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[ 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.

You're such a powerful fighter, but you're also a good healer... I thought it might become convenient to do both at once, instead of having to pause one for the other, in the future, so...

[ a little smile as he reaches to touch the moon-shaped pendant at the front, letting it wiggle back and fourth. ]

That isn't all I got you, though. It'd be pretty stingy if that was it.

That was just important because of Santa, but...

[ he's digging into the pile again, and he comes out with a big squashy package, that's kind of floppy and soft. ]

This one I had... commissioned. I'm glad they got it done in time for Christmas.

[ Inside is... a big, long plushie
it's huge, big enough to be used as a body pillow, really

but it's... a dragon.
and a rather recognisable dragon.

one that looks an awful lot like lapis when she's in her dragon form... ]

[ Something a little more sheepish settles over her expression, when he calls her "powerful" - it's not something she's ever really thought about. But it does make her heart do a little flutter to know that he thinks that. ]

You really do think of everything. [ There's a quiet little sound when he touches the pendant, almost a giggle, as she gives him another soft smile. Followed by a blink. ]

I wouldn't have minded just that, you know.

[ But she still perks up when he pulls out something... big and squishy. Golden eyes widening as she gently takes the package in her arms, squeezing a few times as if to gauge what it is.

Which doesn't work of course, so she takes a moment to tear off the paper and just... marvel at what she's looking at once the plushie is revealed. That's her... Her in her dragon form. Right now to the sparkles and flowers dotted across her. ]

Oh. [ Oh. ] It's... me.

[ She keeps holding it gently, taking in the plushie. All the detail, how cute it is... This is how he sees her? He really focuses so much on her...

... Ah, that is making her more emotional than expected. There's a little sound as she hugs the plush a little tighter, vision starting to blur. ]

It's you. [ he confirms that with a gentle nod of his head as he moves to settle next to her, watching as she takes it into her arms, squeezing it like its been made to.

It's made of some very soft material, but it's firm in its form enough to be used as a pillow, if she likes. ]

I didn't really have a photo to go off of, but I gave a pretty good description to the artist, I think... they got it pretty spot-on. Right down to the crocheted flowers...

[ ...Oh

oh wait is she ...

ah ]

I. I didn't mean to make you cry, I'm sorry, was it --- was it not a good idea?

[ Uwah, it's so soft... It's so tempting to maybe use this as a pillow. And it's big enough that they can share it too.

Though oops, worrying him like that is the last thing she wants to do and she gives a quick shake of her head. ]

No! No, it was a good idea. An amazing idea. Please don't apologize, I'm just...

[ She hastily rubs at her eyes now - trying to ignore how her cheeks start to heat up as she hugs the plush a little tighter. ]

Just a little emotional. I still worry, that I'm something scary. So knowing you don't see me like that, and you... pay so much attention to me too... It really means a lot to me.

...haha.

Lapis.

[ He's gonna move to draw his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. ]

...Maybe, if I were your enemy, I'd find you very scary.
You're powerful, you have crazy forms with out-of-this-world powers. Definitely.

But never once have you used those powers against me. Or anyone we know. They're powers you use to protect those you love, and this city.

How could I possible consider someone so heroic as 'Scary'?

Batman and Superman are intimidating. But never scary. All I see when I see you changing forms in battle is something that brings me hope.

And all I feel when I see you like that... is safe.

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crisantemo - 2025-12-30 02:34 (UTC) - Expand