampens his mood somewhat, and he ducks his head in something between shame and embarrassment. She did indeed say that. He should've remembered and trusted in her to keep her word on that as well. It seems like he never can when it comes to her, though. Even at his very first Divine Council he lost it when her plaque kept ending up tied to unsuitable men.]
Y...Yeah. You did. Sorry. [Peering up at their hands from between his shaggy bangs, he nods. It won't do to dwell on the bad or sad aspects of life. The parts he can't change. Better to be grateful for what's right here in front of him so he can treasure that for as long as possible.]
...you're doing a good job as my temporary guidepost. That's something that makes me happy, too. I... didn't ruin breakfast for you, did I?
[Finally dragging his head all the way up, he gazes at her with raised brows and a sheepish half-smile.] You can hit me if I did.
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You don't need to apologize. I'll just keep reminding you.
[ one that drops and for her cheeks to color for his praise. she is...? gosh, but it feels like she's struggling a lot of the time. yukine is better at it. maybe it's the connection that gods and shinki have. she was never the leader type until recently. ]
N... no, you didn't ruin it. [ she's quick to reassure and then fights a scoff for permission to hit him. all she does is give his wrist a light smack. right after, she gives him a softer pat. for saying she can hit him at all. that's awful. wrestling moves when he's being Too Much is one thing. hitting him because he was trying to express himself is another. besides, when was the last time she put him in some submission hold or any kind of wrestling move? oh. when she threw him off the zombie ride for laying in her lap, wasn't it? she couldn't help herself and she felt terrible afterward. ]
After we clean up and I get ready for the day, I'm going to hand out all the Capyper O-inari-san we made just like we planned. You should think about visiting the friends you've made here too, Yato. Do you want some inari to give to them?
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Except for Hiyori. Her words hold real weight and meaning. He can hold them close to his heart where he's most vulnerable, let them seep into his soul and trust in them. A struggle every step of the way to be sure, but he's doing it. He believes her. He wouldn't listen to her otherwise.]
Mmm. 'kay. I appreciate it.
[Because he does need the reminder. He knows that much is true. Together they both might not be the perfect pair of god and temporary guidepost, but they still make for a good team.
Her reassurance that the day isn't spoiled sends a wave of clear relief through him, washing away the last traces of the near-argument. He even laughs lightly upon getting a literal slap on the wrist and a comforting pat to go with it. Both make him feel heard. All is as right with the world as can be here.]
Ah, yeah, of course! I'm sure they'll love them! And I'll be sure to mention that since you made them, they're from you as well. Can't have anyone think I'm taking all the credit myself, heh.
[He skewers his tower of pancake bites and shoves them into his beaming face, nodding. He'll definitely have to pick up a few extra gifts for Hiyori while he's out and about, too. To make up for Santa's mistake and as a way of saying 'thank you' for all her hard work on the inari.]
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that's for some other time. after coming to a tenuous understanding, she doesn't want to break it. yato seems pleased, anyway. she nearly goes back on her word at yato suggesting he can say the inari gift will be from her, too. she didn't think of it as yato taking all the credit.
although... she could see him doing that before. not now. that bottomless stomach hasn't changed like the rest of him has. she can't help herself but to smile at him.
inari gifts from both the yatogami, god of happiness, and his faithful... follower. yeah. ]
But I'm not trying so hard to be a God of Fortune, you are. I made them so that people could believe in you. As a sign of good ties between you and others. [ except... like one. that's a teeny tiny cookieper for a cookie person. BUT ALL THE OTHERS ARE NORMAL CAPYPER INARI. ] I don't really need credit. [ she pauses. ] But if you want to say they're from me too, you can. I don't mind.
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Today's the day to play Santa, after all! For them to get all dressed up in their new winter gear and go visit friends and neighbors to spread cheer and Yatoism! Then maybe come home all covered in snow to warm cookies and milk, and a roaring fire. Play some games, have a nice dinner... N-Nothing romantic, just... normal roommate things!]
Of course! They may represent the blessing of Yatogami, but they're made with love and care by you - nothing I say will change that.
[Meaning her contribution shouldn't be taken for granted or trivialized just to feed his ego or reputation. After all, he still has the hand-woven omamori charms to go with them!]
I mean, what better way to prove I'm a good God of Fortune than by having such a wonderful and dedicated loyal follower, right? You're like free advertising! [H-He means that lovingly.....]
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..........
it's christmas, she reminds herself and knows yato doesn't mean it in a demeaning way. probably. some people are likely already questioning him from his previous advertisement. which while it wasn't bad, it was still -- he can do better.
and she is also DOING her BEST. wonderful and dedicated and loyal. it's nice that yato notices it. too bad calling her free advertising kills it. ] Putting in a good word never hurts, but I think you, yourself, proving you're a God of Fortune means more. Actions say more than words. Even mine.
[
TOUNO-SAMA TAUGHT HER THAT.hiyori gives his hand another pat and then stands to get... one more pancake. she needs fuel for all the work she's going to do today!! ]
Mm~ I might ashk you to teach me to make theesh, too... otherwhysh I'll jusht beg you to make them all the time...
[ HOMFHOMFHOMF ]
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Though of course he doesn't mean it in a demeaning way! How could you think such a thing of this smiling angel?? Everybody else is just mean to think him suspicious after that perfectly honest, 100% accurate advertisement.
Maybe they should compare notes and see whose methods work better for luring in customers and believers. That way they could cover twice as much ground! Maybe he'll bring it up later when they get back.]
Yeah, but it helps to have a way of proving myself first, without butting in where I'm not wanted, yeah?
[He grins after her getting another pancake, slinging an arm over the back of his chair.]
Hehe, that can probably be arranged. Though maybe I'd like to hear you begging~
[N-Not like that...!]
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she prefers this happy and comfortable atmosphere by a landslide, too. yato can be scary, at times, but she's fairly sure he doesn't realize it. or he's only just starting to. that guilty expression on his face was impossible to miss.
hiyori mulls and chews. that's why he wanted people to call him first. to be wanted or needed. hmm. ] I think you can tell when and where you should help others. Have more faith in yourself.
[ something she always tells him.
as for BEGGING. she's tempted to throw her fork at him. he WOULD like to hear that, wouldn't he? yato and his prayers. ]
I'll pay you five yen.
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Thankfully nobody's tried to pull that kind of crap here (to his knowledge.) Otherwise he might get just a bit more scary than she saw just now. No one's allowed to mess with his believer/temp guidepost...! NOT ALLOWED.
To her comment, he pouts a little bit, twisting around more in his chair until he's kneeling in it.] Yeah, but...
[She's completely right about him wanting to be wanted. Needed. That's the trouble of trying to force himself into people's lives. Without knowing them he can't tell when he should step in. Like now, with how Hiyori offers to pay him for his services. He immediately perks up, one foot coming down to rest on the ground.]
You'll make it a proper wish??
[He's out of his chair in an instant, glomming onto her with both arms and his cheek pressed to the side of her head.]
Yeaaaaah~ You're the best, Hiyori!
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clemency to the poor soul that ever tries to hit on hiyori (nor to her knowledge) with the yatogami protecting her like a hound.
she fights the amusement to no avail at how quickly yato's lured in by the gleam of a coin. she'll make it a proper wish, she doesn't get to say before he's grabbing onto her and his face is so damn CLOSE. ]
Gyah! Yato!! C-Careful!
[ her chair tips sideways with yato's exuberance and she clings to his shirt in order not to topple sideways with it, her balance upset. once she realizes she's safe and won't end up on a heap on the floor, her body sags and she pats his back. ]
I-I just don't want to beg you--
[ may our fates continue to intertwine... ]
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And hey, if he's willing to curse her future husband to smell like musty laundry, there's no way anyone actually making a pass at her will get off lightly. Divine protection guaranteed!!
If there's any consolation, it's that he misses her amusement at his antics and doesn't receive any positive reinforcement to his doofy behavior. Though there's also the way they both almost go overboard , even if thankfully it doesn't come to pass due to him having one foot firmly planted on the floor.]
Hehe~ It's fiiiine!
[His cheeks flush warmly at how she clings to him, certainly not missing this opportunity to enjoy their closeness, however brief it may be. Still, he backs off after a minute, allowing her chair to settle back on all four legs.]
I gotcha. I still appreciate it, though. I haven't gotten any requests since my advertisement. There doesn't seem to be much call for a Delivery God when they have the likes of a message board.
[Yes, he sounds a little put out about that. Being beaten by a community board of all things...]
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