kivatteru | ic inbox (aefenglom)

[Busying himself as always, Everett has set out tea for them in front of the hearth. He looks up and gives a cutesy, flirtatious whistle to see the young man in his clothing.]

Dashingly roguish! I wish I had something more your size at hand, but that is a handsome enough outfit. [he'll take the wet clothing and shake each piece out by the coat rack, hanging the clothes up to dry]

Sit, sit, the tea is fresh. Something herbal, since it's rather late. [Daisy is sitting nearby, tail thumping back and forth against the wood flooring, awaiting Wataru to sit so she could rush in for cuddles]

[ His cheeks redden a bit from the praise. It wasn't his intention to look dashing or anything like that; those clothes are only meant to be a momentary comfort. However, something in him appreciates Everett's crystal clear boldness, which is why he's only just a tad flustered when he sits down, finally available for Daisy as he quickly welcomes her with some very affectionate pets over her soft fur. ]

I'm sorry I didn't bring your sister along, but it's dangerous outside. I promise next time you'll get to play together again.

[ The smell of tea wafts around Wataru, further relaxing him. After he got his fill playing a bit with the petalwolf, he helps himself with the cup of tea in his hands. ]

Hopefully the storm calms down before long, or... [ He pauses, awkward. ] I suppose it would be okay if I spent the night here?

[Everett's expression maintains composure, but there's a slight tell, a bob of his throat. Hmm.]

You are always welcome, dear Wataru. [he means that most sincerely, even if this night feels tense. For him, at least. He'll sit beside his young companion and take his own cup of tea, unable to resist being close.]

May I ask- what led you be caught out in the storm? Did you stay late at the shop-?

[ It flusters him a bit more how on spot Everett is about his guessing. ]

I did. [ He stares down at the tea briefly before bringing it to his lips, its rich taste spreading to his palate on top of giving him the amount of warmth he needed. A sigh comes out as he probably needs to elaborate on his response, and he puts the cup back to his lap. ] There were some chores I had left to do before closing, and time flew before I knew it. I thought I would make it home safely, but the weather worsened soon after I left the shop...

[Everett sips his tea and leans back to relax, attention on Wataru. Low key buzzing with tension he may be, his poker face is ever present. He's perfectly blase, with his usual confidence nodding along]

I admire your dedication, but please don't feel so obligated. The shop will be there in the morning. Chores can always be done in good time. [he will swirl his cup gently, mixing some honey in better, the blend a bit too bitter]

Though, perhaps this once, I think it good fortune. I was just... [don't say yearning, Everett, for your own sake] Well. I was just thinking company would be nice. Your presence is will appreciated.

I'm sorry. Even so, I wouldn't like to leave things undone before going home.

[ It's full moon, and yet the air in here is so cozy, protective even. He might ask to stay here sometime, even without a major opportunity something like a storm would give.

He takes another sip, meekly. ]

At least my mistake opened the possibility for some good companionship. I'm... glad you want me here.

[ It's still a new concept to him - feeling wanted and needed, whether as a hero, or a king, or just a friend. ]

Your well being is worth more than any shop, take that to heart. [He feels like that's obvious, but perhaps it should be stated aloud. It's apparent to him, as someone who doesn't care all that much about being a businessman, yet others might mistake his priorities. Best to tamp down on that...]

And you are always welcome! Always. I do hope you still see me as your friend first, rather than a boss.

[ Somehow, peace always settles in his heart whenever Everett speaks like this, dispelling his worries. He pauses a moment, sipping, then nods. ]

Okay, I'll take it a bit easier from now on.

[ He wouldn't really be inclined to get buried in snow or drowning in a flood, so... ]

You're my friend. Maybe it's a little hard to separate work from private life... I'm not much used to have a job like this one.

In that we are the same! While I still count myself a Diplomat first and foremost, I am doing my best to run this business. Never a thing I endeavored towards, in the past. [good employees and delegation of responsibility help a ton! Everett's grateful it's all working out so far. Even if some of this silly, young men stay too late and get stuck out in bad weather!]

What was your work before this, my dear? You're so skilled at the violin, I must assume you played professionally.

[ It's not a loaded question, the one Everett is asking of him. Not anymore than it was before. He calmly sips more of the tea, sighs, and scratches Daisy's head. ]

I didn't have an official job, per se, but I used to own an atelier and spacialized myself solely on building violins. Nothing professional, I'm afraid.

Building violins, what a craft! No wonder you handle the instrument so well.

[most musicians know how to tune an instrument at most, not the means to build one for themself]

Color me utterly impressed, my dear.

[ More compliments... Wataru feels himself sink in the couch from how it makes him flush, hiding half of his face behind the teacup. ]

It's not much... at first, I didn't do it because of passion-

[ He stops himself. Shedding his past and explaining what made him so obsessed with music at first would be complicated and probably sour the mood. He chooses a more positive follow-up. ]

But that grew on me eventually, and it became something I enjoy doing now. Both crafting and playing violins.

[What likely isn't helping Wataru's blush is how much closer Everett has shifted towards him. The faun didn't even notice he'd done as much. The desire to be close to his company, his comfort with Wataru, some moon driven instincts... he's basically right up next to Wataru, one arm over the back of his sofa so he could be turn towards the younger man attentively.]

I'm fortunate to have you working for me, then. If you ever wanted to make and sell violins in the shop, you'd be welcome to. I'd be so curious to see the process!

[ Somehow, he grows aware that Everett is physically getting closer to him, and yet, it's maintaining the red over his cheeks quite awfully. He doesn't stop it, either, because the faun's charm also struck him for a good while since their first meeting and it's leaving him... confused as to how to interpret these feelings.

Wataru doesn't mind this. He pauses short of replying, then speaks quietly. ]

I've set a small studio in my house, and I started just recently working on my crafts, not only violins but also objects I could shape up with my magic. I would be... really glad if I could carry on with them in your shop.

[ Since he started working at DiplomaTea, the time he dedicated on his hobby has been dramatically reduced. ]

Of course, of course. And! Speaking of your crafts, [he'll tilt his head a bit, on his horns are the decorations Wataru gifted him, beautifully adoring the appendages popping out from his auburn hair.]

I meant to properly thank you for these. So thank you, most kindly, Wataru. They're positively lovely, I will wear them with great pride from here on!

[ Seeing his handmade decorations on Everett's horns makes his proud, but he didn't say a word on it, fearing he would seem a bit too forward. However, now that the faun mentioned them, Wataru is now aware of the small flowery jewels hanging off there, and finds himself staring up at them.

When he looks back at Everett, their eyes lock. His tea is almost finished, but the cup feels a bit chiller than before. ]

I'm glad you like them, though I was worried they would appear too flashy for people...

[Everett chuckles at the comment, giving a flourishing pose that shows off his fine features]

You know me well, then! Ever a man who enjoys flash and beauty, I am.

Well, it's nice to know that I don't forget those details about my friends.

[ A smile, and he dawns the remainder of his tea. It got a bit colder, but it doesn't bother him. ]

I made similar presents for the others, but the idea of making horn decorations was something I solely came up with for you.

Very thoughtful and most flattering, Wataru. I'm afraid I didn't get anything for you in return...

[ah, here it is, the impulse of romance strikes. Everett's always been good at picking such a moment out and going for it.

He moves the hand slung over the back edge of the couch and places a couple of curved fingers beneath Wataru's chin, lifting it just slightly. Nothing abrupt or aggressive in Everett's demeanor, he's got a knack for being smooth]

I suppose I could offer you another kiss?

[ ...

His eyes widen up like saucers.

Sure, the kiss Everett gave him during the mistletoe fiasco was really chaste, but the way his friend is leaning in on him, touching his chin, lifting his face, and looking at him in such a way, tells him another story about what kind of kiss it would be this time. And Wataru is caught off guard, empty teacup still in his hands.

The full moon must have something to do with Everett's behavior. At the same time... Wataru doesn't find himself very unwilling to get kissed. The faun's expression radiates something that keeps the witch nailed in place. Physical attraction, most likely, and with a man, which he didn't know would ever happen in his life. His only relationship was with a girl after all.

He nods a little. ]

Sure...

[His thumb rubs across the line of Wataru's jaw, silken gloves perhaps tickling skin. There's no rush to Everett's demeanor, casual as ever, even the might be a sparkle of thrill behind his glasses.]

Perfectly sure? Hesitantly sure? [Everett teases gently, not wanting to do something on impulse, however caught in the moon's tide he might be, that would not be appreciated.]

... or not-at-all sure, but just go for it?

[ Wataru's fingers tighten a little around the teacup. ]

... I don't know.

[ He gulps. There's plenty room to refuse if he wanted to, but the problem here is that the longer he looks back at Everett, the less he finds himself willing to pull back. ]

It's the latter, I think.

[Everett smiles with fondness and care, knowing that last feeling well. He wasn't the type who let that stop him, too curious to discover his own pleasures and even limits. If this is a limit, something Wataru ends up not wanting, that will be it.

So, he'll nod at the response and tilt the man's chin just the slightly bit more, pressing lips to lips. A soft, seeking kiss from the older man, no hesitation on his end, giving Wataru time to relax into the feeling if it turned out he liked it. Or room to pull away, if it wasn't what he hoped.

Everett finds it to be very nice.]

[ He wishes he wasn't holding something at all, even more aware than ever of the porcelain texture sitting in his hands. But the smooth one of lips placed on his own takes over the other sensation that much easily. His eyelids dropped shut the moment Everett leaned in, empowering those feelings tenfold as his nervous heartrate speeds up.

It wasn't the first time Wataru kissed someone, but the memory of Mio doesn't even brush his mind at the moment, only the lingering feel of "already done this" swimming by and then leaving Wataru just so quickly. He can only lean in a bit, letting Everett lead the action while he remembers how to breath through his nose as seconds tick by.

Wataru finds it to be nice, too, and he's not pulling away. ]

[The kiss being reciprocated, pushed into even, puts Everett's mind at ease. Wataru seemed so hesitant and Everett didn't want to act the fool simply because he was eager for such intimacy. The moon didn't cloud his judgement so much as motivate it in a very clear direction. A direction he needs Wataru to be okay with following, if they continue.

Everett holds the kiss a while longer than he might usually, for a first kiss with someone. It feels too nice, hits the spot like a long drink of water after time in the sun. Every urge tells him to deepen it, but he breaks instead, an all too hit breath bouncing off Wataru's now wet lips. Everett stays close, if trying to conceal some passion. Kissing the young man again feels like it might catch him suddenly ablaze.]

Haa... More or less sure, now? My dear?

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