likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

[ Leaping over large rocks, Kizu takes Tim on a wild ride. Zipping past wildlife that darts out of the way when they hear Tim's squeaking. They send the birds flying over the canopy as Kizu makes a round of the forest surrounding the house nestled in the woods.

Allen may try but he'll never be able to get him to haggle on anything but training schedules and petting privileges.

Why? Because keepsakes are only necessary when someone isn't there. That's why he keeps a picture of his family in a stainless steel box inside his dresser and a digital copy on his omni. Why he'll never understand Allen's obsession with taking pictures, but accepting it as a part of him.

He mirrors his movement, quietly skimming his fingers over the earring pierced through his left ear. The explanation draws his mouth down taking a moment to follow his line of thought.

It makes you smile more?

Truth be told, Allen smiles quite a bit. It's one of the first thing he noticed about him. However, this is the first time he's ever realized that he might need an active, physical reason for it. Is that why he never stays still? He looks at him, really looks at him, quiet and thoughtful. Taking time to turn his words over in his head one more time to make sense of it. ]

Because... it was a gift?

[ He asks, trying to decipher his reasoning in a way that makes sense to him. ]

[ Shouto...

Allen blinks again at that, before he smiles a bit more thoughtfully. And he extracts himself carefully from his spot on the nook then, mindful of the wrapping paper and presents, to stand in front of Shouto. Reaching for his hands with both of his and giving them a gentle squeeze; to help him up if he wants to stand, and just to hold if he doesn't. No sheepishness, just a gentle and steady kind of certainty. ]

Because it lets me feel closer to someone I care about.

[ He follows his movements, staying seated until he understands what he means to do or say, extending a hand out to him only after Allen reaches for his. He stands then, following in his stead, standing across from him, a bit taller even after a year.

He understands the why now, but the how has become distorted in the process. This time, it's him who reaches for Allen, brushing his hair behind his ear to consider the gemstone that always seemed so unobtrusive against the color of his hair. ]

How much closer?

[ How much? ]

[ Haha--

He laughs in genuine good-natured fondness after staring for a moment, head canting to the side and against Shouto's hand. ]

I'm not sure if it's something that can really be measured.

[ The laugh draws his eyes down to meet his, always so easily caught by the sound that had become familiar in his world. ]

You're measuring it.

[ He remembers to add after a moment, brushing his hair back to better glimpse the paleblood stone. ]

Not the exact amount but it's enough to mean something to you.

[ Enough to make want to put pictures up on the wall, something he would never think of doing himself. ]

Edited 2023-02-26 01:43 (UTC)

[ Oh--

His expression quiets a little, considering that, before he rubs his cheek lightly against his hand and lets his eyes close. Taking comfort from it, and the feel of human, affectionate contact. ]

Because you mean something to me. And Kizu, and Tim.

[ Said so simply, so plainly. And he brings a hand up to cage Shouto's wrist lightly, slender fingers brushing along his hand. ]

I'll always feel happier to have something that's a part of you or that reminds me of you with me.

[ Strange. It doesn't feel like a cage, more like a bracelet made of delicate twine, harder than steel. The complete opposite of his calloused hands, marked by a few thin scars.

The 'why' and the 'how' fall into place and he begins to understand him a little more than he had before today. His eyes warm in a subtle manner, viewing him in a new light that illuminates some of the oddities he'd observed. ]

Is that why you take my clothes?

[ Erk, caught!! Wait, is that why he likes to borrow them? Ehehe...

He grins nervously, feeling rather exposed. And yet still relaxed. ]

They're very comfortable.

[ Curious. ]

You didn't answer the question.

[ Wrinkling his nose at him!!! But... he does blush ever so lightly too. Sulkily, but he lets go of his hand then to let both of his settle lightly against his arms, hands on biceps. ]

So what if it is why?

[ Why is he being so squirmy?

Because guess what, he went to sleep in one of his shirts and is still wearing it. Like someone might with an oversize t-shirt. Caught literally red-handed. ]

[ His eyes drift to his shirt, wrinkled from having been slept in, and clearly oversized on Allen. ]

You should have said something.

[ Maybe then, he wouldn't have bought him so many sweaters and shirts over the span of a few months, thinking he didn't have enough. ]

I could have set some aside for you.

[ Well, he does love and appreciate the sweaters he got him because they are gifts that make him think of him (and it's true, he had Very Few clothes because that's just how he's used to living). They definitely aren't going to go to waste or sit unused: they're what he can wear outside of the house.

But Allen smiles, with that ever so subtle cheeky quirk of the lips, and pats his chest lightly. ]

It's more fun this way.

[ You are very odd, you know that. He looks at him, clearly trying to find common ground with that statement when Kizu returns the two frolicking omens from the great outdoors and dashes right past them into the kitchen, reminding him of their plans. ]

I'll go find the recipe book.

[ And off he goes in search of it not minding at all how much noise is coming from the kitchen with Kizu doing her best to spin the golden bauble around and around. ]

[ Takes one to know one. ☆ And Allen isn't odd, he's delightful.

He's momentarily distracted by the crashing reappearance of Kizu and Tim as well, blinking for a moment at them, before laughing rather helplessly in response and shrugging his shoulders to Shouto. He composes himself quickly though, with a brightened smile. ]

I'll start the noodles. ♥ [ He follows, methodically beginning to pull out what he needs for soba out of memorized habit. Equally naturally is how steps around the two omens as he does so while admonishing them very gently to not knock anything over...

Timcanpy, however, is having a blast if the mechanical squeaky giggles are anything to go by. And he whips his tail back and forth in a way that might be teasing Kizu to try and catch it. ]

[ He returns a few minutes later with his nose in a book with thick pages, at least he got a quality one in the swindling, now if only he knew what they meant by sifting flour. Turning the pages back to the front, he skims through the table of contents searching for a chapter on a practical application when the mechanical titters render his attention to the pair of omens playing on the floor.

Standing in the middle of the kitchen with a forgotten pastry book in hand, Shouto stares at the pair, trying to remember the last time she played like that with anyone? She looks at him mid-turn, catching his eyes with the same dual-colored irises. Her thoughts brush against his conveying a sense of mischief before snatching Tim's tail with her paw, and tumbling to the corner of the room with him in a mock attack.

Shouto smiles, viewing them in a new light as the two run off to the living room, Kizu running at full stride with no restraints. ]

Are you happy?

[ The question is directed at Allen, yet his attention remains on the entrance to the kitchen, catching the sound of something fragile hitting the ground in a splintering crash. ]

Edited 2023-03-03 21:29 (UTC)

Hmm?

[ It's a distracted hum as Allen finishes tying an apron on (plain black, as no one was around to force ruffles on him this time)) while surveying the ingredients he's collected. Mentally ticking off each in his head as points to each in turn (flour, oil, rice vinegar, salt, soy sauce...) and thinking Shouto's question directed to Kizu or both omens. Before he realizes they've left—and apparently knocked something over as he jumps a little at the crash from the living room. ]

Eh?! [ What if that was the frames!! He's about to run and see what broke (and chastise the two!!! gently but firmly!!), but also stops as he glances between Shouto and the door, around the room to see they're the only two that were there when he said that, and realizes oh, you meant... ]

Who, me?

[ They scamper past the door, opposite the crash, and head toward the bedroom. ]

Yes.

[ Tim is probably going to get in his socks as use them as kitty armor--or make himself into a more appealing ball to be tussled with. RIP his socks...

But tipping his head slightly to the side at that, Allen smiles softly before he steps closer, priorities re-arranging. He'd take his arm if his hands weren't full with the book, so he touches the the small dip in his back instead in a warm and familiar manner. ]

Are you?

[ Leopard armor.

The soft touch at his back draws his eyes away from the open doorway to stare back at him, contemplating the question for a moment. ]

I think I am.

[ He smiles. ]

I think we both are.

[ Him and Kizu. One and the same. A reflection of his inner world given physical form. ]

[ Both? For a moment he doesn't follow, wondering if he means Allen but then he wouldn't be asking. No, with how he had been looking towards the door like that despite Kizu and Tim already left... You mean Kizu, don't you. She's playing with a kind of carefree joy he hasn't seen in a long time, not since she had first become a cub. Maybe never, since she isn't his and he doesn't notice the same degree of nuance.

Allen's smile softens at that, and he takes a moment to reflect inward on the small little fist of warmth that blossoms in his chest. Tim has always been there no matter his form, feeling like a small ball of sunshine in his heart warding off the dark. The only difference now is it's actually a tangible thing.

And he's happy too. For a companion and an existence beyond his own lonely and fated one with Allen.

He leans in to nuzzle gently at the side of Shouto's face, smiling against his ear in such a very relaxed and content manner. ]

Me too.

[ The pair of them exist in this place of blood and bone. His first real companion. One he treasured above all others. Even her form held a significance he would never be able to part from her. He wasn't made for passing ties. He put down too many roots. He and Kizu. It took her a long time to warm up to Tim. Watching them play in a manner he'd ever only seen when Kizu wasn't fully present, it struck him just how much she had changed.

How much he had too.

He shifts the book to one hand and wraps an arm around Allen's waist in a loose manner, smiling kindly into the familiar movement, beckoned forward by the affection gesture. He brushes a kiss to his neck, soft as a breeze, a glimmer of love in his eyes. ]

I'm glad.

[ Heh—

There's a small and lighthearted laugh from Allen in response to that, to how his arm slips around him, and he follows it as invitation to press close with a carefree sort of merriness. Bringing both hands up, one resting along his arm and the other threading through Shouto's hair as he bends to kiss his neck.

His breath catches lightly at that, it always does, before he covers it up with a shivery kind of laugh and presses his cheek in response to Shouto's. Runs a hand through his hair lovingly. ]

Should we see what they broke?

Edited 2023-03-04 03:57 (UTC)

No. It doesn't matter.

[ He takes up his palm, lifting it up to press a kiss to the cross etched over the carapace armor. Distracted by the breathy laugh, he looks up from his hand, grey and teal steady on him. ]

Can I kiss you?

[ Normally it would matter a lot to Allen! But it also became entirely unimportant the moment he realized who and what Shouto was asking. Likely he'll forget about it entirely until they go into the living room later and he sees whatever they broke...

But his expression flickers when Shouto lifts up his left hand to kiss the bluish-white crystal embedded into the back of it, a complex series of emotions that soften his features into something gentle and unguarded, and he shivers again faintly. Touched. It doesn't matter if it's the first or the hundredth time, gestures like that always hit him especially hard in a very quiet way.

They're meaningful. And he smiles softly at the question, eyes hooding in a warm look. He touches the side of Shouto's cheek lightly. ]

You can always kiss me.

Edited 2023-03-04 04:34 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject