I always have to steal my kisses from you.
- Ben Harper

• • •

Shades of Grey: Learning Languages
by Icka! M. Chif

• • •

"Your accent is horrendous." Hakuba commented mildly as they played checkers in the library. It was not intended as a distractionary tactic, he was well aware that both of them could multitask easily, and this was something that had been annoying him for a while.

"I speak just fine." Kid countered, an eyebrow rising into the shadows created by the hair that fell over his face.

"Allow me to amend myself." Hakuba corrected, hopping a checker over one of Kid's and capturing it. "Your accent when you speak English is horrible."

Kid frowned at that, but said nothing as he moved a checker of his own forward. "It has gotten better." He pointed out.

"Some." Hakuba agreed, making his move on the board. "But you still speak like someone who has spoken Nihongo all their life."

A sound suspiciously like a snicker escaped the Kid and Hakuba felt a bit of heat rise to his face. Of course he sounded like someone who had spoken Japanese all their life, as far as Hakuba knew, neither this Kid nor Kuroba had ever left the country.

The previous Kid was another story. Twelve other countries and all that.

"So which part of my speech needs the most work?" Kid grinned, a teasing lit to it as one of his pieces jumped over two of Hakuba's pieces, collecting them. "You being the expert native speaker."

"Rediizu ando Jentorumen." Hakuba commented, drawling the Engrish out. He paused, catching the Kid's eye and then pronounced slowly and clearly so that the other could -hear- the difference: "Ladies and Gentlemen."

Kid flinched slightly. "I don't really sound like that, do I?"

"I could pull out recordings." Hakuba deadpanned, moving a piece.

Kid definitely twitched that time. "All right." The discomfort was replaced by a downright devilish look. "So what should I know first, Sensei?" The last word was said in the same insolent drawl, a mimicry of the night the Kid first appeared at his windows, to fulfil a bet.

Hakuba found himself twitching slightly at the title. It was hard to tell if the honorary title was intended as a compliment or an insult. "Well, a willing partner is helpful." He deadpanned back, echoing his previous reply.

The thief lasted all of three seconds before leaning back in his chair, chortling merrily. Hakuba felt himself smile in return, feeling the muscles in his back and shoulders relax. He waited until Kid leaned forward again, grinning broadly before speaking. "All right?"

"Okay." Kid agreed.

Hakuba nodded. "Good. Repeat after me. 'La'."

"Re." Kid frowned slightly, hearing the difference and slurring the 'La' into a soft blurred R-L sound. He tried again. "Rea."

"La." Hakuba repeated.

"Rae." Kid watched his mouth intently, noticing the slight changes in tounge placement.

"La."

"Rah." The sound was getting closer.

"La."

"Lrah." Kid was too, leaning forward, a slight crease forming between his brows as he concentrated.

"La."

"Lah."

"La-aah?" The sound was cut off as Kid caught him off guard, putting his mouth on Hakuba's, his tongue following the motion.

Oh.

Well, he supposed this could be one way to figure out correct pronunciation...

Kid's mouth moved against his and it took a moment to comprehend that the Kid was saying something silently. Then he understood and began to mouth the phrase back. Some of the motions were awkward, especially with someone's tongue in your mouth part of the time, but they managed it.

The thief drew back, half-lidded eyes sparkling playfully. "Ladiesu an' Gentrelmen."

Much better. Still not there, but improved. He smiled back. "How are your 'R's?"

Kid kissed him again, tongue rolling against his. "Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr."

Oh.

Well.

Maybe a -bit- more practise on those...

-fin-


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