lowestclass | IC INBOX

[ It's almost funny, to think of how much time has passed - how many holidays they've spent together. Another Christmas has arrived and the house has become even more lively with the addition of little Pokémon babies, who happily rush around with their own presents. And Lapis really wouldn't have it any other way.

And with the babies entertaining themselves with their own gifts, it's time for Lapis to give some gifts to Jinwoo - along with the gift she requested from Santa she also put together something herself. Wrapped in nice little boxes is a handmade crow vanity mirror, along with an original Seven Samurai poster she managed to procure. ]

Um, merry Christmas, Jinwoo...

[ You would think Lapis wouldn't be nervous about giving gifts, but some things never change - and gift anxiety is one of them. Even though the reactions have always been very positive; nerves were a tricky bitch at times.

Which also means she hasn't entirely noticed the mistletoe - a cute skull upon purple foliage, a combination of Christmas and their usual aesthetic - has been positioned above them. ]

Edited 2025-12-21 21:08 (UTC)

[ maybe their christmas wasn't a traditional one--maybe their christmas tree was one of those unpopular black christmas trees, too--but it was the best kind of Christmas he's been enjoying for years, now. There's people coming and going from the house, visitors and friends of even Husk's alike--their little Pokemon pattering around the home and playing with toys their 'parents' bought them for Christmas. It was fantastic.

And here's jinwoo, opening gifts wrapped in a way that's so beautiful that it's almost a shame to tear them open as excitedly as he does, but here we go.

He's examining the vanity mirror with a glitter in his eyes; already looking up and around to think of a place he could put it. Along with the poster--good lord he could spin with excitement. ]

You outdo yourself every year. I have no idea how you managed to get your hands on this... look at Kikuchiyo ...!

[ a little laugh escapes him as he moves to put the bracelet on, clipping it to size it properly before admiring it.

he turns his head to look at her with a little slide of a grin. ]

Have you opened the ones I got for you, yet? [ they're still under the tree, but... while he absolutely notices the mistletoe above, he's seeing if she does, and if she tries to move. ]

[ It's been nice, to see the house so lively this year - with the kids rushing around, with people coming and going; especially Husk's friends. Lapis is so happy that Husk is going out more, that he's made more friends and that Flins is in his life...

And seeing Jinwoo's excitement over his gifts has her both smiling brightly and feeling a little embarrassed over how nervous she had been - logically she knows he would like the gifts, but she still worries! Now relief washes through her as she giggles gently, absently fidgeting with the edge of her sweater. ]

It took some effort! I did a lot of online sleuthing for it, but I'm really happy you like it.

[ She perks up as he puts on the bracelet, before blinking when he mentions her gifts. There's a peek over at the tree, a quiet "oh!" as she shifts to sit up and shuffle over; with how focused she is on her fiancé, she is still oblivious to the mistletoe looming overhead. ]

Oh, no, not yet! I'll admit I was a bit nervous again, but I will go take a look- [ Now she will try to move over to the tree. ]

I do like it. I'll be hard pressed to remove this, now, especially--

[ he STARTS to say

and then Lapis falls for his trap hook and line, and she tries to move away.

Quick as he can his hand moves down to grab her wrist, and he does a little twist--pulling her back in with his arm around her waist. There's a small grin on his face, glancing over his features. ]

Ah, ah ah.

[ he scolds her in a nearly low, rumbling, scolding tone. ]

You can't do that.

[ he .... points up, as the grin on his face starts to grow. ]

Not without paying the tax.

[ There's a sound of surprise as she's pulled back in, golden eyes blinking up as his arm wraps around her waist. Her brows furrow in silent question, still not entirely understanding what Jinwoo means as he points up.

Pay what tax, what is it- ]

The tax- [ - And she looks up and.

Ah. Ah!

She gets it now, and a smile slowly curls at the corner of her lips. ]

Oh, I see. Sorry, sorry, that was careless of me. [ And she'll lean up, pressing her lips to his. Except it's a brief, teasing kiss - more of a fleeting brush of skin than anything else, and her smile is all faux innocence as she leans back. ]

Is that enough to pay?

[ oh how the grin on his face widens when she leans in to give him a chaste kiss.

ah, that's the game theyre playing
is it?

his eyebrows raise a little and he makes a thoughtful sound as she asks "is that enough"?

as if hes seriously considering her offer at face value. ]

Ah, well, if you consider the price and the amount of debt you incurred by standing here all this time without noticing....

[ he pretends to count on his fingers, mumbling as he runs some very complicated math ]

...No.
No, you still owe quite a debt and it'll take at least 17 more of those to pay it.

You might want to.... consider other options.

[ There's a muffled giggle as he takes a moment to consider her offer and total up the true "cost." She'll even do a little fake gasp of shock when he gives her the total price - she's committed to this bit now. ]

At least 17? Oh, that may be too much... [ As if she wouldn't happily kiss him at least 17 times on a normal day-

But she'll lean up to gently bump her forehead against his, tail swaying lazily behind her as she hums. ]

Other options... Hmm, what if I ask for a hint? Would that add to the debt?

[ Yes there's presents but what if she keeps flirting with her fiancé instead. ]

[ yea theres presents but consider : the presents arent going anywhere and he's having fun

he assumes she is too, given how shes playing right along. the gifts can wait. ]

That's the thing about incurring debt.
You have to be careful, or you'll bite off more than you can pay back, later... ah, how troublesome for you.

I suppose I could be convinced to give you a free consultation.
Given you did already give a small down-payment.

Let me think....

Do you want a list of options, or should I just tell you the fastest and easiest way to pay it all at once?

[ The presents will still be there later! Right now she would much prefer to play along with this, and her smile only grows all the more. ]

Oh? My creditor is so kind. And I had been oh-so worried I was incurring more debt as we speak.

[ And she'll take a moment to """seriously"" consider her choices too, a finger tapping against her chin. What to do, what to do... ]

Now I'm curious, what would be the fastest way?

Oh, you are incurring debt. Just by standing here.

[ can't wiggleworm your way outta this one, beautiful miss. He's gonna curl an arm around her waist. ]

Well, the fastest method would be to give me a real proper kiss.
One that lingers at least ten--
No. twenty seconds.

If you run your fingers through my hair while you pay up, I might dock five seconds off.

How terrible, I'll need to clear this as quickly as possible.

[ There's a pleased hum as his arm curls around her waist, and she lets herself lean in a little closer. ]

You might dock off five seconds. [ Said with a little giggle. ] But that is a very good deal... I might even enjoy it too.

[ As if she isn't more than happy to press her lips firmly to his, which is exactly what she does with another pleased little hum rumbling from her chest. And as agreed by verbal contract, a hand will reach up to brush her fingers through his hair too - nails gently grazing against the base of his horns. ]

[ maybe kissing back wasn't part of the contract, but when she does exactly what he coyly suggests, how can he resist? He absolutely smiles into the kiss, leaning in to reciprocate it, letting his eyes flutter closed as a hand slides up her back, maybe aiming to dip her back just a little as she presses a kiss against his lips.

...He sort of loses count of how long it lasts, the feeling of those long nails dragging against his scalp, scratching the hard carapace-like structures poking out of his hair--

It's only when he remembers he needs to breathe that he finally pulls away, a pink color dusting his cheeks. ]

....

Hm.

I think ...

You overpaid.

[ Her own eyes flutter closed as he kisses back, her tail wagging just that little more more as she feels how he dips her back. Maybe she should've paid attention to how long the kiss was but...

Well, she can't be blamed for enjoying it as well. She's more focused on the feeling of his lips against hers and the warmth of his hand against her back - and it's only when he pulls back for air that she finally snaps to focus. And lets out a breathless chuckle once she processes his words. ]

A-aha, is that so... [ She might also be a little dazed - her cheeks flushed red - but it's fine. ]

Now, do I get anything in return for overpaying? [ Her words are more of a lazy drawl now, as her nails keep absently grazing against his skin. ]

[ She looks pretty when she's flushed in red, it's fine. he can admire it with a warm smile on his face. ]

Ah... I suppose I would owe you something in return for the overpay.

I've played myself.

I suppose I could listen to your desires. Is there anything you'd want in return for giving more than your debt?

I could just. Give it back.

Just give it back, huh...

[ There's a thoughtful hum as she seems to consider this; fingers gently playing with the hair around the nape of his neck. His smile is easily returned, as she looks up at him with a little cant of her head. ]

Well considering I would very much like it if you kissed me again, I would say those are agreeable terms.

[ Maybe she just wants attention from her fiancé for a bit longer it's fine- ]

[ he's gonna bump his forehead in against Lapis' again with a smile that dances across his expression. Fingers brushing over her cheek with the hand that isn't busy balancing her around the waist--he makes a thoughtful noise as she agrees to the terms.

He gives a small laugh, and nuzzles in against her nose with his own. ]

If we've come to an agreement, then I'll make sure to deliver immediately, as to not start incurring more debt. [ though maybe it'd not be so bad if he did. ]

Unless you have any objections?

[ well

if she does have any

she's not allowed to voice them
because he's gonna catch her lips in a second kiss before she can get any words out. Oops.~ ]

[ Her head leans into the touch to her cheek, basking in the affection and giving a small giggle of her own as his nose nuzzles against hers. ]

Here I thought you would be more eager for me to be in debt.

[ Not that she would particularly mind either-

And any objections she may have had, joking as they would have been, are forgotten when his lips press to hers. How she leans in and returns it is immediate, fingers still brushing through his hair as she lets her eyes flutter closed again.

Maybe she should keep count as well, so there's no risk of overpaying the overpayment, but...

She can worry about that later. There's only a pleased rumble in her chest as she leans into him; only pulling away just enough to catch her breath and only when her chest starts to ache from it. ]

So, would you say all my debts have been paid?

I considered it for a minute, but. It's fine. I can flirt with you more later, for free, and I know it.

[ cheeky fuck, isn't he.
he's grinning a little as he settles in her hands, letting himself breathe after the extended, warm kiss and the lightheadedness that comes along with it.

God he loves her, so much. ]

I think for now, though, we're both definitely very even.

How about we go out and see your presents now, that we're both all paid up~?

Ah, so I should prepare myself for later.

[ Said as if she won't flirt with him as well. Especially if there's more mistletoe lurking around the house.

But she's smiling up at him as she relaxes too, her expression warm and loving; something only reserved for him. Before it morphs into quiet confusion. ]

Oh? [ ... Oh right presents- ] O-oh! Right. I was a little distracted.

[ "A little." But she forces herself to move over to her presents now, still a little flushed as she looks over them. ]

Hahhaa.

We forgot, didn't we. [ Jinwoo just had more important things in his mind. and in his hands. And against his lips... he's going to chuckle gently and move to let Lapis stand up on her own, smoothing out her shirt with a hand as if to apologise for mussing it up as he hung her backward in his arms. ]

It's fine, they're not going anywhere.
And the little ones are still distracted with the big doll house we bought for them, so I'm sure they didn't tear open your presents just because they like the way wrapping paper feels when torn...

[ they're playing damsel in distress and the great scary dragon. Cosmog is the damsel. Murkrow is the dragon. ]

Come on, let's grab them before they notice.

[ There's a sheepish little giggle as he smooths out her shirt, and she'll reach a hand up to neaten up his hair in return; gentle fingers smoothing down wayward strands. Let's do something about the "just made out" look really quick- ]

Honestly, maybe we should wrap up more things in general since they like it so much. [ A little chaos here and there is fine.

And Cosmog is the most damsel of damsels, she's gonna be a performer like her parents. And Murkrow is the scariest dragon. ]

And alright, I can admit I like how it feels when you tear it so I want to get to it first...

[ But she'll go over to where the presents lay and crouch down by the tree; though she still handles them very gently as she reaches for the first present and tears it open. ]

[ does he have lipstick on his mouth? He's gonna check himself in a mirror in the hallway as they walk, just to make sure it's not smeared obviously across his face, with a sleeve. don't mind don't minhd... ]

Haha. Maybe we should choose birthdays for them, so they can have little celebrations like that, too?
We can get them to pick dates on a calendar...

[ like they're real children. .... haha. cute, right ]

Here, you sit there-- [ he's gonna start handing them to her one by one. The first, of course, being the gift he requested to Santa to give him for her... ]

[ There is absolutely lipstick on his mouth, and she giggles quietly as he takes a moment to wipe it off. But his suggestion gets her to perk up. ]

Oh, that's a cute idea. I know they would love to have their own celebrations, and then they could pick out the cakes they want too...

[ Like real children- It's a thought that makes her chest warm and do a funny little flip, before she packs that in a box and puts it away.

But she sits as instructed, waiting patiently as he gives her the first gift. And immediately her eyes light up as she looks it over, marvelling at the choker - holding it delicately as she looks over the gemstones and bauble. ]

Oh, this is beautiful, Jinwoo. Thank you so much... [ And she'll offer it to him with a sweet little smile. ] Help me put it on?

It is a good idea, right? We can discuss it with them in the new year. A whole calendar for them to choose from...

[ he smiles, in that sparkly and bright way that's mostly in his eyes as he moves to circle around Lapis, to help her put it on. ]

Santa really outdoes himself with these things. I make a small suggestion and he just... really brings them to life.

It ... comes with a special magic that'll let you heal by singing. That way you can fight and heal at the same time...

I wonder that months they'll pick... Azzurra feels like she'll pick something in the spring, but maybe Haneul would prefer the summer or autumn months.

[ The way he smiles always makes her heart flutter, and for now she'll shove aside her "having children" anxiety. It's easier to focus on him as he helps her with the choker. ]

He really does, it's amazing what he can do... [ A pause. Then. ]

Wait, really? Heal with my singing... That would be really useful. And that's really incredible of you to think of.

Thank you, Jinwoo.

IC INBOX

Christmas Day!

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