All pronunciations can be found at the end

If anything had been made exceedingly obvious to Shion since he had started living with Nezumi, it was that the other boy just loved mocking him. Not only that, but he also loved challenging his white haired friend, and then mocking him for whatever he got wrong. Particularly with anything related to words. So, Shion had taken it upon himself to read and memorize as much as he could. When Nezumi found out about it, he started quizzing the other, and it had since become almost a game to them.

"Naevus."

"A small mark on the skin; a birthmark; tumor of a small blood vessel."

Today, it was confusing words that generally went overlooked by the entire population of No.6, and weren't even known in West Block. But of course, Nezumi knew all of them by heart, and after discovering one of his books containing such words, Shion thought his own knowledge to be coming along quite nicely.

"Grivoiserie." It was almost funny, how bored Nezumi sounded, citing these strange words out loud, like he used them in everyday conversation. Even got the French accent on this one right. Shion didn't even hesitate as he answered, paying more attention to the stew he was making than what was coming out of his mouth.

"Lewd and lascivious behaviour; a lewd act."

It went on like this for a while, the words and definitions varying in length as Shion continued to prepare their dinner.

"Velleity."

"The state of desiring faintly, or a slight wish."

"Jentacular."

"Pertaining to breakfast."

"Ultrafidian."

"Nezumi, the stew's done."

"Nihil ad rem."

"Irrelevant."

"Good, now answer my first one."

Shion bit his lip. He didn't know that one, but he didn't want to admit to it; lately, not knowing a word felt like he was letting Nezumi down, and the teen didn't want that. He already owed the other so much, but there was so little he did as thanks.

Lost in his thoughts, Shion didn't hear Nezumi get up and move over to him, until he was close enough to whisper and be heard, mouth right next to the boy's ear. It was the lips brushing lightly against his skin, and the resulting shiver, that caught Shion's attention.

"Your confidence in me is ultrafidian; it goes beyond faith."

The white haired boy felt himself blush, even as he turned to look at his companion. Maybe it was true; maybe his absolute assurance of Nezumi's actions did go beyond faith and into the realm of obsession, but could you really blame him? This teen had saved his life more than once, and they barely knew each other. Nezumi had kept him safe, fed him, offered him a place to call home, even got him contact with his mother.

Smirking, Nezumi turned and left to grab their bowls. "You should know that staring is rude, my girasole-eyed majesty. Didn't they teach you any manners in that perfect city?"

It was as close to a compliment as he'd ever gotten out of the stubborn rat, and Shion wouldn't want it any other way.

-Sable

Naevus: nay-vus

Grivoiserie : gree-vwah-sree

Velleity: vuh-lee-i-tee

Jentacular: jen-ta-cue-lar

Ultrafidian: uhl-tra-fi-dee-an

Nihil Ad Rem: nee-hill ad rem

Girasole (an opal which turns red in the sunlight): gee-ra-so-lay