riverview | Cake Catastrophe (video; un: Sly Blue and RuffRabbit)

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Cake Catastrophe (video; un: Sly Blue and RuffRabbit)

[ The scene may not be an usual one. There's a fire alarm blaring, the haze of smoke and the dismayed sound of a man who has fallen prey to some misadventure in cooking. Aoba whines about how he's ruined a birthday cake he toiled over for hours, makes a fuss at how he couldn't have possibly got it wrong, all the while trying to shut off the alarm.

Noiz is naturally filming this culinary disaster as it happens and is presenting it live on social media. Don't forget to hit subscribe, folks.

When he pushes open the door to the kitchen, there's enough smoke that it's left a dull haze hanging around the kitchen even with the ventilation fan on full blast and a certain blue-haired young man is flapping a dish towel frantically before the oven. The door is open and it belches smoke, makes him choke and cough as he hauls out the burnt remains of what may have been a cake.

He clearly did not do the cooking by the book, either through sheer laziness or by using some messy recipe and the cake turned out crazy. It looks more like a blackened bit of sponge than anything edible.

It’s at this point that the camera turns a bit to show the plain-faced cameraman, who reaches forward to rip a chunk of the blackened cake up from the smoldering mess, to take a bite.

Of course, he makes a face. Eyeing the camera now, he shakes his head. ]

Someone should teach this idiot how to bake.

Or at least point him to a cookbook.

[ And apparently, that’s too much for the ~~victim~~ star of the video to handle, as he runs toward the cameraman, hands out to take the comm from him. ]

You complete brat! Are you filming this?! Don’t eat that garbage, what are you doing--!?

[ Looks like the show is over, unless you want to reply to the video that now abruptly shuts off to help this pair of fools. ]

[ ooc: Aoba's dialogue is in blue, Noiz is in green. ]

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[ He falls silent for a time at the mention of his horrible childhood, the gentle stroking on the rabbit's head slowing until he stops. He's heard it before, seen it in Noiz' mind during Scrap. Felt the isolation and neglect heavy like chains around Noiz, weighing him down.

They're still there, even now. That hurts a little, knowing he's still suffering with it all. ]

...Do you want to talk about it?

[ The time at the zoo, the time stuck in the mansion. Anything is fine, just as long as Noiz wants to talk about it. He'll listen, because it's the first time Noiz has uttered a word about his past... it must be difficult, especially since he hasn't forced it out of him like he had last time. ]

[The rabbit under Aoba's hands was quietly flattening out, letting its head rest on the ground as it relaxed under his gentle fingers, its back legs stretching out to make itself comfortable.

Noiz watches this, quiet as Aoba asks that question and it makes his stomach knot up in a way he's entirely unused to. It's a frustrating feeling, due to how he's not felt it in a long, long time. He distracts himself from it by picking up one of the smaller rabbits, cradling it against his arms as his fingers draw circles along its cheek.]

Not really.

[It's an honest answer--he doesn't want to think about back then, let alone talk about it. And besides:]

There's nothing to talk about.

It was the same every day.

[ Noiz doesn't want to talk about it. It doesn't surprise him, not when the memories are so painful. They're shameful too, seeing the way his parents had treated him like an inconvenience to be hidden away from plain sight. It wasn't just neglectful, it was abuse. Noiz was alone for so many years... is it any wonder that being in crowded places makes him tense?

Aoba leans his head against Noiz' shoulder, his hair tingling at the slight pressure. ]

Mm. That's okay.

[ He sits with him in silence, absently stroking the rabbit until he starts to relax and stretch out. It's so cute, watching this one and the one cradled in Noiz' arms. It makes him feel a little sleepy, too... ]

Ah! [ Aoba straightens slightly, makes a hushed, excited sound and his hand crawls over to squeeze Noiz' thigh first, blindly trying to get his attention as he stares at the rabbit. ]

He's... he's laying down! Noiz...!

[ He's getting excited about something as normal as this? It's not really something he's experienced before, and here comes that childlike wonder spreading over his face and his voice and body language. ]

[He has more important things to think about right now anyway. He's on a literal planet far, far away from everything that had hurt him. He's missing out on Rhyme but everything else didn't matter--he'd wound up in this place alongside the only person who'd ever paid him any real mind. So thinking about the past...

He didn't linger on it. He lets his thoughts drift to the quiet little situation Aoba had put them in, honestly starting to enjoy himself despite the fact that it's not his usual sort of hobby.

He had busied himself with the bunny that was falling asleep in his arms when there's the distant feeling of someone's hand on his thigh, and he looks up to see Aoba's own rabbit starting to relax.

A smile curls up his lips as he looks at how excited Aoba gets about it and he shakes his head.]

...You're cute.

Isn't he just?

[ He's so caught up in thinking the rabbit is being the cutest thing in the universe that he mistakes Noiz' observation for being about it, not him. He's practically vibrating with excitement and tension, trying not to disturb it when it's looking so comfortable.

Then his eyes fall on the one falling asleep in Noiz' arms, his little body huffing air faster than it would seem 'relaxing' for a person or a dog, but there it is... drifting off. ]

Uwaaah, I can't, I don't think my heart can take this... so adorable...

[ His eyes are prickling, he's not going to cry, he's just got something in his eye. Honest. ]

[It's almost funny, the moment that passes where Aoba mistakes what Noiz had said--thinking he was talking about the rabbit. He can't help a soft laugh, the sound escaping his nose in a small rush.

He closes his eyes, giving his head a single shake as the guy keeps going without a clue, about how cute it is.
As he continues, the rabbit opens its eyes again, as if wondering where the hands that had been treating it nicely have gone--before kicking its legs out to the side, getting comfortable.]

Oi.

[He doesn't say much more than that, trying to get Aoba's attention...

...as his small, handheld communicator comes out, and he's snapping a picture of the slightly teary-eyed guy and his new rabbit friend.]

[ Aoba takes the bait. He's mid-sniffle, smiling like a total dork as he strokes the rabbit's soft fur when he looks up with tears brimming in his eyes at the sheer cuteness unfolding before him when he hears the telltale soundbite of a picture being taken. ]

...Ah?

HAAAH?!

[ Did he just...

No, he wouldn't. Oh, who is he kidding? Of course Noiz would, the brat! He took a picture at this very embarrassing moment! How incredibly rude! Aoba bristles, balls up his hands into fists and nearly curls in on himself in sheer embarrassment. ]

N-Noiz!! Did you just take my picture?

[ He's just going to clutch at his sleeve now in the hopes of not disturbing any sleeping bunnies as he tries to grab for the communicator device. Give that here, you jerk! ]

Don't you dare post that!

Aa. I did.

[And Aoba's screaming and his almost offended question doesn't seem to be enough to make him even TRY to deny it.

Even so much so that he flips the device around to show him--a very peaceful picture of Aoba looking absolutely delighted next to the dozing, happy rabbit.]

Something wrong?

Mn...!

[ Aoba stares at it, his mouth settling into a stern line on his face as he assesses it, finds himself grasping at straws. It's actually... kind of nice. He imagines it took either considerable skill or luck to capture the precise moment before he out and embarrassed himself with his emotions, somehow managing to make it look... adorable. Aoba's expression is easily outshone by the subject matter and that's fine by him.

Did Noiz do that on purpose? ]

...

[ Aoba takes the device from his hand to look at it from lower down, watching the screen from as low as his lap, and then rushes forward to press his lips against his cheek.

He probably can't feel much more than some dull pressure on him, as if some sheet of rubber was placed between them, but Aoba can't help himself. It's fleeting, just a press of warm lips against cooler skin and then he's pulling his chin against his chest again and staring off to the side, pushing Noiz' device back against his chest. Take it back. ]

[If the other were to inquire about the precision and timing of the photo, he'd be met with a noncommittal answer, anyhow. You don't manage in Noiz' line of work with lucky photographs and found footage, after all.

Fortunately, he not only doesn't bother asking Noiz about that at all--but instead he does something baffling instead.

It makes the hacker's brain still for a moment as he hits Aoba with his best calculating look--as if he's putting the pieces of a very articulate puzzle together for the first time.

The fuss this morning with the cake, the secret plans with a specially-arranged ride to a place Noiz had always found comfort in, followed by an action as ... oddly 'innocent' as a kiss on the cheek...

His hands come up to take his communicator from the other, and he finally looks away. Something passes through his mind quietly as he looks down at the photo he'd taken.]

Hey.

Do you have any more plans? [Are they going to get a real cake? See the rest of the zoo, after this?

He's seemed to slip back into normal conversation too easily after that kiss, but there's an oddly determined look in his eyes.]

[ It makes sense, Noiz was in the business of acquiring and selling data. To the right buyer, photographic evidence was as valuable as the content captured and quality combined - of course he'd have an eye for capturing a good picture. After having seen it and found it... Acceptable, Aoba couldn't help but reconsider the urge to delete it from his comm device, kind of liked the thought of Noiz having that sort of picture of him close at hand.

How embarrassing, what a stupid thing to get so happy about. But there he is, heart racing like a damn teenager, thinking way too hard about the implications of that simple act that really just amounts to 'taking a picture' -- Aoba is getting worked up over basically nothing, getting caught up in his own thoughts as usual.

Aoba had already begun to fold in on himself, leaning as far onto his knees as he could to resume stroking the rabbit with ease and hide his red skin from direct view, letting the mess of blue hair curtain and frame his face. ]

Mm?

[ His plans had been derailed at first, but this trip proved a nice and pleasant diversion from it. It also allowed the apartment to air out from the pungent, nose-wrinkling stink of burnt confectionery. ]

I really screwed up earlier, but after this I really had nothing planned.

[ He smiles at him, hugging his knees as he looks at him from below. ]

Did you want to go somewhere else? This is Noiz' day, after all. You can do whatever you'd like. ♥

[He had his own reasons for taking the photo--reasons he wouldn't really be able to put into words until far lately, in all likelyhood. His fingers move over the surface of his comm device, making sure the image was saved before he's moving to tuck it away.

After the other answers, he merely nods his head once--looking back down at the small rabbit that's decided Noiz' arms were the best place to sleep. It was comfortable here, like this, and he was entirely okay with staying for another little while, but...]

...I want to eat, and then I want to go home. I have something I want to do.

Something you want to do?

[ Maybe he's got a job, some project to keep him busy. Aoba's envious, just a little bit, for the fact Noiz has already found something to inspire his passion and ambition like this. He's just content to make it by, go through the motions to make a paycheck until he settles in, finds a goal of his own that isn't him playing the world's loneliest satellite to Noiz. ]

If you'd like, I can get what you want now and meet up with you at home!

[ He thinks he wants alone time with these cuddly, cute rabbits. After all, this is Noiz' secret love. Enjoying his day with them is exactly what Aoba wants him to do, he wants him to indulge his birthday celebration doing anything he wants.

He pushes up against his knees, smiling sunnily into Noiz' face. ]

Is there something you want for dinner? You'll tell me, won't you?

[He takes a moment to look down at the enclosed space of rabbits...

Before moving to half lie-down in the space where there weren't any in his way. He props his head up against his wrist, sliding the little bunny he's cradling back down onto the mostly-clean pen, before glancing up at the other.

There's a cheeky look on his face--almost one that could be called crafty in nature. Who even knows what he's thinking, with an expression like that--Aoba could only hope to guess.]

You're really going out of your way for me.

[Offering to let Noiz relax here while he goes off to get dinner...

Another peg in that list of confusingly kind things Aoba seems focused on doing for him.]

...I wan't something I haven't tried before.

[A pause.]

Something Aoba likes.

Don't get too used to it, it's because this is a special occasion.

[ Except in those moments when he forgets himself and helps Noiz out of his coat when he comes in the door, or makes him dinner, or drapes his arms over his shoulders and pecks him on the cheek. All of those hormones and feelings have his head mixed up more times than he can count.

Aoba lifts up from his knees and cups his chin, thinking. ]

Something I like and something Noiz hasn't tried before... mm.

[ Aoba considers it. He'd hoped that by excusing himself he could have the luxury of picking out a cake without losing face for not knowing a thing about baked confectionery, or perhaps distance himself enough to steal a photograph for himself with Noiz being used as a mattress for totally relaxed and slumbering rabbits (this is still, for the record, on the table).

But he's distracted by that look of mischief that tugs at his memory. He recognizes it, but he's still not sure if it's up to no good, or perhaps too much good than he can handle. It makes him nervous, he's wary of that expression, but he gives it up. Noiz wants something to eat, after all... he's on a mission. ]

Aah! I know just the thing! I'll come back here with it, so hang tight okay?

[ And sure enough, about half an hour later he returns, laden with a small box containing a small cake with a single candle in it (unlit, of course) and another bag containing what would be their meal. He asked for it to be given in a fairly well ventilated container. Whether it was cool or hot didn't matter so much as the texture and the toppings. ]

...Noiz, are you awake?

[ He sets down his burden. Inside the container is something that... looks like pancake filled with seafood and vegetables and striped on top with mayonnaise and some kind of sweet brown sauce and sprinkled with red ginger and bonito flakes. It's okonomiyaki. It's... kind of like pizza? For someone who maybe has never had pizza ever. ]

[Don't get too used to it, huh. He thinks about that sentence with an even, hard-to-read expression on his face as the other drapes over him. Another press to his cheek and and an all too cheerful sound to his voice as he contemplates what he'd said about food.

He wonders if he should really not 'get used to it', as Aoba's done nothing but this sort of thing ever since they'd arrived on this planet far from home.

He squints a little at the other... before nodding his head once to the other in reply.

Within the hour the other was gone until he returned, Noiz hadn't moved much--save for the fact that his hat was off and tossed a little carelessly to the side...

As he very much had dozed off in the gentle sun, surrounded by small rabbits who had decided the strawberry blonde was a perfect napping partner. There's an old couple sitting on a bench a little more off to the side, watching with an amused expression paired between them.

'Are you awake' seems to be enough to rouse the other from his slumber, however--jerking awake with a bit of a 'I wasn't sleeping' expression on his face.]

...Aa. I'm here.

[A tell-tale answer as he reaches up to rub his eye. He opens his mouth to ask 'how long were you gone,' but...

He just shakes his head instead.]

Smells good.

[ Aoba's eyeing him suspiciously, allowing them to slide closed as he sighs heavily when Noiz rubs the sleep from his eyes. ]

Fwaaah, you really fell asleep, didn't you? Really, you're in a zoo, just how relaxed can you get in a place like this?

[ Aoba chastises only because it's a little weird to be napping here, even if it does look cute. And happens to be perfect photographic evidence that he surely did not take about 20 snaps of before making his appearance known. Nope.

Aoba gently nudges some fluffy white rabbits and they hop a few feet away, concerned with this newcomer but not really willing to give up their human furniture when it's so warm and comfortable and still. But after making enough shooing motions and noises, Aoba wins the fight and sits down, with space enough between them to take the lid off the container. ]

Come on, I brought two disposable forks... let's dig in, okay?

This is called okonomiyaki. [ He sets the cover aside and hands Noiz a small fork, then cuts a small piece for himself, spears it and then lifts to his mouth to cool by blowing on it. He... fully intends on eating this piece himself, but something makes him wait. He's done this before, right? Eaten in front of Noiz only for him to seal a bite.

So he... offers it to him. Turns his face slightly away while looking at him from the corner of his eye, face reddening. ]

A...aa, please have... some...

There's not really anyone around.

[Like THAT's a fucking excuse for falling asleep, surrounded by rabbits. And his excuse for not getting the fuck up right now. Because he was comfortable, first of all--and second of all, he wasn't too keen on disturbing a few of the bunnies who'd made him nap central.

At least, not until Aoba shoos a few of them away and they scatter easily enough--all save for a large grey lop that's made his lap a place to stay. It's only then that the youth sits up fully, reaching a hand up to fix his hair with a stifled yawn.]

Okono... miyaki. [He repeats the word as he takes a moment to stare down at the... pizza. Pancake? Pizzacake... He's not sure what to think of it, but it smells good, so...

When the bite is offered to him, he has absolutely no qualms on leaning forward to bite it right off the others' fork without taking it from him. They've been here before, and it feels weird--nostalgia being the word he's looking for, without actually knowing it.]

...It's good. [The brown sauce was a little sweet, mixed with the flavour of the mayonnaise... the crunch of cabbage and other vegatables...]

...What kind of meat is that? [Looking right up at him, while still leaned in.]

[ He's going to cherish that image forever, although it'd be nice if there was a print shop nearby - this picture of Noiz snoozing under a pile of rabbits is worthy of framing - and plenty of teasing about later too. ]

100-percent correct! Nice pronunciation, Noiz~ [ Aoba celebrates it with perhaps more enthusiasm than appropriate for his age, but it's also a way of teasing him. Noiz is so much of a shut-in, every time he experiences something new, it's either frustratingly difficult to explain or ridiculously adorable. It's hard to make Noiz fluster, though. ]

They said it was seafood, hmm...

[ Aoba cuts himself a small triangle shaped piece and spears it, bringing it to his mouth. He chews thoughtfully, making humming briefly through each bite. He can taste the creamy mayonnaise mingling with the sweet, slightly tart sauce, the texture of the filling. It's hearty, warming and he can taste plump morsels of sweet shrimp and the soft chewiness of squid. ]

Shrimp, squid... it seems like they just put anything in here.

[ Leaning forward to cut another piece, he offers it to Noiz. ]

It's actually popular to make when you have a lot of leftovers you want to use up. Just throw it all together with batter on a griddle and voila.

[ Aoba cants his head to the side when he considers the simplicity of the dish, because there is one added wrinkle. His lack of eye-hand coordination in the kitchen. ]

But I'm kind of bad at flipping pancakes, so I just end up making a mess.

Pancake...

[He was listening to everything Aoba said, but when he says that word in particular, he actually takes a moment to stare down at the thing they're eating. Okonomiyaki... wasn't it? Shrimp and squid, and vegetables with sauce...]

This isn't anything like a pancake at all.

[He says, while taking another bite without a single moment of hesitation. Bet you missed the hell out of Noiz complaining about food while still eating it, didn't you, Aoba?]

So this is one of Aoba's favourite foods.

[...It's a mess. So... somehow, it fits.]

It suits you.

[What does that even mean.]

[ It suits you. Oh boy, there's a loaded statement that sends Aoba's brain into a predictable tailspin. He has a terrible habit of holding back his voice and staring silently while thinking far too hard when clarity is but a breath away.

Okonomiyaki is... made of leftovers, but that sounds horrible! Just kinda slapped together thing you make when you've got a lot of little things but not enough to make something more elegant? How rude!

Or... maybe he means how it tastes. Sweet and satisfying... is that what Noiz thinks of him? Aaaah! This is too difficult!

Aoba tucks his chin in and is slow to take his eyes off Noiz' face as he watches him chew and then just hides it behind a curtain of blue hair, cutting another piece for himself and stuffing it into his mouth in an obvious fluster. ]

It's a savory pancake! SA-VO-RY.

You don't have to put just fruit or chocolate in pancakes! You can put things like scallion or kimchi... the only difference is the taste.

It's weird for you to only think pancakes have to be sweet, you know.

[Maybe part of the reason why he hadn't said exactly WHY the savory pancake suited Aoba was because he wanted to see the conflicted look of confusion flit over his face. He gets what he wants in the end at least, as he leans in to steal another bite. Picking up his own fork finally to continue eating the new food.

He can see the light pink dusting on the others' face, so he's satisfied.]

Aa...

Is that right.

I've never had a 'savory' pancake, so the concept is just weird.

[Maybe it IS weird for him to think this way, but... what with how little variety in food he's eaten, at the very least it should be somewhat understandable.]

It's good.

[So at least there's that.]

Mm, I'll make it sometime.

[ YEAH LAUGH IT UP. Aoba is just going to... throw off literal heat waves with the intensity of his embarrassment. It cools the longer Noiz speaks, allowing him time to push the hair out of his face (carefully) and respond as if it's a travesty that Noiz hasn't experienced such a simple thing.

It kind of is.

He was locked away in his room for most of his childhood, that will never not grind his gears. Who even does that to their child? ]

...Does that mean you don't know that you can put just about anything in a crepe too? That one we had in Platinum Jail was sweet.

[ He's babbling again, filling up the empty spaces between taking small bites of okonomiyaki with unnecessary and nervous chatter. ]

Don't expect me to be able to make those, that kind of recipe is too advanced for me. Even baking a cake is a challenge...

[Maybe it IS a bit of a tragedy that he hasn't eaten even the simplest of foods, like donuts or crepes--but it wasn't as if he was so picky as to reject any other foods than his 'usuals'. He just hadn't made the connection of food to enjoyment until they'd gone to Platinum Jail and he'd actually been in a place where he could try new things for once.

He was likely too busy with Rhyme to do it back when he was just in Midorijima, so...]

Just learn how to do better.

[He shrugs, the mess of the cake had already been something he's mostly forgotten about. Aoba's not talented at cooking so he should either just quit--or actually work at getting better at it.]

Even if you can't cook, it doesn't matter to me. If you order it, I'll eat it.

[He says, as he takes another large bite of the oddly delicious pancake-thing.]

...

Thank you. [That took a while to say.]

Cake Catastrophe (video; un: Sly Blue and RuffRabbit)

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