uri doesn't have an ego, really, he just doesn't care all too much what people think of him. that allows him to be unabashed with the way he is and with the things he say, as they've both come to learn, but with sol, he's more aware of his actions than usual.

it's because he actually cares about what she thinks of him.

"...yeah."

he sighs, reaching into his backpack for another can of charja-cola.

"i eat a lot in general, i think. i'm surprised you haven't noticed."

@sol // [x]

☉

"true, but i just like to think it's me."

foolishly confident as usual, he throws a wink in for good measure before vacuuming up the rest of his chili.

soon, the empty pack is crumpled and deposited back into his backpack. he pulls out two napkins and hands one over to her, using the other to wipe his lips after.

"lemme know if you can't finish yours."

@sol // [x]

☉

...should he open a restaurant? it would be really cool, and fun, and everything he's dreamed of, really, so what's stopping him?

besides a gorilla, of course.

even if she had meant it as a joke, he considers it for the future.

but that would mean leaving the military.

that would mean spending less time with her.

he passes her the ketchup.

"got you hooked, huh?"

@sol // [x]

☉

masterchef.

they may be joking about it but that's actually something uri really wants to do: cook for a living. he's never told anyone this, however, mostly because it's just a dream.

"if you think this is good just wait until you try some of the other stuff i make."

he takes the pack back, chuckling as he scoops some chili into his mouth.

"masterchef uri. i like that."

and then he squeezes more ketchup.

@sol // [x]

☉

again, the silence doesn't bother him. he waits in anticipation, practically bouncing his leg only to hear her answer moments later.

it's better.

good enough.

he claps his hand against his thigh, clearly happy.

"see? what'd i tell you?"

@sol // [x]

☉

"yes, it's red."

not sure why she points it out but he shrugs it off, too keen on letting her try his delicious creation.

mirroring her smirk, he extends the pack with the spoon already inside over to her.

"prepare to be amazed."

@sol // [x]

☉

"ketchup is like the best condiment. it's so versatile that it's a surprise it's not on everything."

name a better love story than uri and ketchup.

he rips the pack open before squeezing a hefty amount of ketchup in. taking the spoon, he stirs it, mixing it up real good.

"the chili isn't too bad with ketchup. here, try some."

@sol // [x]

☉

they've definitely woken together in a far worse state, which is why the thought doesn't even occur to him. he looks disheveled and tired, as evident by the bags under his eyes, but he sounds almost the same as usual, if not slightly less energetic.

"not really. they're both pretty shit, to be honest. which is why i brought the secret ingredient."

he grins as he reaches into his backpack, this time pulling out a bottle of ketchup. the squeeze kind and not the glass bottle kind.

"it makes it that much better, trust me."

and so, he offers her both packs, allowing her the choice.

@sol // [x]

☉

just don't do it again.

a nod, along with an "okay," is all he says before looking away.

it's not a great feeling, honestly, but it doesn't linger for too long.

"we have two choices, i think."

he turns, walking back over to his magical backpack before pulling out a few military rations. he moves to sit beside her, showing the packs to her.

they don't taste the best, as they both know, but it's better than nothing.

"chili with beans or shredded beaf in barbecue sauce?"

@sol // [x]

☉

oh shit. she sounds annoyed. but should he really have expected anything else?

"...yeah."

guilt washes over him; his smile now thinning.

"i finished our patrol just now. i left a few of my pokemon here to watch over you while i was gone."

after a sigh, he meets her gaze.

"...sorry."

@sol // [x]

☉

it's her voice that pulls him back into reality, almost, as he turns to meet her sleepy gaze.

"good morning, sol. did you sleep well?"

there's a smile as warm as the fire had been last night. remnants of it still remain in the pit, now reduced to dwindling embers.

"come on. the sun's about to come up."

@sol // [x]

☉

the flame continues to flicker for a while, though it's not like he notices it. his gaze is elsewhere, focused on nothing in particular as he keeps watch, remaining mindful and awake.

somewhere along the night, he pulls a blanket out of his backpack and carefully drapes it over sol, making sure she's kept warm against the chill of the night.

eventually, his watch comes to an end, but he doesn't bother waking her up. he simply waits, letting her sleep for as long as she wants to.

it's not like he's sleepy, anyway.

@sol // [x]

☉

uri's learned to just let silence envelop them and to say nothing during it. he doesn't feel uncomfortable in it anymore, not when he knows a smile's to follow.

and it does.

he returns it, looking away after.

"good night, sol."

@sol // [x]

☉