escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

And yet...

[A low murmur as he lets her lips take his before he counters with his own.]

You seem too embarrassed to share.

[There will be a flutter and crinkle of ribbons and paper as he suddenly pushes her back onto the couch, his body now looming over her as he cages her.]

As eager as I am to "unwrap" a different gift, I can have enough restraint to wait until we finish with our other exchange.

[While she does allow him to push her down instead, she can only let out a sound of discomfort in the back of her throat, not quite able to meet his gaze now.]

I'd rather you unwrap a different gift first...

[Mumbled under her breath.]

But I can't very well get it for you if you have me like this, can I?

[He eyes her for a moment, as if reconsidering her words, before he sits up to let her go.]

I'll clean up around here a bit.

[She'd lament him letting her go for just about any reason right now, but this time, there's a sad little whine that turns into a groan when he sits up to free her. She remains slumped on the couch for several more seconds before she finally gets up with a slight wobble—]

Fine.

[—and drags her feet to head to the kitchen.]

But if it ruins anything, I am blaming you.

[She disappears, making a bit of a ruckus as she does, mostly with her drunken complaints. She returns only a minute later, and peers around the corner.]

Close your eyes.

[Oh? The kitchen? He watches with more intrigue as he picks up the wrapping and sets it all aside, and once she peeks out...]

All right.

[A quiet chuckle as he does so.]

They're closed.

[She does wonder if he's managed to guess simply from where she had come from, but she does peek further to make sure that his eyes really are closed before she scurries over and slumps back down onto the couch beside him.

Without a word, she will lift the gift to his nose, and he will catch the smell of something sweet, like icing...

And upon opening his eyes, there will be a small cupcake held in her palm, and her glancing away, embarrassed.]

[He did have a suspicion, and that sweet scent is all he needs to confirm it. So he's already smiling with a huff of laughter before he even opens his eyes, and seeing the cupcake just makes them shine in delight.]

You did make one for me!

[She pulls it back when he opens his eyes before he can take it from her, and now her entire face is coloured red.]

Only the one...! I don't know if it is good or not, I have not tested. And only because you would not stop asking me.

[There's even a little candied snowflake on top of the icing!!!]

[HE LOVES IT ALREADY THOUGH???]

I'll be judge of that. Let me try.

[And he's reaching for the cupcake!!]

[She doesn't know why, but she's pulling it away from him again, though it won't be hard for him to reach for it at this point, with the couch blocking her. So he'll eventually get his fingers on it, to which Benedikta grumbles at him for.]

I used less sugar this time...

Hopefully didn't mix it with salt?

[A playful grin as he succeeds in retrieving the cupcake, admiring the way it looks. Should he take a picture?]

[No, he shouldn't, and she has half a mind to just shove it against his lips to get it over with...! Now she's nervous!!!]

I did not!

[She puffs up like an upset bird that is trying to make itself look bigger in the face of a very real threat.]

It should be better than the cake... I followed the directions. Now are you going to eat it or not?

[But she looks so cute all puffed up.]

I just wanted to admire the craftsmanship first before savoring the first bite.

[And he really does think she did well, noticing that little snowflake. But now he really does want to taste it so he'll take a bite...!]

[She winces when he finally does take a bite. And while it will not be so overly sweet or doughy as the birthday cake was, the sweetness is still there, especially in the icing. The cupcake itself will still be a little dry, but it's certainly an improvement from last time. She might have baked it for too long, worried that it would not be finished when she tried taking it out, but perhaps she shouldn't have put it back into the oven for those few minutes earlier.

All in all, it's not perfect, but he'll be able to taste that she has made strides in refining her baking skills!

She waits with bated breath for his verdict with a nervous flutter in her chest...]

[It may not be perfect, and it may be sweet, but—]

It's delicious.

[His sentiment is genuine as he takes another happy bite out of it. Sure it may be a little dryer, but the icing helps to balance it out. Most of all, she made it, so that already makes it taste perfect to him.

He's also not choking on it so that's a plus.]

[She's still holding onto that breath, and she fixes him with a dubious yet hopeful look.]

... You are not simply saying that to make me feel better? Because might I remind you what happened last time?

No, I mean it!

[He laughs a little at that before he takes another bite.]

The icing is a little sweet, but I quite like it. Works well with the cupcake itself.

I know that cupcakes are not... quite to your tastes... I will add less sugar next time.

[Her voice grows quieter, her eyes darting away yet again.]

And what about its texture? It is not too dry? I put it back in the oven when I was not sure it was finished, but when it came out, it was chewier than it perhaps should have been.

[She doesn't really know, she doesn't eat cupcakes!!! More importantly, why does this matter so much and why is she rambling?]

[He just quietly chuckles at that and shakes his head before he holds it out to her.]

I'm no expert, either, so why not take a try?

[There is some nervousness that flickers in her expression, and for a moment, she looks at the cupcake as if it were about to explode icing in her face. But as he holds it out, she leans in...

...Makes an awkward noise...

...And takes a bite...

Her nose wrinkles.]

It is not...great...

I think it is.

[He takes another bite, leaving one last bite left, and just makes a satisfied humming sound.]

But if you think you can make something better, then I will be more than happy to receive.

[Did he really down that entire cupcake in just a few bites? Now it's him that Benedikta is looking at as if he is the one who might explode icing in her face.]

... And you are certain you do not feel sick this time?

[He took big bites and he really enjoyed it!! So what if it was a little dry and he icing might have tasted like pure sugar at some points, he likes it!!]

Not in the slightest. However it did occur to me that this would have gone well with some coffee.

Well... It is too late now.

[With a bit of a crooked and shy smile, she reaches up to wipe away the icing around his lips.]

Another time... and I suppose I will have to continue to improve.

[Her expression crumples a bit at that.]

And I will look forward to it. Just like that cake.

[A playful smile as he takes that last bite with another very pleased end happy hum.]

Really, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself.

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