He snickered quietly at his sheepish apology and after adding some simple salt to season, covered the pot of slow-boiling potatoes to reduce the release of steam, pausing at his oiling of the skillet and open of the ground beef package at Emil's questions.
Foot tapping a little in thought, he slipped the booklet from his pocket to skim over again, mouth twisting just a little.
"Well honestly.. the tomato and olives are even pushing da envelope a bit.. so don't eat too many of those just on their own. Acidity, I guess."
With a sigh, the booklet was returned to his pocket, moving first to the cabinet to pull a bottle of sesame oil, then to the fridge, where a half block of wrapped feta was fetched, breaking off a piece and returning the rest to the cheese drawer.
Returning to the sink, the chunk of feta was run under the cold water for several seconds to wash away the brine and harden it, before it was passed off to his husband to crumble into the salad, setting the sesame bottle beside the tumbled salad bowl.
"A little feta won't hurt, but.. didn't see any dressings or vinaigrettes that were approved. Gonna have ta' make do wit' that."
With that decided, he consolingly pat his head and left him to it, going back to his own tasks, emptying the ground beef into the skillet and breaking it up with a wood spoon to cook evenly, the meat soon sizzling under the heat and releasing a beefy aroma through the space, lamenting the lack of sautéd onion and garlic that would usually accompany it.
"At least da damage done this time was minor.. won't be without our seasonings and dressings for too terribly long."
He paused to regard his spouse with a slight squint of red-pink eyes, spoon pressing down the meat with an emphasized sizzle.
"..So long as nothing else happens ta' prolong that.."
He watches the approved things be passed over and lets out a lamented sigh of his own, picking up the feta and beginning to sprinkle it over the top of the salad, taking up the salad tongs and giving it another light tossing to make sure that the cheese was mixed up all through out the salad.
The oil would have to wait until they were serving and actually eating the food. So for now he let his arms fold onto the counter and rest his chin a top them.
Stupid Acidity.
He feels that squint, and his gaze trails over to meet it. Puffing up a cheek just a little at the emphasized pressing down of the meat. That not so subtly veiled threat is received and noted.
"It won't be as long no....and so far....I don't have any plans to get injured again. I have plans but none that should result in injury that is." he replies with a quiet chuckle. Pushing himself up from his stool with a slight wince. Shifting to rinse his hands of any residue and to be fully dried before he wrapped his arms around his spouse's waist.
"At the very least, I'm in decent enough condition to do things like this." He replies before smooching the slightly grumpy rabbit's cheek. Though being able to be in positions such as these, did lead to....other tempting thoughts.
But he was supposed to be behaving....
Having a very attractive spouse, makes that quite the difficult task.
She smiled through the continuing tears when he leaned against her, sure to work up a good, cleansing lather all throughout before she gave the verbal warning and moved to dunk him again, rifling her hand through his hair under the water to ensure the soap was thoroughly rinsed.
The humming resumed when the conditioner was applied the same way, though giving it a bit more time after being scrubbed in to settle, before another warning was given and he was dunked and rinsed out again.
She hadn't realized the second time he'd fallen into a stupor however, and winced apologetically from the splutter that he came up with, briefly concerned that he may have sucked in some soapy water, but quickly reassured by the follow-up chuckle and tease.
"I enjoy all parts equally, thank you. If you get a shower nozzle installed, it'd be a lot easier to rinse you."
She stated with a feigned little huff, but any hope of playing off the lingering, and blatant signs of heartache were dashed the moment he slicked his hair back and the teasing smile died on his lips.
More glittering tears wavered in starry sockets as they squeezed shut, sniffling and curling herself around the warm shelter of his embrace, her head gently resting atop his when he buried into her bare shoulder, ears down.
"M'sorry.. think it's..- just gonna keep hitting for a while."
She gave a weak giggle, her tail curling around both of them under the water, while her hand pressed to the back of his head with a light grip to his wet, cookie-scented hair.
"You don't need to apologize....out of the two of us, I'm the one that should be apologizing." He replies quietly, letting the pointed tips of his fingers gently scratch along her lower spine in a soothing gesture.
"It...is good to be missed, but...you've always been the one to miss me during these times." He murmurs, placing a kiss against her shoulder.
He really didn't deserve any form of apology. He'd been the one to be stupid and...get in his own ditzy head.
"I'm sorry...."
There were conflicting emotions with this current situation, on the one hand....it was nice to be missed, that she cared enough to be so upset...but on the other hand, he didn't like seeing her so upset. Especially when he was the cause of it.
At the very least, he could make up for it now that he was home and had time off.....and now that he wasn't being an absolute dramatic idiot.
He has to take in a small breath and nuzzle against her harder in an attempt to shake the depreciating thoughts from creeping in. It wasn't good to do that and she'd be even more upset if anything managed to slip out of his mouth.
"Getting a shower nozzle does sound like a good idea, before I develop an enjoyment for getting waterboarded." he chuckles a little, an attempt to distract from his self-depreciating thoughts and maybe to help lighten her own mood just a little.
"I think, it's about time to get into bed proper...how does that sound?" As nice as the warm water was, it would be nice to be snuggled up into blankets right about now.
She quipped with a giggle, ears fluttering with a little triumphant wiggle in his lap when he assented to her request, shifting out of his lap to stand in the center for a moment, the water lapping at her collarbone as her head tilted with a small smirk.
"Well if I'm gonna do that, gotta wet your hair first, silly. Take a breath."
Her hand moved behind his head and after her warning, she swiftly dunked his head under the water for a moment, hoping he'd followed her instruction and she hadn't just.. slightly waterboarded her lover.
When he popped back up, he seemed no worse for wear, so she assumed the head's up had been adequate for the momentary head down, so to speak.
Once his hair was hanging down and properly soaked, she clambered back up into his lap for the better vantage, first taking the shampoo from the shelf to pour some into her palm, and begin to thoroughly lather up his hair with the sweet-smelling liquid.
He did look rather silly at the moment, but she relished these candid, goofier moments with him, a stark difference from his prim and poise on the silver screen and on stage, special snapshots of him that only his closest loved ones were privy to.
She blinked when she realized there was a flash of warmth down her freckled cheek, dropping off into the frothy water. Crying, again? She thought she was done with that.. but then, if she could get over nearly losing him that fast.. that would indicate her not really caring at all, wouldn't it?
It was annoying, but.. seemed inevitable when that fallacy was still so fresh, on top of just.. really missing him the weeks he was gone. Even though she'd caught his stage shows here and there it.. wasn't the same.
She supposed she should be relieved that his eyes were covered by hair and probably (hopefully) closed to avoid getting soap in them. Maybe.. it'd stop by the time she'd finished the two-parter wash.
To distract from the slow trickle of tears, she began to hum an upbeat tune under her breath, little fingers thoroughly digging through the thick layers of purple hair to scratch the cleanse into his scalp as well.
He can't help the amusement that tries to bubble up in his chest when he's given on a few moments before his head is shoved under the water. Thankfully, he was able to suck in a breath fast enough to not choke on water.
He does have to spit a bit of water from getting into his mouth when he does come up, dark wet locks curtained around his face, carefully leaning a little bit onto her while she worked the lather through his hair.
The scent combination was nice, if he hadn't known any better he would've thought that someone had been baking fresh cinnamon cookies in the house......he had been joking earlier but this scent might actually be a bit dangerous.
There came a bit of whiplash in energy when it came to the gentleness that she started with and the more thorough scrubbing, that while still was nice, was just a little amusing at how much it had turned when she'd gotten focused on the task at hand.
Managing to get another breath in before he was waterboarded for the sake of rinsing the shampoo out. Wiping off the streams of water from his face from under his curtain of hair.
The soft pleasantness of her voice combined with the warmth of the water and relaxing sensation of the deep scratching of his scalp as the conditioner is applied....while he'd managed to stave it off with the shampoo, in this case he wasn't quite as successful of avoiding the stupor that he'd current found himself in.
In fact he had almost started to drift off a little from the sensation until it had been time to rinse, almost forgetting to pull in a breath before he was dunked down again.
This time he came up with a little bit of spluttering, but nothing to be concerned over considering a small chuckle left him shortly after, bringing his hands up to slick his hair back out of his face.
"I'm starting to suspect that you might be enjoy that particular part of the process." though his teasing remark had come with a smile, it had stopped when he'd gotten a clear view of her tear stained cheeks.
His next movements are gentle and quiet, a wrap of his arms around her smaller frame accompanied by nuzzling into her shoulder.
Her arms went around his neck again to reflexively secure herself in his lap while he scooted along the seat to reach up for the no doubt quite heavy shelf of lather bottles, ears twitching curiously when he brought it down for her to select something herself.
Freeing one of her arms now that he'd stopped moving, she quietly perused the available options, picking them out one by one to read the labels, checking their scent profile rather than picking one at random, or by their various alluring colors.
"Mm.. you have a lot of floral ones, but mixing those would probably be pretty cloying. What about.. cinnamon and sugar cookie?"
She smirked playfully, leaning over to lightly kiss his warm cheek and huskily whisper.
"You did liken me to a pastry, maybe I'll smell like one, too."
At his assent, she picked out the bottles in question and carefully twisted each open to carefully pour some of each liquid into the swirling water, the glittery surface foaming up a bit with the mix of scented soap and water, effectively getting them clean just with the gentle push and pulling current of the jets.
Putting the bottles back in their designated spots on the shelf, she noticed there was also a matching sugar cookie shampoo and conditioner, tilting her head a bit.
"Were you wanting to wash your hair too, Luci? I bet these would smell really nice. And they wouldn't clash with one another."
The jacuzzi tub made it unnecessary to assist in bathing one another, but this was one aspect of aftercare that she did enjoy doing, if he'd let her.
She pouted just a little, finger lightly toying at the peeling corner of the shampoo label in its shelving, starry gaze tentatively looking up into his while she waited for him to decide.
"Hmm...true the floral ones can be quite intense, and typically not best for mixes." he chuckled, watching her narrow things down before coming up with the more dessert scented of his lathers. Amusement on his lips in particular at her rather husky whisper into his ear.
"Careful, I might get confused and take a few bites out of you~" He purred, followed by a playful light snap of his teeth and bounce of his brows.
Not that he needed any encouragement on that front.
He tilts his head in consideration of washing his hair, truly if he went ahead and did it this time, he wouldn't have to do it himself later. Not only that but as he met her gaze, the adorableness of the sight he was met with was perhaps a bit too effective on his soul.
"Even if I were to consider no as an option, that little face of yours would most certainly be my demise." he sighed with amusement and a soft shake of his head.
"So yes, I think I would like to. Since you seem so very eager to assist me~" he taps the tip of her aperture on his final word. Before leaning forward just enough to gather up his hair and bring it more to the front for easier access.
His own starry gaze now hidden behind curtains of dark purple and bright pink highlights, It was a very silly position to be in, but he didn't mind. It kept things simple and easy. Though for the sake of avoiding potential lathering in his eyes, he did close them for the time being.
He nodded along while continuing to dice, pausing mid-chop when his husband mentioned just buying something new at the shops, back straightening a bit while his head turned to regard him with a bemused smirk, marked ear flicking.
"Emi.. you didn't just tell a former cuoca to forsake her own cookware. I may be a cuoco now.. but those old tendencies still reign supreme. Mm.. very bold.~"
The paw not occupied with the chef's knife, reached over to frame his face against the glove, before giving a playful few pats over the newly warmed metal at the teasing admonishment.
"I will be bringing some of my own things. But, I will refrain from going overboard. Just what we'll need for planned meals."
Returning his attention to the cutting board he scraped the second pile into the cooking pot, turning to the island to grab the salad ingredients to prepare while his spouse finished peeling the last of the needed potatoes.
Unfortunately he would have to leave out the radicchio, red onion, and pepperoncini that gave a salad most of its flavor, but some romaine lettuce, carrots, cherry tomatoes and olives would still be safe to include, albeit make for a very bland assortment.
He set about chopping up the lettuce and carrots, carefully plopping it all into a large serving bowl, halving the little tomatoes in a similar fashion before adding them and the olives.
With that done, he noticed Emi's last two prepped potatoes and moved the salad bowl closer to the counter where he could reach, dicing the last potatoes to add to the pot before getting it boiling, and finally starting on the ground beef.
"While I focus on the rest, mind mixing up the salad for serving, amore mio?"
"mi dispiace, I seem to have forgotten my surroundings for a moment." he chuckled scratching at the none gloved cheek. It was only for a few days...but he knew better than to argue against the cookware.
He takes a moment to wipe off the peeler with a rag that was in his reach, before passing back over to be dealt with properly later. Stretching a little bit as he watched his husband throw the ingredients together into the salad bowl, tilting his head just a bit.
He supposed....it wasn't quite a full meal with what he'd proposed. Had to find a way to get leafy greens in there somewhere.
He wasn't the biggest fan of them.....but they were important.
Salads were more tolerable when there was more things put into them. Unfortunately due to his current dietary restrictions....it was looking rather...leafy, in flavor.
Taking up the salad tongs into his hand, he started to work through mixing the various veggies together, having snagged a tomato half out to pop into his mouth for the time being.
"Mm...no cheese? and which dressing are we using?" he asks curiously with a tilt of his head. "Considering you have tomatoes and olives mixed in....Feta would be best for what little flavor profiling that we have."
He couldn't quite recall if cheese was including in the not allowed food section, but it was probably fine.
It wasn't like they were inviting Reyna over for dinner, and what she perhaps didn't know, wouldn't particularly hurt her. He wasn't particularly sensitive to any foods either. Just a little picky when it came down to it. Dressing and cheese definitely made the vegetables easier to tolerate.
If he was also denied these luxuries, he might tear up just a little. From the small pain caused to his very core.
The warm tenor of Arche’s voice stutters and rises in pitch, and in response Kero looks away from the light of the docked comm as if evading the burn of his gaze.
If he were actually here... she probably wouldn't have managed to say anything at all.
Blinking embarrassed moisture from her sockets doesn’t do much for her sight; the rest of the room is so much darker in comparison, the smoke that had settled around her like a shroud slowly dispersing as the air unit’s set timer engaged and began filtering it. Normally at this point, she’d be fast asleep, lulled into dreams from relaxing release and the sheer relief of no aches and pains- even if that was only delayed until morning light.
( -oh, and what had come to mind as she took care of that persistent itch could be forgotten as a delusion of the night, just addled thoughts of fleeting fantasies slipping away like a pleasant dream- )
She certainly isn’t as sleepy as when this call first started. Sleep might even be completely impossible, at this point.
As Arche goes on to apologize for her torment, his choice of words slowly sinks in- then, it really clicks, the no doubt unintended but delightfully ironic pun within immediately hitting her funnybone.
A laugh escapes, so soft and quiet it she may have imagined doing it. Amusement fought with the lingering embarrassment of the confession, no doubt making her smile twitch as she tried- and failed- to suppress a smile.
“Sh-should have known you’d find a way to haunt me again, Spectral.”
Ah, ghosts and their haunting. Somewhat hysteric giggles burst from her from the ridiculous wordplay, tears squeezing from the corners of her sockets to trail down to the pillow. Once the bought of giggles dies down, she rubs at her face, smearing the tears away.
"I'm just glad you answered... getting to talk with you has helped.. lessen the 'torment', I promise." She admits somewhat breathlessly.
Still wiping at her face with one hand, she reaches out with the other, lightly cradling the docked comm, dizzily imaging it was his cheek she was clumsily tracing rather than the protective case. The vivid strength of it lights her cheekbones to new burning lights, and does nothing to stop her next impulsive words.
"It'll help more when I get to see you again. Then there'll be no reason to be missing you."
He hadn't even realized until she makes her own clever word play and he lets out a groan before a laugh had taken it's place. Pushing his messy orange bangs out of his face.
"Well it wasn't intentional but I guess it's got the spirit." he smirks as it became difficult to hear the adorable giggling that had no doubt taken over her at this rate. Giving a soft shake of his head as he waited patiently for her to catch her breath.
Just a little phone call helped huh? He could manage that more, now that he was home. He hadn't anticipated the affect that not talking as frequently as they had been would have resulted in...not only missing her but having her miss him in return.
He blinks a bit at her next words, staring at his shuttle as it pulled up and stopped. He tosses the suitcases into the inventory space of the shuttle. Sliding into the backseat and canceling the selected route back home.
He sat there for a moment in contemplation, he wanted to see her. And in this current moment....he really couldn't think of a reason as to why he couldn't just...change the route.
But was that a risky move?
He'd never been over to her place....she'd never really been to his either. They usually met up in public spaces like the park. On the rare chances that they could.
Would it....be okay to ask? At this hour?
He bites his lip and chews it for a second. Before steeling himself. All it would take is just a simple yes or no. if it was no, then he'd just apologize for asking and go home. and feel like an absolute idiot, but that was his own problem to deal with if that was the case.
"Well, I'm free...now. I could come by..." he clears his throat a bit as he feels the burning in his cheeks return with a fury. "I-IF that'd be okay---if you want to." He sinks down into the long seat. He didn't get it, he could go perform his ass off in front of massive crowds for weeks, but he stumbles all over himself when it came to Star??
You'd think it'd be the opposite. Though....he supposed that he cared a lot more about her perspective of him...then he did the crowds. Or rather. He knew what the crowd wanted.....with Star it was....completely genuine.
For constellations sake though, it was just to ask if he could come visit. Not---some sort of proposal. Nothing to get flustered over.
The casino floor is empty, barren and quiet. Devoid of staff and even the smallest of steps can be heard. Except if one were to venture behind the bar into the small backroom, where the faintest of music can be heard.
Here The Don sits. Drink in hand, thoughts seemingly somewhere else all together.
Bitterness and Solidarity were becoming very close bed companions of his at this rate. Company tended to come with expectations and wants. Perhaps he was becoming a fan of bitterness on his tongue, or maybe it was simply because his Aperol Sprtiz, was a good hit of booze at the moment.
The quiet instrumental music was soothing at the very least, violins that were soft and not sharp, the music wasn't energized but more of a lull in sound. Relaxing.
A rarity as of late.
He hadn't wanted to permit the little trip away. It seemed unnecessary. One little tiff was all it had been, but of course emotional sensitivities blew things out of the water, as always.
Fine, if he needed to run away, Emil could run.
He'd done what he'd set out to do. He'd gotten him back. They had the golden child back so his job was done. He didn't need to care what happened after.
If the situation had been reversed.....would Emil have fought as hard to bring him back?
Probably not. He would've let people in to support him, would've listened to their reasoning and logic. He was good about that. Seeking comfort. Running away. Making stupid decisions....
'Protect your brother.'
The one thing, that he was supposed to do. The one thing that he'd striven to maintain for years.....and he'd failed.
'If you'd just talk to me....'
What a joke.
How? Have a nice little sit down and tell him every little thing that he did? every little trick that he tried? If he was angry at him for this little spat, he'd be disgusted at him for the truth.
'I know what you did.'
Just how much did he know? Did he already know everything little thing? If he did.....surely not.
There were a lot of things that Emil didn't tolerate. Harm upon the innocent....was very high up that list.
If he knew everything....he would've known about the ritual process. the one that had failed. He'd carefully selected them. Intentionally done research and targeting.
Taken them from where they'd been rotting with a glimmer of hope and then extinguishing the smolders left of a life that they possessed. If Emil had known everything. Then, he would've known about the pleasure that he'd gotten from it...which had been what sent him into a frenzy in the first place.
Would've known that Carmella had been the one to find him in that state. That he'd turned on her....He couldn't even remember all of the details, it was a blur and if he tried to think on it too hard....he could feel himself start to dip back into that mindset.
All he'd known was that for some ungodly reason, she stupidly offered him forgiveness. Despite being practically mummified in her own bandaging. She'd still left her bed, despite orders not to. Still had planted herself in his room and refused to leave until he'd woken. Still offered up that stupid big smile.....despite all of the mistreatment....the attempts to get her to turn away from him. To just leave him to rot. Let him go insane and be put down like a rabid animal....She refused.
She'd become an anchor, and he hated her for it.
He sucks in a breath through his teeth, glancing lazily at his drink. he swirled the glass around a few times before downing the rest of it. The cold causing him to shudder just a bit.
Pushing the glinting glass away, he folds his arms on the table before resting his head atop them. The ache in his side from the bend doesn't go unnoticed but is not given the attention that it wants.
It was fairly dulled at this point, compared to how it had been the first few days. Walking that damned garden path had been especially agitating. Usually, there was hardly any movement. He'd just need to stand in one spot like a moron and watch her move about. Putting up the front of social butterfly until she'd met her 'quota' and decided that feigning being tired was the way to go.
Not recently.
Of course there couldn't be a boring luncheon or social event to attend. Of course the day that breathing felt a bit tasking had to be the day that she wanted to roam. He didn't understand why she'd insisted that he accompany her through the entire garden venture in the first place.
Surely he could've just watched from a far with no issue. If he could track her at extravagant events, a garden was nothing.
There were a lot of things she insisted upon that he didn't understand. The smaller one was also confusing with her own requests. Each time on arrival, the ritual of having a different outfit selected took place. Something about them 'looking out of place' otherwise.
He was fairly certain that it was just a bullshit excuse to play 'dress up'.
A game that normally he didn't give a single shit about. However, when each time a 'change' was done, it had agitated the wound. resulting in biting back hisses and curses from slipping out under his breath.
The agitation had made masking his limp even more difficult. Part of him was suspicious that somehow, she'd picked up on the difference and was seeing how far she could push it, before he broke.
Day three of the long garden ventures, and he was still managing. Either she'd have something else to do soon, or the pain would abide fully. Whichever happened first, he could wait it out.
The chime of the clock is what shakes him from his thoughts, and what he'd been waiting for. He winces as he pushes himself up from the table in the backroom as he feels his pager peep. The number to call flashing across the little screen.
Spinning the rotatory to the appropriate numbers, he took the the horn off the receiver and waited through the rings. Pulling over the notepad and pen that he'd brought with him to begin to write down the numbers as the string was listed off.
Once the line went dead, he stopped. Tucking the notepad into his inventory and doing clean up before making his way back up to the office. The casino floor now dark and silent once more, as if never touched to begin with.
The light that is flicked on in the office is dimmed, it's here that the decoding process takes place. It takes a bit of time, but it seems they'd gotten the hang of doing things proper. Before their messages were hard to understand after translation.
'The gift has been received. appreciated. We cannot give what you ask in turn. But a package will arrive in three days time. Buried at the location you have requested. Gifts to perhaps give to others. We hope it has not offended you. But at the request of the one before you, we cannot allow access to the contents of the vault.'
'You are not ready, yet.'
His pen stops hard on the end and he grits his teeth.
Of course.
If it wasn't for the fact that they were a protected church....he would've just broken into the damn thing at this point. Not ready yet? The hell did that even mean?
He rips the paper from the notepad and sets it in his palm, channeling the heat to burn the paper into ash. Dusting his hands off into the waste bin.
He would send a message back tomorrow night. With the hopes that maybe they can give more clarity on whatever it was that the old man expected him to have achieved in order to be 'ready'.
He pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a slow breath. Letting his head fall back against the chair cushion. A clawed hand moving to grasp the back of his neck. Wincing as a wave of nausea passed through him.
Tattoos along his arms flashing a dark hot pink, nausea mixed with pain stirring in his chest. He folds himself over his desk for a moment. Eyes shut tight as he rides out the wave.
Once he's able to, he pulls open the drawer to his left. tapping out one of the cigarettes from it's casing. Lighting the end with a snap of his finger tips.
He didn't need that bothering him tonight. He could phone in assistance another time. He'd like to enjoy the peace and quiet. His brother and Sylvan would be heading out in the morning anyway. There were more important things he needed to do tomorrow than worry about a quick fuck.
He still had to wait until he wasn't wrapped up anymore anyway. Unless he wanted to make multiple appointments. Unfortunately, getting blown didn't last long. So when possible a full session was needed.
He made his way into his bedroom proper after a few moments, locking the doors behind him as he went. Being more than tempted to just drop onto the bed, but he'd rather not have his sheets lit a flame or marked with ash. He taps it off into the tray that was on the bedside table. Before slipping under comfortable blankets.
He'd finish this off then sleep. A simple routine at this point, being numbed for the night was turning out to be an ideal situation. His mind would be quieted, the tension in his body left with each slow drag.
His eyes fell shut after putting the butt out on the tray. Finally being relaxed enough to fall asleep. Not that he would be sleeping for long, there was much to do when the sun rose.
She smiled when he nestled a bit into her palm with another chirruping purr, letting her thumb brush affectionately over the warmed metal beneath his eye while listening to him respond to her expressed worry.
Her ear flittered a bit when he described his natural shell as being limiting, while yes.. in a strictly physicality sense that was true enough, it still rang a little hollow of verity, since he could pretty much do everything he could in his created shell, just with the compensation of magic behind it.
Really the main aspects this shell afforded him was a more generalized outlet for the gene, and of course, more widespread sexual appeal. Something that, for her at least, was equally shared in both his forms. Though, sadly, his squishier one was more elusive.
His playful quip and follow-up laugh drew a giggle out of her as well, that was.. certainly true, especially now that she could tick his soul off of that list for the first time. The reminder of which made her rosy all over again, in both feeling and visage on her freckled face.
"That's true.."
She admitted a bit sheepishly to his very convincing points, she hadn't necessarily connected the two vulnerabilities in parallel, but she couldn't deny that it made sense he would be equally comfortable with both, when it came to just the two of them.
She blinked at the moniker he'd addressed her by, dissolving into flustered snickers while she nuzzled close to him, an amused quirk to her usual cattish little smile, her tail freeing from its curl to surface behind her and sway to and fro.
"Moon-puff? Am I a delicious snack food now?"
She paused, then let out a little groan with a shake of her head and a giggle, already seeing the mischief gleaming in his eyes.
"Don't answer that. Hush."
She lightly pressed her fingers to his lush lips, eyes still bright with amusement herself, before she continued.
"So.. since you're sure.. we'll plan for it, then? I'll.. be looking forward to it, immensely."
Another pause, then she glanced up to the high shelf of bottled shampoo and lathers, gauging that it would likely be a little high up for her to manage to peruse them like she'd like.
"We should pick a lather so we can get properly bathed. Just bubbly water isn't going to do much, hehe.~"
He was more than content to sit here and be affectionately petted, until however you'd made the mistake of asking that question. Eyes lighting up as a grin spread over his lips that soon had her fingers pressed against them.
Oh how temptation was such a tease.
He might not have been able to verbalize his response but the bounce of his brows were plenty enough to get his point his across. Though truly Moon Puffs weren't a good comparison in regards to taste.
It had mostly been due to their pale moon like hue and how much the pastry tended to expand when made by hand and baked. Much like how her cheeks seemed to find new ways to get more puffed up as her fluster or agitation grew.
No, if he were to compare her taste to something it would very much be a lot sweeter of a food. While Moon puffs were a little sweet by nature from the sugar that is usually sprinkled on top. However...it wasn't quite right.
Her anguish had been reward in itself, rather than furthering that 'pain' and torment...he'd take this instead.
He nodded his head quietly in agreement at the mention of planning for it. Feeling a bit of fluster in his chest at the mention of just how much she'd be looking forward to it. Thankfully, there's an easily provided distraction.
He brings his gaze up to the shelf in question, adjusting into a supporting hold of her frame as he scooted along the seat of the tub, so that he could bring the shelf down without having to do an acrobatic bend. Bringing it all the way down so that the bottles could be easily seen and grabbed by the other.
"Mm...True enough. Pick whichever one or ones you'd like." In typical fashion, he had far too many in his possession than one technically should. But it was fun to mix and match the pleasant scents together or choose one in particular for the day.
Marked ear twitched at the other's teasing response, continuing to dice the potato into even cubes, so as to make it easier to parboil and later mash, a smirk on his lips.
Lifting the cutting board he carefully scraped the first pile of diced potato into the pot filled with water, gauging how many more would need to be added to make enough for at least two servings, though leftovers were never a bad thing, either.
"Even I don't know that, I'm too caffeinated to be in that sort of bad-tempered mindset. I still don't imagine it would be pleasant, though. Mm.. that said, you are a bit of a masochist, I suppose. So maybe.~"
Returning the board to the counter, he feigned a slow stretch before abruptly planting himself in his spouse's lap, one gloved paw gently taking the potato he'd nearly finished peeling, while the other brushed exposed claw tips through his hair, leaning in to steal a kiss.
"Though, I still wouldn't recommend it. Those headaches really are da worst."
His forehead pressed to his for a beat, with a quiet purr, before he pulled away with the potato still in paw, scraping the last bit of peel off with a claw into the trash, before hopping back up and returning to his cutting board, paw taking up the knife again to resume dicing.
"Thinking we just need a few more. Don't want to use up too many if we're pushing off groceries until we leave."
He went quiet for a moment in thought, continuing to chop despite his mental preoccupation.
"I should.. probably pack some kitchen essentials too, shouldn't I? Ma probably took hers with her when she moved to her new place. I don't imagine she'd leave much behind."
There were pros and cons to that situation he felt. The biggest con is that his husband would be in immense pain and utterly exhausted without the shared vice. Which....he was very much not looking forward to having to face with himself.
Though he didn't have much time to mull on it before he had his lap full of rabbit. Not that he would ever company about such a luxury. A rumbling purr escaping him from the affections that he was more than happy to reciprocate.
"Hm...good point. Speaking of those headaches...I apologize in advance for the combination of grump, whiny and clingy bastard that will more than likely surface once mine are in full swing."
He'd have to be sure to give the poor staff at the manor a heads up, while he'd certainly try to be snappy.....he couldn't guarantee it either. Most of the headache should be dulled by the painkillers he was already taking for his abdomen. But, the other symptoms that came with caffeine withdrawals...more than likely would remain unaffected.
Alas....also a fleeting moment. Leaning back in his chair with a small forlorn look at the just out of reach ass that he if he was determined enough...he could probably stretch just a little and be in range.
But he was supposed to behave.
Irritation at his twin has been brought back to the forefront of his mind for a moment, before he makes his focus return back to skinning the potatoes.
"Oh no doubt she took the entire kitchenware with her if she was able to. There might be a few pots and pans that were left behind but not much. If there is kitchenware, it's most likely staff supplied. In the off chance that there's not...might be a good idea to bring some necessities." he chuckles a little at the mental image that had been supplied of several suitcases filled with the various pots, pans, and utensils that his mother had been so attentive to over the years.
"Though if you'd rather not pack up half the kitchen, we could always get some things in town instead." It wasn't like there was a lack of shops that would be more than happy to supply.
Mm.. right, it made sense that the artist would pull him into some kind of recreational project to do together while they visited. Visual evidence was also apparent in this, the tips of his phalanges still somewhat stained with paint, that he hadn't noted until now.
Usually such details didn't escape his notice.. blasted medicinal brain fog.
With a displeased huff of annoyance, he stuffed another coin of salami into his mouth, minus the cracker and cheese to pad its supposed nutritional value, raising a brow at the bratty poke out of his tongue.
Briefly, he contemplated the display of a magic forked one in response, but dismissed it as the childish reaction that it was, his tail thumping the couch to his side again when the other questioned an earlier remark.
Vaguely slitted red-blue eyelights shifted fully to his roommate, another beat of quiet between them as if the dragon was searching for something specific, before his hands lifted to begin to sign.
'Multiple times now, today included.. I have caught the visage of purple discoloration over your skull. I know what this means for Griffin, albeit a different hue.. but as the same origin cannot be shared.. and knowing of your omittance to snack today, I can only assume it is a sign of ailment.'
His head tilted with a barely perceptible narrow of his sockets, the slow taps of his tail gradually picking up in intensity.
'Thinking back.. it started around the time of my.. incident. Cooper, have you been neglecting your health to prioritize managing mine?'
That shouldn't sting as much as it does, shouldn't....send a spike of agitation through him like it does.
When did he become an expert on what was possible and what wasn't?
Right. Sick.
That must be it. It couldn't possibly be a single other thing. He couldn't have possibly been driving himself insane for weeks now, couldn't have possibly been stupid enough to open his mouth about it.
Totally wasn't being overly sensitive right now either. Everything was just hunky dory. nothing to have a cow over.
Shades had gone blank as he sat there for a few moments, before he pushed himself up off the couch. Smacking the side of his skull with his palm. An attempt at a mood reset.
"Mm...Not on purpose, but you're probably right. I dunno what's going on. Just been feeling a little wack for awhile now. My bad, It hasn't impacted Griffy-boi aside from lack of little snack breaks though." Tendrils curled tighter inside the socket, hidden by shades.
"So it's all good, chillax, Just gotta set a little timer for myself or something to remember to take a little snack break. Nothing to get all bristly about." If beef stew was going to be the choice for dinner then he needed to get it going. And admittedly, having something else to do was needed right now.
Distance wasn't going to happen, he'd told him he could help with dinner. But at the very least having a secondary task to distract.....might be a decent buffer.
Complete and total doofus, maybe he should've just gone with that initial urge and bitten him. maybe then it would've just....gone away?
Nah, he wouldn't get that lucky.
Giving himself the task of not only washing his hands again but also to rinse off the various vegetables he'd pulled out seemed like a good start. Then he could leave them in a bowl and let the designated chopper, do his job.
Keep focus on making the food. Bite into the food, not the dragon.
While the stroking over her cheekbones continued, she was falling into a gradual sort of haze, leaned a bit against the trailing warmth of his fingers, enough so that she had to slightly readjust her focus with a shake of her head, when his arms moved around her middle instead.
She flushed just a little when his forehead pressed to hers again, going quiet with a blink, just to listen to his corrections to her assumption, that it actually was possible with an adjustment to hold.
She let him move her at his whim, offering no resistance when he emphasized his dancing tutelage by physical example, her eyes eventually closing as she lightly squeezed his arm where her hand had been placed, re-imagining it with his stated adjustments.
She'd never seen anyone with their difference in stature dance before, but he was making it seem so simple.. she could almost picture it in her mind's eye.
She hadn't been expecting the casual reference to a wedding however, nor did she anticipate the gentle admonishment and contradiction to her earlier cynical words, both blushing more noticeably, and feeling a stinging behind her eyes when they opened to gaze up at him.
The tears that threatened, fully escaped to drip down into the water, from the shocked blink at the flustered suggestion that had followed, her soul visibly picking up in pace in her ribcage and emanating small ripples in the glittering water from the magic buffer around it.
Her hand moved from his arm to instead frame his cheek as he had hers earlier, the dimmed luster in her gaze, slowly lighting up again as she gazed back into his, mirroring a hesitant sparkle.
"My fuchsia nebula.. are you sure? You so rarely leave your shell these days.. I know you said my comfort is important but.. yours is too. I can't deny that it would be easiest to start with.. and it would also be nice to be assured I couldn't trip us up. But.. not at your expense."
His smile softens as her hand frames his warmed cheek, leaning into her touch with a quiet purr of his own.
"It wouldn't be at my expense, per say." He purses his lips in thought, trying to find proper words to explain it. "It's not that I'm uncomfortable with my regular shell...It's more so that I'm....limited?" he scrunches his nose a bit, unsure if he's entirely happy with those words either.
"It's a lot like....the soul play situation....in a way. Another form of vulnerability, severely different levels of vulnerability....but still in that realm of exposure. Which is why, it doesn't bother me when it comes to things with you. At this point...you've seen quite literally every bit of me." He replies with a small laugh.
Truly this shell's purpose was two things, offering more opportunities and being an outlet for gene management that didn't involve his soul directly.
It was oddly....flustering? exciting? that in a rare instance, his inner shell was more preferable/useful than his outer. It also wasn't a bad thing to leave his shell and stretch out a little.
"Height difference certainly wouldn't be a problem anymore either, like you said. It's the easiest way to start off and build up your confidence."
If they could get the foot work down pat, to where she was more than confident in where she needed to step, then it wouldn't be an issue at all aside from finding a good rhythm for both of their bodies properly down the line.
But that was something that was later on. Getting her comfortable was the first step in that regard.
He nodded at the given concession, the so-named 'veggie chopper' did seem much quicker with more consistent results than any knife-work could manage, plus.. that wasn't very advisable when his hands were shaky off and on from dulled pain and the medicine to manage it.
Listening to the hasty chops of their snack food, he flicked his tail out of the way to the opposite side, before the other sat down next to him, even without flesh to pierce, getting a bony rear of spikes wouldn't necessarily be pleasant.
A bandaged wing also shifted to slightly rest behind his roomie's back when he settled with the tray, reflexively, though at one time the same reflex would have been to create a scaly barrier between them, very protective of his personal space with most people.
Leaning back more against the couch with a barely perceptible wince from a pinch at his back, he reached for one of the prepped coins of meat to pair with the cheese and another cracker, head tilting while red-blue eyelights quietly searched his face, though for what, wasn't readily apparent.
'Did your homemade pretzels really take up so much time? Percy is usually a good host, I can't help but wonder what had you so distracted so as to not snack, Wyrm.'
He signed carefully with a slight purse of his mouth, tail tapping the couch a bit to his side. Clearly somewhat suspicious, but the three-ingredient cracker soon pulled his attention from it for a time, also giving his roommate the opportunity to snack unhindered as well.
It did beg the question though.. that flush of purple from earlier, was that a result of being unwell from neglecting to eat all day? It was hardly the first sighting, but until now, he hadn't questioned it.
'Please, be more careful. I don't want you to siphon more from Griff than necessary, and you also seem unwell. If I'm forced to eat regular meals, you certainly shouldn't be skipping for anything.'
Of course it was a little suspicious that he'd not only been out so long, but also had forgotten about making sure he'd evened out the host energy levels.
Those were rookie mistakes on his part, but it wasn't like he was about to explain what exactly he'd been so distracted about that had caused negligence on his side of things.
"Eh....well we did some painting and stuff together too before the pretzels came up. Kinda just.....got distracted with conversation and such. Just gabbing and what not." He replies with a nonchalant wave of his hand, the words 'no worries' crossing over his shades.
Though at the chiding reminder, his own mouth pursed.
"Mmn...It's not like I skipped meals per say. Just....the required snacking times." he replied before chomping down on a cracker, Letting his head fall back against the couch cushions, but in a position to where he could still see the others signs clearly.
"So I wasn't completely irresponsible, just a little. Not enough to be a detriment to Griff." It was just...a titch insulting, Though he knew there were good intentions behind the reminders.
"Aaaand I'm fixing my bad behavior a little by snacking on some crackers. Soooo there~" he replied with a small stick out of his tongue.
He quirks a brow however at the tacked on bit of his sentence. "I seem unwell?"
It wasn't an entirely wrong statement, he wasn't sick per say...just very tired. While yes, the body had energy stored up. The emotional roller coaster of the evening, had definitely started to take it's toll on him.
❝ any time spent with you is time i treasure. every second. ❞
❝ my favorite color changes but it’s always the same, whatever color you’re wearing. ❞
❝ whatever matters to you matters to me, you’re important to me. ❞
❝ you’re so strong. and brave—but i wish you knew you don’t always have to be. i’m here, if you’re ever willing to let me help shoulder those burdens. ❞
❝ i’m not staring, i’m admiring. ❞
❝ i’ll always be yours, in one way or another. ❞
❝ you don’t ever have to worry with me. i’m here for good. ❞
❝ you are more beautiful than you know. ❞
❝ you have a beautiful mind and a wonderful soul, don’t ever let anyone make you think differently. ❞
❝ i’m happier when you’re here. ❞
❝ you’ve become my joy. ❞
❝ whatever else happens, if i have you, i’m content. ❞
❝ well, i do feel a little better now that you’re here. ❞
❝ you do make me happy, it’s important you know that. ❞
❝ you will always be my priority. ❞
❝ i love you forever. ❞
❝ you don’t know how glad i am to see you. ❞
❝ you look wonderful. ❞
❝ i want you to feel safe with me. ❞
❝ i’m not letting you go until you say it out loud. you’re beautiful and strong. you deserve to believe it. ❞
❝ sometimes you amaze me—i mean you always do. but you have such intuition and real wisdom about things. i like understanding the way you see the world. ❞
❝ you carry yourself with such grace. ❞
❝ you have a way of lighting up even the darkest moments. ❞
❝ a tender heart is a courageous thing to preserve. don’t ever be ashamed of having one. ❞
❝ being around you makes me a better person. ❞
❝ i hope you know just how full of worth you are. ❞
❝ you always make me see things differently. i appreciate your perspective. ❞
❝ i’m just enjoying you. you look happy today and i like seeing that. ❞
❝ you’re very valuable to me. ❞
❝ you can come to me with anything. anything at all. ❞
❝ there is not a place in the world i would rather be than right here with you. ❞
❝ come here, come sit in my lap and tell me about your day. ❞
❝ come put your head in my lap and tell me something new. ❞
❝ i love it when you smile at me like that. ❞
❝ i don’t think i can share you with anyone today. ❞
❝ i’ll take you anywhere you want. just tell me where. ❞
❝ bored? of you? impossible. ❞
❝ if you like it i’ll get you one. ❞
❝ your happiness matters greatly to me. ❞
❝ you deserve to reach the goals you want in life. you deserve to obtain anything you wish. ❞
❝ you’re doing well. you’re just discouraged and tired. ❞
❝ you need to rest, you don’t have to do it all today. ❞
❝ the way i love you goes beyond description. even those words don’t seem like enough. ❞
❝ you come first. you’re always my first choice. ❞
❝ no, if you’re upset that’s what matters right now. talk to me. ❞
❝ i want to share in your joy. i want to be part of all things that make you happy. ❞
❝ all of my best moments are the ones that have you in them. ❞
❝ i would give you anything you ask of me. ❞
[ COMFORT ] sender discovers receiver brooding and quietly approaches to carefully hug them from behind.
[ SOOTHE ] in the midst of a tense moment, receiver turns away to conceal their emotions but sender wraps their arms around them and holds them from behind.
[ CLOSE ] sender reaches out and pulls receiver into their lap as they’re walking by.
[ STOP ] sender reaches out and takes receiver’s face into their hands, drawing them away from what they’re doing so they can just look at receiver for a moment.
[ GIVE ] sender greets with receiver with a gift.
[ BRING ] sender takes receiver out for the day to pamper them.
[ ATTENTION ] sender peppers a series of caresses over receiver’s face in an attempt to make them laugh or smile.
[ COAX ] sender knows receiver has had a lot on their mind, so they hold them for a while to help them relax and hopefully open up.
[ CARESS ] sender sits by quietly while receiver works, petting their hair and simply providing company.
[ RELAX ] sender gives receiver a massage.
[ LOOK ] for receiver to catch sender gazing adoringly at them.
[ MORNING ] for sender to wake receiver with a kiss.
Opening the utensil drawer both a peeler and a masher were fetched from it, setting the masher on the counter and handing off the peeler with a playful smirk, and ruffle of his messy hair, watching him get settled on the stool and start peeling over the trash can.
He pulled a cooking pot from the bottom cabinet along with a skillet, and while the pot was filled with cold water in the sink, before any food prep, he took the opportunity to pull a comb from his inventory to brush out excess fluff.
Raking the comb along each ear, his hair, fluffy cheeks and neck, he picked out the resulting red fuzz along the teeth to ball up and drop into the trash, a less necessary step in the warmer months when his coat was less thick, but still one he liked to follow, just to avoid getting fur in his cooking.
There was another precaution involved in that as well, and after a quick wash of his paws in the sink and a dab dry, specialized food gloves were slipped onto them, flipping off the water and lugging the filled pot up onto the stovetop to occupy the left-most burner.
Slipping a cutting board from the holder, he set up on the counter nearest where Emil had chosen his peeling-operation, and pulled freshly peeled potatoes from the bowl to begin to dice up with the chef's knife, a soft humming starting up amid the synced sound of peeling and chopping.
"For da record Em, you and you alone, have immunity to being murdered by an un-caffienated Syllie. Worst you'd suffer is a gentle maiming.~"
His gaze flitted back and forth between his husband as he moved about in preparation and the potato that he was working on, to ensure that he didn't bonk the scraper against his fingers. While it wouldn't hurt him by any means, it was still irritating to mess up the process.
While he wasn't a perfectionist by any means, when it came to tasks that should be very simple to do...mess ups were a bit irritating. admittedly.
He knew that his temper as of late was due to the stress of everything, but he didn't enjoy flying off the handle so easily like this either. Especially when it was upsetting Syl. While yes, he was wanting to get some distance from Eiias....He also simply wanted space from the Arbitrage family setting for awhile in general.
While the manor had one point been one of the main strongholds, that had been the family of the past. And he was sure that mother had more than redecorated things to erase every memory of that man that she could once she'd processed everything and started to heal.
He needed to do some healing of his own.
Facing your own mortality and then being dragged back into existence by the hands of higher powers.....was more than enough reason to desire a sabbatical. In his own opinion.
He's shaken from his thoughts when the humming starts, A soft smile forming on his lips once he'd picked up on the melody in particular. Slightly swaying in his seated position along until the death of many was brought back up.
"Oh ho, Immunity hm?" he chuckles under his breath, tapping the peeler on the side to shake loose the damp skin that clung to it. "Well, I'm glad that I can feel at peace, with the knowledge that my head wouldn't be on the chopping block. Though I fear I might enjoy receiving a gentle maiming."
"I suppose it would depend entirely on what that would entail if I think on it~"
Pinned ears reflexively perked in surprise from the expressed excitement of the other, complete with a twinkling display of the backdrop stars in his irises that weren't easy to light up under most circumstances.
It was hard to stay puffy in the face of such genuine thrill at the notion, and it had mostly deflated by the time he'd realized and taken her face in his hands, purrs starting up despite herself, from the soothing strokes over her cheekbones.
"Well, I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't want to, but.."
Ears drooped this time rather than pin in vexation, pink eyelights downcast toward the glittery water, a juxtaposition to the lack of sparkle in her own gaze, still holding onto him with one linked arm, while her other hand trailed little fingers dejectedly along the bubbly surface.
"I'm.. too small, aren't I? Wouldn't our height difference.. be too much for something like that..?"
Her long tail wrapped around her waist self-soothingly under the water, with a heavy sigh.
"I'm also less than a novice and you're so adept in comparison.. it was a silly thought, any way you look at it. A fleeting whimsy. You don't have to entertain it, Luci."
He waited, listened to her explanations and kept his hands on her cheeks, continuing his soothing pets with his thumbs. Though her explanation admittedly, caused a pang in his soul.
His eyebrows knitted together, the twinkles of excitement still present in his eyes, he moved his hands from her cheeks and instead wrapped his arms more securely around her middle in a similar fashion to her tail. pressing his forehead lovingly against hers.
"You're not too small Nessi, It would just take some adjusting regarding hold. So instead of the typical hold, like this." He takes her hand that swirled in the waters surface, adjusting his hold to 'proper form', since she was currently in his lap, this kind of hold was easy and comfortable. It would not be the case, were they standing.
"However, since you come up to roughly under my chest. Instead of having one arm around my neck..." Similarly to how he had before, letting go of her other hand for a moment for easier movements, he took her hand that clasped the back of his neck. Gliding it down to instead rest over his tricep. "That way you're not stretching and I'm not slouched." He explains. "As for the 'skill level' situation, dancing is supposed to be about having fun, connecting with your partner. and Especially so in this case."
"There's no reason that we can't take things slow, readjust, etc. And with your idea in mind, a wedding style waltz would suit just fine." He adjusts his own positioning to rest his hand properly along her the middle of her back.
As far as dips were concerned, all he'd have to do is adjust his stance to be a bit wider. Nothing too extra.
"So it's not a silly thought or fleeting whimsy. You, my dear, are capable of anything. I will be damned, before I allow your whimsical ways to diminish. It's one of your many charming traits." and one of the more specific things that had drawn him in to begin with.
"Another option....if you'd rather avoid the risk of stepping on my feet all together, though truly, I don't mind...I could always just dance....out of shell. The tiles would need to be adjusted to react differently to magic signature instead of pressure, but I don't imagine that would be too difficult." He's well aware that he's rambling a bit with these tiles, but the option he'd presented was just....a titch more flustering than he'd anticipated.
He didn't leave his shell often. Let alone to do specific activities, usually it was just.....to redo his layers, and frankly....it'd gotten to the point to where he'd gotten the hang of doing them from inside his body. It was a similar fashion as to what others called 'meditating'. It was just laying down and not using his energy so that he could build up the protective layering.
It wasn't that he was uncomfortable with himself in that form...it was just rather inconvenient when it came to most things. And it was not as sexually appealing to most to be a formless blob.
