Carp Diem

"Iie."

"Why?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Tabete." Crawford tossed the wooden chopsticks at him. With a sniff, Nagi blew the cheap eating utensils into splinters.

"I will eat when I'm hungry." The youngest member of Schwarz narrowed his eyes at Farfello and Schuldich, then turned and stalked to his room.

"Nagi! Eat!" The door slammed.

"The little punk doesn't want to eat. It's such a careless matter, Crawford, I don't even want to figure out why you try." Schuldich stuffed another California roll into his mouth. "Besides, that leaves more of your American sushi for me."

*


Like Crawford would ever understand. Schuldich would learn to, and Farfello would become disgusted, but realize that I'm slowly hurting God in the long run. It's nothing chronic or anything, like some eating disorder.

*I just don't like to eat.*

I'm obviously thin from my lack of food consumption, but I'm not skin and bones. I do try to eat at least once a day. It's just that it feels so unnecessary. Cooking brings people so much pain…. Eating brings so much joy. It all equals out somehow. It's used as a tool for love.

*Someone like me shouldn't have to eat.*

If I did ever eat, I would want it to be my mother's home-cooking or some lame attempt from my father. I'd want to share it with friends, and maybe have a food fight. I would want it to be so good, that I'd be able to make my friends turn green with envy whenever I brought lunch to school. But I can't.

*I won't ever do that.*

But I do eat, anyway. For one thing, my powers depend on it, and for another thing, Crawford needs me alive to fight. And besides, if I didn't eat at all, all I'd be able to do is lay around all day being useless. Takatori does not appreciate useless things.

*I never want to be useless.*

*


Nagi yawned as he sat at the computer, the buzzing glow reflecting in his tired eyes. "Ah!" He yelped in surprise as something was stuffed into his mouth, and a hand held his jaw tightly.

"Eat it now, and I'll leave you alone." Crawford whispered calmly, his glasses glinting in the green light.

After a few chews, and a large gulp, Nagi removed the hand from his jaw and jumped from the computer chair. "That was unfair, Crawford."

"No, you are unfair, Nagi."

"Why can't you just leave me alone? It's not like you care."

The American's eyes narrowed and he huffed. "You're right, I don't care. But you are essential to this team, and I need to keep you around. So stop acting like an idiot and take care of yourself. You're not a child anymore." He seemed almost hesitant as he stumbled over his last few words.

"You're right Crawford. I'm not." Nagi's large eyes blinked. He licked his lips, and analyzed the taste in his mouth. "Cheap unagi?"

"Farfello took all of the raw fish, and Schuldich is in love with those California rolls. I'm certain you wouldn't appreciate the vegetable concoctions. This is your fish for today. I'll make sure you eat more and more, but I will not force you." He raised an eyebrow. "Is that all right?"

"No."

"Well I'll find some other way then. You are necessary, Nagi Naoe."

*

Crawford doesn't seem much like the mother type. But then, I can't imagine what type of son I'd be.

~owari~


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