goetia_daddy | Lab IC inbox

A wise enough decision.

And I imagine part of this arrangement is that if anyone is entitled to ask for time, you certainly are among the very few that top the list.

May I come by later?

That's fair enough. I just don't want to interrupt any work you are in the middle of. It would be rude, even if I do miss your company dearly.

Yes, I'd like that.

Sometimes when we focus too hard, we forget to come up for air. It's all right to be rude if someone you know has stopped breathing, I think.

I'll be by this afternoon.

[ Gives him time to make some finishing touches. ]

When you put it like that, perhaps I should have reached out earlier just to make sure you got some fresh air.

I look forward to seeing you.

[This...also gives Stolas time to try and straighten out the chaos that is his home right now.]

[ Gold honestly has no idea whether Valentine's Day is a thing where Stolas comes from -- it wasn't where he was born, and in the World Without Magic his cursed self just naturally understood it as though he had always been born there. A silly tradition, but many are, and lovely when you have reason to celebrate it.

So he did not wish to risk possibly forgetting something important that Stolas would notice, or fumble and just repeat something they already do and is in no way special save the date. So he set to work crocheting.

Also somewhat idiotic to pick or buy flowers, expected as those can be in some places for today, for someone who was going to be a greater expert than he. But he could make things. So that is what he did. He made flowers. Simple, but he had to teach himself a few things on the fly to get some of it right. Dowels to keep the stems stiff. Some gold yarn interwoven with the rest for things like thistles and pollen, even veined throughout leaves.

It's stupid, but an attempt. He holds the vase carefully in his hands after knocking, waiting to speak until the door has been fully opened. ]

So, in the last world I occupied, there is a holiday around this time of year.

[Honestly Stolas only vaguely became aware of the holiday after his arrival here. That is to say, he still doesn't know anything about it or even had a reason to celebrate a holiday dedicated to couples before so he hasn't given it much thought.

That is to say, whatever Gold intends on doing will take Stolas quite by surprise. Which becomes very apparently when he opens the door and spots the beautifully crafted flowers in his hold. While flowers themselves are simply a novelty to Stolas considering is vast knowledge of them and their uses, seeing hand crafted ones feel more personal and precious.]

Is there? What holiday might that be?

Valentines Day. Generally viewed as a holiday for couples, though some choose to buck the exclusion and use it to share affection platonically as well.

[ Wait that could be taken the wrong way. ]

I wanted to mark the occasion.

[That can definitely be taken the wrong way. Thankfully, Stolas considers them more a couple and less platonically affectionate.]

Well, a holiday for couples would fit us nicely.

[He smiles a little while a blush graces his cheeks.]

I'd love to mark the occasion with you...then, I'm guessing those lovely flowers are for me?

Even if they were in season, I didn't think normal flowers would really mean much as a gift. You know them better than I do.

[ He catches the blush with an appreciative smile before his gaze drops in the face of his own. ]

So I tried something a little...different.

I can see that. While you're right normal flowers wouldn't appeal much to me as a gift, the ones you made are simply a work of art.

[He steps aside to invite Gold in with a smile.]

And I absolutely love art.

I'm glad.

[ Sometimes it feels nice to lavish someone with expensive things, especially when you came up without a lot to begin with and have means in your older age. But Gold has always been one to appreciate little things, too.

He steps through with a smile. ]

I'm striving to remember if I even experienced this day when I first got here, but it might have been just after.

[ And getting himself set up was dire enough that he wouldn't have even had time to mope. ]

[While expensive things are nice, those that grew up with more money than anyone cares to count and practically every need met, lavish things aren't that impressive. However, small meaningful things can be worth more than anything wealth can buy and Stolas knows this.

Once Gold is in, he shuts the door Stolas gently reaches for the flowers so he can admire them better.]

I vaguely remember someone explaining it to me and feeling depressed once they did. Needless to say, I think this year will be better.

[It already is as far as he's concerned. ]

That sounds about right.

[ He has definitely spent more Valentines Days in mourning than celebrating it; even if he has been caught up in work, he wasn't going to miss a chance to do the opposite for once. ]

And I would like for it to be. Admitted, I feel like I am constantly looking for the correct steps to take. Rubbish without clear directions, obviously.

[Stolas can't help the slight smile that grace his beak as he runs a light finger over one of the delicate petals of the flowers.]

Darling, you've already proven that you're better than my last two relationships. Admittedly, that's not a very high bar to beat but, short of becoming a colossal fuckboy or a pretentious bitch, You have nothing to worry about.

We're both navigating this together and so far, I think we are doing pretty well.

[ He is careful not to visibly react to any words said on former lovers. Who's to say that any will never appear again when he does back? He tells himself it is not because he believes he is occupying a space until someone else does, something replaceable.

Better to see it that wherever things go tomorrow, weeks, years from now? Stolas walks away knowing he has a right to decide how he is going to be treated. ]

I think so as well. Some things are just more impressive when they come naturally.

[To Stolas, Gold is definitely not just 'occupying a space' for past lovers. He's come to terms with how bad the last two attempts at a relationship were for him and is making and effort to move past that. Which is why he's trying his hardest not to mess things up.

Especially when all he's had is bad and this is the first good relationship he's ever had. So, step by step and hopefully things will work out for the best for both of them.]

Exactly! There's no need to force anything when we already go so well together.

[He continues to admire the crocheted flowers for a few moments more before gently setting them down on a table in a small place of honor next to a drawing he's done of his daughter.]

I just feel bad I don't have anything for you in exchange.

I... [ An uncertain smile, a little shift on his feet. ] If I'm being honest, I am accustomed to giving gifts, but not so much receiving them, so it isn't expected. I'm just pleased to provide.

[ That is what's traditional in his head. Provide. Without expectation. And in turn you will be loved. ]

[The phrasing doesn't escape him. Though the idea of someone providing Stolas with anything is...strangely endearing. He's never had that before considering he was rich beyond measure back home. If he wanted something, he simply bought it.

Admittedly, the one thing he could never buy was love and genuine affection. Everything had been so... forced back home.]

I think I need to change that and start giving you gifts in return.

[He smiles a little.]

Nothing lavish, just...tokens of affection I think. I'd hate for you to think I don't appreciate what you provide for me.

I think you would have to try very hard to give me that impression. [ Which would mean it would be very obvious that Gold either screwed up royally, or something else is going on. ] And...I might be a little uncertain how to respond to it, but that is more my failing.

[ There is some momentary hesitation, then he offers his hand. He's still a little shaky on initiating physical contact; he'd rather it be visibly clear he is asking for it. ]

I would? Well, I can't see any reason why I would try. [Stolas feels that he's more likely to screw things up than Gold so, he really hopes he never gives off the impression that he doesn't appreciate him. Even accidentally.]

Then it's a growing experience for both of us. I need to try not to over do it and you simply need to work on accepting. Otherwise, it might feel a little lopsided I suppose?

[He's not sure how to really explain it...but both of them putting effort in is what he's trying to get at. Stolas quickly notices the hesitation and then the offered hand. He smiles a bit more as he gently puts his hand in Golds. It never ceases to amaze him just how different they are and yet, how well they get along.]

[ Solas is pretty easy to read. But that just tells him that Solas, like him, may not be very accustomed to being treated. At least out of affection as opposed to convention. ]

All I mean to say is there is no obligation...but that is what makes it more special. And perhaps more of a surprise.

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