pullmeoutalive | It never rains in California

Entry tags:

It never rains in California

[ the weather had been nice on her end, when her last job of the day had wrapped up. And Makoto still had a good chunk of day left over, so after a call home to let her mother know where she'd be, and a text to her fellow Makoto to make sure it was okay, she'd hopped the train.

... And then it had started to rain.

A lot.

Luckily, she has a baseball cap this time, which helps, although once she's off the platform (and subsequent bus) and out in the weather, there's little hope for the rest of her staying dry in this downpour. Then the question became... where was she even supposed to find Makoto? Swimming practice couldn't happen, unless they had an indoor pool... should she ask around town? Was it that tiny of one? Or maybe she should just cave and call him. ]

I probably should... this weather isn't exactly making it easy to spot anyone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ she does, and she can only be grateful that the poor, frightened thing doesn't sink its claws into her hand. But once she has the cat, she's backing up immediately to safer ground, and cradling the bundle of wet ball to her chest as she murmurs quiet reassurances.

Well, that's one out of the water. ]

[They're both pretty lucky that the kitten is so sweet, or there would be a lot more blood.

But Makoto just, upon seeing them both safe and sound, dives back into the water with a splash. He's pretty exhausted, as swimming against the current isn't easy, but he still makes it back to the shore relatively easily, stumbling up it and wheezing out a sigh.]

Phew...I guess I can count that as some extra training then.

Yeah, I'd say you've done more than enough. [ and for as wet as she is, the smile she gives him is relieved and exuberant. ] But that was really amazing to watch, Makoto-kun! You were super heroic, just like a prince!

[...and despite her exuberance, Makoto just looks a little sheepish as he goes to pick up his shirt and jacket.]

...I just thought that if I didn't, you certainly would. And while I'm sure you could handle yourself, I'm a bit more used to this river.

[ahaha...ha.]

Anyway, we should get this kitten out of the rain. [and them too--]

That's... not wrong, but... [ she fidgets a little, before she sighs and tucks the kitten into her hoodie. That little head is peeking out from the collar, but it looks like it'll stay. ]

A-anyway, where to? I don't want to impose...

[...And he just chuckles at her, shrugging back into his soaked shirt.]

Let's go, Makoto-chan. You're not going to stay out in the rain. My parents would agree completely.

[He smiles at her, nodding firmly.]

Ready to go get dry?

[ she shoots him a cheerful smile in response, thrusting one fist into the air and seconded by a faint mew from her passenger. ]

Ready!

[And off they go, jogging at a quick pace back towards his house. Thankfully, it's not too far from here, and when they get inside, he breathes a sigh of relief and shuts the door behind them.

The warmth of the house is veeeery welcome.

And he glances around and sets to taking off his shoes.]

There's a bathroom right up the stairs, Makoto-chan. If you want to take a shower and try to get warm...

[...what are they going to do about their clothes?]

[ she feels guilty to be creating a massive puddle just by standing there, even with her shoes and hat off. In the end, it hadn't done much; her hair's just as drenched as the rest of her. ]

Oh, I... [ and she laughs nervously. ] I didn't bring a change of clothes or anything [ not that they would have stayed dry ] so you can go ahead and shower! I'll just towel this guy off in the meantime, if you've got a spare.

[That....bothers him instinctively, and then on top of his mother hen tendencies, there's the fact that he really does think that Makoto deserves to go first.

So he ponders that for a moment, frowning.]

I could ask my mother for a change of clothing for you. They might not be to your taste, but...at least you could wear them just until yours are dry--or you can borrow one of my hoodies and some shorts or something, whatever you want.

[His first instinct was to offer one of his own hoodies but he realized that might be a bit awkward so it was just tacked onto the end even more awkwardly GOOD JOB MAKOTO.]

A hoodie's fine-- [ said automatically, before it even sinks in that he's offering his clothes, but backpedaling would make it even more awkward and this is not how she expected the day to go. ]

M-more importantly, you were the one who just dove shirtless into the river, so you definitely need to get yourself warmed up first! I'm okay waiting for sure!

[....well okay!! he's fine with that.

....Which is why he's just smiling a bit and just looking so sheepish.]

My mother would be really displeased if I didn't treat a guest right. Go ahead, and I'll take the kitten and grab some clothes for you.

If she asks, I can tell her that you're the one who needed it most and I threw you into the bathtub myself!

[ N O P E. ]

[...um.]

...Please don't throw me into a bathtub...

[He just...sighs and droops a little because this is silly, standing in the doorway arguing about this.]

I'm sorry for being so stubborn, but...I would really like it if you went first. I would be able to relax more knowing that both you and the kitten are dry.

... Do you think it's any easier for me, knowing that the person who went into the river in a downpour without his shirt is waiting even longer to get warm and dry?

[ with a sigh of her own. ]

You're always looking out for me, so can't you put yourself first this time?

[....oh. When she puts it like that... He gives her the most sheepish look but caves because he can't stand her looking so sad.]

...Alright, alright. If you insist. I'll bring you back a towel or two and pull out some clothes for you, okay?

[And he still feels terrible, making her wait, but...well, it's better for her to be wet and cheerful than dry and looking that sad, he thinks.]

[ and that's really all it takes. Makoto brightens instantly, giving him a victory sign. ]

Got it! Go get warm, Makoto-kun!

[ and in the meantime, she'll (surprisingly shyly) ask whoever's around for an extra towel for kitten drying. ]

[...he still feels guilty, but at least she's cheerful.

And it's probably the fastest shower of his life, though he does linger a bit to get warm. It only takes him five minutes though, and then he's scrambling to dry off and get dressed again, which takes another three. Thus he clatters downstairs around eight minutes after he ran up, hair damp but otherwise looking significantly dryer and less miserable.

And in his arms he has a big fluffy towel for Makoto to use and a big hoodie as well.]

Ah...here, Makoto-chan. Your turn to get warm.

[And he's going to just. Catch his breath.]

Did you run...?

[ seriously, how fast had he been going?

But she gets it, and he'd humored her, so she shifts to set the kitten down and takes the towel and the hoodie. With one this big, it should work. So with that in mind, she reaches up to touch his hair and gives him a quick smile. ]

Don't forget to towel off your hair, too. Okay?

[ and then she's off, bounding up the stairs. ]

[he couldn't help it, okay. But he just chuckles at that quietly, nodding.]

I will.

[He's touched by her concern and her insistent want to take care of him, odd as it is for him to experience, and so he can't help the smile that lingers even after she's gone.

Which is why he's cheerful and smiling even after he cleans up their dripped mess in the front area, before crouching in front of the kitten and shaking his head ruefully.]

What are we going to do with you?

[ good question. It's one Makoto's pondering too-- and she only takes seven minutes in the shower herself, because as much as she'd been determined not to show it, chilled skin and soaked hair weren't comfortable feelings.

She feels a lot better once she's out, though, and it shows.

... She's also kind of dwarfed in his hoodie, but considering that's all she has that's dry, it's probably a good thing that it's so large. And also a little embarrassing. ]

Thanks again, for letting me borrow everything. [ the grand appearance of Kikuchi Makoto, live and in your sweatshirt! ]

[He looks up from where he's been given the kitten a bowl of water and--momentarily has nothing to say.

The sight of Makoto standing there, dwarfed in his own hoodie is...kind of ridiculously adorable, and despite himself, he can't help that brief pause.

And then he blushes, both from the sight and because of that momentary lapse.]

It was no problem. [AHEM RIGHT] Thank you for helping me find the kitten. I'm sorry for dragging you around in the rain when you finally got to come visit.

[ the sight of his blush makes her blush, because apparently blushing is contagious when you're wearing someone else's shirt and he seems to be doing it at the very sight of you.

But blushing will eventually go away (she hopes), so she only smiles and trots closer until she can crouch (carefully) beside him. ]

The weather's hardly your fault! And I got to see Makoto-kun's cool side when he rescued a kitten, so I don't mind at all!

[This is such an awkward moment, both of them blushing at each other--

But at least her eternal cheer hasn't changed. He just smiles with a quiet 'heh', because oh wow he didn't think he had a cool side--]

Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to save him, so... I guess we can share that title.

[Of ~cool~

But right, more important things--]

Your clothes are in the dryer, so they should be dry in an hour or so. In the meantime, can I get you anything?

A tour! This is my first time seeing your house, after all!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject