Eating, flirting, falling unconscious

"Here," Maki's arm held a set of new clothes, while he politely stood outside the bathroom. "It might be oversized for you, but it'll do better than nothing."

"Let's see." Koga took the clothes, expecting them. These were good quality, however, not as extravagant as he usually wore. It was clear though, that Maki took time and specifically picked some for him. There was a cotton violet shirt and brown pants. Simple, yet satisfactory. The prospect of having his clothes made Koga smile, yet he said with an exaggerated tone, "Not silk, I see. How disappointing..."

"Do you want it or not?" Maki's voice rang behind the door, impatient or nervous?

"Yes, yes. I hate the thought of wearing my clothes after sleeping in them."

"You could've teleported home if you wanted to change."

"And what's fun in that?" Koga's head popped out, and he winked at Maki who stood there, astonished to see Koga's upper half undressed. "Now I get to keep these forever, right?"

"Yes, yes, go inside, it's cold here, what're you doing?" Maki's face got red.

Satisfied to see him that way Koga closed the door. He hugged the clothes unconsciously, sensing Maki's pleasant perfume lingering on them. He turned to the mirror. Seeing how stupid he looked smiling like that, he immediately straightened his face and dressed himself silently.

Maki had already been gone by the time he exited the room. The corridor was dark, and the wood paneling didn't have any windows. He walked to the staircase and headed downstairs. Approaching the kitchen he heard voices talking. Hesitant to enter he paused, his ears straitening sharply.

"Hey, you shouldn't look so apologetic, Maki." Yoshio's voice was calm and detached, as always, despite his warm words. "I am happy you brought someone with you. There is no need to let me know about these things if you trust the person you are with. You know that I trust you, thus I trust your choice. Don't worry about it." Yoshio clapped Maki's shoulder. "Besides, I think it is the first time you genuinely liked someone, isn't it?"

"I-I guess..."

"Maki, please don't be shy, it's a happy occasion. I just hope he is feeling the same towards you."

"Well... I am not so sure about that."

Yoshi laughed, which made Koga's ears twitch - that laughter sounded weird.

"Okay, then spend as long as you need to figure it out."

Maki stood there, still shy. "Thank you, Yoshi-san."

"Oh you should drop the honorifics already, even the red hair... oh she..."

"Everything all right?"

"Yes. I-I will return to my room. Tell Koga he is welcome. Don't be afraid to spend as much time as you need."

Hearing his name Koga began walking to avoid being caught eavesdropping. When he turned the corner, he noticed that Yoshi was already gone - he remembered - they don't like walking normally in this house. Maki stood there, ears red, looking at the floor, smiling like a child. Koga tilted his head, "He is like a father to you."

Maki, turned his head rapidly, his face appearing calm. "You are done. What do you want to eat?"

"Whatever you were going to cook for yourself." Koga leisurely sat down on the chair, grinning.

Maki made himself turn away, but he had a moment to appreciate how his clothes sat on Koga. The pants were a bit long, but everything else looked great, obviously. There is probably nothing that would look bad on him. He cleared his throat, taking the vegetables out of the fridge.

"Okay, I'll make some fried rice with vegetables."

He moved gracefully and very precisely. His cooking skills were clearly impressive. Koga got a bit jealous observing him. He wasn't that good, even though his family had restaurants for as long as he can remember. Probably his own greatest dish was ramen, the kind they made at the shop. He observed Maki, unconsciously, without realizing how fast time was going. The process consumed him, and eventually, he even stood up behind Maki, looking into whatever he was frying, studying his hand movements, as he chopped vegetables, and then transferred them into a frying pan. His long slim fingers were like the hands of a pianist, he thought. Maki didn't care about Koga clinging to his side as he did.

It didn't take much longer, and the rice was done. While taking the dishes out of the drawer Maki glanced back, saying with a smile, "You should sit down, the food is ready to eat. There is nothing else to observe."

Koga got flustered, what seemed for the first time to Maki, which made him happy. They sat down silently. The rice smelled great.

Koga nodded in satisfaction, "Thank you for making this, and... Yoshio - he won't eat?"

"No, he ate, and he is busy with his affairs anyway."

They continued to eat in silence. Koga enjoyed the meal greatly. He wanted to say something but didn't know what, so he continued focusing on his food. Maki was glancing at the fox from time to time, pleased. He'd tried his best with this simple dish. It seemed he managed to impress the other with it.

When they finished eating he took the plates to the sink, and washed them, when suddenly, he felt Koga leaning onto him from behind, and his breathing lightly brushing Maki's ear, as he spoke.

"Thank you, Maki, for everything, I think... I think you are great."

The plate fell out of his hand, and he heard Koga laughing, already outside.

When he finished cleaning, he walked out too, calling out to him, as if nothing happened, "Hey, will you look at the blade?"

"Sure. Oh, this is nice. I presume you are taking care of the garden and the fish? I love it here, I wish I wasn't asleep yesterday to see this."

"We both take care of the temple. Come inside for a moment."

Koga complied, coming back playfully, looking into Maki's eyes provokingly. It was totally working, so Maki went inside showing no reaction, trying to calm himself down. Not noticing it, Koga felt disappointed - it seemed he didn't make the other as flustered as he'd hoped.

"Here," The blade with a silver fox on its handle appeared on the table. "Will touching it help us learn anything?"

"I don't know, it might. I will touch it now." Koga stretched his arm but was stopped by the other.

"Wait, are you sure it'll be okay?"

"Why not?"

"I don't know. But you said yourself you are a kitsune, this blade belonged to one, clearly."

"So what," he brushed it off, "I am not the only one there."

"Okay, I will trust you."

Annoyed Koga put his hand on the blade. Feeling something strange, he picked it up, inspecting it closer. "It's... It has a weird power to it... This stone..." He narrowed his eyes.

"Does it? Maybe because you are a fox?" Maki came closer.

"I am not sure...Oh, I feel it, maybe a vision..." In a moment he fell into Maki's arms, unconscious. Weirdly enough the blade remained in his grip.