the years start coming [semi-closed]

[daikonrose]

♥ Who: Shinji, Kaito, and Kyoko and any friends wandering by
♥ Where: their house
♥ When: Dianir 6th
♥ What: birf
♥ Rating: PG in case Kai takes off his shirt or something??? I think this one's gonna be pretty wholesome


The day had started pretty normally and innocently; just the usual breakfast antics, tousled hair and easy bickering over dishes. But if Shinji had entertained any suspicions--or hopes--that his birthday was going to go forgotten this year, they would probably be gone soon afterwards when he was banished from the kitchen. Sorry, but he absolutely was not allowed to help make his cake! The bento preparation was off-limits too!

He wouldn't be left too lonely--if Shinji didn't stray too far, Kaito could surely be expected to pop out for doting now and then, and at one point Kyoko emerged to cheerfully thrust a not-quite-empty bowl of pastry cream at him, please lick that clean sir--but Shinji was going to have to be patient for a few hours before it was time to meet his doom. Sorry pal.

Comments

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Ah, so his demise is immanent today, is it? At least there isn't much of an effort toward secrecy this time around, he can live with that, but at the same time it sure does make him feel like wandering too far from the house would put a strain on Kyoko and Kai's plans. As much as he didn't really want them to be making those plans in the first place, he's not going to make them any trickier than they need to be. Begrudgingly(?), he will behave.

What's a birthday boy to do while he awaits the murder waiting for him just beyond the kitchen walls? Make sure Bug and Pen Pen are tended to. Maybe give the two hard workers some music to listen to while they keep themselves busy! After that...? Just kind of hang around on the couch while he waits on them? Oh, get fed some scraps of their efforts! Neat.

"Just... let me know when you need me, okay?" He'll be here! For whenever his presence is required!

[whenyouneedme]

Well if you were going to insist, Shinji.

Here came Kai poking into the room as he wiped his hands on a towel. "Actually," he said, "could you c'mere a sec?" There was something he could use your assistance with, young man.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

He is going to insist!! Which means that Kai calling for him is a very welcome surprise!

"Of course." Just let him hop off the couch and make his way on over, easy as that. "What can I do?"

[whenyouneedme]

Easey peasey. Thank you for your willing attitude. Kai grinned brightly. "Just stay right there."

Because here Kai came, planting a happy smooch right there on his lips.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

What the heck! Not that he doesn't appreciate a smooch from his boyfriend, but isn't Kyoko still kind of close for that? She could peek out of the kitchen and see what's going on! That's illegal!

"Hey," he protests gently, offering a small puff of protest after that smooch is delivered. "You know that's not what I meant."

[whenyouneedme]

It's your birthday, Shinji. Kyoko probably would be more upset if Kai wasn't bestowing a smooch upon him right now, complicated matters of the heart aside.

"Yeah, I know," Kai said. "I gotta step out for a delivery though," he went on as his smile mellowed a bit, "so you needed an extra one. I'll be back soon tho, and Kyoko won't be too long."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Don't! Illegal!

But, oh, if there are going to be crimes committed, that's a good reason to do so. There's a brief, very brief moment where he's a bit surprised that Kai is actually going off for a delivery run, but that's not something Shinji would necessarily want him to avoid doing in the first place just because it's a birthday, so he's not about to complain or even really let that surprise show on his face.

"Of course." They'll be fine while he's gone! "Drive safe, okay?" Don't do something silly like rush on his account.

[whenyouneedme]

It should have been a good thing that this was going smoothly. That was good for the plan! But Kai had to admit he was a little disappointed that Shinji wasn't asking him to stay. It should have been weird that he was going off to work! They'd have to work on that as part of Operation: Normalize Affection for Shinji.

For now, another quick smooch to his cheek. "I will. Be back soon, ok?" Then, towards the kitchen: "See you soon, Kyoko!"

Off he went! Leaving one boy and one girl here and there.

[daikonrose]

There was a call of "Drive carefully!" from the kitchen, though Kyoko was pretty sure it wasn't necessary at least in this very specific scenario. Kaito might be willing to be reckless with himself sometimes, but she doubted he would be with today's cargo. Hopefully he would mind their reminder for the trip over too, though.

After a few moments, she popped her head out to grin sheepishly at Shinji. Please don't mind that little red splotch of jam on her forehead. "Sorry--I should have planned something for you to do instead of just making you wait all day." Letting him just be bored kinda sucked!

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"It's not your job to keep me entertained, Kyoko." He's been keeping plenty busy (??) by himself, thank you! He's about to say as much when he turns to face her, but something else catches his attention instead.

"Ah, you've got something..." he gestures to his own forehead, mirroring the spot on her own where that smudge is.

[daikonrose]

It was absolutely her job to keep him entertained, what was he saying. She pouted a little, and was about to double down when her face came under scrutiny. Oh, oh dear.

"Huh?" Blinking, she rubbed the back of her hand over her forehead, vaguely in the place he had indicated. But when she lowered her hand again, the jam remained. How could this be. "Is it gone?"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Jam treachery.

"No, it's..." hold on, wouldn't it be easier if he just...? His hand hangs in the air for just a moment as he considers if this would be a smart idea or not, before he makes up his mind and makes a move in closer. Closer, close enough to put his hand to her forehead and swipe up that bit of sweetness. "There."

[daikonrose]

There was more startled eyelash fluttering as he reached over, but Kyoko didn't move, even if she had to blush a little bit--he was cleaning up her face like she was a kid, gosh! "Ah... thanks," she managed sheepishly when he was done, before quickly shifting into a fresh pout. "Jeez, Kaito didn't say anything at all! How unreliable!"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"Seems like the kind of thing he would have taken care of himself," he comments lightheartedly. Sorry for stealing that treat if you were saving it for later, Kai. "Am I allowed to ask what you're making?"

And also don't mind him as he casually licks that bit of jam off his thumb.

[daikonrose]

Girlfriend forehead: ideal storage spot for snacks.

"He probably didn't even notice," she huffed a little, but then settled down. "Since appearances are so low on his list."

But wow Shinji how cavalier, eating something that was just on her skin moments ago. Enjoy that strawberry jam while Kyoko blushes just a bit; she tried to shake it off though, grinning bashfully as she answered that question. "Oh, it's nothing outlandish this year. The cake is done already--actually, most of it is done. I just have to pack everything into the bento boxes and wash the dishes now. I'll probably be done by the time Kaito gets back."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

It really is more the kind of gesture one would have expected from Kaito, right? Ah, perhaps he's just really rubbing off on to Shinji. Don't make a big deal out of it, and he probably won't even realize it was a potentially embarrassing move on his part right away.

'Nothing outlandish' is a nice relief, actually! Not like they'd really gone to any particularly extravagant lengths for him last year, but it's nice that there isn't that kind of pressure on either them or him regardless. He won't ask to help with packing, surely they don't want him getting too good a peek at anything in order to preserve some modicum of surprise, but, "I don't suppose you'd let me help with the dishes, would you?"

Please? Give him something to do? To help??

[daikonrose]

For a moment, it was quiet. Propping her hands on her hips, Kyoko shook her head and let out a sigh. "Shinji..." Come on now. You must know the answer to this one.

"If I allowed that, I wouldn't be getting proper revenge on you for my birthday."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Yeah, yeah, that's about what he expected. Can't be too disappointed about this outcome, can he?

"Figured it was worth a shot anyway," he says, wanting to defend himself at least that much even as he concedes. "Do you at least want some company, or should I let you be while you wrap everything up?"

[daikonrose]

Why was he making it so hard to keep him out of the kitchen! If she was firm and kept her resolve, it would just feel mean! No!!

Kyoko chewed her lip for a moment. "If you come in here, you have to be good," she warned cautiously.

[hedgehogsdilemma]

"I'll stay back by the doorway," he promises, "and I won't try and look at what you're doing or try and help."

As much as they absolutely don't have to do this for him, Shinji can respect the work being put forward for his sake. He can be on his best behavior! And it's easier to chat this way instead of hollering from one room to another!

"I'll be good." His word should be trustworthy, he thinks.

[daikonrose]

"... Well you can at least come sit down," Kyoko sighed as she turned to head back to the counter where everything was waiting to become bento. It was so hard to be strict with Shinji, jeez! She didn't know how to scold him the way she did with Kaito, when he was so mild and acquiescing all the time.

"But you definitely have to stick to the rest of that!"

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Sorry for not being difficult, he's just like this.

"Of course," he says, a small smile tugging on his lips, as he moves in to take a seat while he waits. No getting too close to the work! No getting sneaky peeks at today's menu! He will be a Good Boy.

"Really, I'm just glad you're sticking around today. You've been pretty busy lately, haven't you?"

[daikonrose]

More and more, it's been becoming clear that the majority of Kyoko's close relationships over the course of her life have been with people who tended to be uncooperative in one way or another. It's been a couple years but this is still kind of a new dynamic for her. What do with a Shinji.

Not that it was hard to talk to him or anything. Kyoko easily slipped into light chatter as she bustled around, delicately plopping things into boxes. "Ah--" There was a bashful little giggle. "I guess I did manage to get a lot of work last month. Sorry for saddling you with so much housework, since I couldn't help out as much."

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Make him a birthday bento, clearly. That's what do.

"I don't mind that," housework is something he's good for, after all. Besides, it's not like he has to take on as much as he did before coming to Havenwell - the bar is very low here, ridiculously easy to clear. More than that, "I'm glad that you've been getting to do more here. Staying busy with something you want to do seems more your speed."

[daikonrose]

"That's everybody's speed," she countered easily. "... But I'm glad too. Even if it's not quite the same as home, it's a good feeling."