How to fight, how to concoct potions and solutions that would put the greatest scientist to shame, how to craft and maintain machines that most people could only dream of, how to do some truly shady things--
And how to be a gentleman thief.
Lupin enjoyed it, of course; how could he not? Cardia was an eager student, and while she didn't have a malicious bone in her body (something that just made him adore her more, of course) and while she was often rather reluctant to actually steal anything, he was very confident that his teachings were sticking very well.
Her stealthy movements, her ability to hug a wall and remain unnoticed, even the way that she could appraise the value of a gemstone at a single glance... Lupin was proud to say that she was by far the best student he had ever had.
(And the only student, Impey would pipe up, but who cared about that? Impey was just jealous that Cardia preferred to spend more time in his lessons whenever possible.)
Still... Lupin didn't realize just how much he'd underestimated how thoroughly Cardia had taken to the "gentleman thief" persona that he embodied until one evening that would stick very thoroughly in his memory (and that he'd receive gentle ribbing over for what he was sure would be the rest of his life).
It was nearly time for dinner, and as was very common for them, the ragtag group of friends began trickling out of their rooms to head to the dining room to enjoy whatever new delicious meal Impey had created for all of them. Often, this was the only time they would all be together during the day with how busy they could get, how involved they often were in their own projects...and they all knew Cardia loved it very much, so everyone was very careful to never miss dinner.
Lupin's timing was such that somehow, just as he reached the top of the stairway down to the first floor, he spied Cardia coming from the other hall--and gentlemanly, he waited for her, planning to offer her his arm.
(It was probably not all out of gentlemanly intentions, but where was the harm in that? He enjoyed Cardia's company, and he knew she enjoyed his too. That was all that mattered, surely?)
Cardia met his gaze with a smile, coming over to him very willingly... and then determinedly, she said, "Lupin, can I see your hand?"
Baffled and bemused, but still unwilling to really deny her much of anything, Lupin obeyed, mouth open to curiously question her--
And then Cardia was taking his palm in her own, leaning over to carefully press her lips to the back of his gloved hand. Lupin knew, of course, that she was growing far bolder now that she didn't have to worry about any poison melting anything she touched, and yet...
This was a surprise, so out of nowhere that for a moment, to his own embarrassment, Lupin could feel his cheeks heating up as he stared at Cardia, elegantly poised over his hand.
Wait... that pose was awfully familiar--
And as Lupin slowly processed that Cardia had very contentedly recreated his greeting to an acquaintance he had been plying for information the week before, she tugged him down the stairs, eyes focused forward and expression lit up with excitement for their meal.
(Well... he had said she was the best student he'd ever had, right?)
It wasn't as though there was anything strange about it. Sure, Masato had been a huge dick early on towards Henri--he could admit that very sincerely, because he was trying to change, to be a more open and understanding person. And Henri had forgiven him, which only convinced him further--
He needed to stop trying to tell people how to live.
So while sometimes his teeth grit when his little sister was mobbed by people who loved her idol shows; he had to remind himself that this was making her happy, and that she deserved it. She was talented, after all, and that meant so much more than whatever type of music she was performing.
Really, Masato owed a great deal of his change in mindset to Henri. Henri, who was so bold, so determined to be himself no matter what anyone said. Henri, who was able to dance across the ice like an artisan. Henri, who looked so elegant in those costumes, so--
Whoa.
Anyway.
Masato owed Henri a lot and he knew it. It was only natural then that he'd try to support his new friend however he could, right? He wanted to be there for his practices and performances, he wanted to be there when Henri had some extra minutes to spare that they could go hang out in.
It was just a natural part of being friends, right?
And when Henri picked him out of the crowd, when their eyes met even during an important performance, surely that was just Henri making sure he was there?
And when they held hands, and Henri gave him that smile, then that was just him trying to be as supportive as he could be, and--
And when Henri grinned at him from the center of the ice, lifted a hand to his lips and blew him a kiss, a gesture that Masato could feel as if a physical blow, causing his heart to thump so loudly he was sure everyone around him could hear--
Then he wasn't actually so sure that was just a part of being friends anymore... but he found that he was a little excited to learn a bit better what it actually meant, as soon as Henri was off the ice.
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1. Lupin/Cardia
How to fight, how to concoct potions and solutions that would put the greatest scientist to shame, how to craft and maintain machines that most people could only dream of, how to do some truly shady things--
And how to be a gentleman thief.
Lupin enjoyed it, of course; how could he not? Cardia was an eager student, and while she didn't have a malicious bone in her body (something that just made him adore her more, of course) and while she was often rather reluctant to actually steal anything, he was very confident that his teachings were sticking very well.
Her stealthy movements, her ability to hug a wall and remain unnoticed, even the way that she could appraise the value of a gemstone at a single glance... Lupin was proud to say that she was by far the best student he had ever had.
(And the only student, Impey would pipe up, but who cared about that? Impey was just jealous that Cardia preferred to spend more time in his lessons whenever possible.)
Still... Lupin didn't realize just how much he'd underestimated how thoroughly Cardia had taken to the "gentleman thief" persona that he embodied until one evening that would stick very thoroughly in his memory (and that he'd receive gentle ribbing over for what he was sure would be the rest of his life).
It was nearly time for dinner, and as was very common for them, the ragtag group of friends began trickling out of their rooms to head to the dining room to enjoy whatever new delicious meal Impey had created for all of them. Often, this was the only time they would all be together during the day with how busy they could get, how involved they often were in their own projects...and they all knew Cardia loved it very much, so everyone was very careful to never miss dinner.
Lupin's timing was such that somehow, just as he reached the top of the stairway down to the first floor, he spied Cardia coming from the other hall--and gentlemanly, he waited for her, planning to offer her his arm.
(It was probably not all out of gentlemanly intentions, but where was the harm in that? He enjoyed Cardia's company, and he knew she enjoyed his too. That was all that mattered, surely?)
Cardia met his gaze with a smile, coming over to him very willingly... and then determinedly, she said, "Lupin, can I see your hand?"
Baffled and bemused, but still unwilling to really deny her much of anything, Lupin obeyed, mouth open to curiously question her--
And then Cardia was taking his palm in her own, leaning over to carefully press her lips to the back of his gloved hand. Lupin knew, of course, that she was growing far bolder now that she didn't have to worry about any poison melting anything she touched, and yet...
This was a surprise, so out of nowhere that for a moment, to his own embarrassment, Lupin could feel his cheeks heating up as he stared at Cardia, elegantly poised over his hand.
Wait... that pose was awfully familiar--
And as Lupin slowly processed that Cardia had very contentedly recreated his greeting to an acquaintance he had been plying for information the week before, she tugged him down the stairs, eyes focused forward and expression lit up with excitement for their meal.
(Well... he had said she was the best student he'd ever had, right?)
2. Henri/Masato
He needed to stop trying to tell people how to live.
So while sometimes his teeth grit when his little sister was mobbed by people who loved her idol shows; he had to remind himself that this was making her happy, and that she deserved it. She was talented, after all, and that meant so much more than whatever type of music she was performing.
Really, Masato owed a great deal of his change in mindset to Henri. Henri, who was so bold, so determined to be himself no matter what anyone said. Henri, who was able to dance across the ice like an artisan. Henri, who looked so elegant in those costumes, so--
Whoa.
Anyway.
Masato owed Henri a lot and he knew it. It was only natural then that he'd try to support his new friend however he could, right? He wanted to be there for his practices and performances, he wanted to be there when Henri had some extra minutes to spare that they could go hang out in.
It was just a natural part of being friends, right?
And when Henri picked him out of the crowd, when their eyes met even during an important performance, surely that was just Henri making sure he was there?
And when they held hands, and Henri gave him that smile, then that was just him trying to be as supportive as he could be, and--
And when Henri grinned at him from the center of the ice, lifted a hand to his lips and blew him a kiss, a gesture that Masato could feel as if a physical blow, causing his heart to thump so loudly he was sure everyone around him could hear--
Then he wasn't actually so sure that was just a part of being friends anymore... but he found that he was a little excited to learn a bit better what it actually meant, as soon as Henri was off the ice.