✉ ⸻ unprompted. send by, @nihilara
Of course he couldn't say no to Robin. Kuro had told her he'd do it, he'd help her and her brother. And... so far he'd been good company. Odd, quiet, didn't ask for much. Mimi didn't have a problem with him either, and he didn't take up much space. Though it had put Kuro's bounty hunting to a standstill. Doing his very best to not draw any attention to him and his passenger.
" I wasn't told you had any allergies. " setting a bowl down in front of sunday. Soup of some kind, with vegetables and noodles. " And I realize I hadn't really thought to ask so, I've been playing it a bit safe. " a bottle is set next to the bowl then, the drink is probably from a vending machine somewhere. A stark contrast to the meal Kuro had made from scratch. " That said, you're welcome to ask for something specific. I'm not very picky, and I like to cook. "
he had never imagined he would make it this far after his fall. a part of him had accepted that moment as his end, prepared to perish even though the thought of leaving robin alone weighed heavily on him. it brought him profound grief to consider abandoning his younger sister, but he had faith in her resilience. robin, he believed, would be alright — she always had been.
so, when he was rescued, it left him uncertain, grappling with conflicting emotions. he appreciated the aid, of course, but he couldn't fully grasp what to do with himself now. kuro and mimi's company was not unwelcome, but their lifestyle — and by extension, the one he was now forced to adopt as a fugitive — was far removed from anything he had ever known. it left him adrift, his days largely consumed by reflection and the daunting question of what lay ahead. for the first time in a long while, sunday felt lost.
during a moment of introspective, his thoughts were interrupted. a bowl of steaming soup appeared before him, placed with casual care. he blinked, momentarily startled, before lowering his gaze to the dish. ❝ ... it looks good, ❞ he admitted softly, his quiet tone betraying the low rumble of hunger in his stomach. embarrassing as it was, he couldn't deny it. ❝ i don't have any allergies, at least not that i know of. ❞ he added, somewhat awkwardly. his preferences tended towards the selective, but in current circumstances he understood he couldn't afford to be picky.
resigned, he gave the meal a try — and found himself pleasantly surprised. the flavors were simple yet satisfying, and he realized just how hungry he had truly been. his voice carrying a genuine appreciation. ❝ you're a good cook, it tastes delicious. ❞
as he ate, the silence stretched comfortably until kuro, having lingered nearby, began to step away. before the other could fully depart, sunday looked up, his golden eyes catching the other's attention. ❝ kuro, ❞ he said, his voice firm, but not sharp. there was a pause as sunday allowed a rare, sincere gratitude to show in his tone. ❝ thank you for this meal. ❞
and for everything else. though he didn't voice the latter sentiment, it hung unspoken in the air between them, carried in the weight of his expression.