EMPATHEIAS: Mailbox

[Ignis gladly leans down into the kiss, allowing it to remain brief and chaste even as he brings his hands to rest on either of Steven's shoulders.]

The fact that you weren't was part of the fun.

[To be honest, it's never been any sort of hardship for Ignis to cook or bake for the people he cares about. Their reactions are always well worth the effort.]

Now. Gift before or after cake?

Disregarding the fact that you shouldn't have... I think after would leave us with the best pacing for the evening. I recall a promise you made about not letting tea go cold the next time we sat down together.

[ don't think he forgot about that, because he didn't. tea is very serious business. ]

I did promise that, didn't I?

[Though Ignis generally prefers coffee, he's never been opposed to a cup of tea now and again, especially this late in the day. He releases Steven's shoulders and shoos him towards the table before heading over to the stove in order to see to the kettle.]

You, sit. Let me handle the tea.

[ okay, okay. he raises his hands innocently at being shooed, but smiles as he takes his seat. he can't help but keep admiring the cake as ignis handles the tea - it's just so darn cool.

he'd be satisfied with the day as a whole even if this was the very end of it, but he knows ignis better than to expect that. he'll let himself be spoiled just for today... as long as it's the two of them, he can't bring himself to put up a fight. ]

[He'll even withhold any remarks about the superior nature of coffee since it's your birthday, Steven. You really are spoiled.

He returns to the table a few moments later, having filled the pot from the kettle and leaving the tea to steep properly rather than in their individual cups, setting it down between their plates.]

I told you it would be worth taking a break to follow me into the kitchen. Your samples will still be there when we're done.

[ he is, and he knows it. now that he’s calming down from his initial excitement, there’s a warm feeling bubbling in his chest that he can’t seem to shake. everything that ignis is doing... it’s thoughtful and incredibly sweet. he’s had celebrations for his birthdays before, but nothing quite like this. ]

I think I can keep my mind off of them for the next while.

[ and that’s a big deal for him. ]

[Ignis knows exactly what a big deal that is.]

Perhaps I ought to bake more often.

[He's teasing, mostly-- he would no sooner distract Steven from his passions than any of his friends would chase him out of his own kitchen.]

Would you like to do the honors?

I wouldn't say no if you did.

[ he'd definitely take more structured breaks if the smell of baking permeated his apartment, but that's teetering dangerously on the precipice of domesticity... not that it should be considered a bad thing. ]

But of course.

[ he eyes the four candles, pondering them for a moment (or maybe making a wish?) before gesturing to them with a flick of his wrist. a quick, warm gust of dunamis wind magic blows past, cleanly extinguishing the flames. it definitely looks cooler than just blowing them out normally.

though he says nothing, he looks a bit chuffed as he takes the cake cutter to serve each of them a slice. don't fault him for wanting just a bit of flair. ]

[Ignis lets out a snort of amused laughter, leaning back in his seat with his arms folded, his smile pulling a bit lopsided.]

Always one for show, aren't you? Should I applaud?

[And so the teasing continues, though his smile broadens as Steven serves the both of them, reaching to pull his plate closer with one hand.]

Nicely done. Thank you.

If you feel so inclined.

[ he’ll even take a shallow, equally teasing bow. it isn’t often that he’s this playfully relaxed, but he feels incredibly comfortable in ignis’ presence. it’s far too easy to be jovial, between spending time with a loved one and taking in the evening’s events. everything has made him indescribably happy, and he can’t help but let it bubble over. ]

I aim to please.

[ naturally, the cake is absolutely delicious. it’s already been proven that there’s no hiding how pleased steven is with everything that ignis has prepared, and there’s still the odd sparkle that twinkles around him as they share their tea and chat over cake. he insists on clearing the table when they’re done - it’s only fair, seeing as ignis has done so much for him already. ]

[Ignis begins to protest when Steven insists on clearing the table, but seeing as he's determined, he chooses not to argue with him. Instead, as Steven clears away the plates, Ignis disappears into the living room for a moment, returning shortly with a wrapped gift in hand, the size and shape of a book. It's not terribly discreet, but he smiles as he holds it out in offering. He's always felt that gifts should be practical, to a certain extent, but he's still finding himself somewhat nervous about giving this one.]

No more 'you shouldn't have's.

[Of course he was going to get you a gift, Steven.]

[ ignis isn't the only one between the two of them that can be stubborn, and even a birthday boy can at least clear his own kitchen table of its dirty dishes. it isn't ignis' job to wait on him, and he wants to at least show some sort of gratitude besides words.

considering he knows that it's coming, he only protests with an defeated sigh that's followed up with a smile of his own as he accepts the package. ]

Thank you, Ignis. [ he runs his fingers over the wrapping. ] Should I open it now?

[Stubbornness is just one more thing they have in common.]

Absolutely. There's no time like the present.

[It's going to get him a glare, he's sure, but he couldn't resist. He folds his arms across his chest expectantly, his smile quirking to one side.]

[ though it isn't without a smile, you can bet that he rolls his eyes hard at that. arceus above, noctis was right ]

You're ruining the moment.

[ but of course, he'll let it slide with a light chuckle and shake of his head as he gets to unwrapping his gift. the expertly-folded paper falls aside to reveal a smooth, leather-bound field journal. that alone would make it a fantastic gift, but what makes it stand out are his initials - SS - embossed in the corner. his fingertips trace the lines, captivated. ]

It's perfect.

[ he clutches it to his chest, looking at ignis with pure gratitude. yet again, he's managed to nail it - this time, an impeccable crossing between personal and practical. ]

Ruining? A bit harsh, don't you think?

[Noctis was right. Ignis has at last shown his true colors, revealing himself as a stone-cold punster after all these months, and now it's too late to turn back. You're trapped, Stone.

His smile softens as Steven peels the wrapping away, revealing the journal inside. It's nothing particularly fancy or extravagant, but Ignis has a feeling that Steven has had quite enough of both of those things, to a certain extent.]

I thought you might find it useful on excursions, or your various trips outside the city.

I'd hardly call puns romantic.

[ he'll eat his words if ignis can somehow swing that one day, but for now they will remain eye roll-worthy. right now, he's far more engrossed with his gift.

he opens the leather-bound cover, taking note of the spaces for pens and even for small samples in its inside pouches. the pages, fresh and untouched, beg to be filled. ]

I will. You know my habits all too well...

I like to think we've known each other long enough for me to get a general idea.

[They'd only been dating a small fraction of that time, but all those months still count for a great deal. He's pleased as he watches Steven open the cover and appreciate the extra details; he'd briefly stopped to wonder whether or not they would be too much, but he's glad he'd thought to have them included now.]

I'm glad you like it.

I'll have to think of something a bit more personal than just a stone for your next birthday.

[ not that he regrets the one that he gave ignis all those months ago, but things have changed between them. incredible specimen or not, he deserves something personalized.

he closes the book, bringing his eyes back up to meet his partner's. ]

I love it. [ it's a genuine confession. ] As I do everything else that you've done for me today.

I'll have you know that stone has held a place of honor in my study ever since.

[Ignis is absolutely the kind of nerd who appreciates such gifts, but his smile warms further at Steven's earnest expression and the words that follow.]

It was my pleasure, truly. I'll admit, this is something of a first.

I've seen it. It makes a very nice display piece.

[ it gives something of a warm feeling to know that it's been there for so long, even before they started dating. it's just like ignis to be so thoughtful.

his head tilts curiously at his next words. surely this wasn't his first time celebrating a birthday or giving a gift. ]

How so?

Ah-- well.

[He shifts slightly before letting out a short laugh that's less collected and confident than Ignis himself generally tends to be, and his expression turns just a touch sheepish. How to phrase it?]

I don't believe I've ever dated someone long enough to celebrate a birthday with them before now.

[That said, the two of them had been friends until only recently, but the fact still stands.]

[ his own smile takes a shy tone to it as well, but he likes how it looks on ignis much more. ]

I see.

[ ignis' own birthday has indeed come and gone, but their relationship was much different in that context. things have changed, but not at all in a bad way.

he hesitates for a moment, shifting the book to one arm before taking ignis' hand into his free one. though he doesn't normally make this kind of affectionate gesture, this one feels warranted after tonight's overwhelming comfort and warmth. ]

I'm sure it goes without saying, but I hope that we have more to celebrate in the future.

Perhaps it goes without saying, but I can't say I mind hearing it.

[It's a lot of words, honestly, to say what essentially amounts to 'so do I,' but it's the easiest way for him to manage the fact that he's decidedly beyond his usual realm of comfort-- though he's quite comfortable with Steven himself. A life spent wholly dedicated to his work after having to grow up at a frighteningly young age meant that he wasn't quite sure how to proceed with things past a certain point when it came to relationships, but he's actually quite enjoying sorting things out day by day.

He gently squeezes the offered hand, a sign of affection as well as solidarity-- reassurance that they were once again on the same page.]

That said, we're not quite through celebrating this one just yet.

[ in the few romantic relationships that steven has been in before, none of them have made him feel quite as taken as ignis does. it's a little embarrassing to dwell on, but with that embarrassment comes a feeling of subtle excitement. they might still be in their honeymoon phase, but they've known each other long enough to know that there's real feeling behind it.

he raises an eyebrow, his inquisitive gaze looking a little less innocent this time around. ]

I can't imagine what else you have planned.

[ liar. ]

EMPATHEIAS: Mailbox

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