And then they were roommates.

[sleight_of_hand]

WHO: Adachi, Iris, and some meddling kids
WHERE: Adachi's house in Heropa
WHEN: Some nebulous time in early July
WHAT: Iris actually agreed to move in with Adachi. This is in no way a bad thing and Adachi totally isn't nervous about it.
WARNINGS: idk, Akira is a giant ham?

[ It had been so damn long since Adachi last actually drove around, that he actually needed a moment to remember how pedals worked. He was certain Iris was never going to let him live it down, but they had a moving truck that they could move everything around in. ]

[ Now all they had to do was actually move it all. ]

Comments

Adachi and Iris

[sleight_of_hand]

...you... weren't kidding when you said you had a lot of stuff.

[ Adachi looked around at the boxes littering the floor of Iris' old place, trying not to look as dismayed as he felt. He could see it all now, the things that men whispered about in hushed circles around the bar: soon his favorite things would disappear from the house, the bathroom would be covered in fuzzy pink things, and everything would have a "fresh scent". ]

[ He shook the thought away after a moment. No, it was going to be fine. They had a good thing going on! He had nothing to worry about! ]

[ ...right? ]

[ He finally turned a sheepish smile to her after a moment. ]

Can we cheat? Just a little?

[eloquentness]

[ Iris can't help the sheepish laugh that escapes her lips. She hadn't been lying about the amount of stuff she had accumulated over two years time. Then again, she didn't think she would be leaving her spacious downtown loft. As lonely as the place got at night, she kind of kindled a torch for someone to move in again.

Instead, she's leaving it (and renting the place out, as she'd bought the loft a long time back). ]

I can take some of it into storage. [ she knows his place, she really does. ] But you know, a good chunk of this is just my wardrobe.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ To his credit, Adachi tried to keep back the snorted out laugh, but it didn't really work. Sorry, Iris. ]

I'm not really surprised, but I mean more does it have to be just the two of us hauling this all into the truck?

[ He has a head god. Please let him not have to carry these with his own two little wimpy arms. ]

[eloquentness]

Oh. [ Iris blinks, stopping to think about it. She hadn't called Jaime because she figured he was busy between the League and his other extracurriculars, and Ash had been ported out for the time being. Jacob's more a work friend than a "moving boxes" friend, and well...

she could call Oliver. That's always an option. ]

I could see if Oliver's free. [ beat ] Unless any of your friends are miraculously available?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi let out a sigh; oh Iris, he loves you, but... ]

[ He jabbed a finger to the side of his head, like he was poking it with a gun instead. ]

Maybe the friend in my head?

[eloquentness]

You'd actually use your Persona for something like this?

[ doesn't it take up a lot of energy? Iris shoots him an amused glance, not exactly in a hurry to deny him - ]

Sure, why not.

[sleight_of_hand]

Oh sure; I've used him for a lot less strenuous stuff than this!

[ He gave her a wink, before reaching out. The Fool card responded to him as always, and as he crushed it in his hand, he realized two things very quickly. ]

[ 1.) Izanagi-no-Yomi was, essentially, much taller than him. ]

[ 2.) The ceiling, by comparison, was rather low. ]

[ So, ultimately, they ended up with a human-like Persona bent over the two of them, it's back very nearly pressing against the ceiling, it's yellow eyes narrowing to slits as it glared at them from upside down. Adachi could only stare a moment, before he let out a sigh. ]

...right. Calling friends it is.

@ the house

[girlybruiser]

[ Haru is here with the rest of gang naturally, with a little housewarming gift for the couple even if Adachi has been living in the house for some time now. It never hurts to add one more item, especially as Haru's brought a graceful looking peace lily that would make a lovely center piece... provided Adachi knows much about that.

... Iris probably does. Haru has only spoken to her once or twice, once in the guise of anonymous, but the young woman was awfully kind to her despite not knowing who she was behind the anonymity of text. ]

Where shall I put this?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi and flowers? Yeah, no; Haru is literally speaking a language the nanites can't translate, and it's clearly flying over his head. Not that he doesn't appreciate the gift, but he'll leave the placement to Iris; she'll be better at it. ]

[ He'll wait until the flower is ushered off to it's new home, before giving Haru a faint smile. ]

It's been awhile, Okamura-san. How have you been?

[girlybruiser]

[ Flowers are for everyone, Adachi!

Haru greets him with her own bright smile. ]

It has, Adachi-san. I've been well, thank you. How are you and Iris doing?

[ She didn't know he had such a cute girlfriend! ]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi paused, glancing in Iris' direction, before a goofy, love struck smile wormed it's way onto his face. ]

P-pretty good...

[ He shook himself out of it after a moment, rubbing at the back of his neck. ]

Honestly? I still can't believe this is happening.

[girlybruiser]

[ Haru sneaks a peek at that smile and her own grows wider, amused as she's never seen such a cutesy expression on Adachi's face before. She's rarely seen it on the adults she's known either; her own mother had passed away a long, long time ago, so she never got a chance to see what her father's love struck smile would have looked like. ]

Why is that? Isn't this what many couples do?

[sleight_of_hand]

W-well, yes, but...

[ Adachi's expression changed then, looking a little, legitimately terrified. ]

T-that's the thing, though. I-I'm in a relationship. I'm half a couple. A-an honest, healthy relationship with another woman.

[ He gave Haru a desperate look. ]

How did that happen?

[eloquentness]

Oh, I've got it!

[ Iris grins, reaching out to take the lily from Haru's hands. Of all of Adachi's kids, Haru's remained the biggest question mark. He gushes about them all to her, from Akira's reckless bravery to Futaba's computer know-how to Akechi's intelligence and of course, Haru's skill with plants and greenery. Now, she can at least put a face to the name and stories.

She motions for Haru to follow her into the kitchen, all the same. ]

I figure you know who I am, but I'm Iris, [ she adds, belatedly. ] It's so good to finally meet you.

[girlybruiser]

[ Haru's cheeks are a rosy hue when Iris appears before her. The glow of her skin, her dark hair, the immaculate way she's done her makeup is impressive to the young woman. She's a lot prettier in person; it's no wonder Adachi is stumbling on his words and feelings right now. ]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well! [ She bows her head politely, then proceeds to follow Iris toward the kitchen side. ] My name is Haru. I don't know what Adachi-san has said... but um, I'm from the same world as Akira-kun.

[eloquentness]

Which, in turns, means you're from the same world as Tohru-kun, right?

[ If Iris notes Haru's face, she doesn't show any signs of it as she opens a kitchen cabinet to look for a vase. Once one's found, she adds water and a bit of extra plant food before setting the lily in. ]

I'm glad he's not the only one. [ from experience, it can get lonely when one's the only one from a world. those shared memories of home fade quicker than she's willing to admit. ] As for what he's told me... it's mostly how proud he is of you all and what you've accomplished. All good things, I promise.

[girlybruiser]

... yes, that's true.

[ It's a fact Haru often forgets, her "world" so centralized in Tokyo and among the Phantom Thieves she's forgotten about the Persona users from Inaba. ]

He is? [ She feels rather bad now for not conversing with him as often as the others have. ] How kind of him to say that.

[eloquentness]

Well, he talks about all of you. [ Iris's expression turns sheepish as she sets the lily down, right in the middle of their kitchen table. ] It's not like I know everything, and if I had friends from my world... I'd probably be the same way.

[ scratch that, she is very much the same way. She just doesn't openly praise Oliver because of her old (dumb, celeb-fueled) crush on him. But that's a detail best reserved for another time, right? ]

Do you want anything to drink? Tea, coffee, water...?

[crimeboy]

[Akira made his way here after too long, not honestly very certain what kind of a gift you give to someone for this kind of event so like he comes with some champagne and a paper shopping bag. How did he get that at 17? Don't ask, honestly.]

Hey! Can't believe this is how I'm first getting to see you two together.

[You fool. How could you have allowed Akira to show up.]

You need some help carrying stuff?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Really, this wasn't one of his better ideas. He really should have known better, but Adachi still flashes a charming smile, going over to take the housewarming gift... and dumping the nearest heavy box into Akira's arms. Better catch that, kiddo; it's got dishes in it~! ]

Akira-kun! So glad you could come help!

[ His tone makes the hidden message clear: Behave yourself. ]

[crimeboy]

[Hey Adachi??? Champagne bottles are made of glass??? Wow. Thankfully, before he can fumble anything, a giant demonic arm materializes in blue flames, Satanael only partially manifesting so he's not making a MESS, but he's the one that catches the box with an annoyed grunt. Or maybe it's a greeting grunt. Honestly, who knows with Satanael?]

Oh yeah, don't even mention it!

Hey, how come you don't use your Persona to help you carry this heavy stuff?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ ...seriously, kid, how do you do that? Adachi gave Akira a look, before he sighed. ]

...hestoobig.

[ He mumbled it so fast, it was hard to tell what he said. ]

Anyway, thanks for lending a... hand.

[ He eyed the random Persona bit, raising an eyebrow. ]

[crimeboy]

... [Akira pauses, actually having to think to process the mumbling. He imagines it must have been the answer to Akira's question since he otherwise seemed to ignore it.]

Ah! It can't just be partially there...?

I see.

[Satanael tilts it's head to look at Adachi too, a rumble that seems to turn into a deep laugh as it gingerly handles the box.]

Well, just tell me where I can put this stuff and I can probably help get this done without breaking our backs so much.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi let out a sigh, shaking his head. Seriously, Akira; does he look like a protagonist to you? ]

I don't think so? But the way you guys summon is way different from how I do it.

[ He shook his head, before waving Akira toward the kitchen. ]

Uh, that's her dishes, I think. She has a much better set than mine, so be gentle.

slides in late

[eloquentness]

Better late than never, right?

[ Oblivious to what may happen, Iris gives Akira a warm smile as she looks towards the stack of boxes that have still yet to be unopened. She figured it could wait ]

I wouldn't exactly say no, but you did just get here. [ beat ] I can get you something to drink?