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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[ the suggestion adds another layer to the soft bewilderment that rushes through baein and he opens his mouth to protest because it feels like too much? koa already ran a bath and— but then he shuts it again and swallows before he nods as he tries to find his voice, facial expression probably rivaling a marshmallow in it's softness. ]

...that would be lovely. Thank you. Again.

[ Koa nods once and briefly looks the other over before deciding he should go before he plants himself on the bath rug.

Closing the door behind him, he wanders into the kitchen and sets the kettle on to boil while he sifts through a few of the herbal teas. At this point he’s made himself enough at home that he knows where all of the important things are and where things belong.

Tea is simple.

He likes that it’s more quiet here in Baein’s cottage. Some of the others are really noisy. And Baein feels like the forest which is why he likes to spend his nights here. Every night. Usually in fox form but if Baein doesn’t mind him having hands…then maybe he’ll do this more often. ]

[ baein wouldn't mind koa in whatever shape or form he wishes, and he will always keep the door open to the fox, as he does to anyone else. but... the night time company is new because nowadays, baein is alone more often than not when he's in his own space, and while he enjoys the quiet... well. he prefers the silence to be filled with the presence of someone else. and he has never felt compelled or fair to demand this of anyone at the treehouse. it's as simple as that.

taking his time, baein sinks back into the bath at first, letting the warm and floral water seep into his senses to a point where he almost dozes off. it's only been a few moments when he starts washing up though, finishing quickly mostly to not keep koa wait for him too long.

toweling his hair, he steps into the kitchen, already donned in a soft hoodie and boxers, and sniffs the air. ]

Ah... I like this one.

[ Koa smiles softly and lightly stirs the cup of tea before he looks over and takes in the sight of the other.

Cute. From the top of his wet head to his toes - cute.

He gently slides the cup over and makes himself one, too. Cup in hand he wanders over and sniffs Baein briefly. ]

Me too.

[ With that he moves around him and heads for the bedroom, sipping his tea, tail swishing idly. ]

Hm?

[ accepting the cup, baein raises both eyebrows as he waits for an explanation even as the fox moves on. that didn't sound like he meant just the tea, but baein isn't sure. when he doesn't get one, the blonde follows koa, expression caught in half a smile and half a frown. ]

The tea, or something else?

You’re one of my new favorite smells.

[ no sense in denying it now.

He moves to the side of the bed he usually ends up curled up on as a fox and sits down with his tea. He watches Baein as he comes in and he smirks softly. ]

The tea is good, too, though.

My... smell?

[ he comes to a halt at the foot of the bed, at loss for words for a second, and also feeling a sense of comfort of seeing another person there, someone he treasures, taking up space on a bed baein sometimes feels is a little too large for just one. he takes a sip of his own mug, eyes crinkling at the corners. ]

It's one of my favorite teas. You chose well.

[ he moves over to perch on the bed beside the fox, amusement shining in his expression. ]

What do I smell like?

[ Koa squints a little and licks his bottom lip. The tea really is good.

But he watches Baein’s face, his own features softening a little before he looks down into his cup again. ]

The first flowers in spring, strawberry pie and fresh sheets.

[ he tries to shrug it off and just sips at his tea again. ]

[ it's unexpected, the way baein's heart skips a beat and his face floods with warmth at the compliment. because that's what it is, it feels like a compliment, and he can't even stop the feeling that he's flustering. which technically shouldn't be much of a deal, not over a compliment, but koa is so sincere and shy about it and baein has to hide his expression behind his own cup before he's gained a semblance of composure again. he did ask, after all.

he takes a sip of his tea in lieu of an immediate answer, and then he lets out an audible exhale, a soft noise with a bit of wonder. ]

And you smell like forest, comfort, with a hint of cherries and... chocolate.

[ Koa wasn’t expecting anything in return but when it comes it surprises him enough that he looks over and just blurts: ]

Are you trying to make me kiss you?! Oh—-

[ oops… ]

Ah?

[ baein blinks at him, lips parting in surprise, though it somehow also doesn't feel all that surprising in the grand scale of things. and then his expression softens, gentle and open as he studies the fox. ]

You want to kiss me?

[ the tips of his ears are almost burning, but he chooses to ignore it. ]

Edited 2023-01-22 00:47 (UTC)

Someone would have to be an idiot to not want to kiss you.

[ which is to say yes. ]

You’re bright and glowy and the forest loves you and you smell nice and you’re warm and you——

[ he looks into his tea suspiciously. Did he put something weird in this?]

[ oh, something in that sentence has baein's throat tighten a bit and he swallows to abate it, wets his lips, opens his mouth, and then closes it. it's not that he thinks that koa is lying, far from it, but it still makes something curl in his chest and baein isn't sure if it's happy or sad or a mix of both. probably both. which is odd and baein isn't sure what he can attribute it to.

besides being low key confessed to, he supposes. ]

I'm really not all of those things, but... I try to be. It makes me really happy you think I am.

[ baein clears his throat as he takes another sip of tea, though he's smiling again. ]

You're cute, and so incredibly kind. More than what I deserve, probably.

You’re exactly all of those things.

Koa...

[ baein bumps his shoulder into the fox's gently. ]

Hm?

[ he leans a little into the bumping. ]

[ he mumbles it into his cup before he takes a larger sip: ]

Thank you.

[ he blinks; ears turning in a few different directions.]

For what? Being honest? You don’t have to than me for telling the truth.

[ it's hard not to look at that. it's so cute, the way the fox's ears are so expressive. ]

Yes, but you didn't have to tell me anything. And yet you did...

You’re important to me even if we don’t know each other that well. I wouldn’t lie to you or hide things from you and risk you…not…wanting me around.

[ he frowns, ears falling… ]

I’ve been alone a really long time so I’m not…always good at…this. But I like it here with you. It’s quiet and warm…

[ baein looks at him for a beat longer, before he moves to put his cup away on the bedside table, and reaches for koa's cup as well, though he waits for permission before taking it.

when they're securely out of the way, baein simply turns around and faces the other, reaching out to take his hands, squeezing them gently. ]

I'll always want you around. It's weird thinking of otherwise at this point.

[ koa blinks when Baein puts the cup down. And then takes his, too. And his ears turn again curiously, a flush touching his cheeks when his hands are taken…

Oh…

Stupid butterflies. Go away. You’re not needed here! ]

You’re doing it again…

[ tilting his head, baein smiles at the fox. ]

Doing what, exactly? Caring for you? Because I do. And I won't lie and say I don't enjoy being... ah, taken care of. I know I'm a little... odd? Sometimes?

[ sighing softly he purses his lips a moment before he leans forward and presses a kiss to the others mouth.

It’s a soft, warm shushing. ]

You’re you. There’s nothing odd about you. You’re unique and that’s special. And I’m going to take care of you if I can.

[ baein freezes for a second before he returns the light kiss, and then he lets a bewildered laugh slip out. ]

Ah— you beat me to it!

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