[ It isn't hard for Ash, who can access the relic network mentally, to piece together where his Secret Snowflake giftee lives. So, the night before Christmas, there's a ring at the doorbell of Natsume's burrow home.
When he opens the door, he'll see a neatly wrapped present, with no sign of who's left it, apart from a small insect flying away.
(Have a concerned boyfriend! He is shopping around for some necessities. He has never taken care of someone who was sick before but he has done Research.)
[Natsume looks -- slightly better? He's sitting up in bed, and he's a little less flushed, at least. But there are shadows under his eyes, and his smile is a bit tight.]
Hi, Choso. I'm feeling all right, thank you. Are you okay?
[Natsume is shaking his head almost immediately, reaching out to absently smooth the blankets around his knees.] I don't need anything, thank you.
[Except -- he doesn't want to be alone. Not when he sleeps. When he's this tired and he sleeps, it's never restful, and the thought of waking up alone from a nightmare seems insurmountable. So instead he lies:] I'm not very sleepy right now, that's all. Maybe at nighttime.
(Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Yeah Choso isn't buying that. He knew Natsume enough by now to realize his boyfriend wasn't the type to ask for what he needed or wanted. Natsume was always so busy making sure they were okay...)
I'm coming over. (In a soft voice.) It would make me feel better to know you're near when you're not feeling well.
(Which is true enough, but at least then he could also keep an eye on Natsume and figure out what he needs.)
[Natsume opens his mouth, ready to protest, to say that Choso surely has better, more important things to do. But he's trembling all over, and the sudden longing to be wrapped up in his boyfriend's arms is overpowering.
So instead, eyes bright and pleading:] That would -- be very nice. Yes, please. I want that too.
(The look on Natsume's face is enough to nearly knock Choso down. He has to resist the urge to come slamming down the door. It inspires the same instinct to keep Natsume safe, only without any obvious enemy he could take down. Except instead of violence, he comes with love.
He doesn't bother to knock. Just lets himself in as always. He is wearing a cable-knit sweater and sweatpants - both chosen by Natsume or Junpei respectively. Maybe even Yuuji.)
[Maybe it's the fever messing with him, but despite knowing damn well that he shouldn't be getting out of bed, Natsume is scrambling out from under the covers as soon as he hears Choso's voice.]
Ah, here! [His knees are weak and his head is spinning a bit, but sheer happiness propels Natsume out of the bedroom to stand swaying in the hall. His legs are wobbly as a baby deer's, but there's a big smitten smile on his face.]
I'm coming. (He doesn't make Natsume walk far. The moment he sees Natsume, his heart melts. The sight of his boyfriend wobbly and sick is cuter than it probably should be.)
Thank you. (The moment he's in front of Natsume, he is wrapping his arms tightly around him and lifting him right off the floor into a bridal hold. He effortlessly lifts him up a bit higher and kisses him on the mouth, sickness be damned.)
Do you need anything before we lay down? Water? Food?
[Choso scoops Natsume up just as he's starting to crumple a bit, so he happily sinks into the embrace, giggling a little at the kiss. It's a soft, smitten sound, hoarse like he still hasn't laughed often. Natsume sometimes thinks he could spend forever having one of his boyfriends make up for the lonely, sad years. He doesn't think he'll ever not want them to hold him, touch him, kiss him.
The fever has Natsume's emotions closer to the surface, and there are tears stinging his eyes as he shakes his head, reaching up to stroke Choso's hair from his face. The touch is gentle, protective. Like even though he's so much smaller, he'd still fight tooth and nail to protect the other.]
(He would be the happiest cursed spirit if all he did for the rest of his life was to pick his boyfriends up. He loved the feeling of them in his arms, the faces they made. The noises they made. That sweet little sound was going to have Choso floating for weeks alone.
When he sees Natsume's tears, he has to force himself not to panic. He knew sick humans could get emotional and he instead decides to let himself feel enamored by the sight. He stares at Natsume as though he has lit the sky up after he touches his face.)
I can do that. (He carries his boyfriend promptly back to bed and lowers him in, crawling in after him. He's graceful enough that he doesn't need to let go of Natsume the entire time. He tucks down against the mattress and wraps his arms fully around Natsume, now as more of a hug than a hold.)
You're a silly thing sometimes. You know you can always ask for me when you need or want me, don't you? I'll always come.
[As soon as they're lying down, Natsume's tense body relaxes into shivery, feverish bonelessness. He sighs, nuzzling his face against Choso's chest and nodding.]
I know. I just...I want you to do things you want to do too. I want us to be...equals? [He shrugs, head pounding too hard to articulate further.] But I always want you, too.
He slides his fingers through Natsume's hair slowly, twirling it between his fingers. He loved to play with Natsume and Junpei's hair. It was a simple gesture, but he found it immensely soothing.)
I understand. (Better than he used to. He kisses Natsume's forehead firmly.)
I do want to take care of you. Always. But especially like this. It brings me pleasure to be able to help you or Junpei. I like being wanted by you.
[The fingers in his hair, as always, feel fantasticI. Maybe it's the effect of being a cat Familiar, but Natsume's already-present fondness for having his hair touched had skyrocketed since being in Folkmore. The soft, involuntary purring starts up low in his chest, albeit a bit rusty and hoarse.]
You're getting better at taking care of yourself, too. [There's immense pride in Natsume's voice, accompanied by his tail twining around Choso's wrist, fluffy and warm.] That makes it even easier to let you take care of us, because we aren't worried you're neglecting yourself.
[Both Natsume ears prick up at this last comment, and he leans back so he can look up at Choso.] A tattoo? What of? [He's trying so hard to sound casual, but there's a particular gleam in his eyes that Choso probably knows damn well.
(Natsume's purring was one of his favorite sounds in the world. It usually meant that all was well and that Natsume felt safe and happy. It only inspires him to scratch gently at Natsume's head.)
You're right. (The pride only serves to make Choso feel better, and it's an added bonus to have that tail wind around his wrist. Why did he have the world's cutest boyfriends and how did he come to deserve them?)
I don't like either of you worried.
(Oh...That reaction...
His smile becomes more of a smirk.) Hmm...I'm not sure. Flowers, perhaps. Where do you think they would look best?
[The purring's a bit raspy, probably from illness -- or something else, something making Natsume's heart quicken a little. It's almost definitely a bad idea to get frisky when he has a fever, but with boyfriends like he has, how can he be expected to resist?
So he cuddles a little closer, hands sliding up under Choso's shirt, fever-warm and tipped with sharp little nails. He blinks upwards, thoughtfully, ears twitching.] Mmmm, it depends. Do you want everyone to see them? The flowers?
[ Natsume will find on his usual work table a lovingly prepared plate of meatballs shaped by hand into little hearts.
Beside it is a card cut out of pink paper with little red painted hearts covering the surface. Inside it says: Thank you. What I feel can’t be restricted to one day. I need a lifetime and more to properly relay the gratefulness I feel for your love, for your comfort, for every day I get to be beside you. I love you, Natsume. - Junpei
[Did Natsume immediately consume all the meatballs with pleased little kitty "nyamnyam" sounds? Yes. Of course.
Junpei gets a nice fresh salad (thank you magic spoons) with the tomatoes and carrots cut like little hearts. Well, the carrots -- the tomatoes are a little mushed.
And a note, in Natsume's neat handwriting: I love you. I'm not good with words, but I'm happy every day I'm in this world with you. No matter how hard. You're worth everything.
text
Date: 2022-12-16 12:31 am (UTC)December 24th, delivery!
Date: 2022-12-17 08:10 pm (UTC)When he opens the door, he'll see a neatly wrapped present, with no sign of who's left it, apart from a small insect flying away.
Inside the gift is a grow-your-own catnip plant kit, and a handwritten note in very precise lettering. ]
I saw online that you've got cat features, so I'm hoping you'll get some use out of this.
Happy Christmas, from your Secret Snowflake
brrr sometime around Natsume being sick - video
Date: 2023-01-22 05:15 am (UTC)(Have a concerned boyfriend! He is shopping around for some necessities. He has never taken care of someone who was sick before but he has done Research.)
How are you feeling?
video;
Date: 2023-01-22 06:39 am (UTC)Hi, Choso. I'm feeling all right, thank you. Are you okay?
video
Date: 2023-01-24 07:51 am (UTC)What can I get you? (Wait, he was asked a question.) I'm fine. You're the sick one. You look like you haven't been sleeping.
no subject
Date: 2023-01-25 03:15 am (UTC)[Except -- he doesn't want to be alone. Not when he sleeps. When he's this tired and he sleeps, it's never restful, and the thought of waking up alone from a nightmare seems insurmountable. So instead he lies:] I'm not very sleepy right now, that's all. Maybe at nighttime.
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Date: 2023-01-27 11:39 pm (UTC)I'm coming over. (In a soft voice.) It would make me feel better to know you're near when you're not feeling well.
(Which is true enough, but at least then he could also keep an eye on Natsume and figure out what he needs.)
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Date: 2023-01-28 03:17 am (UTC)So instead, eyes bright and pleading:] That would -- be very nice. Yes, please. I want that too.
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Date: 2023-01-28 03:29 am (UTC)He doesn't bother to knock. Just lets himself in as always. He is wearing a cable-knit sweater and sweatpants - both chosen by Natsume or Junpei respectively. Maybe even Yuuji.)
Where are you, my little kitten?
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Date: 2023-01-28 03:41 am (UTC)Ah, here! [His knees are weak and his head is spinning a bit, but sheer happiness propels Natsume out of the bedroom to stand swaying in the hall. His legs are wobbly as a baby deer's, but there's a big smitten smile on his face.]
Welcome home.
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Date: 2023-01-28 03:48 am (UTC)Thank you. (The moment he's in front of Natsume, he is wrapping his arms tightly around him and lifting him right off the floor into a bridal hold. He effortlessly lifts him up a bit higher and kisses him on the mouth, sickness be damned.)
Do you need anything before we lay down? Water? Food?
no subject
Date: 2023-01-28 04:01 am (UTC)The fever has Natsume's emotions closer to the surface, and there are tears stinging his eyes as he shakes his head, reaching up to stroke Choso's hair from his face. The touch is gentle, protective. Like even though he's so much smaller, he'd still fight tooth and nail to protect the other.]
No. Just you.
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Date: 2023-01-28 11:30 pm (UTC)When he sees Natsume's tears, he has to force himself not to panic. He knew sick humans could get emotional and he instead decides to let himself feel enamored by the sight. He stares at Natsume as though he has lit the sky up after he touches his face.)
I can do that. (He carries his boyfriend promptly back to bed and lowers him in, crawling in after him. He's graceful enough that he doesn't need to let go of Natsume the entire time. He tucks down against the mattress and wraps his arms fully around Natsume, now as more of a hug than a hold.)
You're a silly thing sometimes. You know you can always ask for me when you need or want me, don't you? I'll always come.
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Date: 2023-01-29 04:16 am (UTC)I know. I just...I want you to do things you want to do too. I want us to be...equals? [He shrugs, head pounding too hard to articulate further.] But I always want you, too.
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Date: 2023-02-04 12:22 pm (UTC)He slides his fingers through Natsume's hair slowly, twirling it between his fingers. He loved to play with Natsume and Junpei's hair. It was a simple gesture, but he found it immensely soothing.)
I understand. (Better than he used to. He kisses Natsume's forehead firmly.)
I do want to take care of you. Always. But especially like this. It brings me pleasure to be able to help you or Junpei. I like being wanted by you.
(...Perhaps though...)
I have considered getting a tattoo. For myself.
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Date: 2023-02-04 01:45 pm (UTC)You're getting better at taking care of yourself, too. [There's immense pride in Natsume's voice, accompanied by his tail twining around Choso's wrist, fluffy and warm.] That makes it even easier to let you take care of us, because we aren't worried you're neglecting yourself.
[Both Natsume ears prick up at this last comment, and he leans back so he can look up at Choso.] A tattoo? What of? [He's trying so hard to sound casual, but there's a particular gleam in his eyes that Choso probably knows damn well.
Natsume is...very fond of tattoos.]
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Date: 2023-02-07 04:58 pm (UTC)You're right. (The pride only serves to make Choso feel better, and it's an added bonus to have that tail wind around his wrist. Why did he have the world's cutest boyfriends and how did he come to deserve them?)
I don't like either of you worried.
(Oh...That reaction...
His smile becomes more of a smirk.) Hmm...I'm not sure. Flowers, perhaps. Where do you think they would look best?
no subject
Date: 2023-02-08 02:48 am (UTC)So he cuddles a little closer, hands sliding up under Choso's shirt, fever-warm and tipped with sharp little nails. He blinks upwards, thoughtfully, ears twitching.] Mmmm, it depends. Do you want everyone to see them? The flowers?
Or just us?
The V
Date: 2023-02-14 03:19 pm (UTC)Beside it is a card cut out of pink paper with little red painted hearts covering the surface. Inside it says: Thank you. What I feel can’t be restricted to one day. I need a lifetime and more to properly relay the gratefulness I feel for your love, for your comfort, for every day I get to be beside you. I love you, Natsume. - Junpei
PS: The other half of your present comes later.]
so late wow forgib me
Date: 2023-02-18 03:36 am (UTC)Junpei gets a nice fresh salad (thank you magic spoons) with the tomatoes and carrots cut like little hearts. Well, the carrots -- the tomatoes are a little mushed.
And a note, in Natsume's neat handwriting: I love you. I'm not good with words, but I'm happy every day I'm in this world with you. No matter how hard. You're worth everything.
p.s. other half? :)