[Today is when he has to send out what few presents he has by courier. Andersen hasn't been sleeping the past day or so but last night his body shut down on him. It's apparently easy to forget that he's a human in this world, without the inhuman stamina afforded to him as a Heroic Spirit.
Which is why, when he stumbles downstairs, he does so bleary-eyed, still fumbling with the final button of his vest.]
... what's that smell? [He stops dead in his tracks to sniff at the air.] Hey. Dantes, that isn't you, is it?
[he calls back from where he's cooking the last golden cake, carefully ensuring it doesn't burn before he moves it to a plate and begins setting up the table.
it is Christmas, after all. he can stand to do a little more.]
Coffee is made, so come drink it before it goes cold.
Is that really you? You aren't an imposter, are you? Where's the cackling Avenger who runs around with over-complicated schemes? Who's this vegetarian house husband I woke up to?
[Even as he says that, he approaches the coffee.......]
[Red tinges Andersen's cheeks but he shuts up for once and takes the napkin. He knows it was a joke - that Dantes wasn't the sort of man to indiscriminately go around and poison his allies - but he was still stumbled straight into it like a buffoon. As he wipes at the floor, he spits out:]
Good to see that you're in such a festive mood. I don't think I've heard you laugh so hard in weeks. I was beginning to wonder if you were losing your edge...
[calming down, he starts to plate out the pancakes, golden and warm. the scent was coming from them earlier, and he can only grin at his own offhand cleverness.]
Come. Your choice, whether you eat first or decide to unveil the mystery of your presents.
[He crumples up the napkin and tosses it into the trash, not quite looking at Dantes. It seems he's struggling to find words - a rarity for him - before he finally acquiesces with:]
I trust you've put butter on my pancakes?
[He'll go and take his seat before he slides the thin present towards himself to open it.]
[It's a weapon simple enough for even a novice like Andersen to understand. He open it delicately, as if afraid he'll accidentally cut himself, and turns the blade this way and that in the light.]
I appreciate the thought. [He folds the knife carefully shut with the clumsy caution of a novice, sets it down on the table.] But this gift leaves me with more questions and concerns than it does reassurance.
That was not my intention, yet I understand. With everything I have heard about this place, it feels better to be prepared than not to be, and should I not be at your side...
[he shrugs, and because it's Christmas, he will actually take Andersen's plate to butter his pancakes. enjoy being spoiled, it's not happening for another year.]
Use it to do nothing more than cut slices of fruit and open letters, if you please.
With how you presented it, it's only natural my mind would lean towards violence.
[But he understands the sentiment. Stay safe. Use this well. Even if Dantes doesn't give voice to these thoughts, Andersen can read them well enough. He picks up the next gift and opens it.]
[this one, Dantes says nothing for. it's heavier, and when the paper is torn away, it's a black velvet box. opening it, a silver pocket watch complete with chain is resting there. if he wants to click it open, it's running, synced to the clock in the living room, and in very good condition.
that had been the one he had seen and thought that it would do for his Bonded. something to cater to his dandy nature while still being stylish and something he might actually use. he'll work on setting up his own breakfast now.]
[He's at a loss for words. Andersen runs a thumb over its intricate design and when he opens it he finds that it's in proper working order. He's received gifts before - their foolish Master running about on Valentine's Day comes to mind - but he's never gotten one so thoughtful.
Ah. So this is how much importance Dantes places in their Bond. He's somewhat relieved to know there's reciprocity.]
What kind of question is that? You've been my partner and we've stopped each other from losing control due to the forces in this world. Isn't that what's required?
[your pancakes are going to get cold at this rate.]
Never, but if you didn't have me, you would have. Magic bursting you apart at the seams, and everything else Witches are supposed to go through should they not have a proper outlet.
[homemade, fluffy, flavored with vanilla. it seems Dantes has more cooking talents than he's let on. thanks, Dumas, for making a protagonist.]
Beyond that, we maintain our mutual home, we conduct investigations, we've made financial strides - yes, even though it came at the cost of you nearly severing your leg - we have productive discussions, and you've even seen fit to outfit me for special occasions. None of that is what I would consider lacking in a partnership, particularly since you do not attempt to order me around as though you were my commander.
... hmph. How can I argue when you present such an airtight list?
[And with delicious food, to boot. Andersen isn't accustomed to being treated so kindly - and it's apparent by how his sharp tongue is dulled during this conversation. He cuts more pancakes for himself, chewing each piece slowly to savor the flavor.]
I'll remember that the next time you call me a sulking housecat.
[truth be told, none of it would stop how Dantes ordinarily was. he did it exactly because he wished to, and if Andersen was so stunned by his moments of magnanimity, then he had forgotten some key details.]
Hold on, this exchange isn't finished yet. Wait here, why don't you?
[And, without waiting for Dantes's response, Andersen has hopped off his seat and jumped up the stairs. He's back in a minute with an envelope in hand, which he slaps onto the table with enough force to make the tableware jump and clatter.]
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Which is why, when he stumbles downstairs, he does so bleary-eyed, still fumbling with the final button of his vest.]
... what's that smell? [He stops dead in his tracks to sniff at the air.] Hey. Dantes, that isn't you, is it?
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[he calls back from where he's cooking the last golden cake, carefully ensuring it doesn't burn before he moves it to a plate and begins setting up the table.
it is Christmas, after all. he can stand to do a little more.]
Coffee is made, so come drink it before it goes cold.
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[Even as he says that, he approaches the coffee.......]
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I'm glad to see that I can still make tasteless paralytics.
[no, but shut up. he's allowed to be nice for one day of the year.]
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YOU WOULDN'T DO THAT TO ME!!!
[then why did you spit it out dumbass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
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The look on your face!
[this is a top tier Christmas for that alone. also he's throwing your napkin at you to make you be the one to clean it up.]
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Good to see that you're in such a festive mood. I don't think I've heard you laugh so hard in weeks. I was beginning to wonder if you were losing your edge...
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Come. Your choice, whether you eat first or decide to unveil the mystery of your presents.
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... presents?
[Not present, singular, but presents, plural. He's having trouble wrapping his head around it.]
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[he gestures at the wrapped items near Andersen's plate. one is a square shape, the other thinner.]
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I trust you've put butter on my pancakes?
[He'll go and take his seat before he slides the thin present towards himself to open it.]
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Dantes looks at him over his coffee, watching his reaction.]
That one is the necessity. There are many occasions to need a knife, and it's simply handier to have one on you than to search about.
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I appreciate the thought. [He folds the knife carefully shut with the clumsy caution of a novice, sets it down on the table.] But this gift leaves me with more questions and concerns than it does reassurance.
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[he shrugs, and because it's Christmas, he will actually take Andersen's plate to butter his pancakes. enjoy being spoiled, it's not happening for another year.]
Use it to do nothing more than cut slices of fruit and open letters, if you please.
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[But he understands the sentiment. Stay safe. Use this well. Even if Dantes doesn't give voice to these thoughts, Andersen can read them well enough. He picks up the next gift and opens it.]
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that had been the one he had seen and thought that it would do for his Bonded. something to cater to his dandy nature while still being stylish and something he might actually use. he'll work on setting up his own breakfast now.]
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[He's at a loss for words. Andersen runs a thumb over its intricate design and when he opens it he finds that it's in proper working order. He's received gifts before - their foolish Master running about on Valentine's Day comes to mind - but he's never gotten one so thoughtful.
Ah. So this is how much importance Dantes places in their Bond. He's somewhat relieved to know there's reciprocity.]
You've gone much out of your way for me, Dantes.
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[he applies butter and syrup to his own pancakes, pausing before he cuts a bite.]
I'm glad it's to your tastes.
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[He likes it. Andersen sets down the watch.]
Have I really acted as a proper Witch?
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[your pancakes are going to get cold at this rate.]
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Hold on, when did I ever lose control?
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[homemade, fluffy, flavored with vanilla. it seems Dantes has more cooking talents than he's let on. thanks, Dumas, for making a protagonist.]
Beyond that, we maintain our mutual home, we conduct investigations, we've made financial strides - yes, even though it came at the cost of you nearly severing your leg - we have productive discussions, and you've even seen fit to outfit me for special occasions. None of that is what I would consider lacking in a partnership, particularly since you do not attempt to order me around as though you were my commander.
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[And with delicious food, to boot. Andersen isn't accustomed to being treated so kindly - and it's apparent by how his sharp tongue is dulled during this conversation. He cuts more pancakes for himself, chewing each piece slowly to savor the flavor.]
Thank you. You're not a bad partner, either.
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[truth be told, none of it would stop how Dantes ordinarily was. he did it exactly because he wished to, and if Andersen was so stunned by his moments of magnanimity, then he had forgotten some key details.]
Merry Christmas, Caster.
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[And, without waiting for Dantes's response, Andersen has hopped off his seat and jumped up the stairs. He's back in a minute with an envelope in hand, which he slaps onto the table with enough force to make the tableware jump and clatter.]
Take this.
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