unilaterallydisarming

What?

[He's startled at the call, but what John tells him is concerning.]

John? What happened? Are you all right?

I'm fine.

[ Not the tenuous 'I'm not really fine' or the gruff 'I'm not fine and I don't want to talk about it'. This is just a very basic 'I could handle it' that should, hopefully, settle him. ]

He asked me to ask some of the vegetables in the greenhouse some questions. I agreed, since I didn't mind, and then he started getting very... intensely concerned about it. I pointed out that he could work with the greenhouse folks and see what they thought but that constantly checking after we had an answer might seem... rude and he got upset. There was more discussion and I got very confused and then he just hauled off and punched me... then got mad that punching me didn't do anything and stomped off.

I let him go, and I'm sure you're going to check on him but... please be careful.

[He blows out a slow breath. Okay, that's not a terrible fine, so...he'll accept it.]

I may check on him eventually, but right now he needs time to cool off. This wouldn't be the first time I've seen him upset, and it won't be the last.

[He sighs.]

It's strange that he was getting intense about the vegetables though.

There's reasons.

[ He understood that well enough. ]

But those are his to share. [ A sigh. ] He said something about 'lies' so I don't know what the fuck he thinks, but... I'm going to guess he's decided for himself what the plants actually said so don't be surprised if he stops eating.

[ A small huff. ]

If I had to guess, I'd say he was looking for an excuse to deny himself things.

...the idiot.

[Normally he wouldn't say such a thing but...he's fussy about people going hungry. Especially since this doesn't prove anything.]

He likely does. It's not for me to say the details, but...he's gone through some terrible loses.

I'll talk to him in a few days. After he's gotten the chance to work through some of his temper.

Right. I don't- [ he breathes out ] I don't want him to hurt himself, or anyone else, but I'm pretty sure he's decided-

I don't know what he's decided, but I'm not his friend to him.

[ A snort. ]

He's wrong, but he won't be convinced by forcing it. So just let me know if you need anything.

[He sighed. Not at John, but just annoyed a little at Vash being...Vash.]

I don't know what he's decided. I'll find out, once I speak to him.

But I'll let you know if I need help. In the meanwhile...

Are you busy? There's a soup recipe I found that includes potatoes. I want to see what you think of it.

I'm not busy, no. Feel free to come by.

...what kind of potatoes?

I'll be by in a moment then.

And they're asking for russet potatoes. Which I think is an interesting idea since- they're not a...soft potato.

We have some russets. But I also have some yellow and red varieties. Maybe we can try it with a few different potatoes.

Oh! We should!

It's not a very flavorful dish, but I think we could taste it- then see how we can make it more comforting.

Right. Though... potatoes are pretty comforting. It sounds like we have a good base to start from.

I agree. And...

[He pauses, knocking gently on John's cabin door.]

I think we both might like it.

[ The door will open, and Oscar will be welcomed in happily enough. John looks fine, as he'd said, but he will give Oscar a greeting kiss once the door is closed. ]

Potatoes?

[Oh. He didn't expect the kiss once the door was closed.

He melted a little, before offering a soft kiss back.]

Po-potatoes. Right.

[He cleared his throat.]

Sorry. It's- hard to remember anything when you kiss me. In-in a good way.

We could spend a little time kissing before we do the soup. [ Beat.] Or once we get the soup cooking.

[He offers a soft laugh, before leaning up to offer John a quick kiss.]

After we get it cooking, I think. Else, I might just...end up in your bed without cooking anything.

True. And we want to try the different potatoes.

[ So just one more little kiss and a gentle stroke to Oscar's hair before he gently steps back. ]

Let's pick out potatoes.

[ To the pantry! ]

Yes...we do want to do that.

[John you're gonna make him melt. You're good at making the priest turn into happy goo.

He manages to shake off the soft feeling enough to follow him to the pantry, untucking the recipe book from his arm.]

You said you had a few different kinds of potatoes? Did we want to try to mix them, or just do different soups with different potatoes?

[ He nods and he'll open said pantry, pulling up a small basket full of potatoes that look fresh from the market. there's purple and red and gold and russets. ]

Here. Pick out the ones you want to try.

[He kinda loves the basket of potatoes. But...he has to pick up the purple potato, marveling at it.]

This one is a real potato? Where does it come from? It almost doesn't seem real.

[Look. He would not be surprised if John had potatoes from other plants in his pantry.]

[ He nods immediately. ]

Yes. They're more commonly found in South America. I like the color. And it has more vitamins.

It tends to turn a little more pink or darker depending on how you cook them.

Truly? I had no idea.

[It's marvelous. Potatoes he didn't know about!]

I wouldn't be able to find it at home but- this might be good for the teenagers on board. They're still growing- they need all the vitamins they can get.

Maybe we should make one of each so you can try them. And then you can decide one for the soup?

Oh! Yes! That'd be fun!

Just a- steamed potato, maybe? To make it fair for all the potatoes?

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