[AU RL - nothing within is game canon.]

[unknownrival]

Issei hummed softly to himself as he sat on the top step of the stairs to the temple. It really was a beautiful day outside - the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, his boyfriend was coming over for a visit and would be arriving in a few minutes - everything he could have wanted out of the day.

"But I'm sure Archer will surprise me with something I didn't even know I wanted," he remarked. "Even after a few months, it's rare that what he says doesn't make me blush."

Oh, well. Some things never changed. And Issei would have been lying if he said that he didn't enjoy it.

Comments

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"Let's get that tea then and see where we go from there," Archer said quietly.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Issei nodded, blushing once again, and moved to start preparing the tea. "How have you been lately, Archer?"

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"Better now," Archer said honestly, "And be gentler with the tea leaves."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"Oh, all right." Issei followed Archer's advice. "I'm glad to hear that you're doing well."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"Well, you had something to do with it," Archer replied as he watched Issei's movements.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"That..." Issei paused, a small blush on his cheeks, before continuing. "You don't know how happy I am to know I've made you happy."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Archer smiled and said, "I think I have an idea."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"How happy am I, then?" he asked, teasingly.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"Ecstatic, that you can't believe this is happening to you," Archer said with a smile.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"That's... exactly it, actually," Issei admitted, his blush deepening. "You know me too well."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Archer smiled and said, "Well, I've known you longer than you've known yourself."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Issei raised an eyebrow. "You've known me... what, twelve, thirteen years? I'm eighteen. Close, but not quite."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"Remember, I was 28 when I died," Archer pointed out, "so I've known a version of you for about . . . twenty years."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"...except we met when we were sixteen, not when we were eight," Issei replied. "I know it's not a quality generally required of heroic spirits, but you remember how to do simple arithmetic, right?"

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I remember how to do simple arithmetic," Archer grunted.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Issei chuckled. "I was just checking."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Archer smiled and said, "I do."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"...I think the tea is about ready," Issei commented, staring to pour it into teacups. "Please let me know what you think."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

Archer took a sip of tea and tilted his head thoughtfully as he tasted it. He replied, "It's improved."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"Not the most flattering thing you could have said, but at least you're honest," Issei answered, smiling. "I don't think I'll ever match up to your culinary talents."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"They're not that impressive," Archer said with a smile, "I'm better at Japanese food than Western."

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"Archer, I think if you had the recipe for food from Venus, you could make it to satisfaction," Issei replied, a grin on his face. "You're too modest at times."

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"I know someone who's a better cook than I am," Archer answered honestly with a smile.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

"Matou Sakura?" Issei guessed, looking over at him.

[steelisblood.livejournal.com]

"No, I taught her and she's close, but she never gets to my level. It would be Tohsaka Rin," Archer answered with a shake of his head.