likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

[ Oh no. He did say that, didn't he? He's been so busy trying to convince himself he wasn't some wanton fool, he forgot it was supposed to be a celebration. He didn't even buy flowers.

You don't need flowers.

Kizu tells him through their bond, which he vehemently denies, while staring at Allen for a few seconds too long, feeling slightly dumbfounded. ]

I forgot the flowers.

[ Well that response gets a blink, and Allen tilts his head at a quizzical angle in response. Absolutely fascinated. ]

You were going to get flowers? [ And he forgot? Shouto who's so meticulous when he sets his mind to something?

He sounds so intrigued more than anything. Like he's seeing him in an entirely new light!! ]

I didn't want to be distracted by you... I turned off my omni and forgot to pick up the flowers from the shop.

[ He even stopped by this morning to see if they had an arrangement he liked but never showed up to buy them. ]

They're closed now.

[ And he flower-less. ]

Edited 2023-05-30 01:10 (UTC)

[ Didn't want to be distracted by him? Buying flowers from a shop?

Allen stares, a paradigm in their relationship shifting yet again and making him see Shouto in a new way that leaves him a little dumbfounded. It was endearing before, but hearing the rest of it--

He blinks, and then smiles very softly, gentle and knowing, as he shifts to face him. Leaning in to kiss his cheek with a warmth that's brimming with silent mirth and affection. With contentment, and he cups his other cheek gently to complete the circuit and let the warmth bleed into the gesture. ]

I love you. [ Allen smiles by his ear quietly, self-assured and peaceable. He nuzzles at him. ]

It's okay, we can get flowers another time. [ If that's something Shouto wants. Allen would say he doesn't need flowers at all!! ... but... they hold something special for Shouto, don't they? With how central they were in that dream place within him. ]

All I need to celebrate is you.

[ And cake. ]

Edited 2023-05-30 01:33 (UTC)

[ The words still his thoughts in such a stark and calming manner, even Kizu's presence in his mind fades, as the world narrows to him. He meets his gaze with a look grounded by his presence. His shoulder pressed against his. The lingering warmth of his lips on his cheek. It's funny, he doesn't remember when they started sharing the same side of the table. Now, it feels wrong to see him anywhere but next to him. ]

[ He can only guess how long he stares before his chest fills with so many sensations, he's forced to look down to give himself a reprieve. His fingers fidget against the chopsticks he miraculously kept a hold of. He sets them down, not quite trusting himself not to have them clattering on the floor. ]

We were supposed to celebrate you.

[ There's no hurry or awkward uncertainty in the silence that stretches as Shouto stares and tries to process. Allen just smiles gently and strokes his cheek and waits, because this is what's precious to him too. These are moments he enjoys and cherishes as well. ]

We're celebrating a year of coming home together. [ It's a gentle correction, said with warm eyes. ]

And we still are. You spent all month working on this cake, right?

[ It seems like there's more to that too though, and Allen's smile is quiet and reflective as he watches how he sets the chopsticks down. The stillness to his movements, even if it seems like his words got through. ]

Were the flowers important to you?

[ The sounds of the forest seep inside, filling the space with sounds of life. Leaves rustling in the wind. The sound of an owl on the hunt. The faint noises of the life teeming outside rivaled the ones inside. ]

It wasn't home until you came here.

[ He utters softly, more to himself than Allen. ]

I wanted to give you something that was like you.

[ He explains, trying to work out his thoughts in proper order. The flowers were a representation. The beauty of life in a way he's always admired, at a distance. Too afraid of burning it, or watching it crack like ice. Allen didn't feel far. He didn't burn or crack and filled the four walls with life. ]

Edited 2023-05-30 02:39 (UTC)

[ Oh -- his throat threatens to close at that admission, and for a moment he squeezes Shouto's hand a little tighter. It isn't a surprising thing to hear after everything he knows, or rather it shouldn't be, but even so...

Someone like him -- he never expected to hear that, you know? Always a visitor to other people's homes.

But... "like him"? ]

Then... [ Allen hesitates for a moment, stumbling for the first time a little over his words, but finding his footing again as he kisses his cheek a second time more softly, letting their shoulders press together. ]

...give them to me tomorrow?

[ This is more important for you than it is for him, he gets that. And if it's you trying to express yourself, he wants to listen. ]

Edited 2023-05-30 02:46 (UTC)

[ Thoughts disrupted by the tender kiss, his eyes close faintly, feeling a little less anxious about his blunder. He doesn't return the kiss, not yet anyway, but sets a hand over Allen's, connecting them. ]

Tomorrow.

[ He agrees, tone still slightly faint, not quite untangled from his thoughts yet. ]

Is it okay, if I give you a smaller one tonight?

[ As much as Allen's kneejerk instinct is to say you don't have to give him anything he doesn't, even if that's been a hard thing for him to get used to. You feel better when you can do things for others after all, right? He understands that; it's the same for him. As long as Shouto never stresses himself out needlessly for his sake.

He also already set up his surprises for him earlier when Shouto was still in the kitchen. Tim helped. ]

? [ But he said he forgot to pick them up? Curious what he could mean, Allen smiles softly as he gives a nod and flutters his fingers against Shouto's. Staying lightly shored up against him until it seems like his mood has fully recovered. ]

Of course.

I'll get them to you before bed.

[ He promises, committing himself to it with an alacrity - however faint - he hardly ever displays. His grip on his hand strengthens, and his tone grows stronger. Steadier. Less second-guessing his words. ]

After dinner--and lemon cakes. I made you and Tim both a dozen each.

[ He remembers, a little brightness in his eyes, in the recalling. ]

I saw some flowers in the forest I liked. I'll make sure to clean them.

[ He promises, smiling faintly, as he picks up his chopsticks to eat, pleased with himself. ]

[ There's such a warmth and fondness in how Allen watches him as Shouto works though and regains his confidence. Some bright-eyed excitement that he made him a dozen cakes—and Tim too!—but even that doesn't touch him as much as the quietly eager way Shouto seems to brighten as he centers himself, all for having a plan to pick flowers for him. A gladness akin to pure joy that it stirs in him.

It makes him want to kiss him so very much-- but he doesn't for now. And there's such an easygoing, contented feeling to be had in realizing there is so much time for so many kisses that there's no need to hurry at all. Like the way he likes to take his meals -- to savor and enjoy them, the time they have to spend together. ]

I like that. [ It's so infinitely affectionate in such a quiet way, the way he looks at him then and smiles as he picks his fork back up. Sometimes it's chopsticks, sometimes it's forks. It depends what they're eating and what's put in front of him; Allen uses both with the near-equal deftness of someone extremely multicultural, at least when it comes to food.

Heart full of more affection than even he used to know how to bear but is learning instead to let it blossom in his chest, Allen has more eyes for him than he does for his own food at first. ]

I'll have a surprise for you later too. [ And that's all he'll give as a hint about it, giving a mysterious wag of his fork with a smile before beginning to eat.

But he stays close, his shoulder or knee sometimes brushing against Shouto's during the meal in a quiet sort of unspoken, affectionate exchange of its own. ]

Do you have any preferences?

[ He asks, unaware of the depth of feeling Allen is uncovering beside him. Maybe because he's barely starting to scratch the surface of what he feels too. He's not always aware of the depth of it, but it stays with him long after the moment has passed, filling his world with just a little bit more light.

He eats beside him, taking care not to bump elbows, while crowding his space a little more than he used to, no longer feeling the need to keep to himself, wanting to hold but afraid of crowding him.

Color? Type of flower?

[ He asks, after he finishes chewing his food and taking a drink of his tea. He fills Allen's cup up while he waits for an answer, participating a little more in the conversation than he did a year ago. That too has changed. Just like the look and feel of the place, no longer suited to the minimalistic style he etched into every room, but filled with little details of color and splendor. Bath bombs of every type filled the cupboards of the bath and the kitchen was filled to the brim with equipment and dishes, and food of every kind, when it lay barren and entirely unused before Allen's arrival with Shouto eating out for almost every meal.

After he's gained perspective on the flowers he wants to pick after dessert, he asks about his day, curious about the new ties Sanctuary seems to be forming. They speak of small insignificant things alongside detrimental topics that could change the course of their lives with upheaval in the possible future, yet neither stays with him as much as the feeling of sharing a meal with someone he loves.

So, when he brings up a surprise, Shouto is immediately curious, not for the actual surprise but the thought behind it, remembering then, that he made plans all on his own without consulting him about it. Did he... ]

Did you want to celebrate something else tonight?

Edited 2023-05-30 04:38 (UTC)

[ Color preference? Type of flower? Allen gives it some thought when he asks, mulling it over as he chews, before he finally says he's always liked white or yellow flowers. But it isn't like he's really considered it enough before to have a strong preference? ]

You said you saw some you liked earlier, right? [ It's a gentle comment as he leans over to very openly steal a dumpling of some sort off of Shouto's plate like that's just a very normal part of how one does dinner. Which it is with Allen. He offers things from his plate as well! That speaks to how much he likes and is comfortable with you! ]

I'd like to see those.

[ As always, Allen is animated and happy to talk about the people from his day. So long as it's been a day not marked by tragedy, and even those he'll still find some small silver lining or hopeful element of to focus on. But his demeanor is bright and lighthearted, carried along by his eagerness to see what Shouto baked and that they're celebrating tonight, and he peppers his conversation by asking about Shouto's as well. He tries to avoid ever actually prying, noticing he generally seems to be more relaxed and at ease when Allen is talking, and he is fine to carry the conversation at those times.

He feeds Timcanpy as he chats too, even if Tim has his own plate, and Tim steals bits from Allen's as well. It's part of their routine, the same as how Allen considers Shouto's plate open to him and his open to Shouto. It's what he's doing when Shouto pins that curious look on him and asks that, which makes Allen tip his head curiously in response as he follows that train of thought. Oh. ]

No. [ He waves his fork lightly at Shouto in mock-admonishment. ]

Thankfully I was already ready for whenever we did decide to celebrate. [ Unlike some people who decided on their own when that would be.

Which means no he did not sneak around setting anything up earlier ~~because I was distracted and forgot he didn't know in advance~~, but he had been accumulating what he needed for whenever they did. ]

[ What he likes isn't necessarily what Allen likes, yet he nods nonetheless, taking his words at face value. Tomorrow he'd get him a better arrangement. Tonight he'll make do with what the forest has to offer. He patrolled large swaths of it, he knew it better than the city proper.

As for his dumpling, he barely makes a note of the stolen bite, all too used to his little thief's tendencies. It was strange at first. Making him ponder on the reason behind it. He even started buying more dishes until he realized it didn't matter how much food there was, it was a matter of etiquette for Allen. He needed to steal his food, or so he reasoned, tagging it as some sort of rite from his world. So, the moment the dumpling is stolen, Shouto picks up another dumpling from the stack, placing it on his plate without missing a beat, while thinking of the flower he saw in the forest a while back.

Do you think it's still there? He asks Kizu who rises from her perch and heads out to look without uttering a response. She doesn't need to. Shouto can sense what she's up to and look towards the kitchen door as a part of his soul wanders off into the night. ]

I'll check if it's still there.

[ He answers in turn, turning away from the door to get back to their meal and light conversation. While Allen and Tim steal food, Shouto keeps picking up more and setting it on his plate which travels to Allen's which ends up on Tim's. Somehow, it works, and Shouto considers his plate nothing more than the starting point, taking his fill without any idea how many times he picks up more food he's not going to eat. ]

You were ready?

[ He asks, slightly astounded by that fact, though it comes off more like a curious incident from his expression. ]

Were you waiting for me this whole time?

Edited 2023-05-31 02:08 (UTC)

[ Just like Shouto is more comfortable with being in his space, Allen's become more comfortable being in his and that is why the communal sharing of food. It's why he doesn't notice when Kizu gets up and silently leaves, busy fussing with Tim as he feeds him a slice of apple.

It's also why in addition to the kitchen being full of food and the bath stocked with the curious bathbombs and the like he was introduced to as now that's also a shared activity for bonding with someone other than Timcanpy, gradually there have been more signs of Allen in each of the rooms. Some mess as he doesn't always pick up his nightclothes right away anymore, books for research that get left out open and face down wherever he was reading last, but a few of the knickknacks and items he's gotten as gifts that are placed with care. More warm blankets in the reading nook—and the pictures on the walls, grown from the photos they exchanged as presents for Christmas. ]

Mm, not waiting. [ Though he does seem to consider the difference, chewing thoughtfully around a mouthful of rice. As usual, it seems like a third of it ends up on his face. ]

Just ready.

[ The only mess Shouto is opposed to is crumbs in bed. The piles of open research books and nightclothes haphazardly strewn around the room he walks around. He doesn't mind it. Feels familiar even, though Allen may notice that Shouto tends to clean up after himself more often than not. He's not a maniac about it. It's simply a part of his routine. If he forgets here and there, it doesn't bother him.

He enjoys seeing the little signs of Allen's passing, whether in the form of new photographs that frame more of the walls or a few new oddities displayed in prominent areas. He even enjoys the mess Allen makes of himself, from disheveled hair to the rice that sticks to the corner of his mouth. ]

What did you get ready?

[ He asks, light curiosity in his tone as he steals a few rice grains with his thumb, swiping them on the tip of his tongue to chew on without missing a beat. ]

Edited 2023-05-31 03:24 (UTC)

[ The casual and familiar way in which he wipes some of the rice from his face has Allen smile over to him, light-hearted and content, though still cheeky. It's part and parcel with his good mood. ]

You'll see after cake. ♥ [ He looks so terribly pleased with himself, holding up a mysterious finger to his lips in high spirits. ]

It isn't much. Just something we can both enjoy.

[ Something they can both enjoy? ]

Is it cold soba?

[ Shouto.

Allen pats his cheek lightly, with the easygoing patience of a saint. ]

If it was I'd have brought it out for dinner. [ though yes he would have if he knew you were going to pick tonight!! ]

[ There's a very slight semi-disappointed pout at that answer. Though it's wiped away with the light pat of his cheek. ]

I'll let you know next time.

[ Is all says, picking up a gyoza this time, and setting it on his plate, closer to Allen for him to steal.

Sorry. ]

[ The impishness in Allen's expression softens at that, becoming thoughtful, and he leans in to kiss his cheek then very gently and with great affection. He smiles for a moment against his skin, broad and content. ]

Then I'll make cold soba next time too.

[ And with that, yes, he swipes the gyoza and pops it in his mouth after a quick pitstop into the dipping sauce. All's forgiven. ]

[ He leans into the kiss, happy and content once more, pout completely gone, not at all minding the few grains of rice that fall between them when Allen smiles against his cheek. ]

Next time? What are we celebrating?

[ You were the one who said "next time" first, so what did you mean? ]

Aah, next year? [ Allen answers offhand without really thinking about it, wiping a couple grains of rice from Shouto's cheek where they got stuck and taking the time to clean his own face finally too. ]

And maybe when I kissed you and you flooded the house. [ He licks his thumb to clean the grains from it, meticulously not letting a single one go to waste. ] Or after we cleaned everything up... And then not long after that is when I met you--

[ His pale eyes flick back up to Shouto then, and he smiles softly. No teasing or cheekiness, just the quiet sort of affection that comes from having a heart so full of devotion. Good meals and a full belly will put him in high spirits any day, but that's only the icing on top of the warm sense of fulfillment he has now.

Of belonging. ]

I can think of a lot of things to celebrate.

Edited 2023-05-31 04:39 (UTC)

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