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WHO: Ken Kaneki and Katsuki Bakugou
WHERE: De Chima, Kaneki's place
WHEN: The weekend following the July swear-in
WHAT: Coffee competition!!!
WARNINGS: A lot of yelling???

[It's difficult for Katsuki to find people worse at people than he is, but somehow he has found an equal in Kaneki. The nerd's so full of awkwardness and self-loathing that Katsuki iss certain he holds more conversations with books. It's strange, because before he knew that Kaneki could fight, they didn't have much in common other than a love of coffee. Yet Kaneki has put up with his shit. He's jumpy as hell, but he isn't afraid of him, and now he realizes why. He's just...a stupid fucking nerd who eats people.

Katsuki texts Kaneki that morning to give him a heads up that he's planning to visit, and after shopping for the perfect gourmet coffee, he hovers in front of his friend's front door, takes a deep breath-]

EYEPATCH-SENPAI NERD!!!! I'M COMING IN!!!!

[And then he tries to...do just that.]

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[ When kaneki receives the text, he knows his stress levels are about to going through the roof. He agreed to let Bakugou come in, they agreed to it, but in a way he didn't expect it to happen that soon.

That means he has to prepare the house, right? Clean the fridge (several times actually) and shove everything that was inside it into the freezer (for sure Bakugou wouldn't try to check on that), go buy some food for his friend and get even more coffee (the expensive stuff too!). He didn't find a lot of Japanese snacks, but he was able to get his hands on some different types of mochi which is good - all other snacks will be very american though, such as chips and pop-tart. The house is clean too, which is good. And surely enough he hears a scream from the outside.

The. Neighbors. Please. Stop. Bakugou.

kaneki quickly rushes towards the door before the other tries to blow it up or something, opening it ] There is a bell...! [ please use it!

Kaneki's house is a small one-person apartment, without a living room. The walls are covered in shelves and in return they are covered in books of all sorts and genres and while Kaneki claimed his house was "messy", it is in fact quite clean and the only "mess" would be some books left here and there. The kitchen has the top of the art professional coffee maker Ken was able to get thanks to his weird advertisement job; most people wouldn't have a machine like that since it's used in coffee shops, but Kaneki likes it a lot There is a permanent smell of coffee everywhere thanks to it.

And finally, of course, there is no food in the cupboards nor the fridge. What Kaneki bought is on the kitchen table inside bowls, and that's it. And because of this there are also no cooking utensils, dishes or cutlery, no cooking machines, not even an oven - but there is a small microwave. But in case Katsuki gets curious, if he dares to open a cupboard, he will find TONS of different types of coffee and also some strange looking "sugar cubes" (they are not sugar cubes, please leave them alone and don't ask what they are made of). ]

Come in- welcome. [ Kaneki steps aside to welcome the other in ]

AH- Eyepatch-senpai.

[Katsuki answers, calming down. He steps inside and removes his shoes, taking everything in. The first thing he notices is that it smells good. The aroma of coffee lends a warmth to the house, and the bookshelves make it feel more lived-in and homey. It's kin of what he was expecting and thankfully it isn't actually messy. It's very clean.]

Not bad.

[He admits, shoving a bag of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee at Kaneki.]

Take it.

You can just call me "Kaneki". [ no need for nicknames, honestly. He has a feeling that's not gonna happen, though, so he won't fight it.

In any case, he takes the bag, peeking inside before he smiles wide ] Thank you. We can try this one for our contest.

[ kaneki heads to the kitchen, expecting Bakugou to follow, but honestly the house is tiny, so it's not like there is other place for him to go ] I bought some snakcs, if you want. They are on the table.

Fight me to the death.

[He'd probably be more willing to use his name then. Katsuki goes over to the table and gawks. That's a lot of snacks! He picks up a box of poptarts curiously.]

I've never seen these before.

Haven't I already done that? [ not to the death but they fought. ]

They don't have a lot of japanese things, so I had to buy american snacks. I heard you can warm them up, freeze them or eat them at room temperature. [ he has no idea how they taste like because Kaneki never had thew chance before he was turned into a ghoul. But even if he had tasted them, he wonders if he'd remember the flavor... ]

You can eat them if you want. [ no one else will ]

Doesn't count.

[Warm them up, huh? He pulls one out of the box and examines it, using his quirk to heat it up while the wrapper's still on. He unwraps it and takes a bite. He should probably thank Kaneki for going to all this trouble, but he's an asshole.]

Strawberry.

Why not? It should count. [ Kaneki decides to move along, as he has no plans on watching; he can't really eat and the smell is pretty disgusting to him, so he will let Bakugou be as he approaches the coffee machine to start it ]

I can make coffee first. Do you want to watch how the machine works?

I was still standing by the end of it. You didn't fucking beat me, you quit. [His tone grows annoyed as he explains it. He opens the box of mochi next and shoves one in his mouth, but he has manners so he waits until he's done chewing before answering.]

Fuck yeah, let's see it.

[ He quit because the moment he smelled Bakugou's blood, he realized he wanted a taste. None of the two wanted that to happen, believe him. But Kaneki will not admit to that either, naturally, just the thought of it makes his stomach twist.

Instead, Ken just waits for Bakugou to come closer to see the machine ] This makes makes coffee mainly, but it's also possible to make hot chocolate and tea - [ Kaneki points to several parts of the machine to explain what each does, where the coffee goes, as well how it's possible to make foam for the latte art.

He promised latte art, too, and didn't forget that either. ]

I will make something with foam first. You wanted a skull, right?

Edited 2020-07-23 22:55 (UTC)

Shit- [Katsuki's eyes round in admiration.] This is some high quality shit you got here. Just for advertising?!

Ah- Yeah...

[He takes a step back, suddenly looking embarrassed.]

It wasn't that simple. I had to do photo-ops, sign autographs, say some lines... I even had a fake hero persona while I did all of that. [ it was actually pretty embarrassing.

Anyway Kaneki moves to grab a small jug and pour the milk, while the machine heats up to prepare the coffee] I have only tried this a couple of times, so go easy on me please.

Edited 2020-07-24 10:13 (UTC)

You could've just threatened them. What shitty hero persona did you choose?

[He rolls his eyes. Kaneki's already proven he's an expert at all things coffee, so the false(?) modesty is just annoying.] Yeah yeah. Stop freaking out.

They chose it for me. My hero name was "Heroast". [ like... hero... and roast. Yeah.

It's not false modesty, rather he truly doesn't think he is very good at things, except probably with literature. It's worse that he really is impatient in waiting to give the best results but realizing it's not always possible.

In any case, Kaneki takes his time preparing everything; the coffee is ready in no time, and the smell fills every corner of the house right away, and once the foam is ready, he starts pouring it gently, to shape it into a proper form. He manages eventually, having to use a toothpick for the final details, and once it's ready, he presents it to Bakugou. ] Here.

B- HAHAHAHAHA WHAT KINDA STUPIDASS NAME IS-

MMPH!!!

[He curls into himself, still cackling hysterically until finally his coffee is ready and he can marvel at the latte art.]

...Damn. It actually looks like a skull.

[It's better than anything he could do.]

.... it's not that funny... [ no, it's really ridiculous and embarrassing and kind of humiliating, but at least he got his machine!!

Kaneki smiles when he hears the tiny comment, waiting for Bakugou to have a sip. Yes, he wants to know what the other thinks about the flavor too - hopefully it doesn't have too much milk in it. Kaneki won't really be able to taste it himself, so he is relying on bakugou for this ]

Sure it ain't- [He snorts and lifts the latte up to his mouth, inhaling the aroma first before taking the sip.

Holy fucking shit.

The texture of the milk is flawless- it's silky, light and smooth, gliding across his tongue like a gentle whisper before introducing the full flavor of the coffee- not too acidic or bitter, but balanced out. Finally, a rich kick of espresso unapologetically introduces itself, finishing the journey in a rush of adrenaline that makes him yearn for more.

He lowers the cup, his face slightly flushed and exhales softly.]

Damn. That's some good fucking shit.

Really? [ Kaneki just BEAMS at that,as if that has been the best news he's gotten to this day. he smiles wide and comes forward, a bit excited, to get closer to Bakugou ]

Is the amount of milk alright? I was too worried it'd be too much and you couldn't taste the coffee. or maybe I should try a stronger roast, the flavor will probably be easier to pick up like that, you think?

[ yes, he is delighted, if that wasn't obvious. Kaneki is so glad he can do this much, even without being able to taste the final result ]

Shut up, it's good. I can pick up the flavor just fine. If it sucked, I would tell you, and I wouldn't fucking drink it because I don't drink shit.

[He goes quiet again and just sips it, savoring the flavor.]

[ oh, oops. Kaneki backs away, nodding softly.

Right. ] Aah, sorry- thank you.

[ he will let Katsuki drink his latte in peace, wile he washes the foam jug and cleans the machine after it has been used. ]

...But if you try it with a different roast, you should let me try it first.

[God, the kid (wait, his senpai) is so meek when he's seen how powerful he is. Not that he cares, but he rarely smiles like that too.]

[ Look being meek does not mean weak |8 ]

I don't have anyone else who could try it. [ it's not like Kaneki can drink it, and he doesn't really have anyone dropping by his house. (Well, maybe Midnight-san, but he looks like the type of guy who'd want a strong cup of coffee, not latte.) ]

I will prepare the coffee machine for your roast, so you can make coffee.

That ain't the point!

[He avoids looking at him as he goes to put his empty coffee cup in the sink and starts washing it while Kaneki prepares the coffee machine.]

[ Kaneki does look back at him a bit confused]

What's the point then?

Nothing. Shut up.

[He scrubs at the coffee cup furiously.]

[ why... Are you so difficult...

Kaneki sighs softly and nods] I will let you taste it.

[ and actually, Kaneki realizes:] ah, you don't have to clean that, you are a guest after all.

But here, the machine is ready if you want to make coffee.

Whatever. [He scowls, turning the sink off as he begins to dry the cup.] YOU'RE A NOT SHITTY HOST SO I AIN'T GOING TO BE A SHITTY GUEST, IT'S FUCKING FINE!!!

[Once he's done, he approaches the machine and gets started.]

[ Kaneki blinks for a second there before he smiles a little]

Thank you. [ Ken moves to sit on one of the chairs. He is going to give Katsuki room; no pressure, do your best!]

Even back home I never had guests at my place, but this is nice.

Me neither for a while. Until some idiots got it through their heads that they were welcome to visit for some fucking reason.

[He frowns as he focuses, preparing the foam, and once the coffee is ready he works hard to present... this.] Fuck! Why's this so hard?!

[ maybe it's because you call people idiots, Bakugou......... But well, Kaneki is learning how Bakugou is and so he no longer minds] Well, you can come over whenever. My place only has books right now, but I might get a Playstation. [ it's probably not called a Playstation in this world.

When he hears Bakugou, though, Kaneki gets up to check.

WELL. THERE WAS... AN ATTEMPT. Kaneki smiles and he is absolutely trying to hold back a chuckle] aaha... Maybe the foam is too soft?

What kind of games you into?

[He tries to not look too interested when Kaneki mentions a Playstation. Apparently they're expensive.]

How the fuck am I supposed to get it harder?

I don't think I have a game I'm into - I didn't have a game console, my friend did. [ and kaneki played whatever Hide wanted because in the end, the point was to have fun ] I think I enjoyed the horror ones the most. Like Amnesia. [ but that's due to the psychological part of it ] But we usually would play Mario, and some combat games. Oh, even Katamari Damacy. They were fun as well. [ kaneki is aware not everyone likes psychological horror

He approaches the machine, to point at the steamer ] The milk is over-aerated, which means the air in the foam hasn't broken up completely. The tip of the steamer was probably too high - it has to go deeper into the milk to make the foam. [ Kaneki has learned that from his mistakes too, when he was being trained at the coffee place he used to work at ] Try again by dipping it a bit further.

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