godshattering | abraxas inbox + horizon contact

That’s it, I’m replacing your present with skunk cabbage.

[ Deadpan, as he remains precisely where he was, watching Claude putter around the kitchen. Although there’s a fond smile lingering on his lips now, teased into visibility by that brief passing kiss and sticking around and making him look like a half-lovesick idiot as he watches the other man.

At least until he catches himself and rubs a hand down over his face, exasperated at himself all over again. ]

Is that a threat to make that one cabbage and egg dish with our leftover pheasant? You know, since now you've shown off your many cooking talents. We could add that one to the menu next.

[ He's well aware that isn't what Sylvain was going for when it comes to any threats, and while there's always the possibility the other man's suddenly learned to specialize in conjury magic to make it so that bag of tea really is something else beneath the familiar smell - Claude's willing to take his chances.

Wandering around the kitchen in search of mugs before changing his mind and going for the proper tea set instead since that feels more fitting to go with the meal made for him means he misses the expression on Sylvain's face. When he finally turns around to set the saucers onto the countertop first and glances back out again to where the other man's seated while reaching for the cups next, all he catches is the hand running over his face. ]

Whatever that motion is that you're doing - it better not be out of guilt that there's actually cabbage in there as a 'tea' ingredient.

[ He gives a thoughtful hum, trying to remember what all went into the dish Claude had mentioned, his gaze going distant with focus for a moment. ]

Hmm. We probably could. Although do they even have cabbage in Cadens? I haven't actually had to go looking for that before. Shockingly, it doesn't go in any of the tea blends I've made yet.

[ Said jokingly, even if he immediately adopts an innocent expression when Claude catches him rubbing at his face. Strictly for the purpose of thinking he might be hiding something elsewhere other than the stupid look he was sure was just on his face when Claude's back was turned. ]

'Yet' could still be the keyword there, though. How adventurous are you feeling about your tea these days?

Not that I've noticed. I'm guessing it might not take to the summer all that well without some intervention, though if it exists elsewhere in Abraxas it's something I'd like to try growing in the water-based setup Viktor's working on. Might be worth experimenting around with when the time comes.

[ Assuming they can even get seeds, a plant, anything else to make that happen - there's several steps in there Claude's skipping over, but it's certainly a thought. So is Sylvain playing along with the Cabbage Threat when it comes to the tea side, though he conveniently withholds a smile over it while turning to grab the teapot next. ]

I think you know well by now that I'm always adventurous. But, [ with one finger held up of his free hand as he sets the teapot down and eyes the kettle steaming away, ] don't take that as an invitation to put something else into the next tea blend you give me that wouldn't normally be there. I'll stick to herbs since they're more my speed. That reminds me that I did find some fruits in the market I hadn't seen before you might be interested in.

[ With that comes the slightest pang of an old pain considering once upon a time he would've bought those for Petra. But thinking of her absence threatens to let in the even greater ache that's Hilda's, and Claude brushes that away with a shrug. ]

I might be willing to try some teas from those, possibly. They have to be better than cabbage.

Hey now. You haven’t even tried the cabbage.

[ His tone is teasingly playful as he leans back in his chair and crosses his legs, letting his ankle rest atop his knee as he grins at Claude. ]

I’m sure there’s been teas made out of weirder things. You like one made out of a tree, after all.

Pine needles aren't even remotely in the same league as cabbage! For one, they smell nice which is basically infinite points in their favor as a tea ingredient or for anything else involving any kind of scents. Much as I mostly enjoy eating it, cabbage never smells like anything but cabbage. You don't have to guess when it's on the menu because you'll already know long before then.

[ They're teasing, but that won't stop Claude from pretending he's somewhat Serious about this even if the entire premise of cabbage being anywhere near trees is farfetched in any situation. This comes with a feigned look of sternness out from where he is in the kitchen leaning against the cabinet while waiting on the water despite Sylvain's completely relaxed countenance, as if there's really any risk of offense here rather than it being yet another way to pass the time with their usual ridiculousness. ]

I'll break out my best impression of Hanneman to lecture you about this if I have to. But don't worry, I'll convert you to appreciating it soon enough.

Please. I’m Faerghan. We know trees are good for building things and burning, not for drinking. That’s just weird. Even if a forest does smell good.

[ A ridiculous argument by all counts, but hardly the most ridiculous one he’s made in the midst of one of their mock “arguments”. They get pretty far-fetched at times. ]

Although I can’t really argue about the cabbage’s scent. [ He wrinkles his nose slightly. ] I’m not really a fan of it, except in a couple of dishes.

All I'm hearing is a whole lot of reasons you should absolutely be on the pine needles' side. How are you going to say you appreciate forests without even appreciating the tea made from them?

[ Or some such logic; Claude holds his hands out before him with palms turned towards the ceiling like he's convincing a much larger crowd than one amused Faerghan before him. Sylvain's rescued from wherever he was going to go with that pose - like perhaps working up to some speech for entertainment's sake - by the kettle whistling which he promptly retrieves. ]

Don't worry, you can make up for it in mere minutes now that the water's ready for something far better than cabbage. We'll leave that to be something that haunts us both until it appears in the markets soon enough, and then you can add it to your cooking rotation to see what happens.

I can appreciate a lot of things without the need to drink them, you know.

[ The retort is playful and flippant, laughter barely hidden in his tone as he gets up to retrieve the tea blend now that the water is ready.

Trying not to look nervous now that Claude actually is going to try the stuff, he carries it over to where the other man stands, holding it out to hgim with a cheeky grin and a wink. ]

I’ll make sure to surprise you with something creative when you least expect it.

Not without properly appreciating them.

[ Sylvain has a point, but that won't stop Claude from getting in a supposed last word in there even if he's now grinning to match that laughter he hears within the other's response. That's half the fun - or possibly more than half - in keeping this going.

Still, the smile on his face as he reaches to take the tea from Sylvain is a genuine one though whether it's from the conversation, the grin, the wink, or some combination of all of it will have to remain a mystery when he opens it to set some in to steep. ]

Well, now I'm just counting on that surprise. Especially since you won't let me surprise you by cooking anything for you, though I maintain you might like some of it.

Are you saying I don’t properly appreciate you?

[ He arches an eyebrow as he delivers that comeback, and then pauses as if to consider that in more detail. ]

No. Nevermind. That’s not an accurate comparison. I have definitely…

[ Yeah, he’s gonna lean in and steal a kiss from Claude’s lips instead of finishing that very leading sentence.

Pulling back, he’s still giving him an impish grin with eyes full of mischief, even as he relinquishes the tea. ]

I’m sure you cooking anything would be a surprise, including whether I’d like it or not. Or if it’s edible. Or won’t kill me within twenty-four hours. Or-

[ Claude, you might want to stop him before he really gets on a roll disparaging your kitchen skills. ]

[ It's a good thing Sylvain leans in then because he's already formulating a quick response to that, because of course he is, and of course it'll be to immediately challenge what's said like there's any truth to any lack of appreciation anywhere here. Instead he hums a soft noise into that kiss as if he's got a placeholder for whatever thought was about to be said instead of letting it go in favor of this, content to do just that.

Even as Sylvain pulls back and keeps going with a grin on his face Claude can admit (to himself) is more than a little dazzling for how it lights up his features, even if it's fueled by teasing. It doesn't make it less bright nor does it keep that feeling he's still so reluctant to define with a name despite knowing exactly what the shape of it is and what it means, but Claude buries it yet again tonight by reaching up to tug the other down for another kiss that's firmer this time. ]

Alright, I get the point. We can't all be incredible chefs like you, you know. [ Murmured with a grin against Sylvain's lips, though he follows that up with a nip to the other man's bottom lip. ] Though I do know how to make a few things before you slander me to no end. I'll show you in the Horizon if you're that afraid of being poisoned.

[ Sylvain just grins into that kiss. Shifting now that his hands are free, he props them on the counter to either side of Claude’s hips, penning him in as he kisses him again. Taking his time and not in any rush to move right now.

The nip to his lip gets a soft chuckle from him as his nose brushes against Claude’s before he kisses his way back the man’s jaw instead. ]

Hmm. I suppose that’s safe enough. Although if you poison me in the Horizon, am I still poisoned in real life? I guess not. Fine, you can host the next dining hall dinner then.

[ The hands coming to rest on either side of him are nice, but what's even far nicer still is that it brings Sylvain closer to keep him there. At first he lets his hands rest on the other man's waist with fingers absently trailing over the fabric beneath his fingers as he closes his eyes in quiet contentment to soak up the attention from familiar lips moving along his jaw.

With it comes the feeling that it's still not close enough yet, something which still comes with a faint tinge of surprise carried by all those years of keeping nearly everyone at arm's length until he no longer had. But in this moment it's only paired with the minor marvel of Sylvain becoming one of those people in (relatively) short time as he moves to loop his arms around the other man's shoulders as he opens his eyes, and that's also swept away when presented with something else to focus on. ]

Are you volunteering to be my first test subject to find out if that's true? That could easily be arranged. [ A hum goes with that like he's thinking about this anywhere past the surface level of another way to tease. ] Just think of it as another element of surprise to everything to make it all the more exciting.

[ Sylvain just groans and lets his head drop to rest against Claude’s shoulder. ]

You’re the worst at surprises.

[ Despite the complaint, his voice is still full of fondness. Although he’s not actually denying playing guinea pig either way.

Foolish as it might be, he actually does trust Claude. ]

[ A quiet chuckle leaves him at that, one which doesn't really feel loud enough to perfectly capture how entertaining that complaint is. It's probably better than laughing right in Sylvain's ear, at any rate, as he shifts to nudge the side of the other's face with his nose. ]

I think I'm rather good at them, really, especially since if I did have plans to poison you that counts as a surprise.

[ Technically counts as a surprise, which is close enough in Claude's mind. Especially as he moves ever so slightly again to place a hand on the back of Sylvain's neck while leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek, affection not yet spent enough for the moment. ]

I'll surrender my title of being good at surprises to you for now since I think you've more than earned it with all of this.

[ That has him pulling back far enough to see Claude’s face again, a hint of a sheepish smile lingering about the corner of his lips as amber eyes search the other man’s face. ]

You liked your birthday surprise, then?

[ It’s an unusual tone to his voice. Sylvain’s not normally one that lets any insecurities or vulnerabilities show so openly, but they lurk there, behind the hopeful tone in his voice as he searches Claude’s expression. ]

[ When Sylvain moves Claude doesn't keep him where he was in that flop of mock defeat, instead studying his face for a second as the other stands back up. Whatever flippant response was on the tip of his tongue fades away as he does so. Whether it's the expression or what was said with nothing else behind it - nothing to make it seem like it was quite like the playful fishing for compliments each of them do now and then to lighten a mood or make the other laugh.

This is something else, he thinks, and as if he simply can't decide where to place his hands for enough contact when now he moves it to cradle one side of Sylvain's face with a genuine smile as that feeling swoops in to tug at the edges of it again. ]

But there was more than just one surprise, wasn't there? Between everything you put into dinner, all the gifts... I'd hate for you to sell yourself short, Sylvain. I loved all of it.

[ Something in him relaxes again at that, and at the sight of that smile from Claude. He’s gotten pretty good at reading each one. What they mean, or as close to it as he can get.

That one? It’s one of his favorites.

He lets his head fall forward to rest against Claude’s their noses brushing together as he rests there. ]

Well, it was all part of one big surprise, technically. I’m glad you liked it, though. And that dinner wasn’t actually terrible. [ He adds this last part with a laugh, as if joking about it now might cancel out the momentary vulnerability in the previous question. ]

[ The smile doesn't fade as Sylvain tips his head forward; instead, it turns into something what might almost be considered a private one - aside from the part where it's still entirely visible to the man in front of him - and one filled with more of that feeling. Rather than sweep it away as anything else he lets it stay while tracing his thumb over the other's cheek. ]

What'd I say about not selling yourself short? You get credit for all of it.

[ Whatever protest is in that, faint as it is, is also softened by affection. He's come to expect Sylvain will find one of the many ways he seems to have to skirt around a compliment where now was no exception. That won't stop him from paying the compliments all the same or repeating them as much as it takes for them to sink in with now being no exception.

Including one that's still forthcoming since with one small lean upwards for another kiss: there's still the tea waiting for them. ]

I think this should be about ready now, [ is what Claude offers by way of a segue afterwards since that pine aroma's much stronger than before thanks to the steeping being complete as he drops both hands to Sylvain's shoulders. ] What do you say we head back and get to the chess you also promised me?

[ Sylvain's smile holds a note of softness that's been appearing more and more lately. Not that he's aware of that, exactly, but he doesn't do anything to diminish it in the moment either.

Dropping one last kiss to Claude's lips, he straightens with an incline of his head. ]

I'll put the leftovers away while you get the tea sorted. Where do you want to play? Inside or out?

[ An intriguing question, and that's one Claude considers while reaching for a tray to carry all of their tea supplies on. ]

Outside, I think. The evening's cool enough that I think even you won't melt with hot tea to go with that.

[ He's not going to miss a chance to lightly tease Sylvain all because he can while picking up the tray to head out to the terrace. One fragile thing to move at a time as the cups rattle thanks to the motion and he keeps a careful eye on them. Once they're set down, it's back for the chess set next which gets carried with no less reverence.

Lovely as the dim lighting inside had been, the bright moonlight above helps illuminate everything a bit more. By the time Sylvain makes it outside, he'll find Claude distracted with the board only partially set up since he's once again admiring everything about each piece being set out until he looks up with a smile. ]

Turns out being out here was all the better for getting to see all the work on these, too. You really went all out.

[ The remaining dinner is quickly packed up and stored away in the icebox before Sylvain heads out onto the terrace to join Claude, unsurprised to find him still in the midst of setting up the board.

Still, he grins with quiet pleasure at Claude's appreciation of his gift. ]

I'm glad you like it. I was originally gonna get Jace to help me, but... I ended up finding an artisan in Libertas I could commission to carve what I needed. I wasn't sure if it would be too much of a cliché or not, but I figured at least it would be a pretty collection for you.

Whatever that artisan charged you wasn't enough for how good these are.

[ Teasingly, even if some part of him is serious about that and means it as another compliment to the selection of the absolutely beautiful board and pieces that it is. The knight in his hand is set down where it goes, and then it's just a matter of straightening everything up a bit on the squares to make sure they can all be seen and properly appreciated. ]

The other board I have is one I bought the instant I had enough coin to get it not long after arriving. It's served its purpose well but I think this will be my favorite by far. Now, [ picking up one piece in each palm and shuffling them out of sight as best he can before concealing them in closed hands he holds out to Sylvain with a grin, ] Lions or Deer?

[ Sylvain just arches an eyebrow in amusement as he sinks down in the chair across from Claude. ]

Was that a serious question?

[ You should already know the answer to that without having to ask. ]

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