[ Maybe it's not banter like Allen might with his snappier friends, but the low key way Shouto calls him out anyway with an affectionate look in his eye now is something he thinks he might like better. Soothed by it, but maybe that's also just from recognizing the shift and that it seems like he understands what he means a little better.
Twenty minutes is almost exactly what Allen will need with Timcanpy's help, who might usually tag along with Shouto and watch him wash dishes (while helpfully holding a towel) but goes with Allen this time as he whisks away into the bedroom. There's occasionally the sound of clinking glass and some thumping as he digs through his things and what's probably the back of the dresser—or a mystery pile he had covered up with a blanket in the back of the closet that earlier in the month he warned Shouto very seriously not to touch. After furtively checking to make sure Shouto isn't in sight, Allen (with Tim in tow) darts with a bulk armful of something into the bath as well for a shorter amount of time, where there's odd sounds of jars being moved around as well as what sounds like the bath being drawn.
It still means he has to move very quick—!, but he does. He was running late today and didn't have time to change before dinner, but has by the time he comes out on the engawa. Opting for a dark charcoal grey yukata to match Shouto, as he is ever an adaptive creature who adopts many of the styles and customs of those who are around him at the time. Also, it's very comfortable, and he has rarely had the option to wear loose robe-like things in his life. There's a reason his favorite uniform when he was with the Order was the one most like priest robes—and it wasn't because of the priest thing.
And with no Shouto in sight, he beelines straight for the trays of cakes. ]
Ahhh, they look so good Tim! Look, look— [ As enchanted as a kid in a candy store and fawning over the shape and size of the little lemon cakes as he sits to let his toes dip into the water, wiggling them as the koi circle close. It's like you knew he's a gremlin who enjoys food he can eat with his hands best.
Hearing Shouto come up behind him, he turns around with a brilliantly bright and happy smile that makes his eyes dance in excitement. Always one to wear a bright smile, but this smile... There's a such a pure and intense sort of light-hearted joy that he rarely gets. Even the sight of the watermelon is secondary even though that's the perfect icing on the cake so to speak, eyes only for Shouto as he sits next to him. Smiling at the whimsical press of lips to his cheek, he sets a scarlet hand against his cheek and turns to seal their mouths together in a kiss. Sweet and with his whole heart as Shouto's words echo in his head and the night air smells like the beginnings of summer, cool from the river and warm from the notes of sun-dried grass. Dragonflies hum by low to the water and under the deep rose color of the Flushed Moon and Timcanpy wings off to play tag with them, the soft sounds of life awake and alert in the forest the only thing to be heard, to remind them that it's just them here. ]
1/2
Twenty minutes is almost exactly what Allen will need with Timcanpy's help, who might usually tag along with Shouto and watch him wash dishes (while helpfully holding a towel) but goes with Allen this time as he whisks away into the bedroom. There's occasionally the sound of clinking glass and some thumping as he digs through his things and what's probably the back of the dresser—or a mystery pile he had covered up with a blanket in the back of the closet that earlier in the month he warned Shouto very seriously not to touch. After furtively checking to make sure Shouto isn't in sight, Allen (with Tim in tow) darts with a bulk armful of something into the bath as well for a shorter amount of time, where there's odd sounds of jars being moved around as well as what sounds like the bath being drawn.
It still means he has to move very quick—!, but he does. He was running late today and didn't have time to change before dinner, but has by the time he comes out on the engawa. Opting for a dark charcoal grey yukata to match Shouto, as he is ever an adaptive creature who adopts many of the styles and customs of those who are around him at the time. Also, it's very comfortable, and he has rarely had the option to wear loose robe-like things in his life. There's a reason his favorite uniform when he was with the Order was the one most like priest robes—and it wasn't because of the priest thing.
And with no Shouto in sight, he beelines straight for the trays of cakes. ]
Ahhh, they look so good Tim! Look, look— [ As enchanted as a kid in a candy store and fawning over the shape and size of the little lemon cakes as he sits to let his toes dip into the water, wiggling them as the koi circle close. It's like you knew he's a gremlin who enjoys food he can eat with his hands best.
Hearing Shouto come up behind him, he turns around with a brilliantly bright and happy smile that makes his eyes dance in excitement. Always one to wear a bright smile, but this smile... There's a such a pure and intense sort of light-hearted joy that he rarely gets. Even the sight of the watermelon is secondary even though that's the perfect icing on the cake so to speak, eyes only for Shouto as he sits next to him. Smiling at the whimsical press of lips to his cheek, he sets a scarlet hand against his cheek and turns to seal their mouths together in a kiss. Sweet and with his whole heart as Shouto's words echo in his head and the night air smells like the beginnings of summer, cool from the river and warm from the notes of sun-dried grass. Dragonflies hum by low to the water and under the deep rose color of the Flushed Moon and Timcanpy wings off to play tag with them, the soft sounds of life awake and alert in the forest the only thing to be heard, to remind them that it's just them here. ]