treehousegang | open to EVERYONE, even those he hasn't met yet

open to EVERYONE, even those he hasn't met yet

[ baein has been busy the past weeks, cooping himself up in his little cottage when he hasn't been to the treehouse to welcome the new life into the world along with everyone else. and he already left something behind for the little one, but the truth of it all is that's not the only gift he's been preparing.

it feels like it's the only thing he can do.

christmas isn't really something he ever celebrated back when he was still just baein, stuck going to a university for a degree he didn't care for. when jasper and princess were the only bright things in his life, and thinking back on that time now it feels so long ago and a little faded, if not a memory with his boyfriend in it. now... now jasper is there, but also not, and baein is so melded with the forest he never quite feels alone in a sense of the word. (until he does feel a little lonely sometimes.)

the ruinwood is his home. and it's made him part of it in a way he'd never anticipate in his life. and yet, it still doesn't feel like it's finished with him.

back to the present, it is yuletide, christmas, or more importantly now than ever, it's the time around the winter solstice, and baein emerges from his hidey-hole with a bundle of soft things in his arms, heading for the treehouse. (maybe it's also to steal a hug from someone. what? he's touch starved half the time he's alive and he just wants a cuddle please and thank you.)

this time around, he knocks on the door with his elbow instead of walking right in, hands too occupied trying to balance the load in his arms. ]

Whoouups—

[ he stumbles slightly with wide eyes before righting himself, and then calls out. ]

Knock knock~!

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[he won't have to steal this hug, it'll be given freely! the door opens wide, and as quickly as daeshim's feet can carry it to him.

his arms lock around bae's waist.]

You're here! I shall take my door down for standing between us!

Uwah— Dae!

[ laughing, he barely stumbles again and then allows himself to lean into the hug both because he wants to and because of the support. ]

Don't be mean to the door, it protects you from bad things too. Like cold and ice and snow!

[ like the snow that's covering the courtyard behind them, and some of the steps up to the door. baein's cheeks and nose are pink from the chill, but his eyes are glinting in the sun. ]

I would risk it.

[what's a little ice and snow when he could cuddle bae to get warm again? and right now, it looks like bae could use that himself. the fae ushers him inside, cupping the other's cheeks between his warm hands.]

Come to the kitchen! You need to be closer to the fire!

[baein's lips part at the forceful words, and he swallows around something warm settling in his chest. he loves daeshim more than he can fathom. he wets his lips and blinks, letting daeshim maneuver him with his arms still full of softly wrapped things. catching the fae's eyes, baein almost tips forward like a moth to the flame of daeshim's orbit as leans his head into his hands, a light, awed smile on his lips. ]

Ah? I'm not that cold, it's all right— [ and then his eyes widen, as if he just realizes. ] Wait, Daeshim. Shouldn't you be resting?

Edited 2023-01-02 21:50 (UTC)

[he waves away the suggestion that he should be resting. it's what everyone has been saying to him, and they likely have a point. but there is a strength in happiness, and nothing makes him happier than his family.

and bae is an especially important part of it. a part of himself, really. once they're closer to the fire, daeshim notes all the things in his arms.]

What have you brought? You've overburdened yourself.

[ mouth setting into a half disapproving line and half amused smile, baein huffs a little bit but acquiesces (for now), and instead focuses on the reason for his visit. he rarely needs a reason, he comes over anytime and everytime, but this is a little bit different from the norm. ]

Oh! They're actually really light! Hang on...

[ without preamble, baein shifts to sit down on the carpet in front of the fire, legs crossing as he pours all the packages onto the floor in front of him. ]

I brought gifts. For everyone!

[ the smile directed up at daeshim is almost blinding with the excitement baein feels, before then he gets a thoughtful look on his face. ]

I suppose I don't need to clarify you don't have any obligation to pay me back for gifts, but since I know gifts are different for you... I mean—

[ wait were they again? it's just something baein knows innately now, that gifts play carry a significant meaning to fae. ]

[daeshim crouches down in front of him, undeniably and visibly curious about the packages that bae has brought. he doesn't assume that any of them are for him...but he hopes that one is.]

For everyone?

[he is one of everyone, isn't he? excitement intensifies, because just as bae has learned so much about the fae ways, daeshim also learned a lot about human customs and traditions.]

As a matter of a fact, I do have something for you!

[ ducking his head, baein smiles as he sort through things before his hands curl around colorful paper dotted with little mushrooms and animals. wetting his lips, he looks up at the fae again and breathes out. ]

Mm, everyone. I... left something for you earlier too, um. I meant to give it to you— I mean, to your little one. Sorry I left, but I didn't want to get in the way.

[ fiddling with the package in his hands, his eyes widen when daeshim exclaims, and he blinks a little as he perks up, lips parting. ]

For me?

For you!

[daeshim echoes. and he hates leaving him even for a moment, so he gives bae a quick hug before letting go of him to retrieve something from the attached pantry.]

I finished just before she arrived! Happy Yuletide!

[daeshim holds up the basket made of carefully woven branches. inside is an assortment of small homemade things - some dried fruit, honey and apple butter. packets of seeds for spring and a renewed acorn protection charm.]

[ he manages to hug him back before the fae slips away, and baein watches him go, eyes wide, small excitement already curling into the frame of his body.

but he cannot hold back the soft gasp when daeshim presents his gift, and with his mouth hanging open he looks between the basket and daeshim and oh. his vision blurs without his consent and baein ducks his head and rubs his sleeve over his eyes to abate the burning behind his eyelids to no avail. so instead he just sniffles and looks up and gives daeshim the biggest smile he can muster, though his voice wavers slightly as he speaks. ]

Daeshim... this is beautiful. [ he takes a breath and huffs it out on a laugh. ] Whew... uh, sorry. I don't know why I'm crying. Thank you.

[ baein swallows the tears away carefully accepts the basket to set it in his lap. and then he looks at the package in his hand, and he hands it over before he starts thinking he should have done more. that's not the intention of gifts, bae. ]

Please accept this.

[ it's a scarf, mittens and hat-set, all knitted in the softest yarn baein could procure. they're in soft colors that both go well with the forest around them but also matches the colors that are daeshim's favorites. little mushrooms decorate the rim of the hat, and baein has made little bunnies and cute forest creatures to litter the pattern of the scarf. lastly, the mittens have small crocheted acorn charms hanging off the cuffs.

baein's had decades to learn how to knit, after all. ]

It is quite modest, but it was made with love.

[he knows that the city beyond his boundary is filled with shiny things that possess their own magic. screens that bring up words and images. fancy toys and foods that have been shipped from far away. these are the things that the humans exchange during this time of year. he has none of that, but he knows that bae above everyone can see the beauty in all that the ruinwood has to offer, warmth and substance and the promise of more beauty to come. the fae reaches up to brush at a tear tenderly, clutching his fist around it like it's a precious gem.]

Oh! [his eyes widen at his gift, which he immediately rubs against his cheek.] It's so soft! And look here! Mushrooms! And these are all our bunnies, down to the exact number!

[he immediately wraps the scarf around his neck. and anyone who catches him wearing it at midsummer still, mind your business.]

They are the finest things I've ever owned!

[ baein looks up at the fae again, open awe in his expression. he couldn't care less about the screens and shiny lights of the city. he much prefers the natural beauty of the forest they live in, prefers the company of critters and plants and the fae he has come to love so much. it's where he belongs, and is probably where he'll stay until the end of his days. ]

Daeshim. This is incredibly thoughtful. This is a better gift than I could have ever imagined.

[ sniffling again, baein can't hold back the little fond laugh as he rubs at his cheek, ducking his head again, eyes darting over all the little items in the basket. he picks up the acorn and curls his fingers around it with a little smile. but oh, the exclamation catches his ear, and seeing daeshim's reaction, his expression, and baein has to clear his throat again, flush high on his cheeks as he watches the fae fawn over the gift. ]

Mm, I made sure to include them all.

[ reaching up, he helps daeshim tuck the ends of the scarf before he pulls back. his smile almost turns his eyes into crescents. ]

I'm so glad you like it.

[ Koa has made runs back and forth from the Treehouse to Baein’s cottage but he’s almost always at Baein’s when it comes to night time now. Most of the time he’s in his fox form when Baein is busy or out, but when its time to sleep—-

—-well, it took some time to figure out if it was okay or not…but…he’s leaning in the doorway once it’s dark out and he’s watching Baein for a long moment, hesitant before he breathes. ]

Is it okay if I sleep with you…? Like this?

[ human. Not fox. ]

[ somehow, koa has seamlessly blended into baein's life in a way where he's not sure when it happened, but he's not about to complain. especially not during night time when the fox comes to paw at him to sleep and baein realizes maybe he's been a bit too preoccupied to notice that it's bedtime.

that, and he enjoys koa's company a lot, both as a fox and in his human form, enjoys chatting to him in general and sharing whatever he's making.

the voice almost startles him to look up from his current project, and he blinks at the fox for a moment before he smiles. ]

Oh... of course it is.

[ coming further inside, Koa moves to Baein and holds his hand out. ]

I ran you a bath. You’ve been doing this for a really long time. Go wash up and then get into bed with me.

[ taken off guard by the gesture, baein's lips part in surprise, eyes wide as he gets to his feet after taking koa's hand. ]

You what? You didn't have to do that...

Ran you a bath.

[ he repeats, then adds: ]

I put in some of those little flowers cause they smell nice.

[ instead of letting him go, he just pulls him out of the room and into the bathroom to show him. ]

[ baein pretty much obediently follows as koa leads him, and he's not sure what to think, other than feel the warmth spread in his chest cavity. he's so used to doing things for others, so whenever someone returns the gesture, baein feels a little lost, unsure how to balance the warmth in his chest before it spills over. the same happens with daeshim as well.

he can't help the small smile on his lips at the sight, and baein breathes out before he looks to the fox, smile going lopsided. ]

Koa... thank you.

[ he nods and gives a half shrug; not used to people thanking him for anything, really. Honestly, people being nice to him at all is pretty foreign. But Daeshim and Baein have been nice to him from the start with no reason to be.

He gently squeezes the others hand and then pulls it away to cross his arms loosely over his chest. ]

Now get naked.

[ baein can't stop the laugh that slips out, and he raises an eyebrow, smile widening. the tips of his ears are a little pink, but he seems to be in good spirits, humored. ]

Oh, right in front of you?

Well, I have to make sure you get in safely!

[ he pouts and glances away; and maybe he’s blushing a little. ]

I won’t look…just get in and once I know you haven’t cracked your head open on accident, I’ll go.

Oh, is that so? What a diligent fox you are. I'll try not to slip on anything, I promise.

[ baein laughs again, but sure, he's not actually embarrassed about getting naked in front of anyone, so he goes to strip as he speaks. it doesn't take long before he carefully steps into the bathtub and does just fine in sitting down. ]

There, done. You can look now.

[ he leans his arms on the edge, resting his head on them as he looks up at the fox, expression soft, suddenly feeling a tad more vulnerable than usual, though he pushes that away and clears his throat. ]

Thank you for looking out for me.

Mm…okay.

[ Koa notes some of the reflective surfaces and tries to ignore them because…well, he isn’t sure why. It’s not like people being naked bothers him. But, for some reason he doesn’t want to…make Baein uncomfortable or something.

His ear cocks at the sound of the water swishing around, but he doesn’t look until Baein gives him permission. And his tail almost immediately starts to swish. He huffs softly. Why does he have to look so cute like that?! ]

You’re important.

[ he clears his throat. ]

To the Ruinwood, and Daeshim…_{and me}.

[ don't think he doesn't notice your careful demeanor, koa. it's cute, and baein's shoulders sag as he relaxes further into the bath, eyes following the movement of koa's tail and ears. he doesn't know why, but all he wants to do is smile. ]

You're important too—

[ his words get lost as he inhales softly when koa continues, and baein wets his lips first before he presses them together in an attempt to stifle his smile, though it's not particularly successful. oh. oh. there's a flush on his cheeks and he reaches up to rub at his nose. ]

I... I'm glad.

[ good. Good.

He watches Baein’s lips curve up in that adorable little smile he usually has and he worries his own bottom lip as he watches him a little longer than he’d intended.

Right. He just wanted to make sure he didn’t die or something. Right.

Reaching into the cabinet he grabs one of the fluffy towels and brings it over to hang it on the hook beside the bath. ]

…do you want a bedtime tea or something?

[ he planned on making it anyway, but if he asks before hand maybe it won’t look as…um…whatever. ]

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