Twice a Day

Chapter 12: Inner Workings

"Nice place you have here," Lupin mused.

Goemon kept a steady block between Lupin and the cabinet where he'd seen you pull out your nice little teacups. "I agree. I do not think I expressed that before."

You smiled, even with your heart still racing. "Thank you. You can, um... Sit at the table and... Pop it open, that's it, isn't it?"

"More or less," he said as he helped himself to a chair, pulling some tools seemingly out of nowhere.

While he worked, you and Goemon went back outside to the porch.

What even came next? You sat on one of the small chairs you'd set up forever ago, and gestured to the one across from you. Goemon stepped closer, but sat on the ground instead. Boy, this was going to be fun.

"No, um, no hard feelings over the whole situation."

"Of course," he replied.

The silence was a little heavy. You wondered if there was really anything TO say. You scooted to the ground beside him, and he moved his arm aside. An invitation. Maybe it was easier for him that way, or maybe he just wasn't big on words right now. You scooted in closer. "Is he normally quick about these things?"

Goemon opened his mouth to talk, but Lupin's voice carried outside of the open door onto the porch. "NORMALLY."

"That is not a good sign."

"I have to mess with the one screwdriver," he said, maybe more to himself than the two of you. Still, it became clear you didn't have much privacy here.

"Lupin, if you want something to drink there's a pitcher in the fridge."

You could hear him smiling. He was going to take it anyways if he wanted. "Thanks."

"Goemon, do you wanna go on a walk?"

Goemon bristled at the sudden attention. "Me? Do I?" Was he asking you, or himself?

"Do you?"

"Uh... Yes."

You took Goemon down the trail he'd come from the first time you met, the one leading to the small waterfall. It seemed a better place to stay than in Lupin's hearing range. Not... That you had a PROBLEM with Lupin. He was just... A lot to deal with.

"Did you really just tell that guy you were exterminators?" you asked.

He looked caught up in something else, but you couldn't yet place what it was. "No, not even that." Goemon smiled, almost cocky. It was a new look on him, but it made you laugh. "We simply mentioned the termites and the clock. He put them together. We never asked to see it, yet he just gave it to us."

Your giggles continued. "That family's had a bad reputation for years, but I never pegged them under the 'gullible idiot' category!"

"You cannot judge a book by its cover," he grinned.

You smiled back, soft and sweet. "I guess not, Mr. Kushieda."

His cheeks strained, like he was trying to avoid smiling more, unsuccessfully. He trained his eyes on the waterfall. "Yes... Well..."

From here, you had a perfect chance to look at him, a good, in-depth look. He was always handsome but... You began to realize why he'd seemed distracted at first.

When he faced the waterfall, the sun caught on the droplets, reflecting tiny, rounded rainbows onto his face. It was almost like a soft, but vibrant paint, chasing around every curve and dip of his face, from the start of his bangs to the curve of his chin. You had to fight back an urge to just reach out and trace the barely noticeable trails.

Still, you were staring. Of course he'd noticed, once he turned back to see you silent, blankly scanning his face. He tilted his head, so slight it was only visible from how his hair shifted. He gently muttered your name, trying to get your attention. Oh, if only he'd known how completely he had it. 

You thought about the kiss you'd already shared-- Honestly, it was more entirely you. You kind of sprung it on him suddenly. It was short, and he probably dismissed it as adrenaline and panic. It kind of was. You wondered if you could try again.

"Goemon?" Your voice was so quiet you were afraid he might not be able to hear it over the rushing water.

Against your fears, he responded. "Y..." he trailed off. "Yes?" Turned to you now, those little rainbows were gone. You didn't really mind.

"Can I kiss you?" You nearly cringed at how it sounded after it came out, but he was unbothered.

"If you wish. I mean, if--" He just shut up and nodded.

You leaned in. This one was undoubtedly better, if only just because he was involved more. It was comforting, soothing, and a lot more filled with love. He wrapped his arms around your upper back, bringing you in even closer, making you feel even more loved. The air around you was warm like a soft blanket, and the combined scent of his vaguely piney smell and the fresh, clear nature around you made it feel almost too perfect. If you had ever wondered what it was like to have a movie kiss, this, by far, was it.

When you split, you still remained close as possible. He spoke first. "We should probably return."

You nodded. You stood, holding hands, and began the trek back to the tiny house Goemon was getting more and more attached to by the day.