[ Truth be told, Satoru hasn't been keeping a close eye on the calendar and the conversion of dates since they arrived at the Elderflower, for better or worse. On the one hand, he no longer needs to anticipate his birthday like he used to; he has enough warmth to fill up his heart every day as is, that it doesn't take an abundance of gifts and celebration to serve that purpose. On the other...it feels a little unnatural, somehow, to anticipate a birthday when he's already passed his death day. Just one of those things he hasn't navigated yet, and hasn't put any further thought into, because he doesn't want to. It's not really all that important...
So when Sumina returns to rouse him earlier than normal this particular morning, he's none the wiser. And grumbling, as he turns his face into the pillow, hair falling against the corner of his eye. He'd been having such a nice dream at an all-you-can-eat sushi bar...and for someone who used to sleep a grand total of three hours each night, he's sure grown accustomed to sleeping in, soaking up the late morning sun like a cat. ]
Ngrh... [ Comes his muffled groan against the pillow. He knew he should have tried to get her to stay in bed this morning!! He may have been better behaved about that since they settled in here, but that hasn't soothed the temptation. ] A hand? With...dragging you back into bed?
[ His arm is already creeping around her waist, poised to strike... ]
[ Oh, how tempting it is indeed to let herself be dragged back into bed, today of all days - and the lack on Sumina's part of any real resistance to his arm winding around her waist attests to the sentiment. Still, she won't let herself be completely drawn into an, ahem, horizontal position beside him, instead leaning over to gently brush his hair away from his eye so she can press a kiss to the fan of his snowy lashes. ]
Aha... No, not this time, I'm afraid. [ Because yes, he has been better behaved about this since they settled in, but she has not once resisted him when he has misbehaved... until now. ] I really need you to come out to the front with me.
[ Now is when she musters the will to fully extricate herself from him, rising back up to her feet to fetch some clothes for him. ]
You see, a terribly unruly guest has arrived, but if anyone can show him how to behave here, I think it's you.
[ She deposits the clothes next to him in bed, but they're maybe a bit... nicer than one might expect for her simply asking him to step out to intimidate a guest. And what's more, is that atop that stack of clothes is a singular, verdant earring. ]
[ Her resistance might be a little surprising, but her claim that he's one to show an unruly guest how to behave is far more so. Since when has he ever been an example of good behavior? Unless she's being cheeky, and needs him to teach a "lesson" to a guest like he once had in a bawdy night club ship...
He can't quite puzzle it out, his suspicions only growing more acute once she drops a pile of clothes for him to change into, which aren't really the sort of comfy loose attire he'd use to fight in. Sitting up more fully, he reaches over and scoops up the green earring into his palm, running his thumb over it. Funny, he can't say he's memorized all of Sumina's jewelry, but he's all but certain he hasn't seen this one before. ]
Oi, Mina, you dropped this. [ Holding up the earring for her to see between his thumb and forefinger: ] Ehh, are you sure you shouldn't come back to bed? You're not making sense, and you're dropping your things...kinda sounds like you need a rest day to meeee, your doctor!
[ Self-assigned, of course. Despite his protests, he's grasping his sleeping shirt from behind his head and tugging it up and off his frame, indulging in a luxurious stretch as he does so, spine cracking in several places.
...He really hopes he gets to throw someone out today. That'd be nice! ]
[ This certainly is an odd situation all-around, and though Sumina's planned much for today, the... duplicity that her current plot requires does have her in a more chaotic state than she would normally allow for herself...
... But also, maybe he's just rubbed off on her a bit in that regard.
She seats herself once more on the edge of their bed when he starts changing as requested, taking the loose earring back into her hand, admiring her own selection with a secretive smile on her lips. ]
Oh? Did I drop it? Hm... what do you think of it, honey? Something you might wear, if you could?
[ yeah she is being so weird this morning!! ]
I guess I really am a bit out of sorts... I just really need you to come out to see to this guest, all right?
[ She is being SO sussy this morning...but in a way he distinctly enjoys, no matter if he doesn't have the complete picture of what's going on yet. He's sharp enough to cotton on to the fact that there must be something more than the typical unruly guest to deal with, but the earring is throwing him off the trail..
Tugging the shirt she picked out for him over his head, he then drapes his long legs off the side of the bed so he can shuck off his sleeping pants and tug on his trousers in their place. Tossing her another slanted glance as he does so: ]
I wouldn't have taken you for someone into guys with piercings... [ Or maybe given Winter's whole Vibe, it's not that surprising, but anyway— ] But sure, I'd wear it. Bet I'd look fetching as hell with that on, actually...
[ Maybe she's onto something here! He's certainly not opposed, particularly as it aligns with the fashion of his new home. All the cool adventurers have their ears pierced... ]
[ He is taking his sweet time to get changed, but Sumina's not in such a rush that she can't appreciate the way he had been stretching and all, too... She wisely opts not to remark on her taste in guys with piercings because, yeah, but when he's finally put himself together, she stands and then presses the earring into his palm. ]
I think you'd look rather fetching with it on, too. And it just so happens this is imbued with an enchantment, so we'll be able to speak to one another over distances like we used to with our phones. Ah. Voice only, though.
[ She smiles, tipping her head to one side - he'd likely notice with all six of his eyes that there's a matching earring hanging off one of Sumina's ears, cuffed along the long ridge of her ear. She's rarely ever made use of all the real estate she has on her ears, but now... Anyway. ]
We'll just have to see about getting your ears pierced, then, yes? [ And now she is back to trying to tug him out of bed. ] Anywho, we really must get going, honey—
[ So, it is for him, and for a functional purpose, on top of a fashionable one. It still doesn't quite click, why Sumina might out of the blue be gifting him a magical earring and suggesting he get his ears pierced, other than offering him a way to annoy her even when they're apart, but then she's tugging him off the bed, only to draw to a sharp stop as something scratching at the door.
...
...
His gaze flickers back and forth between Sumina and the door, one brow arching way, way up beneath the fringe of his hair, before his lips part so he can draw in a deep breath: ]
Is that...a DOGGIE????
[ Even if the yip didn't give it away, he totally cheated with the six eyes. Anyway, he's tearing over to the door now to wrench it open and greet his new favorite Elderflower guest. ]
[ Well... the dog's out of the bag, now. Perhaps literally. Sumina can do nothing but meet his skeptical look with a sheepish one for her part. She'd planned this reveal so carefully, even tried to account for how much he can see with his Six Eyes, and yet... a hound of this particular nature truly cannot be contained.
Case in point: just as Satoru opens the door, he'll find no doggie at all where there moments ago had been one - as doggie has now blinked out and then back into existence right between his ankles, barking excitedly.
Sumina, meanwhile, chuckles nervously. ]
Aha... This isn't how I planned to introduce you but, well... Happy birthday, honey...!
[ The pup's apparent curse technique can wait. Overcome with his cute factor, Satoru immediately goes doe-eyed, squeaking out a sound that can probably only be heard by dogs, as he stoops down and immediately scoops the excited pup into his arms. ]
Ahaha, hi, doggie! Hi, hi, hiiiii!!! Haha, it's a pleasure to meet you~
[ And it's only then, as the dog begins to slather his face in excited kisses, tail wagging in a mad blur, that what Sumina had said clicks. His...birthday? It's...his birthday...?
...He's thirty. His thirtieth birthday, an age he should have never reached, would never have reached...if not for her.
While one hand keeps busy ruffling the dog's abundant fluff, Satoru's other hand snags in the hem of Sumina's skirt, tugging to urge her down onto the floor with them. ]
[ It's impossible to really be upset about how her plan has gone awry when there's simply so much joy burgeoning from both Satoru and the pup, and Sumina can't quite repress the smile that spreads on her lips - not that she wants to. From the moment a group of young adventurers brought the pup in from the Feywild, she'd known this would be a perfect match, and it fills her heart to see that companionship begin to flourish from the word go.
Perhaps it'll help soften the ache of what she's sure are to be rather complex feelings for Satoru - and the way he takes a moment to truly let her words wash over him only attests to the fact. Still, she's there at his side as ever, and joins him without another moment spared when he tugs on her skirt.
Now kneeling beside him, she reaches one arm around his broad back, fingers curling with a reassuring touch over his shoulder, while her other hand boops the puppy's tiny snoot. ]
A bonus gift, even. The earring was going to be the main show, but... Juniper and her friends arrived the other day from the Witchlight Carnival with this lost pup in tow, and asked if I knew anyone in need of a loyal canine companion, so...
[ So, Juniper had a hand in it, huh? He'll have to make sure to thank her next time he sees her, but it was Sumina who put two and two together, seeing the ideal opportunity to pair her hyperactive fiancé with a hyperactive animal. That doesn't belittle the thoughtfulness behind her original gift, either; she knows all too well how lonely he can get.
In two fell strokes, Sumina has given him both more company, and a way to always stay in touch with her. As ever, she always knows just what his heart needs.
As she kneels down to join them, Satoru leans into her side as the dog prances on them both, offering more than a fair share of kisses and sweet tail wags. ]
I think...it's all perfect. [ It's his turn to kiss her now, pressing his lips softly to her cheek. ] I didn't even realize what day it is...time flies.
[ There never seemed to be enough of it before, but now...he has all the time in the world, and a life that's his own, that he chose. He doesn't need his birthday to draw people's attention and time. That Sumina remembered it is all that matters, and it means more than he can say. ]
Thank you, sweetie. [ Another fond kiss, to the corner of her lips this time. ] I love you.
[ Sumina has to wonder how differently this morning might have been, had Satoru realized that his birthday was upon them. But this, a (somewhat) quiet morning to remind them of what a future they yet still have ahead of them - what a future he still has ahead of him - is, as he's now said, all perfect. ]
I love you, too.
[ As always, it bears repeating. ]
Time does fly, doesn't it? [ She hums, amused. ] And to think that a year ago, you were practically pestering me to spend time with you on your birthday...
[ How time flies, indeed. Neither of them could have ever imagined that the next time they would celebrate his birthday would be in his afterlife, and that they would be betrothed nonetheless, and possibly about to take a puppy in as their own. ]
I called in some favors so that the inn would be taken care of without me today, you know. [ she's spoiling him!! ] I thought we might take the puppy and get desserts somewhere together before trying to find things for him... Ah! Come to think of it... what will you name him?
Even in his wildest dreams, Satoru could have never pictured where his life is now a year ago, but that makes it even better, that things somehow became...more than he could conceptualize. He was already falling for her on his last birthday, but they hadn't even kissed yet, hadn't confessed their feelings or their need for time. He hadn't experienced death and rebirth and traversing another world with her.
Now he's going to spend the day with his fiancée and his new puppy, eating desserts and spoiling the dog rotten. It's a life that sometimes is still hard to believe is his own, but with each passing day, and especially on days like this one...it gets easier. The shadows that linger have retreated into the far, far corners.
She raises a good question that needs his immediate attention, and he taps a finger against his chin for a moment, pondering— ]
BlackWarInuGreyMon. [ ...No. Bad mouth feel. ] Never mind, too long. How about...Taichi?
[ The dog offers a yip, either in agreement or disagreement, or most likely just in excitement for being with new, fun people!!! ]
[ Maybe the pup is simply vocalizing his excitement, but still, it's an excitement that's energetic enough that the little ball of fluff suddenly blinks away from within Satoru's grasp— ]
Ah—!
[ —and straight onto his head, fuzzy puppy fur blending in near-seamlessly with Satoru's messy bed hair, arms and legs stretched out over the curve of Satoru's head. Even already knowing of the puppy's fey quirks and tendencies, Sumina still finds herself stunned into surprise for a moment... at least before a warmth floods through her at the positively sweet sight, winding its way from her heart to her throat and to her lips curving into a smile, even as a disbelieving chuckle passes through. ]
I think... that's his way of saying he likes that name very much. Being named after one of the Chosen Children is surely a good way to be - right, honey?
[ Oh...she remembered the lore...he's never been more in love with her than he is in that moment. Combined with the sudden weight of the puppy sprawled over his head, an uproarious laugh bursts out of him, unrestrained, as he throws his arms around Sumina to pull her against him in a warm, bear hug. Bear-and-puppy hug, as Taichi blinks away from the top of Satoru's head, only to appear in the warm nest of their laps. ]
Hah, you're damn right he does! Hehe, he's perfect, Tai-chaaan~!
[ And then turning his head, he plants a big smacker right against her cheek, complete with an affected mwah sound. ]
You really have been paying attention to those episodes we watched! [ It's very important to him to educate her on such matters! ] Have I told you lately how much I loooove you, Momo?
[ Here, within the room that's now become their room in her beloved Elderflower Inn, Sumina laughs freely, the joy bubbling up out of her so easily when she's here with her love, pulled to his side, and now with Taichi, too. ]
You only just told me a minute or so ago, damia. [ yeah. ] I love you, too.
[ Unable to resist the feeling of soft, fluffy puppy fur, yet also wanting to give spoil the birthday celebrant even further, Sumina reaches in to place her hand over Taichi's innocent eyes while she turns her head and leans in to catch Satoru's lips in a brief but nonetheless saccharine kiss. As she draws back just the slightest bit, a sheepish smile tugs at her lips, cheeks growing a little rosier. ]
I'm told... that raising a pup is good preparation for a baby. Ahaha— I wonder if there's any truth to that...?
[ not that they're preparing for a baby (yet) (unless...?) ]
[ Ah, what a good kiss, sweet and warm in a way that leaves him aching for more, and if he hadn't just received a brand new puppy as a gift, he might push for more, but Sumina has plans for the three of them, anyway. He can always spoil her rotten later tonight. That would absolutely be a gift to himself...
Anyway, as if he wasn't already thinking of various positions he could put a baby in her in — ]
Ohhhhh, is that so? [ Playful, but there's a telltale flush of color in his cheeks, too. ] A test-run for our future plans, huh?
[ If he can't fuck up a dog, he probably won't fuck up a baby. Seems sensible to him! Giving Taichi another ruffle behind the neck, Satoru at last climbs to his feet once more, offering Sumina a hand up alongside him. ]
Better put that to the test. You're gonna watch me break records for how quickly I can spoil our puppy rotten.
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no subject
So when Sumina returns to rouse him earlier than normal this particular morning, he's none the wiser. And grumbling, as he turns his face into the pillow, hair falling against the corner of his eye. He'd been having such a nice dream at an all-you-can-eat sushi bar...and for someone who used to sleep a grand total of three hours each night, he's sure grown accustomed to sleeping in, soaking up the late morning sun like a cat. ]
Ngrh... [ Comes his muffled groan against the pillow. He knew he should have tried to get her to stay in bed this morning!! He may have been better behaved about that since they settled in here, but that hasn't soothed the temptation. ] A hand? With...dragging you back into bed?
[ His arm is already creeping around her waist, poised to strike... ]
no subject
Aha... No, not this time, I'm afraid. [ Because yes, he has been better behaved about this since they settled in, but she has not once resisted him when he has misbehaved... until now. ] I really need you to come out to the front with me.
[ Now is when she musters the will to fully extricate herself from him, rising back up to her feet to fetch some clothes for him. ]
You see, a terribly unruly guest has arrived, but if anyone can show him how to behave here, I think it's you.
[ She deposits the clothes next to him in bed, but they're maybe a bit... nicer than one might expect for her simply asking him to step out to intimidate a guest. And what's more, is that atop that stack of clothes is a singular, verdant earring. ]
no subject
He can't quite puzzle it out, his suspicions only growing more acute once she drops a pile of clothes for him to change into, which aren't really the sort of comfy loose attire he'd use to fight in. Sitting up more fully, he reaches over and scoops up the green earring into his palm, running his thumb over it. Funny, he can't say he's memorized all of Sumina's jewelry, but he's all but certain he hasn't seen this one before. ]
Oi, Mina, you dropped this. [ Holding up the earring for her to see between his thumb and forefinger: ] Ehh, are you sure you shouldn't come back to bed? You're not making sense, and you're dropping your things...kinda sounds like you need a rest day to meeee, your doctor!
[ Self-assigned, of course. Despite his protests, he's grasping his sleeping shirt from behind his head and tugging it up and off his frame, indulging in a luxurious stretch as he does so, spine cracking in several places.
...He really hopes he gets to throw someone out today. That'd be nice! ]
no subject
... But also, maybe he's just rubbed off on her a bit in that regard.
She seats herself once more on the edge of their bed when he starts changing as requested, taking the loose earring back into her hand, admiring her own selection with a secretive smile on her lips. ]
Oh? Did I drop it? Hm... what do you think of it, honey? Something you might wear, if you could?
[ yeah she is being so weird this morning!! ]
I guess I really am a bit out of sorts... I just really need you to come out to see to this guest, all right?
no subject
Tugging the shirt she picked out for him over his head, he then drapes his long legs off the side of the bed so he can shuck off his sleeping pants and tug on his trousers in their place. Tossing her another slanted glance as he does so: ]
I wouldn't have taken you for someone into guys with piercings... [ Or maybe given Winter's whole Vibe, it's not that surprising, but anyway— ] But sure, I'd wear it. Bet I'd look fetching as hell with that on, actually...
[ Maybe she's onto something here! He's certainly not opposed, particularly as it aligns with the fashion of his new home. All the cool adventurers have their ears pierced... ]
actually, 1/2
I think you'd look rather fetching with it on, too. And it just so happens this is imbued with an enchantment, so we'll be able to speak to one another over distances like we used to with our phones. Ah. Voice only, though.
[ She smiles, tipping her head to one side - he'd likely notice with all six of his eyes that there's a matching earring hanging off one of Sumina's ears, cuffed along the long ridge of her ear. She's rarely ever made use of all the real estate she has on her ears, but now... Anyway. ]
We'll just have to see about getting your ears pierced, then, yes? [ And now she is back to trying to tug him out of bed. ] Anywho, we really must get going, honey—
no subject
Ah. [ The best laid plans... Under her breath: ] Damn.
[ Scratch scratch scratch— and then a piercing little yip.
Something wants to come in!! ]
no subject
...
...
His gaze flickers back and forth between Sumina and the door, one brow arching way, way up beneath the fringe of his hair, before his lips part so he can draw in a deep breath: ]
Is that...a DOGGIE????
[ Even if the yip didn't give it away, he totally cheated with the six eyes. Anyway, he's tearing over to the door now to wrench it open and greet his new favorite Elderflower guest. ]
no subject
Case in point: just as Satoru opens the door, he'll find no doggie at all where there moments ago had been one - as doggie has now blinked out and then back into existence right between his ankles, barking excitedly.
Sumina, meanwhile, chuckles nervously. ]
Aha... This isn't how I planned to introduce you but, well... Happy birthday, honey...!
1/2
HAS LIMITLESS???? ]
2/2
Ahaha, hi, doggie! Hi, hi, hiiiii!!! Haha, it's a pleasure to meet you~
[ And it's only then, as the dog begins to slather his face in excited kisses, tail wagging in a mad blur, that what Sumina had said clicks. His...birthday? It's...his birthday...?
...He's thirty. His thirtieth birthday, an age he should have never reached, would never have reached...if not for her.
While one hand keeps busy ruffling the dog's abundant fluff, Satoru's other hand snags in the hem of Sumina's skirt, tugging to urge her down onto the floor with them. ]
Birthday, huh...he's my gift?
no subject
Perhaps it'll help soften the ache of what she's sure are to be rather complex feelings for Satoru - and the way he takes a moment to truly let her words wash over him only attests to the fact. Still, she's there at his side as ever, and joins him without another moment spared when he tugs on her skirt.
Now kneeling beside him, she reaches one arm around his broad back, fingers curling with a reassuring touch over his shoulder, while her other hand boops the puppy's tiny snoot. ]
A bonus gift, even. The earring was going to be the main show, but... Juniper and her friends arrived the other day from the Witchlight Carnival with this lost pup in tow, and asked if I knew anyone in need of a loyal canine companion, so...
What do you think, honey?
no subject
In two fell strokes, Sumina has given him both more company, and a way to always stay in touch with her. As ever, she always knows just what his heart needs.
As she kneels down to join them, Satoru leans into her side as the dog prances on them both, offering more than a fair share of kisses and sweet tail wags. ]
I think...it's all perfect. [ It's his turn to kiss her now, pressing his lips softly to her cheek. ] I didn't even realize what day it is...time flies.
[ There never seemed to be enough of it before, but now...he has all the time in the world, and a life that's his own, that he chose. He doesn't need his birthday to draw people's attention and time. That Sumina remembered it is all that matters, and it means more than he can say. ]
Thank you, sweetie. [ Another fond kiss, to the corner of her lips this time. ] I love you.
no subject
I love you, too.
[ As always, it bears repeating. ]
Time does fly, doesn't it? [ She hums, amused. ] And to think that a year ago, you were practically pestering me to spend time with you on your birthday...
[ How time flies, indeed. Neither of them could have ever imagined that the next time they would celebrate his birthday would be in his afterlife, and that they would be betrothed nonetheless, and possibly about to take a puppy in as their own. ]
I called in some favors so that the inn would be taken care of without me today, you know. [ she's spoiling him!! ] I thought we might take the puppy and get desserts somewhere together before trying to find things for him... Ah! Come to think of it... what will you name him?
[ don't say kento suguru challenge ]
no subject
Even in his wildest dreams, Satoru could have never pictured where his life is now a year ago, but that makes it even better, that things somehow became...more than he could conceptualize. He was already falling for her on his last birthday, but they hadn't even kissed yet, hadn't confessed their feelings or their need for time. He hadn't experienced death and rebirth and traversing another world with her.
Now he's going to spend the day with his fiancée and his new puppy, eating desserts and spoiling the dog rotten. It's a life that sometimes is still hard to believe is his own, but with each passing day, and especially on days like this one...it gets easier. The shadows that linger have retreated into the far, far corners.
She raises a good question that needs his immediate attention, and he taps a finger against his chin for a moment, pondering— ]
BlackWarInuGreyMon. [ ...No. Bad mouth feel. ] Never mind, too long. How about...Taichi?
[ The dog offers a yip, either in agreement or disagreement, or most likely just in excitement for being with new, fun people!!! ]
no subject
Ah—!
[ —and straight onto his head, fuzzy puppy fur blending in near-seamlessly with Satoru's messy bed hair, arms and legs stretched out over the curve of Satoru's head. Even already knowing of the puppy's fey quirks and tendencies, Sumina still finds herself stunned into surprise for a moment... at least before a warmth floods through her at the positively sweet sight, winding its way from her heart to her throat and to her lips curving into a smile, even as a disbelieving chuckle passes through. ]
I think... that's his way of saying he likes that name very much. Being named after one of the Chosen Children is surely a good way to be - right, honey?
[ sHE FINALLY REMEMBERED A DIGIMON LORE!! ]
no subject
Hah, you're damn right he does! Hehe, he's perfect, Tai-chaaan~!
[ And then turning his head, he plants a big smacker right against her cheek, complete with an affected mwah sound. ]
You really have been paying attention to those episodes we watched! [ It's very important to him to educate her on such matters! ] Have I told you lately how much I loooove you, Momo?
[ he told her like five seconds ago but ok ]
no subject
You only just told me a minute or so ago, damia. [ yeah. ] I love you, too.
[ Unable to resist the feeling of soft, fluffy puppy fur, yet also wanting to give spoil the birthday celebrant even further, Sumina reaches in to place her hand over Taichi's innocent eyes while she turns her head and leans in to catch Satoru's lips in a brief but nonetheless saccharine kiss. As she draws back just the slightest bit, a sheepish smile tugs at her lips, cheeks growing a little rosier. ]
I'm told... that raising a pup is good preparation for a baby. Ahaha— I wonder if there's any truth to that...?
[ not that they're preparing for a baby (yet) (unless...?) ]
no subject
Anyway, as if he wasn't already thinking of various positions he could put a baby in her in — ]
Ohhhhh, is that so? [ Playful, but there's a telltale flush of color in his cheeks, too. ] A test-run for our future plans, huh?
[ If he can't fuck up a dog, he probably won't fuck up a baby. Seems sensible to him! Giving Taichi another ruffle behind the neck, Satoru at last climbs to his feet once more, offering Sumina a hand up alongside him. ]
Better put that to the test. You're gonna watch me break records for how quickly I can spoil our puppy rotten.