#the biggest thing i did is probably cut demure and nile out entirely

[ladyryukyo]

outtake: kyoben flirt prompt

this is the first outtake i have which was written for the flirt prompt i did uhh more than three years ago now?? omg time flies DSLGHAGAD i was really struggling with how to enter into the scene i had in mind and wrote multiple beginnings for it. this is the longest one (and also probably the longest outtake i have rn)

“Have you ever been in love?” Demure asks, apropos of absolutely nothing at all.

Kyoya looks up from where he has been sprawled on the couch for the last hour, scrolling mindlessly through his phone. Nile, in a similar position as Kyoya but with a thick book, about gardening of all things, in his hands, slowly lowers the book in his lap and closes it. They exchange a puzzled look.

“Of course,” Benkei chimes from the kitchen.

He walks into the living room with a full tray of still steaming cookies, big oven mitts on his equally big hands. As soon as he puts the tray down on the coffee table, Nile, Demure and Kyoya simultaneously reach for a cookie but hiss and pull their hands back when they burn themselves on the treats.

“Careful, it’s hot,” Benkei says cheerfully, and evidently too late.

Demure is cradling his burnt hand against his chest but his gaze is fixed on Benkei and his expression is expectant and curious. He is obviously thinking about Benkei’s confirmation to the question Demure just blurted out to their group.

Kyoya can’t say that he isn’t intrigued as well. He has known Benkei the longest out of all of them and he doesn’t remember Benkei ever talking about someone he liked. Granted, during their earlier days, Kyoya wasn’t exactly the most approachable person and even Benkei had a hard time getting close to him but after that? After the Face Hunters, after the Dark Nebula, after they joined Gingka and his whole friendship is magic schtick? He is surprised to feel a twinge of hurt at the thought that Benkei’s silence on this topic might stem from a lack of trust.

Or maybe he is surprised about how not suprising his reaction is. They have come far, the two of them, from the boys they once were. The leader of the most dangerous gang in Metal City and his lackey, a bully. To partners, companions, friends.

Equals.

“I didn’t know you were in love with someone,” Kyoya says.

Everyone turns to look at him, the surprise on Nile and Demure’s faces openly displayed. Benkei stares at him for a second too long to casually brush off, then grins sheepishly and looks away from Kyoya.

“Oh, it was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter.” 

Kyoya frowns. “Was it someone in the gang?”

Benkei hesitates which is as good as confirmation.

Kyoya knew there were a few boys in the Face Hunters that Benkei was close with. He just didn't know that they were close enough for those kinds of feelings to develop between them. Maybe he doesn’t know Benkei as well as he thought he did. Maybe he misinterpreted how they stood to one another. It’s not like Kyoya is an expert on friendships. 

“Where is this even coming from?”

Nile breaks the tension by questioning Demure. Demure shrugs and scratches his cheek absent-mindedly. 

“I don’t know. Just curious, I guess,” he explains. “I wanted to know if you guys have ever been in love and how you handled it. It’s interesting.” 

Nile throws Demure a skeptical look. Demure returns that look with raised eyebrows and a meaningful glint in his eyes, obviously trying to convey something to Nile. Kyoya furrows his brows in confusion. Demure may not be the most subtle person in the world but whatever his reasoning for this nonsense is, it won’t reveal itself to Kyoya. 

Finally, Nile breaks the tense stare-off and nods slowly. “Right,” he says although he looks like not anything is right. “Okay. So, Benkei. What did you do after you realized you were in love?” 

Kyoya looks at Nile in disbelief, then at Benkei, who also looks at Nile in disbelief. It feels like they just witnessed Demure do some voodoo magic on Nile to get him to pursue his line of questioning. It feels a little bit illegal. It definitely feels illegal. 

“Well?” Nile prompts him when Benkei doesn’t answer. 

“I didn’t really do anything. What do you two want from me?” Benkei complains, a bewildered expression on his face. 

“What do you mean, you didn’t really do anything?” 

“You should have tried to flirt with the person you loved,” Demure suggests. 

Benkei turns red. The blush fills his cheeks instantly, one moment he looks like always, then Kyoya blinks and the Benkei he knows is a stuttering mess. 

“I could never, uh. I don’t know how, uh, how to f—flirt.” 

It doesn’t slip Kyoya’s attention how Nile’s eyes light up with sudden understanding and how he indiscreetly throws a thumbs up at Demure.

Then something weird happens. Well. Something even weirder. 

Demure takes his phone out of the back pocket of his jeans and stares hard at the display. Then he declares loudly: 

“Oh no. I didn’t realize how late it was. Me and Nile have to go. But don’t worry, Benkei, I’m sure Kyoya can teach you about flirting.” 

Benkei’s eyes are wide and his mouth half open in betrayal. Kyoya is beginning to feel like someone told a joke and Kyoya is the only one not in on the punchline because Benkei definitely realized something in the last few seconds, if the way he is staring at Nile and Demure’s quickly retreating backs is any indication.