It's why Kakashi goes up to the roof often, usually to have a drink or two. Even in the dead of winter, he escapes from his apartment to spend some time watching the quiet village. Looking up at stars that aren't really stars.
Tonight isn't any different. Kakashi has a glass of shochu, and had brought up the bottle as well. He stands near the ledge, one hand resting on the cold concrete, next to the uncapped bottle, and takes a slow sip from the glass. ]
[ Erwin doesn't normally come up here at night. He's been up several times during the day to look at the village from a higher vantage point, but this is the first time he's been to the roof with the intent to look up rather than down. He makes some noise as he ascends the stairs and opens the door, mindful of those in the building that may be sleeping, but certainly not bothering to be stealthy.
He stills, however, when he steps outside. Kakashi's back is distinctive enough that he recognizes him immediately, and the bottle next to him indicates that he is likely here to unwind. ]
Good evening, Commander. [ Erwin's boots tap against the rooftop as he takes a step forward, closing the door after him. ] I hope I'm not interrupting.
[ The sound of footsteps in the stairwell had been enough to alert Kakashi that he was about to company and give him more than enough time to take another sip of his drink before pulling up his mask. Erwin's voice, however, gave him reason to glance over his shoulder at the other commander, setting his glass down on the ledge. ]
If I was worried about being interrupted, I probably would've stayed inside instead of coming up here.
[ In other words: you're not interrupting at all. ]
[ It is that, but Kakashi was here first. Only polite to ask. He's glad to join him by the ledge, resting his forearms atop it. But when the bottle is presented a moment later, he shakes his head. ]
No, thank you. [ He adds, to ensure that Kakashi doesn't feel slighted by his refusal: ] I very rarely drink.
[ In his youth Erwin had done his fair share of drinking. He and Mike and Nile would visit a particular pub together, where he and Nile had both pursued a sharp and witty barmaid (Nile much more seriously). But Erwin made the decision soon after joining the Survey Corps that there was no place in his life for anyone else. He'd decided to dedicate himself to his goals and only to his goals. He stopped visiting the pubs. It was a distraction he didn't need, and alcohol wasn't something he missed. By the time he became Commander he'd ceased indulging in it almost completely. An attack could occur with no warning whatsoever, just as the attack on Wall Maria had, and, more recently, the sudden appearance of Titans within Wall Rose. If he were unable to lead on such an occasion because he'd been drinking, it would be his men who paid the price. He's also been a target in the past of assassins hired by prominent figures in the central government, and he is well aware that there are many in power within the walls still eager to see him dead, his radical ideas and practices laid to rest with him. He can't fail to be alert to that danger as well.
But what keeps him from accepting Kakashi's offer most is also what keeps him from doing much of anything else for himself that one could consider recreational: in his heart, he doesn't believe that he deserves happiness, or even so much as a brief reprieve. How could he possibly reward himself when he has been personally responsible for so much grief?
When it comes down to it, Erwin Smith doesn't like Erwin Smith very much. He has a hard time accepting good things for himself, let alone doing them. It's like pulling teeth to get him to readily enjoy something for his own sake.
He dosn't begrudge Kakashi in the least for doing so, however. While they are both commanders, they are different men, with different circumstances. It isn't for Erwin to decide what another man should or wants to do for himself. ]
It just doesn't hold much appeal for me.
[ His expression remains neutral, though he shifts his gaze from Kakashi down to the ground below, though there isn't much to look at when the village is dark. ]
[ Kakashi's not entirely surprised that Erwin more or less abstains from alcohol.
As the commander of forces that protect the last of humanity in his world, of course a man like Erwin Smith would be careful about ensuring he has control of all of his faculties. Kakashi understands this a little too well, as he's never been one who particularly enjoys getting drunk, in the event that there might be an enemy attack or that he might be called away last minute on a mission. When he does drink, it's usually just to get enough of a buzz. But Kakashi knows his limits, and usually stops far before the point of inebriation.
When he can.
It's a little harder to watch his limits when he's drinking with Tsunade or someone like Jiraiya, who he couldn't refuse out of deference. ]
Mm, I see.
[ Murmurs as he sets the bottle back down, eye tracing over Erwin's strong profile before he looks down to the quiet village below. A few dots of light flicker from windows, the only light in an otherwise dark landscape below.
Erwin seems to be in a more contemplative mood, and Kakashi doesn't interrupt him immediately. Doesn't push to ask why alcohol doesn't hold appeal either. For a little while, he simply lets a comfortable silence fall between them, before he speaks again. ]
Something on your mind, Commander, or are you just up here to enjoy the night?
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[ action | snapshots throughout february ]
It's why Kakashi goes up to the roof often, usually to have a drink or two. Even in the dead of winter, he escapes from his apartment to spend some time watching the quiet village. Looking up at stars that aren't really stars.
Tonight isn't any different. Kakashi has a glass of shochu, and had brought up the bottle as well. He stands near the ledge, one hand resting on the cold concrete, next to the uncapped bottle, and takes a slow sip from the glass. ]
no subject
He stills, however, when he steps outside. Kakashi's back is distinctive enough that he recognizes him immediately, and the bottle next to him indicates that he is likely here to unwind. ]
Good evening, Commander. [ Erwin's boots tap against the rooftop as he takes a step forward, closing the door after him. ] I hope I'm not interrupting.
no subject
If I was worried about being interrupted, I probably would've stayed inside instead of coming up here.
[ In other words: you're not interrupting at all. ]
no subject
[ Especially not in such cold weather. Erwin is bundled in the winter coat he's been wearing over his uniform on particularly cold days. ]
Would you accept mine?
no subject
[ Kakashi says lightly, as he turns towards Erwin, two fingers dangling the bottle in offering. ]
Drink?
no subject
No, thank you. [ He adds, to ensure that Kakashi doesn't feel slighted by his refusal: ] I very rarely drink.
no subject
[ Kakashi's maybe a touch surprised, but his arm withdraws and he sets the bottle back down on the surface of the ledge. ]
Any particular reason, or do you just dislike the taste?
no subject
But what keeps him from accepting Kakashi's offer most is also what keeps him from doing much of anything else for himself that one could consider recreational: in his heart, he doesn't believe that he deserves happiness, or even so much as a brief reprieve. How could he possibly reward himself when he has been personally responsible for so much grief?
When it comes down to it, Erwin Smith doesn't like Erwin Smith very much. He has a hard time accepting good things for himself, let alone doing them. It's like pulling teeth to get him to readily enjoy something for his own sake.
He dosn't begrudge Kakashi in the least for doing so, however. While they are both commanders, they are different men, with different circumstances. It isn't for Erwin to decide what another man should or wants to do for himself. ]
It just doesn't hold much appeal for me.
[ His expression remains neutral, though he shifts his gaze from Kakashi down to the ground below, though there isn't much to look at when the village is dark. ]
no subject
As the commander of forces that protect the last of humanity in his world, of course a man like Erwin Smith would be careful about ensuring he has control of all of his faculties. Kakashi understands this a little too well, as he's never been one who particularly enjoys getting drunk, in the event that there might be an enemy attack or that he might be called away last minute on a mission. When he does drink, it's usually just to get enough of a buzz. But Kakashi knows his limits, and usually stops far before the point of inebriation.
When he can.
It's a little harder to watch his limits when he's drinking with Tsunade or someone like Jiraiya, who he couldn't refuse out of deference. ]
Mm, I see.
[ Murmurs as he sets the bottle back down, eye tracing over Erwin's strong profile before he looks down to the quiet village below. A few dots of light flicker from windows, the only light in an otherwise dark landscape below.
Erwin seems to be in a more contemplative mood, and Kakashi doesn't interrupt him immediately. Doesn't push to ask why alcohol doesn't hold appeal either. For a little while, he simply lets a comfortable silence fall between them, before he speaks again. ]
Something on your mind, Commander, or are you just up here to enjoy the night?