122 Chapter 5: Relationship Advice

By the time Takabi crawled out of bed, it was time for dinner.

Skipping lunch left a heavy hole in his stomach he desperately needed to fill with food. It had been a while since he went without eating, seeing as Nana usually brought their lunch into their room and they ate together in peace.

Since she's mad, he can no longer enjoy that luxury.

He wasn't feeling very special either after the vision, so he took a quick shower and slipped on a pair of grey sweats and a blue shirt. Out of his room and down the steps he went into the cafe, looking at the massive line of Bunker members and groaning. His stomach roared in protest, so he took his place at the back of the line and stuffed his hands in his pockets. A moment after, Kairas joined him, looking at the back of his brother's head.

They stood in silence, Takabi not noticing his twin, until Kairas said, "Why's the line so long?"

Jumping in his skin, he slowly faced his brother and shrugged. "No clue. Must be something amazing tonight."

Kairas looked as if he wanted to ask something, but chose not to just yet. It was gnawing at him, Takabi noticed, but figured his brother would speak up in time. They didn't have many secrets between them, so it was a waiting game.

The line moved slowly, seconds feeling like minutes as Takabi's stomach roared more intensely. His hunger was a beast all its own, and if he didn't eat soon, he would pass out. At least he felt that way.

A full five minutes. They moved forward a few feet and around the table. Kairas was agitated, flicking his eyes between his brother and the food. It was out of character for him, but he would still wait. 

Ten.

The line hadn't moved. Takabi looked at the people with their trays, all leaning against the metal table lined up in front of the kitchen window. Steam was rising from inside, and the smell of food rushed into his nose. They were cooking a new batch of, whatever it was.

Fifteen. 

They were close. They had their trays in their hands and were stepping forward each time someone was served. Kairas looked over Takabi's shoulder, then at his own tray. He nodded, and opened his mouth when they got to the kitchen door, but no words came out.

Their eyes were laid on the food.

And severe disappointment was in Takabi's gaze.

What he figured to be an amazing dish, turned out to be poorly cut pieces of salmon, burnt to black on one side and a little under cooked on top. The mashed potatoes drenched in gravy looked okay, and corn in the small slot was coated in a thin layer of pepper. It looked alright, but he was really hoping for something large and grand.

Sighing, he moved aside for Kairas to get his food, and the pair took a seat at a table in the center of the cafe.

"So," Takabi started, taking his fork and poking the salmon. "What's bugging you?"

"Huh?"

"You look like you wanted to talk."

"Oh." He paused, avoiding eye contact. "Well."

Takabi raised his eyebrow. "Well?"

His twin lowered his face even more. It was strange seeing him act this way. He looked under Kairas' bangs, and to his astonishment, caught his brother blushing profusely. "Dude, are you sick?!"

"No!" He blurted, keeping his head down and hands at both sides of his tray. "I… I just… Look, this isn't easy to ask you."

"I can tell," He smirked in response.

"I need advice… Woman advice."

"You want womanly advice from me?"

"Well, more specifically… How can I talk to a girl…"

Takabi stared at his twin for a moment. It was hard to believe that the cool, and collected Kairas was a blushing, nervous mess right now. The idea was so foreign.

And it was glorious.

His cheeks puffed, and he tried to hold it in, but Takabi gave out and broke into a loud laugh, doubling over in his seat on the floor, eyes falling on the pair. Kairas kept as straight a face as possible, but settled to strangle Takabi in his sleep.

"DUDE! THAT'S SO AWESOME!"

"Shut the fuck up, you loudmouthed dumbass!"

Takabi came back up, wiping the tears from his eyes. His laughing stopped and everyone went back to their business. He bit into his fish, surprised at its taste, chewing and swallowing the protein. "Who is it?!"

"Not important."

"My ass it ain't! You've," He lowered his voice, "Got a crush on a girl."

"Fuck off. Are you gonna help me or not?"

"Of course, after I laugh some more."

He narrowed his green eyes, sighing and digging into his meal. "I'm serious. I really like this girl."

"Jewel, yeah."

Kairas dropped his fork and looked his twin in the eye.

Takabi blinked at him. "What? I'm not dumb, or blind. You two have been really close since you met. I'm honestly wondering why it took so long."

"Wait, it doesn't… bother you?"

"Why would it," Takabi asked.

"Well, she's your ex isn't she?"

Takabi wiped his mouth of mashed potatoes, and said in a low tone, "Yeah, but the past is the past." He looked over his shoulder, momentarily locking eyes with Nana. She watched him, and it was obvious she had been the whole time. He waved, and she returned the gesture surprisingly. It was faint, but a wave meant progress.

"I'm more concerned with the present… And the future."

Kairas picked up the shift in his tone on the word future. "Something wrong?"

He paused a moment, facing his brother and pushing his tray between them. Resting his chin on his arms on the table, he said, "I had a vision. I couldn't tell too much from it though."

Kairas nodded for him to keep speaking. Groaning, Takabi continued, "It was dark. Very dark. I was holding someone who had died, but the body was fresh. There was someone else there too. I think they were laughing, but it was hard to tell. I was in a grassy field, and I think the body might've.. Might've someone close."

"What gives you that idea," Kairas asked, opening his bottle of water and taking a heavy drink.

"... My heart hurt… I was… So upset. I cried, just snapped, and broke down. I never was that way before when someone died. I mean, I lost my fucking mind when Nana was in a coma. Imagine if she…" He held his throat. He didn't even want to utter the word. "I couldn't handle that… At all."

Kairas placed his water down, jamming his fork into his salmon. "I know this already, but you really love Nana, huh?"

Takabi nodded. "I have since I met her.. Just took a bit to realize it. Girl left an imprint on my heart I could never replace."

They sat in silence for a moment, minds focused on Takabi's vision. It put them on high alert now, and opened their eyes to the realm of possibilities. Death was still a factor. It hung over everyone's head and waited for the right moment to strike.

Their question was when, and who would it be?

"We can mull ideas later, if you have another." Kairas picked up his salmon and placed it on Takabi's tray. He pulled his hand back and watched his brother. "Don't let it bother you too much for now. If you see any signs that it could come true, tell me."

"Yeah." He counted his heart beats, then asked, "So, advice right?"

"Please," Kairas replied.