No Such Thing As Random Encounters [Kouhei, Scout]

Kouhei followed Scout to the island, though he walked normally instead of leaping around like a crazy person. He looked almost relieved that Takahiro wouldn't be bringing his boyfriend home. Maybe he wasn't comfortable meeting new people? That would be a question for another time as he took a seat next to Scout and bowed his head gratefully to Scout's father. "Thank you sir- Steven. I will respect your family and home." Liar. Pleasantries out of the way, he regarded the food with something that could have been reverence. Judging by the wide-eyed stare, it had been a long time since he'd had enough to eat. He took Steven's advice to dig in without another word, attacking the ramen with ferocity.

It would have taken a high speed camera to actually follow the boys' progress through their meals, they inhaled the food so quickly. Kouhei was finishing around the same time that Takahiro walked in as well. His expression was mostly neutral when Scout's younger brother approached; 'Takeshi's' eyes took in every detail he could, studying Takahiro the way an animal might study a potential threat. Or maybe he was checking him out? Taka did cut an impressive figure in that green jacket.

Kouhei hesitated for a second when Takahiro offered his hand, finally reaching out to grasp it firmly. There was strength in those bony, long-fingered hands and they were covered in uneven calluses. He met the younger boy's eyes, though only briefly, and returned the greeting. "Hi. Yes, erm. I'm Takeshi." He swallowed, grimacing a little. "Thank you. Your family is very kind to offer me shelter. There, um. Yeah, I guess there is something."

Turning to glance at Scout, his expression maybe embarrassed, he asked quietly. "Could I maybe take that shower now?"

Kouhei took the clothes gratefully and followed Scout to the bathroom, quietly listening to the instructions. The way he looked at the shower, you'd think he hadn't used one in years. Oh. Wait. He closed the door behind his 'rescuer' and, after a moment's hesitation, locked the door. The simple act of having a door he could lock was... profoundly relieving, after years of looking over his shoulder. He started the shower, but rather than get in the boy slipped quietly back to the door and pressed an ear against it. He'd learned to be suspicious of everyone; if he was manipulating them, who was to say he was not in turn being manipulated?

Better to be ready to drive the knife into someone's back before they got the chance to do it to you, after all. These were kill-or-be-killed worlds they lived in. Just ask the Queen.