tunasub | MISTLETOE MEME REDUX

No, no, no, I'm serious! That's the tradition! Ask Lottie, she'll tell you the same thing.

[ this was well within expectations for a response from Cairngorm, even if his response sounds hurried... It does sound like something he'd make up. He can't deny that. Sigh!! The difficulties of being a dashing rogue 24/7. ]

[ There's a beat, while they watch for some sign of fibbing. But, none comes. In fact, this answer is a little more earnest and hurried than usual. So, they huff out a little sigh, a slight crease easing into their brow. ]

Oh, I get it. So you led me over here on purpose...

[ They were still partially right, and thus their suspicions were valid. These sorts of little pranks used to be met with them completely writing him off, but— well, they've always been weak to giving in to those they're close to, whatever the influence.

Uncrossing their arms, they rest a hand on one of his shoulders. ]

You didn't have to lead me over to some stupid plant, you know.

[ They're mumbling, because they're finally having the sort of delayed embarrassed reaction he was expecting. It is embarrassing talking about all this stuff in such a direct way. In their opinion, if he wanted to kiss them, he should have just done it wherever, instead of putting them on the spot like this. ]

[ to be fair to Cairngorm, he's very good at lying. On the bright side, he's actually telling the truth this time, so their deductions are correct. Lupin looks rather pleased with himself, even as they call him out for his conniving - he has half a mind to call them out for believing him so quickly, but he doesn't want to spoil the moment, regardless of how cute and huffy they get when he points out their little signs of trust and affection.

A bigger target just presented itself, anyway. ]

Are you saying I've got free reign to kiss you whenever I want? That's an awful lot of power to give me.

[ the weight of their hand on his shoulder makes the hair on the back of his neck stand up, and it's not just the cold - he hasn't quite gotten to them reaching out and touching him of their own volition yet, and it still gives him a pleasant thrill when they do. ]

No.

[ That much comes out blunt and decisive, even if they're pursing their lips slightly, looking down in half defiance and half embarrassment. Of course they're going to deny that. Letting Lupin kiss them whenever would be too dangerous... they just know he'd do it purposefully at times they aren't expecting it. Still, their other hand comes to the fabric near his collar, giving it a little tug in reprimand. ]

I was saying that you didn't have to go through the effort of tricking me. That's all...

[ Framing it as a waste of effort on his part is all they can come up with at the moment to deflect. They don't want to hear whatever corny thing he's going to inevitably say in response to their flustered mumbling, so they're fine with kissing him if only to make him Stop Talking. Slowly, not more than a beat after they've finished speaking, they pull him down, tilting their head up so they can press their lips to his in a chaste kiss - of course, gentle as they always are when they show affection to him. It's not often that they initiate (they're aware of it, he's probably even more aware of it), but when they do, they're always careful about it. ]

[ Cute. Cairngorm is so cute. The way they get embarrassed is cute, the way they always try to deflect is cute, that rough-around-the-edges attitude is cute - if he were anyone other than Arsène Lupin, he's sure he'd have a dopey enamoured smile on his face right about now. There's something charming about the absolute strength they have compared to him, too - and how it makes their careful touches all the more tender in comparison. He's still smiling when they tug him down, canning whatever flirtatious response he had on deck the instant he registers that they're not intending to let him say it anyway.

Kissing a gem is still weird, it turns out. He returns it wholeheartedly nonetheless, letting his eyes flutter closed and throwing himself into the alien sensation. It is rare for them to initiate anything, and that only makes the brief moment sweeter. Gems don't do this. But they'll do it for him. And if that doesn't set his romantic heart racing, nothing will.

Lupin feels like he could probably keep this up until his lips go numb, but he won't, mostly for Cairngorm's sake; when he pulls away - not too far - there's an amused slant to his golden eyes and the hint of a warm flush in his cheeks. ]

You're doing a terrible job convincing me.

[ Ironically enough, kisses between them are likely more pleasant for them than they are for him, from the physical standpoint. Even if they have to be careful not to press too hard, and need to be aware of their relative temperature, his lips are so soft in comparison to theirs... of course, at first, the sensation was more weird than it was enjoyable, but they've found (through trial and error) that its primarily nice because its him, anyway. Besides, through things like this, they can be close to him in ways that they can't be with gems; it feels like something special that way, like this is just between him and them.

But it's still sort of embarrassing taking part in something so human. It makes him happy (increasingly becoming something they care about), and there's a certain thrill in being the one allowed to do this with him (not that they'll admit it). But it's still embarrassing!!! When he pulls away but stays close, the remnants of said embarrassment linger on their features - a little color tints their sulky expression. ]

Convincing you of what...

[ They trail off, meeting his amused gaze defiantly. ]

That I shouldn't have done this, obviously.

[ he leans in again with a low chuckle in his throat, stealing a brief second kiss from them in the space of a heartbeat before properly releasing them - although his hand lingers on their face for a few moments longer. How does a gem blush, he wonders? The mechanics of it are a total mystery - but it's so charming that he couldn't care less. ]

I think you're getting the hang of these human holidays.

[ So he admits it aloud... they let him kiss them again, but they frown slightly afterwards, never wanting to let him think that he should be happy about getting away with something. Even when they let him. ]

Not really. I still don't get most of this stuff... [ They say, bluntly, while looking back up to the plant. His little trick is over, so shouldn't he be taking it down??? ] Like why all these things get put up way before the actual holiday. When us gems hibernate, we set everything up the day before and that's it.

[ That truly is the closest comparison they have to a holiday; it's the only day of the year gems specifically do anything completely drastically different. ]

[ he's not taking it down ]

So we can enjoy them for longer, obviously! It's exciting, having all these decorations around - it puts you in the mood for the holidays. Especially for children. When I was a boy, I'd go crazy for Christmas decorations.

[ he was teasing Cairngorm, but he gives them a serious answer anyway. ]

Winter's pretty gloomy, as I'm sure you know. It's nice to have something to break up the cold and gray.

[ but what if he ends up kissing other people because of it being there :/!!!!!!! ]

I guess I don't care that much... [ Winter's cold and gray because that's how nature is. It's never something they feel particularly depressed about, except for how burnt out it makes their inclusions feel. ] I have a ton of work during all of winter, so I'm usually thinking about that instead.

[ They look around at all the things they've put up throughout the day; wreaths, ornaments, things like that. Taking his comment into account, too, they can only hum in thought. ]

Do you like this holiday more, or something? You didn't do this much for the other ones.

[ maybe they should voice this concern and he'll think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

You work too hard.

[ just general commentary, there. He understands that the gems' lives are dangerous, but he feels like that makes moments of relaxation and fun all the more important - and gets the sense that Cairngorm needs a lot more of both, judging by that permanent furrow in their brow. ]

Christmas is the biggest holiday of the entire year, around where I live. So it's more just tradition... [ hm. Lupin pauses to actually think about this, tapping his chin. ] But I guess I like it more, too. I didn't get to celebrate it when I was little, since I didn't have a house or anyone to swap presents with.

[ he elaborates purely because he doesn't think Cairngorm understands poverty, not because he's fishing for pity. ]

[ MAYBE THEY WILL!!!!!!!!!!!

He's right, they don't really understand it. It's difficult to understand why society would ever be built in such an inefficient way... it's slightly pathetic. His suffering could have been easily avoided if an abstract concept like money didn't exist in his world. It seems like such an easy solution to them, even though they guess it is likely way more complicated than they can feasibly understand in a short conversation. ]

So that's how it is. You have that stuff now, so you're making up for it.

[ That makes sense. From what it sounds like, he could've died pretty easily in his younger years, so now that he's older and not living with that threat all the time, he celebrates more. ]

The amount of tradition is sort of excessive... [ They muse, letting out a soft sigh afterward. It might make sense that he goes all in on this holiday, but that doesn't mean they won't complain. ] Are you saying there's a bunch more weird stuff like this hanging around. I didn't come over to get tricked by you all day.

[ nodding!! It's usually hard to get Cairngorm to understand things - or at least admit that they understand things without snarky commentary - so he feels rather accomplished. Maybe they're finally softening up on him now that he's won their hand... ]

Nah. Most of the rest is just putting up decorations, giving presents, and eating a lot, with some singing on the side - which I'll spare you, so I'd say you're safe from tricks until you get caught under the mistletoe with me again.

[ a beat. ]

Although you did say I don't need an excuse. Maybe I'll just surprise you next time?

Don't.

[ They say that with some blunt decisiveness, as if it will actually deter him from trying it if he feels like it. Most of their usual tactics meant for trying to keep him in line never seem to discourage him from being as obnoxious and affectionate as he wants. Even when he's likely deduced by now that they're not a fan of surprises.

Still. They keep their expression flat when they look back up at the little plant, concealing any curiosity or confusion from their appearance. ]

You're gonna leave it there?

Christmas isn't over yet, is it?

[ they just put all these decorations up, he's not taking them down!! Even if he got one use out of this one already.

Maybe they're worried he's going to sneak up on them underneath it again in the future. (They would be right.) ]

[ There's a beat or two after he responds, watching him for any little sign that might give them more information about why he's leaving it there, but obviously there's none there, or at least none that they can pick up on. Then, they cast their gaze off to the side, trying to reconfigure their previous understanding that in general, people avoid kissing anyone else other than the one they're supposed to be with.

Well, it's probably just a dumb tradition. ]

What's the point in leaving it there when I know where it is... [ It's true, they don't doubt their ability to pointedly avoid this space if they have to. ] Or, what, you're gonna try to trick others, too?

[ It might be phrased like a loaded question, but it isn't supposed to be one. They don't seem visibly bothered at all; just aloofly curious about what they assume to be the latest tradition they can't understand perfectly. ]

[ there's something on their mind - he can see it in that ever-deepening crease between their brows and baleful stare - but he can't guess what it is, aside from the aforementioned worry he's going to kiss them more. (And if they're actually stressing about that, he'll feel really guilty.)

But it's not that. Their reasoning clicks into place instantly as soon as they say that; he blinks, then laughs softly under his breath. ]

Are you worried I will? [ it seems silly to him -- but it's a sensible worry, especially for a gem who doesn't really understand this tradition, and for one who's probably seen him flirting with others in the past. He's had a few people call him a ladykiller here, in fewer words. But he's not. Lupin reaches out, gently brushing his fingertips through the sweep of hair framing their face. They might not look bothered, but he wants to nip the possibility in the bud. ] Don't be. Trick or not, I don't let just anyone get that close to me, you know.

[ At that, they make eye contact for a short moment, before keeping their glance to the side, especially as he brushes his hand through their hair. Their arms come to fold loosely across their chest, a quiet and subtle move of defense. ]

I wasn't worried.

[ Of course they're going to deny it. Back at that palace they hadn't been able to process why the idea of Lupin kissing other people would make them— not jealous, but more like disappointed. Here, they're able to articulate their feelings a little better, if only to themself. ]

I was just wondering. It's your weird holiday, so do whatever...

[ He seems to take this Christmas stuff pretty seriously, so it would follow that he'd participate in these traditions seriously, too, maybe. He's laughing, even if its under his breath, so that's all the more reason to act like they don't care. Even if he was going to kiss others, if it was the normal way of things in human tradition world, then they'd have to get over it. ]

[ sure, he takes it seriously, but he feels like Cairngorm's taking it even more seriously - which he finds endearing, fortunately. It really is just decoration. He put it up for fun; he only considered invoking the silly tradition once Cairngorm entered the house. Something that would be obvious to a human, but not to a gem, Lupin supposes. His smile only widens. ]

C'mon, you. Don't be like that. [ ignoring their slightly defensive posture, he pushes some of that hair behind their ear, resting his hand along their neck. ] You're so cute I can hardly stand it. How could I even think about kissing anyone else?

[ Their frown deepens at that, looking down at the hand on their neck. ]

I'm not "being" like anything.

[ Or, at least, they're not trying to. They're just being their usual self, and it is true that this is his dumb holiday. Their hand rests over his at their neck, debating between removing it and not - he's always saying such embarrassing stuff. It'd be annoying if it wasn't so unfamiliar and kind to them. ]

And besides, I don't know. Humans do all sorts of weird traditions without fail... [ Who's to say this isn't one of them!!! Maybe it's completely normal, and they're just unaware. ] I ask because I don't know about them, or how they're supposed to be. That's all.

[ Lupin shakes his head. Yes, he knows they're clueless. He also knows they don't see any value in themself. ]

It's just silly fun - no one has to do it if they don't want to. Frankly, if anyone else wanted to, I'd tell them that they missed their chance.

[ a pause; he tilts his head at them. ]

"Do whatever," huh... You can be a little more selfish with me, you know.

Be more selfish with you...?

[ They repeat it back, equal parts confused and disbelieving. When you barely have any control over your own self, it doesn't really come naturally to them to try to control other people's lives, unless of course its in the situation where they're just trying to keep someone in line for their safety. And he's right, they don't have any value placed in their personhood, especially not enough to feel justified to keep him to themself. ]

What do you mean by that?

You don't have to let me "do whatever," tradition or not. You wouldn't like it if I went around pulling that trick on someone else, right? You don't have to be okay with it. I mean...

[ he purses his lips, thinking. How to put this? It's a little abstract, and it's hard to express in a way that doesn't sound like him telling them how to feel - which is the last thing he wants. But he feels a little guilty sometimes for how much he takes from Cairngorm - affection, especially - while they ask for nothing in return. ]

I'm yours. You don't have to share me with anyone. You know? If you ever want anything of me - anything at all - all you have to do is say so, and I'll listen. [ a hapless smile; he strokes the little sliver of icy skin not covered by their collar with the edge of his thumb tenderly. They can't feel his warmth anymore, and he'll never feel any softness from them, but he continues with these little touches all the same. ] Even if it's silly.

[ They've been working on trying to accept his affections with more grace, but they still end up feeling so overwhelmed when he says things like this. When he touches them so gently. His words feel like they twist sweetly through them, leaving an ache in their chest. For a long moment, they're silent, stroking their thumb against the back of his hand. ]

Then... I wouldn't like it. I guess.

[ To share him with anyone else. Having someone or something all to themself; that's a desire they hadn't been able to articulate until very recently. But he's usually coaxing them towards control and choice, so it feels slightly less daunting to express how they feel. They know that he's smiling, but they can't bring themself to look at him. ]

Because— I don't want to, with anyone else.

[ And they want him to feel the same way - he already said so, but they don't know. It's obvious to everyone that Lupin is the only one they'd ever let so close to them. It's not as obvious with him. The idea of not having to accept something, even if its the way things are, is so foreign to them that it didn't occur to them to ask him to behave differently on the account of their feelings. ]

[ they won't know how his pulse flutters when they tell him that. Lupin is trying to help them come into their own more, truly - that's what he's been doing since the start - but there is most definitely a part of him that just wants to hear Cairngorm say these things to him. They're so coy about putting their feelings into concrete words; every time they come out of their shell enough to be honest makes him feel -- special. Loved. And he knows that he's both of those things already - he's Lupin, of course he is! - but to be special and loved by others and to be special and loved by Cairngorm are two very different things, and the latter is a rare and hard-won achievement. He tilts his head at them, gently amused; maybe it's good they can't meet his gaze, because he thinks he'd probably kiss them again if they did. ]

Well, neither do I.

[ as he speaks, he sneaks his hand out from under theirs, reaching up to instead unhook the mistletoe from its perch above the doorway. In the same movement, he playfully holds it against their chest in a bid for them to take it from him. ]

Here. You can hang onto this and sleep soundly knowing you're the only one who got any use out of it.

MISTLETOE MEME REDUX

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I THOUGHT I TAGGED THIS wadda hell.......

i see how it is...

i have two hands ........................

both for SLAPPING ME

SLAP SLAP SLAP

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