Dinner for Two

Chapter Two: Dinner for Three

Lain was lounging on the couch, petting Harry who was snuggly fitted into his lap. It was like any other Saturday, Shu had decided to delay and shorten the length of their training for a break. He had just woken up not too long ago and hadn't seen Shu the whole day, which was unusual.

The channels which played were of no interest to him- no interesting battles currently airing. He brushed Harry with slightly hurried strokes causing the pet to squeal. Lain sighed before regaining his normal, gentle pace.

It was only 10:30 and he was so bored.

'Where is Shu anyways?' Lain thought, curiously.

Even if Shu didn't train him, he was easily accessible in the Bulls and typically greeted Lain. Well Lain didn't concern himself too much, Shu was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, he'll just question him when he sees him later.

"Lain, are you in here?" He heard Shu call out, his deep voice resounding from the corridor outside.

"Yeah," Lain replied, not moving from his position.

He heard the swift sound of the electronic door sliding and didn't have to turn to know who it was. Shu strode in, like Lain, he wasn't wearing his coat, the residence warm enough to discard it. He sat beside Lain, and Lain slightly fixed his slouch.

"Good morning," Shu began. "Did you eat breakfast?"

"Yeah, do you have to ask me every morning?" Lain questioned, his eyebrows lowered.

"Of course," Shu answered breezily.

"Where were you?" Lain asks, allowing his curiosity to be satiated.

"Sorry, were you lonely?" Shu replied, half concerned, the other teasing.

"Shuu," Lain whined, too emotionally stumped to want to answer that.

"Alright," Shu conceded easily. "I got sidetracked with a call."

"From who?" Lain interrogated, yellow eyes narrowed.

"I was getting to it, don't cut me off," Shu chided. "It was Valt."

"Oh," Lain exclaimed in realisation. "Why'd you call him?"

"Well initially it was to catch up, but things happened and he's coming over for dinner." Shu explained calmly.

"Why?! Like what things?"" Lain demanded, he was still displeased with the majority of legends.

Shu heaved a breath, he knew Lain wouldn't take this well.

"Well...

"It's been so long since I've eaten your spaghetti!" Valt exclaimed.

"You're free to come by anytime you want, consider it a thank you for helping me save Lain." Shu offered.

"Really? Won't Lain not be happy about that?"

"It's fine, he doesn't have to join. I'll give him the option."

"Cool, I'll be there by 6!" Valt settles, excited to see his friend and eat his food.

"Yeah sure," Shu agrees.
...

"When I offered, I had assumed it was for later." Shu admits. "But anyways, do you want to join?"

"Hmm," Lain deliberates thoughtfully. "I'll come."

"Okay, then behave yourself," Shu warns, solemnly.

"Yeah whatever," at Shu's disbelieving stare he adds in frustration. "Yeah!"

"Also, there's no training for today. Valt's spending the night, I want to catch up."

"Urgh fine," Lain grunts.

...

Lain had spent the rest of his afternoon in his room with Harry. Even if he wanted to be with Shu- not that he did- the other had been occupied with preparations and offered Lain to help out, but he didn't want to do chores and stuff.

The sun began to dive below the horizon, barely alighting the darkening sky with pale orange hues. It was 6:05, and Valt had yet to arrive. Shu wasn't worried, flights get delayed, luggage gets lost, traffic occurs- there were numerous reasons for a bit of tardiness and Valt wasn't one with the best reputation of being on time.

"Why don't we just start without him?" Lain complained for the twentieth time in the last five minutes.

"I said you're free to," Shu stated, checking the black and silver themed clock hanging in the wall adjacent to the dining.

Then his phone vibrated, and he checked. Lain saw a smile settle on Shu's lips as he opened the phone and internally groaned at what that implied.

"I'll go get him from downstairs," Shu informed as he rose from his seat, walking over to the door.

...

After a fast ten minutes of accommodation, everyone was seated at the dining table. The dish of spaghetti on the centre- coated in even layers of red sauce, steam emitting from the heat and diced meat and vegetable interlaced in the swirls of spaghetti.

"Wow, this looks delicious Shu!" Valt exclaims in awe.

"Thanks, here I'll serve it." Shu said, reaching for Valt's off-white plate.

He used tongs to gather a large, filling portion onto Valt's plate, then returned it. Afterwards retrieving his pupil's plate and allocating an average, filling serving. He did the same for his own and then all three began to eat. Valt was seated opposite to Shu, whilst Lain occupied the one beside him.

"How was your flight?" Shu inquired.

"It was good, just some troubles with luggage, haha!" Valt answered, sheepishly. "How's your guys training going?"

"Good," Shu replies and at Lain's blatant silence, Shu takes the initiative to place a warning hand on Lain's shoulder.

"Fine." Lain snippily states.

"Good to hear," Valt says, feigning ignorance to Lain's displeased mood.

The rest of the meal passed with heartfelt, lively chatter- predominantly from Valt and Shu as the younger refused to join. The two then relocated to the lounging area.

"I'm sorry about Lain," Shu apologises sincerely. "He's been doing really well in his time after the possession, but he seems untrusting of legends."

"You don't have to really, it's fine." Valt assures, after all he has experienced what a handful the protege could be.

"Hmm..." Shu hums thoughtfully, maybe he should confront Lain about this later- it needed to be resolved.

"Next time you should come to BC Sol," Valt jokes to lighten the serious atmosphere.

"Yeah sure," Shu agrees easily, the matter with Lain weighing on his mind, but also not the biggest of his concerns. "I'll work things out with Lain."

"I'm sure you will," Valt encourages with a bright grin.

Shu smiles softly back.

"Thanks Valt."

"Anytime!"