Work Text:
“Oh, dear… I’m hungry after all that work.”
“Then, let’s eat together, Bianchi,” Jude says, appearing behind Bianchi, still tailing his teammate even after they completed their patrol.
He has nothing else to do, so why not spend more time with Bianchi? There aren't enough hours in the day for them to be alone together, so Jude uses every chance he gets to share another moment with the love of his life. It makes his entire being whole, an existence worth living as long as he can see Bianchi's beauty.
“Why are you still here?”
“Why wouldn’t I be, Bianchi? Is there a reason why I should go? I don’t see one.”
“Of course you don’t.”
“Haha.”
He has nothing planned now that they have finished patrolling. He can either go home (he would rather not do that), train, or stick around Bianchi and see what they're doing.
Of course, Jude chooses the final option of spending the rest of the day with Bianchi. What would Jude do with his time if it weren’t for Bianchi's existence? He certainly wouldn’t be a Hero standing by their side.
“Ugh, I don’t even know why I asked. Well, you’re obviously not going to leave even if I tell you to, so we might as well get lunch together if that’ll get you off my back," Bianchi says, an invitation that makes Jude’s entire day.
His eyes light up, and his heart swells as it always does when Bianchi speaks with him.
“I would love to, Bianchi.”
Despite the warmth that creeps underneath his cheeks, Jude doesn't notice his intense blush.
“Don’t look at me like that! Even a simple lunch invitation excites you, doesn’t it? My goodness!"
“Yes, it does."
The excitement on Jude's face is visible. So very visible. Spending more time with Bianchi is something Jude will never take for granted. He has to show his appreciation.
“Bianchi… We’re in Green East, aren’t we?”
Names, faces, and places all blur together for Jude. They always have. If they’re not important to Jude like Bianchi is, Jude has no reason to remember it. But Bianchi has told him he should get better at that, so he now instantly understands all the things he no longer cared about thanks to Bianchi’s instructions.
He can’t let Bianchi get upset with him again. His world would shatter if that happened.
“Yes, we are. Why is that important?”
“One of your favorite restaurants is here," Jude says. He knows it's a few streets away. "We should go together."
He’s memorized all of Bianchi’s favorite things—foods, clothing brands, skincare and makeup products, TV shows, and fashion stores. Jude knows everything.
To see Bianchi's smiling face, the beauty radiating on such perfection, Jude has taken it upon himself to please Bianchi as many times as he can, reaching the standards of whatever is humanly possible.
"M-My favorite… Well, yes, it is nearby. And I did plan to go there today…”
Bianchi seems… flustered by Jude's words? At least he thinks so. Emotions are hard to decipher for Jude. All he can recognize is Bianchi's beauty. But if Bianchi is pleased, then Jude has done right. That’s all that matters.
"Then let's go together." Jude reaches for Bianchi’s soft hand. He can hold their hand all day and every day. He never ever wants to let go.
“Wait, Jude! Don’t just drag me like that!” Bianchi sighs behind him, and it must be a sign of content, right? Bianchi is surely happy Jude is indulging them, catering to their needs.
Jude walks with Bianchi, very pleased that despite their mumbling about this being ridiculous, Bianchi doesn’t let go.
See, it’s moments like these that let Jude know Bianchi feels the same! Well, even when Bianchi treats him harshly, it doesn’t really make a difference to Jude. Just being in their lovely presence is enough for him.
When they arrive at the restaurant, Jude opens the door and allows Bianchi to go first.
“...Thank you,” Bianchi says, walking ahead of him. Jude follows and keeps his eyes only on Bianchi.
If it were up to Jude, he would choose a seat next to Bianchi, but the restaurant doesn't have bigger tables that accommodate his wish. He sits across from them, a little disappointed. But sitting across from Bianchi means he can see every part of their face and pretty eyes.
He loves staring at them.
Bianchi clears their throat, and Jude notices someone—the waitress? Waiter?—is at their table.
Oh. He never noticed. How long have they been there…?
Jude can't tell what they look like. They’re a shadowy blur like everyone else who isn't Bianchi.
With the water he and Bianchi both have, that person must have stopped by earlier… or maybe they dropped it off now. Eh, it doesn't matter. They aren’t Bianchi, so Jude doesn't waste his time trying to understand what’s going on.
“Your order, Jude? Don’t tell me you dragged me here for no reason. I’m sorry, sweetie, he gets distracted a lot.”
“I'll have what you're having, Bianchi,”
Jude doesn't have any favorites. He likes what Bianchi likes because Bianchi has the best taste in the whole wide world.
“...Of course you will,” Bianchi doesn't look surprised. Jude smiles. “Then, we'll both have the spicy dandan noodles. Thank you, sweetie.”
Apparently the server leaves because Bianchi is now looking at him, tapping their nails on the table. They take a sip of their water and sigh.
Everything Bianchi does is absolutely, utterly perfect. Jude smiles.
“It feels like you don't even eat sometimes if I'm not there to remind you.”
“Yes, that happens.”
There isn’t a signal in Jude’s body telling him to eat. He doesn't feel the consequences of forgetting. The only reminder he has is Bianchi, and sometimes Sage and Nico. It’s hard to forget about needing to eat when Nico is always munching on something.
“That's not very healthy.”
“Oh, are you worried about me, Bianchi? If so, I'll put in my best effort to eat regularly every day.”
Bianchi's opinion is the only one that matters. Jude will happily follow anything they say. Their word is of utmost importance.
“I should not be the only reason why you start eating normally. What will I ever do with you, I wonder…”
A blurry figure approaches the table and sets down the bowls of Bianchi’s favorite food, spicy dandan noodles, in front of them. They look at the figure and thank them, so Jude does the same, but he has a glare on his face that serves as a warning: don't flirt with Bianchi; they're mine.
The figure leaves. Jude's fake smile slips into a real one when he returns his gaze to Bianchi.
“Don't look at the waitress like that! Goodness, she's just doing her job.” Bianchi scolds, and while Jude blindly follows their orders, there are some he doesn't. Like this one. He can’t allow anyone to get in the way of their precious alone time.
“Does she have to smile and touch your arm like that, though?”
“Oh, please, there's really no need to act like a jealous lover.”
“But isn't that what I—”
“Just shut up and eat. You're spoiling the meal with your antics.” Bianchi sighs and picks up their chopsticks.
“Okay, Bianchi.” Jude does the same and starts to eat.
The noodles taste the same as he last had them. There’s no tang or kick or anything that makes it special other than it being Bianchi’s favorite food. But he’s happy to eat along with them even though he can’t properly appreciate the meal.
Jude takes a sip of his water. People do this when the food gets too spicy for them. A plain flavor sits on his tongue instead.
“Mmm, it's really spicy!” Bianchi exclaims. “Just how I like it~ Ah, this place never disappoints!”
Jude pokes at his food after eating a bit. “I'm glad you like it.”
“My, didn't your parents teach you about manners?” Bianchi frowns. “Did they make your food wrong?”
“......”
Silence is his go-to response when he doesn't know what to say and when he doesn't want to tell Bianchi the truth.
“It's fine,” because technically, that is the truth. There is nothing wrong with Jude's food. If there was, he wouldn't be able to tell, anyway. “I'm sure it tastes good. The spiciness and all. You like it, after all.”
It's… food, but it's also Bianchi's favorite food. And the fact that he can't appreciate it like Bianchi can sucks.
He emptily stares at the bowl with downward lips.
“...Oh, dear. I see what's going on,” Bianchi set their chopsticks down. “Hey. Look at me.”
Jude does. Bianchi's eyes are so pretty. He can get lost in them every hour of the day.
He smiles. “Yes, Bianchi?”
“Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn't I be? I'm with you. I'm happy.”
“Sure, let's say you are. But you're not, and I know that.”
Jude feels overjoyed. He thinks his heart jumps. “Really? You know me so well, Bianchi. You really do care about me… I'm so honored, this is one of the best days ever!”
“Don't try to change the subject,” Bianchi scolds.
“Sorry.”
“Just talk to me.”
“Well…”
Jude shrugs. Bianchi’s arms are crossed, patiently waiting for his response. He can’t keep them waiting. Jude moves the noodles around in the bowl using his chopsticks before answering Bianchi.
“I'm happy that I can share your favorite meal with you,” Jude starts. “I'm happy that I can see you enjoy it. Your cheeks get red, and it’s really pretty… I also like the way you smile and then fan yourself because your food is hot and spicy.”
“Y-Yes, and…?”
“I… I can't relate to that happiness. It's different from when you help others because I can do the same and understand how satisfied you feel.”
Jude picks up his chopsticks but doesn’t do anything with them. He then sets it down. There is no urge to eat, no craving. The bowl might as well be empty.
“I can't experience your favorite meal the same way you can… I don’t like that feeling. It’s as though we’re separated by something so minuscule… I want to be closer as ever to you, but how can I when your favorite meal tastes like nothing to me?”
“J-Jude…”
He hopes he didn’t upset Bianchi by telling the truth. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything. But Bianchi wanted to know, and telling each other everything is important for their relationship.
“It’s okay, though. There's nothing I can do about it, right? I can deal with those feelings as long as I'm here with you."
“You're really so…” Bianchi trails off. They sigh. “Don't make yourself upset over such a thing, Jude.”
“I can't help it.”
“I know, but… Gosh, how do I even approach this? It's enough to be sitting across from me and sharing this moment, no? Just the two of us?”
“Yes. Being with you is all that matters.”
“Then, stop looking so depressed.” Bianchi reaches for his hand and squeezes it. Jude’s breath escapes his lungs. They are so soft. Each delicate finger and neatly manicured nail, Jude studies them. He doesn't want to let go. “Eat your meal, and appreciate the fact I’m here with you. Who knows when I’ll indulge you like this again?”
“Yes, Bianchi... Thank you for coming with me.”
“Mhm."
Bianchi fills in the silence by talking about their projects. What designs they’re working on, what modifications they have to make to existing uniforms, and what supplies they need. Jude listens to every single detail with a smile and makes a mental note of what Bianchi needs so he can get it for them later.
Jude eats his meal, and though he can't feel the spiciness of the noodles burning and numbing his tongue, the thumping in his chest he gets when Bianchi speaks is enough of a thrill. He watches Bianchi take a sip of water, wipe their mouth with a napkin, and smile.
Their happiness is his happiness. But deep down, he’s still troubled, even when he finishes his bowl. He isn’t satisfied; he never is when he eats. The spiciness Bianchi tastes is a mild tang for Jude, a mere pinch to the flame he craves.
“Oh, I can’t stand when you look like that,” Bianchi frowns.
“What do you mean, Bianchi?”
“Nothing. Just open up for me, Jude."
Jude immediately parts his mouth when he sees Bianchi's chopsticks coming towards him. Bianchi feeds him several steamy noodles, and Jude appreciates every single one. They almost slip out of his mouth when he smiles at Bianchi’s affection.
Bianchi hums. “Their seasoning is the best here! The cook really knows how to kick up the spice. The peppers make it so spicy and savory, too. I love it!”
He can taste what Bianchi explains to him. Barely, but it’s there. Bianchi’s words help him relish each sharp flavor, a delicacy he takes his time to appreciate. They also distract him from what he was upset about earlier. Jude doesn’t remember.
What matters now is sharing this meal with Bianchi, treasuring each second spent together.
"It's tasty, isn't it, Jude?"
“It is,” Jude nods. “It really is delicious. Thank you, Bianchi.”
He’s satisfied. With Bianchi, he always is.
“Now stop looking so glum,” Bianchi says, setting their chopsticks aside, both bowls empty. “Or we won’t go out again.”
“You want to do this again, Bianchi?” Jude lights up. "I can't wait...!"
“D-Don’t get ahead of yourself!”