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

[narcolepsy]

[ 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~!

Comments

[koafox]

Hm?

[ he leans a little into the bumping. ]

[narcolepsy]

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

Thank you.

[koafox]

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

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

[narcolepsy]

[ 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...

[koafox]

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…

[narcolepsy]

[ 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.

[koafox]

[ 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…

[narcolepsy]

[ 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?

[koafox]

[ 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.

[narcolepsy]

[ 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!

[koafox]

You were taking too long!

[narcolepsy]

[ baein lets go of koa's hands so he can reach up and frame his face with his own before he leans in to give koa another kiss. ]

[koafox]

[ that additional kiss catches him off guard and Koa just responds to it with the same amount of warmth.

Nothing more - because Baein belongs to others and he doesn’t want to even remotely get in the middle of that.

Nothing less - because frankly he enjoys this…connection they have started.

But he does tip his face down to break it, pressing their foreheads together. ]

I’m not trying to…I don’t want you to think I’m…

[ he makes a soft sound of frustration… ]

I know you belong to other people. I’m not…I won’t try to get in the way of that. I like it here with you.

[narcolepsy]

I belong to others?

[ baein laughs, unoffended, light and comforting. the kiss is just that too, light and simple, comforting. just a sense of existing. and baein enjoys it for what it is. ]

I belong to myself first and foremost. And you're not in the way, Koa. I very much enjoy having you here with me.

[koafox]

Your heart does.

[narcolepsy]

My heart is as large as I want it to be.

[ implying he's making space for whoever he wants there. ]

[koafox]

[ his eyes soften for a moment before sharpening. ]

This world doesn’t deserve you.

[narcolepsy]

[ baein blinks up at the fox, taken back by the sudden change in his voice. ]

Ah?

[koafox]

There are people that don’t deserve that much. Be careful who you let in.

[ he sighs softly. ]

I could just bite them, though, I suppose.

[narcolepsy]

[ baein's expression falls into something soft and almost vulnerable before he closes his eyes for a second and nods. ]

... I'll be careful. But I have full faith in everyone I know.

[ then his lips curl up and he chuckles. ]

And I'm sure any ill-meaning creature will think twice before doing something bad, knowing you're here to protect me and all.

[koafox]

[ for a moment he isn’t sure if he’s making fun or him or not but, no, he wouldn’t do that.

He steals one more kiss and leans around him to take his tea back so he can finish it. Stays closer than they had been before. ]

Ill-meaning creatures don’t think.

[narcolepsy]

Mm... perhaps you're right about that.

[ yes, bae has fought the darkness from beyond the forest, and it doesn't seem to be having a conscious mind in that way, but then again, it's doing what it knows: it devours.

he returns the kiss lightly, and then relaxes against the fox beside him. ]

[koafox]

[ the last few sips of tea are taken and he sets the cup aside again before he slouches against the pillows comfortably. ]

You’re strong enough to take care of yourself but I’m here just in case.

[narcolepsy]

[ baein's taken his own cup to finish his tea in the meantime, but he smiles brightly at koa at that. ]

That's mutual.

[koafox]

[ there’s a brief little nod and he reaches out to lightly ruffle some of the others still damp hair. ]

You’re cute.