o1o, video

[bondsoflove]

[Filtered from Warsman.]

When I lived in Konoha, Valentine's Day consisted of every girl I knew bombarding me with crappy homemade chocolate that tasted more like wax. Boys were supposed to reciprocate with something of equal or greater value a month later, on White Day. I never did, though--for one thing, I'd have been broke, and for another I never returned the interest.

[If you look closely, his face has a little more color than usual, and he's avoiding looking directly into the camera. His voice is low, too, a little secretive--and on closer inspection, it becomes clear that he is hiding out in a supply closet. A posh one, though; even the closets at the Uzushio are high end.]

This is stupid. [Grumbled. He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling nervously; he looks back at the camera and actually makes visual contact this time, resigned. Unhappy. Embarrassed.

But still resigned. He really doesn't have much choice, here.]

I've never done this before. [And he wouldn't be doing it at all, but he has this strange, squirming feeling somewhere in his stomach that Warsman would absolutely love it--that's enough for him to push past his hang-ups.] I don't want to make it seem like I'm trying to be the woman or anything, but--should I make him chocolate anyway?

[Augh. The words coming out of his mouth make him want to pull out his own hair.] I don't even know if he likes chocolate.

Comments

[Video]

[ibreakrules]

[Frau has a wild grin on his face, but he's restraining himself from laughing because that would be counterproductive.]

Make him something he would like, even if it isn't chocolate. Or just do the chocolate. It's more the fact that you cared enough to do it than what you actually make.

[Video]

[bondsoflove]

Yeah, but I don't want to give him something he'll only eat because I made it and he feels like he has to.

[The grin doesn't go unnoticed. He's ready to cut the feed the second it splits open into laughter--he feels stupid enough without mocking from the people around him.]

[Video]

[ibreakrules]

Then don't do food. Do something else.

[Video]

[bondsoflove]

Something like what.

[It's snapped--more because he's frustrated at himself than because of Frau, although he can't help but feel like the guy is doing it on purpose just to see him squirm.]

[Video]

[asano_san]

At least you have someone to give chocolate to!

[Video]

[bondsoflove]

Want to trade?

[Sarcastically--but as soon as it comes out of his mouth, it feels a little like he's been kicked in the stomach. He doesn't want to think about what he might be willing to give up to keep Warsman; just the barely-conscious knowledge that it's a lot more than it should be is enough that he's starting to have trouble sleeping again.

Damn it. No one ever told him relationships were this unpleasant.]

[Video]

[asano_san]

No thanks. My roommates would never let me live it down.

[Video]

[bondsoflove]

[A pause while the phrase settles.

That was not a good move, Keigo.

Sasuke stares at the video capture for a minute before replying in a quiet, dangerously even voice.]

What's that supposed to mean?

Action

[that_is_asecret]

[Don't mind him just appearing beside you, along with a huge bear with roses and chocolate in its paws]

Something like this perhaps?

xellos, you're a troll

[bondsoflove]

[It's probably luckier for himself than it is for Xellos that Sasuke manages not to slam his forearm against his boss's throat in response to the startle. He still half jumps out of his skin, though, his head whipping towards the noise--

And he comes face to face with something very pink, and very large.

He can almost feel his nuts receding into his body at the sight of it.]

I'm leaving in a few minutes. I just didn't want to ask where he could overhear me. Sorry.

[He's assuming this is a front to lecture him about using company property for personal matters, or something--tells himself even Xellos wouldn't actually think something like that furry monstrosity would be a good idea.]

Of the finest kind

[that_is_asecret]

Oh, why is that a concern?

[A pause as he looks at the bear a moment, and then to Sasuke and back to the bear]

Do you think the bear is too much or something?

[bondsoflove]

Well, my shift just ended.

[Okay...either he's playing dumb or he wants something else.]

We don't have room in the apartment for it. [Which is really very low on the list of reasons a giant teddy-bear is a horrible, horrible idea for a present for Warsman, but he's wary of causing offense.]

video;

[theshortestbird]

Maybe find out first if he likes chocolate?

video;

[bondsoflove]

I don't know how I'd do that, aside from treating him like a target for infiltration.

video;

[theshortestbird]

People spy on each other all the time! It's not that big of a deal.

video;

[bondsoflove]

Yeah, but what am I going to do if he picks up on it?

[video]

[surgicalshot]

Well, find out if he likes chocolate, or not, that's a first step? But I think you can never go wrong with some cards! Maybe handwritten ones?

[video]

[bondsoflove]

I don't know what to write.

[He was maybe five years old the last time he made a card--he remembers drawing flowers on it, pasting bits of tissue paper and glitter; it had been for his mother.]

[video]

[surgicalshot]

Then don't write anything. Just make a card. I'm sure he'll understand.

[grandmas_gurl]

If you like them.

I think most people buy gifts, though.

[bondsoflove]

What kind of gifts?

[grandmas_gurl]

You know... flowers, and stuff?

[Action]

[brat_from_hell]

[Here, Sasuke. Have a visit from your other, tinier boss before you leave the Uzushio for the day, appearing out of nowhere. Mostly, he just wants to soak in those delicious negative emotions.]

What about jewelry? Jewelry is just as popular as chocolate for Valentines' Day.

[It was an observation he'd made amongst the misery he experienced during that horrid, lovey-dovey holiday.]

[Action]

[bondsoflove]

[It's a good thing Xellos desensitized him a little earlier--but it still startles him. It's not for long, though; the image of Warsman in jewelry edges it out very quickly from sheer absurdity.

He almost laughs, actually.]

He's not the jewelry type.

Re: [Action]

[brat_from_hell]

You could always give him a magic amulet. One of the kinds Xellos and I make can kill a weak to average Darkness monster in one hit. Nothing says you care like a gemstone you can use for self-defense, right?