likethelight | IC Contact @ Deer Country

[ Ahaha, making him choose dinner or cake? Well, he was done enough, or can soon be. His plate was almost fully clea—

Timcanpy has been busy while they were distracted, and meets Allen's gaze as he looks back to him. Solidly in the middle of Allen's plate and clearing it of the last of the gyoza. He grins, toothily and covered in soy sauce, and Allen blinks for a moment before laughing quietly. ]

Yes. [ He leans his cheek into Shouto's hand, a soft smile curving his lips as he considers that. ]

I'll get my surprise while you get that.

[ Somehow he’s not surprised to find Tim finishing off Allen’s portion while he’s distracted. What leaves him staring though was how he hadn’t noticed him until now. You’re very quiet when you want to be.

Allen’s easy laugh pulls him from his thoughts and he nods in confirmation, letting his thumb skim his cheek, distracted by the present to think further than this moment. He misstepped in the planning, forgetting to include Allen in the details. When he promised to make him a cake to celebrate, he didn’t think anything else was necessary. Just a cake and Allen. Tim, too, of course, but that was a given. His limited experience was no more obvious than how long it took him to realize his mistake.

You wanted to celebrate and were waiting on me.

With his thoughts in flux, it takes him longer to answer than usual, distracted by his growing understanding of what it means to share a life.

He blinks and awareness returns to his eyes. It takes him another moment to process his words and nods, taking note of their surroundings. ]

I’ll clear the table.

[ Timcanpy is ninja. ♥ This is how he lulls you into a false sense of security. Then he pounces on your leftovers.

And it wasn't entirely on Shouto. Allen could have asked if he had a day in mind in particular, and the thought did occur to him sometimes. Every time he found him hard at work baking. But... it felt like it would have been hurrying Shouto, and he didn't want to pressure him when he was already obviously trying so hard. So it was fine regardless of how long it took.

He watches the subtle flicker of expression when Shouto doesn't answer at first, seemingly lost in thought in a way that makes Allen wonder what he's thinking. And he smiles very gently at it, patient and seemingly warmed by the time it takes him. With a final kiss on the cheek, he pulls back before he starts to stand. ]

Mm. No peeking. [ It's a gentle tease, leaning over to wipe Timcanpy's face clean before he quickly swipes the last couple gyoza Shouto had left on his place, casually popping them in his mouth in sequence like a chipmunk. ]

It'll be for after cake.

[ "ibf b'for af'er kaek" ]

[ Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, he stands with him, smiling faintly at the obvious taunt as Allen pops dumplings in his mouth like popcorn. ]

You’re the impatient one.

[ Slander! ]

I'm nothing of the sort. [ Except it's more like "imb nuffin'a th'sort" with a dignified look of mock scandal. He's far too refined and mannered to be like that, excuse. Extremely mature. Years beyond his age—whatever that actually is. A gentleman.

Allen swallows then, an impressive feat, and steps close to slip an arm around Shouto's waist to draw him close enough to kiss a final time on the cheek with a gentle sort of gratitude. More affectionate than he would normally be in cleaning up after dinner—that he'd normally help with too, but he has to go set up for later now—which is in part to make sure Shouto knows he's not actually scandalized, but more because of the lighthearted feeling of celebration and anticipation that flutters in his heart. Of gratitude and love.

Sometimes it doesn't feel real, how happy I am, that you might be this happy too-- and I have to kiss you to remind myself it is. ]

I won't be long. [ But he hesitates for a moment then, smiling softly as something occurs to him. ]

Do you think we could we eat it outside, on the porch? [ He calls the engawa a "porch" still, he's a heathen. But he'll get better as he's corrected. ] It's so nice and warm at night now.

[ And by the koi, who he also fed out there when he first came home with him. ]

Edited 2023-06-01 04:05 (UTC)

[ An odd look follows that statement. No he did not get the sarcasm, so it's a good thing Allen smoothes it over with a kiss. It's another thing that's changed between them. The miscommunication that often had him taking a step back, questioning his ability to read Allen, was easily swept aside with an affection word or gesture.

Catching on, a little late, that he's being teased, a knowing look settles in his eyes intrigued by the prospect. ]

You are.

[ Not a snappy comeback, or a tease of his own, but an acknowledgment of it. He may never be able to banter with Allen as most people do, but this is banter for him. Calling him out without a qualm with an amused look in his eyes. That feeling of knowing they're on the same page, and running with it.

Intrigue turns to such fondness at the question that he'd include the koi, it transforms his entire face, and although his mouth never moves it looks like he's smiling from the heart. ]

I'd like that.

[ He leans down to kiss his cheek, the thought of correcting him never once entering his mind. It doesn't matter what Allen calls it, so long as they can share it together. That's what matters to him. If he wants to call it a porch, Shouto has no problem with it, though he'll keep calling it the engawa. ].

I'll set it up.

[ He promises, kissing him straight on the mouth with the same affection before picking up their plates and heading to the kitchen. It'll take him ten minutes to clear up the plates and have them washed and drying on a rack, and another ten to set out two trays with a dozen lemon-shaped sweet sponge cakes made with lemon juice and peel, finely cut, and marinated with sugar. The peels give the cakes a subtle bittersweet flavor. Oddly, only half are coated with a thin layer of white chocolate. Having failed to temper the chocolate properly the first time, he only had enough to coat a little less than half. The cakes are cool, and the ones coated in chocolate have a nice snap when you bite into them.

On a small table, a Japanese tea set is neatly laid out with a metal tin of earl grey next to it, but no Shouto in sight. A few minutes later, he comes out carrying a watermelon under his arm, half hidden by the sleeping yukata he wore to dinner. He regards Allen with a fond look, mouth curving up in a warm smile. Setting the watermelon down, he seats himself next to him, pressing his lips against his cheek that's more smile than kiss. ]

Welcome home.

Edited 2023-06-01 19:25 (UTC)

[ 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. ]

Thank you.

[ Allen says it more softly, voice barely a breathy whisper, and eyes glimmering when they reluctantly part. He strokes his cheek gently, staying near as he nuzzles their noses together fondly and lets his forehead press against Shouto's. A portrait of young love painted in shades of such deeply rooted devotion and belonging. ]

Welcome home, too.

[ He's come to enjoy the contrast of the rough carapace against his cheek, the same way he enjoys kissing his chest from right to left. Soon, his cheeks start to hurt from keeping up the little-used muscles of his smile, but it's impossible to stop when Allen looks so blithely happy and content. The kiss feels like a reprieve, one he meets with the same intensity, clutching lightly at the nape of his neck to draw him closer.

Under the moonlit forest, life hums around them, and one of the koi, red with white spots, snaps at the fireflies zipping over the water, missing it and splashing back down where his mate, white with red stripes, swims around him before recognizing familiar faces on the other side of the world and trespasses through the divide, mouth breaking through the surface of the water to regard them with curiosity. Completely enchanted with his companion, Shouto misses her arrival and quick departure, beneath the surface of the water where the moon glimmers across the shifting surface. ]

Not yet.

[ He kisses his ear, drawn to the paleblood stone ever since awakening from Allen's nightmare. ]

Kizu's on her way back.

[ His omen purrs in approval. Affected by the same overwhelming joy that thrums through him, she opted to bring the flowers back with her so he could stay by his side. ]

I'll make tea while we wait.

[ He offers, cheeks burning from untrained muscles, but he can't help himself. ]

Are you okay with Earl Grey? It pairs well with citrus desserts.

[ He adds, filling the pot with ice. He works at an even pace, with a subtle grace to his movements. Melting the ice is easy. Hitting the proper temperature comes with practice and years of experience. Quietly, he quickly washes the loose leaves once, letting the murky water drain between the slotted wooden panels of the one inch tray, then lets the leaves step for four minutes.

He settles next to Allen, pressing his shoulder to his and looking up into the night sky. ]

The moon looks different tonight.

[ Not yet? Oh, Allen glances for a second back at the lemon cakes and would normally be a touch mournful to be told to wait, but is too blissfully content to mind for once in his life.

He tips his head lightly to the side at hearing about Kizu. She is? It's lightly curious as he was too distracted to notice her leave before, but realizes now he hasn't seen her since before dinner. It piques his interest, but he keeps it to himself and sidles a little closer to watch as Shouto has begun to brew the tea. ]

Ehhh, Earl Grey does? [ His voice pitches up, somewhat amazed. When did you learn about tea and dessert pairings? Though, Shouto has always had a way with tea so it isn't all that surprising. ] Mn! It was always a treat to have.

[ One he rarely could afford, Mr. Orders Hot Water Because It's Free. But he settles in next to Shouto with familiarity, never getting tired of watching him less because Allen is interested in the brewing of tea, but enjoying seeing him work with such natural precision and dedication. Does he find it relaxing? It's something he's probably asked him in passing when watching him.

When he turns back and presses his shoulder to Allen's, he smiles and leans against him. Peaceable and content to watch the fireflies at play along the water's edge, bare feet swishing gently in the cool water as he plays with the more daring one of the koi. The moon touches on the pale, vaguely luminescent glow of lunar flowers that had began to blossom in the last few weeks around the house as well. Wardens against corruption and supposedly a blessing of Moon Presence.

The night feels softer, possibly because of the faint pink hue of the moonlight, and at Shouto's observation Allen has to blink what feels like a lull away before he looks up too. Even the silvery hue of his hair catching the warmer light and reflecting a rosier glow as his expression becomes softer. Contemplative. ]

When it's like this, I can't help but feel like she's a little happier.

[ He smiles, eyes hooding as his expression becomes faraway, gentle and a little bittersweet. ]

At least, I'd like to believe that.

Edited 2023-06-01 22:48 (UTC)

Why do you think she's happy?

[ He asks, watching his foot swash through the water, catching glimpses of a shimmering white koi swimming aimlessly through the water alongside a slightly darker hue of red, and remembers the watermelon. He sets it between his legs wondering if he should smash it or use a knife. ]

[ Why? He tips his head back, throat bared to the sky and looking askance at Shouto with a quietly thoughtful expression. Long hair pulled back in its customary ponytail and hanging down his back, more than two years now since he's cut it any more than trimming around his face. As gentle and enigmatic in profile as the moon. ]

Because the moon feels like it's celebrating something special too.

[ Oh. He never thought of it like that. Looking up, he catches Allen's profile and finds himself captivated by the sight. ]

You remind me of her. [ He says, reaching for his hand to attune himself to him. ] You feel similar. Like you came from the same source.

[ He looks up, finding the moon the distant sky, so far away where Allen felt so close. ]

But you were allowed to explore.

[ Free to live out his life, while she looked on, always present but separate. ]

[ Reminded him of her? Allen blinks, expression coming alive and out of his thoughts at that a little comically for a moment before settling into a quiet, thoughtful surprise. Same source...

He threads his long, slender fingers with Shouto's when he reaches for him, moving their hands delicately together in a slow and tender sort of intimate dance of just feeling each other, one that's long since become familiar to them both. ]

I'm grateful. [ It's all he says, voice soft. Reflective, his gaze resting on the earring made of his own blood on Shouto's ear. He's quiet for a moment, before he leans in and kisses it—and his ear—gently. Sweetly and meaningfully. ]

I know a lot of people might find it strange given the situation, but I'm grateful for a lot in this world.

Grateful?

[ His eyes close briefly, shivering slightly at the contact. He's become more sensitive as time passes, but he suspects its the attention Allen seems to pay his ear that's the reason. ]

Like Sanctuary?

[ He asks. While he may not dislike the world he found himself in, he also didn't consider it a good place, where corruption could turn anyone into a shade of themselves, driving them to do things they'd never do on their own. An image of Midoriya comes to mind, corruption coursing through him, making him hostile, and afraid of his friends. ]

[ Allen's mouth curves in a very faint smile at that reaction, lingering in a comfortable manner before he draws back to look at him. Sometimes he might nip at the earring and lobe and tease him when in high spirits and feeling a little daring, but this isn't one of those times. It's been easier to lately though when Shouto has had his apparently more amorous moods hit him. ]

Not exactly. [ Although he isn't wrong, but that's more a product of it than the thing he's truly grateful for. Allen squeezes his hand gently, smile soft and thoughtful. ]

More like... even with a lot of bad, a lot of hardship-- there's still a lot of good I wouldn't have known without it.

[ Ah, those moods did hit him quite often in the last month, somehow coinciding with their, uh, feeling each other up and coming undone. Probably why he never realized it was the lemons all along, the need to kiss him paramount in his mind, throwing everything else to the side, including boiling lemon marinade that turned into a black mess. Shouto discreetly helped the tar along, upping the heat until it turned to ash to avoid a scrubbing session. Too bad for him, he forgot about the handle, which caught on fire and now all their pots and pans have metal handles, if Allen asked why he made the sudden purchase that cost him a pretty penny, he'd answer with 'oven-safe' and never speak of his burning man hour that made a unique piece of twisted metal art he threw in the trash.

A discussion for another time. At the moment, he's having a hard time keeping up with this one. Feeling a little lost by that explanation, he grows quiet, trying to make sense of it on his own. A lot of good. He can understand that but it wasn't like the good here was all that different from the good in his world.

Thankfully for Allen, the alarm on his omini rings, announcing the steep complete. Tea's ready! Instead of asking his line of questioning, Shouto picks up two cups and warms them in his hand, and pours the tea. ]

You can have your lemon cakes now.

[ He tells Allen, pouring him a cup of Earl Grey, and setting it on the small table where two platters of lemons cakes, a dozen each, sat perfectly for the taking. ]

[ Well. Allen wouldn't be terribly surprised by the fact he burnt his marinade because he was distracted. You did flood the house when they first kissed because of being distracted. ... So did Allen, technically. Although that doesn't explain the sudden replacement of all their cookingware and he might have frowned thoughtfully over that for a while the next time he was in the kitchen.

None the wiser, Allen's mood seems to shift on a dime and he brightens up the moment Shouto hands him his tea, breathing the aroma in deep as he clasps it in both hands. Mm, pre-warmed even. He drinks deep, enjoying the fact it doesn't burn his tongue, and smiles at Shouto over his cup at the offer. ]

Have one with me? [ He knows Shouto won't ever eat as much or be as partial to sweets as Allen is, but there's no way he's having it all on his own. ]

[ His kitchen disasters are many and far too closely spaced to make anyone raise a brow. Most of the time, it is because he's distracted by Allen. You really are a menace to his baking advancements! Not that he cares all that. There are precious few things he'll ever pursue for his own pleasure, kissing Allen lies at the top of the list, alongside his little tea addiction. Someone should really monitor him when he goes tea shopping, the vendors know him by sight and he's really easy to pick out from a crowd.

That's probably why there's really only one answer he can give to that question, and it comes in the form of a quiet smile. Of course. ]

Can I have two?

[ He asks, genuine in his question, knowing how much Allen loves sweets. ]

[ !! ]

Yes! [ He sounds utterly delighted to be sharing more with him, perking up in an animated manner while he sets his tea down and reaches for two like he would for steamed dumplings-- one of which he hands to Shouto, smiling wide. Eyes bright. Tim's rejoined them after giving chase to and playing with the dragonflies, settling in next to one of the plates while radiating a sunny joy of his own.

And don't worry, while Allen knows better than to try and chaperone Shouto's shopping excursions because he's maddeningly hard to corral or convince of a bad deal, he has tried to make a bit of an end run on him by frequently bringing home new teas for him to try until the cabinet is full. Ones he got for a good deal. (And don't you think that means they're cheap!) ]

[ Allen's delight is etched clearly on his face from his vantage point. It warms him to see him like this, open and carefree, grabbing the lemon cakes with such delight it makes every single hour he spent learning how to make the batter and bake it at the right temperature worth it. ]

The one without chocolate.

[ He requests. Despite having spent weeks learning to temper chocolate, white chocolate is a bit too sweet for him. On the other hand, dark chocolate would've been a terrible combination with lemon!

He's grateful for the teas, and doesn't consider them low quality at all, and even if they were, he would've enjoyed trying all the interesting flavors he normally doesn't gravitate towards.

He waits for Allen to take a bite of the little lemon-shaped cake, gauging his reaction before following suit, taking a drink of the Earl Grey to compliment the citrus flavor. ]

[ Really? Dark chocolate with lemon sounds delightful to him. He remembers seeing gourmet chocolates he wasn't allowed to eat as a child that were dark chocolate and had bits of candied lemon peel in them (and probably limoncello). But he absolutely loves white chocolate too; far be it from Allen to discriminate against any food. Unless it has alcohol in it, but that's more a Pavlovian gag reflex.

He hands Shouto the plain one and takes a chocolate one for himself, giving him a final bright-eyed look before taking an absolutely giant bite of his own, the chocolate snapping and giving way to a burst of lemon even Allen wasn't quite expecting. He blinks, staring down at it before looking back up at Shouto in astonished delight. ]

Ah, you've really gotten so good! [ Not even including how abysmally low that bar had started back at the bake-off a year ago!! He takes another big bite, clearing almost the entire cake in two goes. ]

It's delicious. [ "Itsh d'lefshus."

No side effects in three... two... one? Oh, no. It'll take longer than that for his metabolism to get to it on an already full (for colloquial purposes) stomach. Tim, though...

Tim gleefully takes a giant toothy bite of his own, but then... stops? His mouth disappearing from his face as he regards the cake rather blankly and curiously for a moment. _{Et tu?} ]

Edited 2023-06-02 01:47 (UTC)

[ Utterly pleased by his reaction, Shouto smiles, a hint of heat coming from his left shoulder. Whether from the cake or a genuine reaction is hard to gauge, but Tim's restraint keeps him from taking another bite.

What's wrong? He sets his cup down, too anxious to notice the way the surface of the water ripples faintly from subtle vibrations originating from the ground. ]

Did you get a bad one?

[ He asks Tim, unable to help himself. ]

The lemon peels can taste bitter sometimes.

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

[ Allen cocks his head slightly at Tim as well, attention snagging on the little golem as well. It's not alarming that he isn't eating, but it is a bit curious. ]

Did you have enough already, Tim? [ Just to check out Shouto's concerns, he breaks off a small piece of Tim's cake to try as well but finds it just as good as his. He hums lightly behind another "itsh gud."

Timcanpy glances between the two of them, wings wagging slightly and aware of all eyes on him, and for a moment is just very quiet. Deeply contemplative, perhaps. Not exactly conflicted. More like his small brain is processing a very big thing and it takes a moment for the thought to come around.

"..."

He pushes the cake towards Shouto then, smiling so very wide and toothily. His whole body gives a wiggle as he shimmies in place, much like a cat wiggling its behind or a dog looking to play. Allen gives a laugh. ]

Maybe he's just trying to say you should help yourself too.

Edited 2023-06-02 02:11 (UTC)

Shouto grew closer to him while brooding the eggs that lay buried with a small headstone behind the house. In those two months, he learned to gauge his moods a little better, still can't read him the way Allen can, but he knows when he's acting odd, like now. Allen's deduction at the expense of one of Tim's cakes eases some of his concern, but it's Tim's toothy smile that settles it.

Did you want to share, too?

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