DEDICATED HENRATURRA POST;

[vecna]

(( when the sun sets, we're both the same ))

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[vecna]

[Raises their linked arms up so they don’t knock over a snowman someone built in the middle of the path. Children, probably.]

Like what? Like I think you’re cute?

[velluminous]

[ this man who was so good with children... until he wasn't. her arm has to lift high to do this, but she lets him guide it. it's charming in its way that he would rather this than go around. ]

"Cute" is infantile. Girls with pigtails and frocks are cute.

[vecna]

[Until he wasn't. But he has no reason to be mean to a snowman! A little work of "art" that someone put effort into it.

Their arms swing again once they've cleared the snowy obstacle.]

Then what would you prefer? [He's always going to think she's cute, regardless.] How about... winsome?

[WINSOME WIZARD]

[velluminous]

[ hm. she doesn't care for that, either. ]

What is so wrong with beautiful?

[vecna]

[So picky when it comes to compliments-]

I call you beautiful all the time.

[velluminous]

Call me enchanting, then. Repetition does not make it less potent.

[vecna]

Enchanting, then.

[It means less when she's suggested it to him, though, and he knows it. So, like a true nerd at heart, Henry thumbs through his mental thesaurus.]

Stunning. Elegant. [he thinks she's elegant and will die on this hill no matter how many threads prove him otherwise.] A light in the darkness.

[velluminous]

Are you sure you are not still fishing for me to drop my panties for you?

[vecna]

[It takes all the willpower in the known universe for Henry Creel to not reply with something cheeky.]

Of course not. I hope you never think my compliments are solely given so I can sleep with you.

[,]

But if that's a side-effect, I won't complain.

[velluminous]

Good. I like your compliments.

[vecna]

I have plenty more to give.

[Case in point:]

You're not just a pretty face, you're smart, too.

[velluminous]

[ glances up at him, little flick of dark eyes ]

And?

[vecna]

And clever. Ambitious — willing to bend the rules of magic for the sake of knowledge.

You know what you want. I love that about you.

[velluminous]

And?

[vecna]

And…

[Tilts his head towards her, airily:]

You’re amazing in bed.

[velluminous]

Hha! You are correct about this.

[vecna]

Of course I am. I speak from firsthand experience, haven’t you heard?

[velluminous]

Not recently.

[vecna]

Well, I’ll keep you appraised if anything changes.

[velluminous]

It shouldn't. [ and, after a few more moments of trudging through layering snow, she murmurs, ] I love you, too.

[vecna]

[How dare she crit hit him right in the heart? Henry feels that telltale twang in his chest, and releases her hand just so he can loop his arm around her middle as they walk, instead.]

And you make me so happy because of it. Thank you.

[For saying it aloud. And... for everything.]

[velluminous]

[ don't do this to her!!

clears her throat, leaning her head just so towards him. ]

Oh. Hurry us up, would you?

[vecna]

[A breathy, contented exhale coils in white.]

We’re nearly there.

[Indeed, they are! Whatever their living situation may be, he will be a gentleman and open the door for her once they arrive.]

It’s waiting on your desk.

[velluminous]

[ it is a tiny flat; barely three rooms. everything is a ceaseless mess of clutter and the everyday life. how Henry stands it is beyond her; even she struggles from time to time.

the instant they are across the threshold, she glances at him. forget taking off her coat or shoes—straight to her desk. ]

[vecna]

[A barely-three-room flat is leagues better than the giant underground lab of HNL. He has very little reason to complain, except for sometimes the messes, which… he tries to straighten up… as much as he can.

He’ll take off his coat and close the door behind him as she beelines to her desk. There, atop her wizard’s clutter, rests a small rectangular wooden box tied neatly with a plain red ribbon.

…One small mushroom familiar holds it up, offering it while proclaiming: ta-daaa! Two others sit at the edge of her desk and swing their little stubby legs excitedly.]