[Yusuke doesn't know why he's startled when Keiko appears in front of him looking stern and suspicious: he's never in his life been able to bullshit her, so why he'd hoped he'd be able to pull it off now can probably only be attributed to stupidity. But still, he flinches and scowls when those probing eyes of hers clap on him like shackles, pinning him where he stands and making his insides curdle with shame and self-conscious and irrational, indignant anger.
Don't play dumb with me, Yusuke, she says, and it sounds like an accusation. He hasn't even said anything yet, and he already feels like she's staring at him as if he's done something wrong! Which he... has, but she doesn't know that, not yet, and fuck, why does his mouth taste weird? Why do his hands always have to sweat so damn much when he feels like this?
It's been a long time since he and Keiko were small and his fears and insecurities showed plainly on his face like a glowing red-lettered “kick me” sign; a long, long time since anger wasn't his first defense against feeling trapped and helpless and desperate. So of course he glares at her and looks irritable and exasperated even though she hasn't done anything wrong; of course he snaps at her like a cornered animal instead of just talking to her. It doesn't feel good, but it feels safe.]
Already you're nagging me! What is it, you can't go an hour without barking up my ass about something? No, we're fine.
[It isn't a lie. It isn't a lie. The decision he and Kurama made about their... thing, it was mutual, so they're fine.]
ACTION;
Don't play dumb with me, Yusuke, she says, and it sounds like an accusation. He hasn't even said anything yet, and he already feels like she's staring at him as if he's done something wrong! Which he... has, but she doesn't know that, not yet, and fuck, why does his mouth taste weird? Why do his hands always have to sweat so damn much when he feels like this?
It's been a long time since he and Keiko were small and his fears and insecurities showed plainly on his face like a glowing red-lettered “kick me” sign; a long, long time since anger wasn't his first defense against feeling trapped and helpless and desperate. So of course he glares at her and looks irritable and exasperated even though she hasn't done anything wrong; of course he snaps at her like a cornered animal instead of just talking to her. It doesn't feel good, but it feels safe.]
Already you're nagging me! What is it, you can't go an hour without barking up my ass about something? No, we're fine.
[It isn't a lie. It isn't a lie. The decision he and Kurama made about their... thing, it was mutual, so they're fine.]