likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

If you don't mind.

[ For an answer, he just leans across their joined hands to kiss him gently. Briefly and sweetly, his lips curving into a soft smile against Shouto's. ]

It's my favorite kind of idea.

[ He pulls back to begin to gather up the photographs and frames that Shouto had given him, bringing them in close and arranging them, wrapping paper included, around the two of them as he scoots in to press up against Shouto's hip. Tim, having been sitting on the edge of the nook watching them, begins to wiggle a little closer. Preparing to photobomb? Preparing to photobomb. Cutely.

Raising his omni up high to check the angle and that he can try to get the both of them and the presents in the shot, Allen tips his head back to look at Shouto, hair long and loose still from bed. Something so bright and effervescent in his demeanor and the smile that hasn't left him yet, eyes sparkling. ]

Like this?

[ He smiles through the kiss, taking the time to appreciate the moment. The way Allen gathers up the different-sized frames, arranging the wrapping paper in front of them as Tim gets ready to dive in for the photograph.

Shouto takes a moment to sweep his long locks over his shoulder before leaning in next to him. He settles an arm loosely around his waist and looks up at the omni, pausing when he finds something out of place. ]

We're missing Kizu and Timcanpy.

[ He settles in and leans back against Shouto the moment his arm loops around him, comfortably and like it's second nature to, and doesn't seem too bothered by the statement. ]

Mm-- [ Distracted and looking up at the picture reflected back at him, Allen's tongue sticks out a little in concentration as he tries to get an angle that he likes. ]

It's Kizu we're missing. [ As if on cue, Tim half-leaps and half-flies flies up to Allen's shoulder opposite of Shouto. Burrowing into Allen's hair he so conveniently swept there and immersing most of his increasingly squat little form in a nest of it before turning around and grinning saucily up at the picture reflected back at them. A ham.

Allen looks back at Shouto then, smiling lightly in a pleased "see?" manner, before his head leans back against his shoulder as he looks over towards the far side of the room where Kizu had last been guarding the door. ]

Feeling shy? [ The most amicable gentle tease. ]

Edited 2023-02-05 07:42 (UTC)

[ That saucy grin earns Tim a cursory glance as he burrows himself in Allen's hair, popping out a few seconds later looking pleased as a plum. Kizu lies near the door observing them from her comfortable perch unperturbed by Tim's antics or Allen's teasing. She's still his omen and so the gentle coaxing does little to sway her. ]

Will you take a picture with us?

[ Shouto asks instead, turning his head in her direction. Kizu tilts her head at an angle as if considering the proposal and after a full minute she rises onto her paws, too large for her small frame, and leisurely makes her way to the couple, settling in against the length of his leg. She curls into a small ball without looking up at the camera and Shouto doesn't ask her to. ]

Ready?

[ He turns back to Allen, a fond look in his eyes as the smile begins to recede with the passage of time. ]

[ Allen's used to Kizu's aloof ways (cats), and doesn't seem to mind it at all, waiting patiently as she considers the the request before leisurely coming over. It's how she is, just as Shouto is how he is, so he just smiles a little more brightly when she finally settles in. Timcanpy leans down to look at her, wiggling his wings slightly. ]

Ready. [ He lingers for a moment, just looking back at Shouto still from his shoulder as the corner of his mouth lifts in a small, thoughtful kind of smile, grey eyes bright. But he pulls his attention back to the matter at hand, looping his arm around Shouto's waist in kind as he lifts his omni up high again. Timcanpy rouses, perking back up.

And Allen smiles wide and bright, carefree, and so truly and utterly happy. ]

One, two-- [ click! ]

Edited 2023-02-05 08:40 (UTC)

[ The moment feels like a memory before the snap of the shutter. Shouto looks back at Allen with a kind and thoughtful look, the urge to kiss his smile prevalent in his mind. He nods instead, looking up at the angle of the camera. His smile fades to a whisper as his face settles into a quiet look of contentment that warms the dual tone of his eyes. Kizu raises her head just enough to look at the camera, mimicking her Sleeper. She's lost her spontaneity from when she was a newborn cub and stays back more and more, observing the world through a lens that seems to see beyond the physical world.

Beside them, Tim and Allen emit a lively atmosphere. Bright and cheerful, almost in contrast to their companions. Their joy takes on a physical form radiating from them just as steadily as Shouto's heat subtly wraps around them in a gentle embrace.

SNAP

A flash of light captures the moment in still life, losing the subtle graces of Allen's contagious joy or Shouto's heat. The way Tim almost shakes from excitement or the subtle way Kizu turns to look at the smaller omen a second before the picture is taken losing half the story with only a snapshot of the memory.

It's not the picture he cares for but the memory. ]

Thank you.

[ His head turns just enough to brush his lips against Allen's, giving in to the urge to kiss him. With the camera now out of the way, he smiles. ]

Edited 2023-02-05 15:26 (UTC)

[ It's a good memory.

On a day normally full of such bittersweet and guilt-ridden ones that it would normally leave Allen reticent and withdrawn. To the point where actually... it will cause him a bit of a cold pause later to realize this new happiness has covered it up almost entirely. He'll sort that out later when he realizes it, weighing out past and present, until he finds peace in reconciling it in a way where he doesn't feel like he's left something important behind. But right now...

...right now he just laughs lightly when Shouto thanks him, still too caught up in the moment and because he feels like he should thank you too. He lets the omni drop when he kisses him though, bringing his hand up to brush his fingers along his cheek. Smiles wide as he brushes his lips back against Shouto's in kind, committing that to memory too; the soft warmth and how they curve with how he smiles as well. Before he shifts closer, hand settling along Shouto's jaw as the bubbling sort of joy in his chest funnels into how he presses in with a deepening kiss, eager and sweet.

"I want to keep kissing you," he'd said before after all. ]

[ His laughter catches Kizu's eye. The same as her Sleeper who seems caught by the melody. It will always be his favorite song rivaled only by the morning songbirds that joined him most mornings by the river bank.

I like seeing you happy.

With the moon in his hair and the star at his temple, Allen brings the night inside, rivaling the morning sun. He brushes his hair back and returns the kiss, caught up in his tempo. ]

[ Timcanpy drops surreptitiously down from Allen's shoulder at some point, with far more sneaky finesse than most would expect from him, and slips off to sit with Kizu. He might try to bat a tiny hand very lightly at the tip of her tail, but won't push it and just looks playfully content regardless.

Who, if not for her being there, Allen might have nudged the paper and presents aside to climb into Shouto's lap so he could hold (and kiss) him what in his mind is properly—but she is so he doesn't. And he pulls back eventually, still lingering close enough that their noses brush, but smiles as something occurs to him. Eyes hooding thoughtfully for a moment, his hand drops to rest against Shouto's chest instead. ]

I think... this might be the first time I've ever celebrated Christmas. [ His eyes flicker aside for a moment, faraway in his memories and with an odd little smile. ] Properly, at least.

[ He returns his attention to Shouto, tipping his head up to nuzzle at him in a way that bumps their noses lightly. ]

Thank you.

Edited 2023-02-06 05:29 (UTC)

[ After the picture is taken, Kizu settles her head back down, curling her fluffy tail around her small frame. Her mismatched eyes follow Tim's sneaky movement, aware of that very tiny hand that eventually meets a solid form instead of passing right through her. Much like her Sleeper, she accepts the contact.

Shouto takes his cues from Allen, falling back alongside him. He takes a moment to catch his breath when that hand lands on his chest, drawing his eyes back up as the smile begins to recede. The gentle heat remains as his face falls back to its natural state with a hint of curiosity lighting his eyes.

The curious statement prompts him to take his hand between his palms, pouring heat into his hands to warm him up. ]

What's a proper Christmas?

[ It's all Tim wanted. ♥ Content at being acknowledged and accepted, he drops his hand and settles his orblike body down next to her, curling his own tail a few times around himself until he can bury his face into its swirled end like a pillow. Is he... mirroring her? It kind of looks like he is.

Allen gives a thoughtful hum at the question, shifting his fingers against Shouto's in a delicate sort of dance without quite threading them. ]

Mm.. [ He's quiet for a moment, reflecting on that as he watches their joined hands. ]

...I always imagined it would start when everyone gathers together to decorate the tree. Playing in the snow, baking cookies and hanging festivities up because they find it fun to do so together. Until Christmas morning when everyone wakes up early and rushes to open their presents together, and it's something full of wrinkled paper and laughter where no one is in a hurry to change out of their pajamas or anything else except spend time with the people they care about. [ The way he talks...

It's soft-spoken and gentle, but like someone describing something they watched through the window as others did it and had to guess what it might be like. Something that was likely literally true as well, growing up as he had sleeping usually out in the cold with Mana and then later hopping from one country to the next with Cross. Ever-itinerant, and watching the happy lives of normal people and families as a quiet, separate, not entirely human like them observer. Over and over again until it was such a clear idyllic picture in his own head, no longer yearned for but held quietly with care in some fractured place of his heart.

But Allen has such a quiet and fond smile, too. Appreciative and warm as his eyes flicker back up to meet Shouto's. ]

Spending time with loved ones, basically.

Edited 2023-02-08 05:35 (UTC)

Oh--

[ He leans in, bringing his other hand up to clasp Shouto's fully and smiling wide with his eyes large and bright in anticipatory delight. Because how could he forgot the most important part!! ]

It's something with lots of good food, too.

[ Grey and teal eyes settle on the golden golem. A few months back, she would have pounced on him the moment his clawed little hand extended out to her and made a mess of the wrapping paper in her pursuit of the elusive blur of metallic light. Now, she simply watches him with more awareness, a lot less distracted.

Shouto, too, keeps his eyes on Allen while he speaks, listening to his take on the holiday. Somehow, coming from a different world, he expected it to be different than what he saw on television. Christmas in the Todoroki household was an obligatory affair. Few decorations graced the walls of the estate. The sense of family and holiday cheer was all but absent with Fuyumi making an effort to make it at least somewhat tolerable for her younger brothers. ]

Should we bake cookies?

[ He asks, staying in the moment instead of being swept up by the past. He follows Allen's list, mentally checking off the ones they managed to hit without trying. He blinks at the mention of food, realizing all too late that he forgot to pick up breakfast. Is anything open?He's not quite sure. ]

Are you hungry?

Edited 2023-02-08 06:10 (UTC)

[ They aren't actually claws, but four of the tiniest little stubby fingers. That he curls up on in addition to the tiniest little stubby feet he pulls back up into his body and seems to doze off besides Kizu.

While Allen's eyes brighten at the mention of cookies... his face also pulls somewhat to the side as well as well as soon as Shouto offers. You saw his failed attempt at baking something, it's something he just can't figure out. They won't rise!!! Or become goo. Or burn. And Shouto's own experience with cooking that he's seen, well...

Allen gives a sheepish little laugh. ]

That might be a little ambitious... [ Look, he's just being realistic. As enchanting as the idea is. But he smiles easily, brimming with good nature and entirely undeterred, and brings a finger up to tap and brush lightly against Shouto's lips. Similar to how he would sometimes tap him on the nose, a couple steps more dignified than impish and just subtly cheeky instead. ]

But I like the idea of a big dinner later. ♥

Edited 2023-02-08 06:40 (UTC)

[ They are most definitely claws to Kizu. Let him be fierce! Sleep takes her soon after Tim dozes off but unlike the small omen, Kizu disappears in a shower of golden light leaving no trace of her passing as she returns back inside her Sleeper.

He shrugs at the answer.

He's well aware of his own failings. There's a reason why every restaurant in a mile radius knows his face. He also witnessed Allen's failed attempts at baking not too long ago, so he's not ignorant on that front either. Still, the offer was genuine. It was the journey he cared about not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

He nods at the mention of dinner, completely missing the playful banter. The cheeky tap, tap, tap of his lips is odd, but he's used to the feeling by now, so it feels normal in that sense. ]

What about lunch?

Edited 2023-02-08 07:06 (UTC)

[ Tim is dismayed. Well, a little. He wakes when Kizu dissipates and crawls over to pat-pat lightly at the bedding where she had been...

Ironically, if Shouto were someone to respond playfully in kind he would be calling Allen on a bluff that would make him fluster a little and backpedal. Being the one cheekily playful and teasing lightly? Yes, when the mood strikes him. Being the one teased playfully so? He'd sputter a little and not know how to respond at first. So the fact that Shouto just accepts him like this and doesn't question it or respond in kind is just fine with Allen. But one day he might also get a reaction and it would be his favorite thing. ]

I like lunch. [ The understatement of the century, but one punctured with a gentle and appreciative sort of kiss to the side of Shouto's neck. Thank you for asking. ✰

More physically affectionate than usual? A little, but he's also been increasingly so since they first decorated the tree. It's tied to his increasingly good mood in part. ]

Did you want to make something?

[ Does Allen like getting good food from restaurants? Yes. Does he want to get dressed and go out when, especially with the deep snows, it's debatable if any of the ones they like are even open? No..... ]

Edited 2023-02-08 07:34 (UTC)

[ The irony of ironies is that if he knew Allen was teasing him, he'd respond. Probably not in a typical manner, but he'd do more than sit there and let him tap at his mouth.

Did he think he was a fish? Because Shouto is familiar with the urge to tap at their mouths when they 'glug, glug, glug' at him from the surface of the water. The only reason he hasn't done it is the irrational fear of accidentally drowning them.

And breakfast and dinner. And brunch. Supper, too. He's well aware of Allen's endless appetite. Though the kiss throws him for a loop. He looks up, a question in his eyes. After a month of abstinence, he started to get used to the new normal. Having the goalpost shifted is going to take a while for him to get used to again when he started falling into the pattern of the initiate. ]

No.

[ He answers honestly, still watching him closely. ]

I can go check if anything is open.

[ He offers. The perk of being resistant to the cold. The idea of going outside doesn't bother him. Plus there's the fast travel aspect. ]

What would you like?

[ Shouto.... fish don't breath through their mouths...

When he looks up at him questioningly, Allen's expression softens and he just smiles gently in response, with just the slightest air of secretive mystery. Relaxed and comfortable when, yes, he had been on edge and tense all month about most things in a way that never fully shut off. Never because of Shouto, in fact increasingly trying to stay near him, but... a pervasive skittishness that eased up around him, but not fully.

This is fully relaxed and content like he hasn't been at all in weeks; happy. Although his expression drops and he looks so crestfallen at the 'no'. ]

Ehh? Really? [ Sulking lightly, he drops his head to Shouto's shoulder and sags against him with a slight pout. I'll go with you then on the tip of his tongue-- ]

Edited 2023-02-09 01:27 (UTC)

[ But... something inside of him freezes up at the idea before he can. Going outside, having eyes on him-- the scared rabbit that's been inside him and overriding his instincts since the month began grabs control again and he becomes quiet. Seemingly thoughtful, and he is as he reigns in that brief sense of panic because it's ridiculous that he has it, but also tensing a little.

The tension passes as pushes the irrational fear back down, and he breathes out softly. He can't offer it, not because he didn't successfully smother his anxiousness—but because if he did he knows it would seize him at some point out there and cause Shouto stress. ]

Whatever is easy. [ It's a gentler murmur, reaching for Shouto's hand and threading their fingers together before letting his eyes close peaceably. Staying pressed warmly side to side. ]

What I like best is just being able to spend time with you.

[ Even over food. ]

[ He never said it was a rational fear!

Allen, I hope you know when prompted, he will always choose a restaurant over his own cooking. He knows he's no good at it. Besides, Japan has a culture of eating out. It's easy to find healthy meals prepared with love and care. One day, he will show you the wonders of modern technology in the form of fully stocked vending machines with ready-made restaurant-quality sandwiches ready to eat with a press of a button and a few thousand yen.

Though... He will admit, nothing ever compared to his sister's cooking. He learned to expect little from his family early on, except Fuyumi. She was always there to give him a semblance of family, even if she couldn't always be there for him. He appreciated her efforts on a level he could never express. It's the same with Allen when he makes soba from scratch. He'll find Shouto lured in by the noise and staying for the pure fascination of watching him go through the process of making the noddles. He's always ready to offer any assistance, cleaning up after him and setting up the table without being prompted. The meals Fuyumi made back home were always prepared while he was at school, doing school work, or training. He often had to eat them alone, his only condolence was knowing it was made by her hand.

His brows crease when Allen sags against him and he sets a hand on his back, rubbing light circles to make his presence known. What's wrong? He wants to ask but keeps the question to himself, letting Allen come around to it at his own pace. When he tenses in his arms, Shouto wraps his arms around him instead, warming up to chase off the cold. He kisses the top of his head, while Allen threads their fingers together. His answer is a little vague for Shouto to fully grasp, and some parts of it get lost in translation, but he manages to decipher enough of it to understand his meaning.

Do you want to stay here?

He runs a hand through his hair in an affectionate manner, while he tries to recall the list of food they have on hand. ]

I can make something. [ He offers after a moment. ] Do you want something cold or hot?

Edited 2023-02-09 07:29 (UTC)

[ Who said it was going to be Shouto's cooking!! Allen knows better by this point than to risk that. But it's also the difference in their backgrounds and era. Even when an exorcist with the Order paying their bills, they'd usually get simple groceries like breads and cheese and fruit and live off that once setting up in a city for a mission, or to carry with them when traveling. Also Allen is frugal. It's changed in Trench a good deal with the different economy and taking a lot of his payment in the form of free food from various places he's earned goodwill, and making it a habit with Shouto, but... it's still pretty ingrained.

But mostly... it's Christmas. If there was ever a day with the idea cemented in his head that you stay in with your family and make something together, it's this one.

Allen leans quietly into the contact though, appreciative for the little gestures like the hand at his back. Though he blinks softly at the increasingly affectionate attention, expression flickering for a moment as his features soften. The rest of the tension bleeds off him before Shouto even answers, and he shifts closer and turns in to him when he wraps his arms around him. Loops an arm around to let his free hand find a familiar rest at the small of his back.

Haha, he isn't that cold you know? But he also always welcomes that gentle heat, and it's part of why he smiles to himself when Shouto says he'll make something. Leaning in to kiss his temple lightly, just shy of his ear and lingering there to smile more broadly against his skin. Warm and at ease. ]

We can both make something. ♥ [ It's what he had in mind all along. What, do you think he wants food poisoning again? There's a decent amount of basic groceries to be had as well, even some baking things since... well, he does make the soba noodles from scratch. And had the failed attempt at baking. And has midnight snacking habits to enable. His habits around the house changed noticeably after he came back—he does things like actual shopping like that without being so hesitant about talking to Shouto first or trying to keep his presence within some contained, measured space he was always very conscious of in his head.

Like he actually lives there too now, in his own right. ]

And I like both. Do you have a preference?

[ It's a bit of a white lie, hot is just traditional and sounds nice with the snow and cold, but... Shouto noticeably only ever wants cold soba. Maybe he prefers cold food in general? ]

Edited 2023-02-11 01:43 (UTC)

[ They end up tangled up together more often these days. His form of showing affection lies with the circles he presses into his back. The kisses to presses against his cheek and the top of his head. The way he holds him when he grows anxious from the effects of his patron. His presence isn't domineering but subtle, careful not to hold on too long, always aware of his penchant for holding on too tightly. ]

Both of us?

[ He asks, blinking in a bit of surprise at the kiss to his ear. He's not used to his affectionate gestures anymore. It's distracting and he finds himself playing catch-up with the conversation. ]

I like cold.

[ No surprise there. It makes his other preferred dishes make a little more sense, and Allen notes that for later. For now he just pulls back to smile at Shouto, soft and knowing. Entirely comfortable with where he is in absolutely every sense of the word. ]

It's more fun to do together, isn't it?

[ He reaches to brush back some of the hair from his eyes, his own grey ones softening as he touches Shouto's cheek fondly. ]

I can make soba. Christmas should be about having the foods we look forward to the most, right? And then something else for later.

[ Stew, maybe... for some reason, that's the nostalgic thing that's lodged in his head. Well, that he can actually make and there's ingredients for. Trench in winter isn't all that known for its variety of produce. Or even meats.

His lips quirk in a small smile though, bright-eyed as he leans in to very nearly touch his nose to Shouto's, smiling almost against his lips but not quite, and looking so subtly pleased with himself. ]

And maybe make those cookies after all.

[ It will probably end in flat, burnt disaster but it could be fun. ]

[ His face goes blank, almost befuddled. It's such a simple concept. Together. His eyes slowly dissolve into something soft and warm, falling for the image of Allen's Christmas. ]

I'd like that.

[ He smiles to himself. From behind him, Kizu pounces on Tim, trapping him beneath her weight for half a second before she disappears in a golden light. She reappears across the room a second later, lazily walking across the sofa, fluffy tail flicking back and forth without a care in the world.

Sbhouto slips his larger hand over Allen's, turning it over to trace a delicate line down his wrist. ]

I'll make the cookies.

[ He offers, bending down to press a kiss against the edge of his palm, leaving behind a hint of heat. ]

Edited 2023-02-14 05:50 (UTC)

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