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[ Dash feels a little silly about his outburst of a reply, but he doesn't seem to be letting it get him down. He breathes in and lets out a happy little sound. ] You got me! I definitely like to be affectionate with people.

But it's not something to do without knowing the other person wants it, of course. [ He clears his throat and squares his shoulders. Right. Proper behavior.

Sort of. He tucks his head closer to Sungmin's hand again. ] Ability or no, it's nice. [ Didn't he come here to focus on cupcakes?

He's completely forgotten. ]

Maybe it does. That would make sense, wouldn't it?

[ Before everything happened, Sungmin held a lot of affection and easily shared it with others, sometimes too much in the case of wayward traveler's in the sea depths but after the cleansing things were different. Sure, he fell into bed with plenty of people but never for long and he always left feeling worse.

The warmth and safety never existed, nor the spark and excitement of something new. Just a whole lot of hollowness instead.

But the affectionate ways still existed inside of him. ]

You don't have to worry about me. I do want it.

[ His hand remained cupping Dash's cheek, a feather light touch. ]

Let me phrase this another way. Do you want to cuddle with me? [ Being coy never seemed to work out right for him. ]

[ It's hard to kill that desire to be affectionate. Dash has spent a lot of time trying-without-trying to do it. He works a lot. Sometimes he doesn't know why he's working so much, but it might be easier than feeling lonely.

He certainly doesn't feel lonely right now.

This is quite a revelation to him, actually. Especially now that they're having such a direct conversation about it. ]

I don't think I'd be unhappy about that at all, [ he says, grinning in a sort of private way while he averts his eyes. ] It sounds nice.

[ More than nice. But maybe he's getting ahead of himself a little. Maybe... ] Maybe sometime when we're not in your kitchen? [ He's not saying this to put Sungmin off. In fact, his intention is to be encouraging. They've only met once.

He'd really like to see Sungmin again. ]

[ The hint of the promise in the words had him smiling again and he gave a slow nod of his head with the recognition. It meant Dash wanted to see him again and spend more time together, which he also wanted. Being around Dash connected him more to the world around him, something he hadn't experienced much at all until that point. Usually, things were far more drifting and almost aimless in a way. ]

Cuddling in a kitchen setting would not be easy. Unless you used the counters or something but not very practical.

[ At least, the bakery kitchen had larger counters than the ones he had at home. He loved his kitchen, though, and spent the most time there than any other part of the home. ]

At least I know with you there, it'll still be just as sweet as this one.

[ Cheesy? He just couldn't help it! ] Are you hungry at all for something other than sweets? I can make you anything you'd like.

[ It would please Dash a lot to know he made someone feel sort of grounded. He often feels like he's just the opposite. Like maybe he's just going to float away somewhere strange one day.

That feeling doesn't necessarily have a practical root, except for the fact that people tend to think of him as fanciful. Either way, it'd be nice to be... the opposite of that. Or something like it.

He covers his mouth with his hand, muffling a chuckle behind it. ] You might get a soup ladle poking you in the spine or something. [ He mouths a little 'ow.' ]

You are charming, oh flirty one. [ He says this in a teasing tone, but his cheeks are pink nonetheless. ] If this kitchen's sweet enough now, maybe you're right, and we should work on something savory?

[ Make no mistake, he's not just going to let go of that flirty remark. ] As for sweetness, the kitchen doesn't need me or baked goods to be perfectly so. [ Two can play that game! ]

[ The blush had him smirking, fingertips reaching out to poke Dash's cheeks over it. 'So cute' he mouthed, letting his hands fall back to his sides a few moments later. Being touchy feely came naturally for him even after going so long without being close to anyone. It made him realise how lonely he had been and for such a long time. ]

Savory I can do just as well. [ Was that a wink? Indeed and a very, very playful one too but again he could not help himself in the least bit.

The flirting remark on Dash's end had his eyes widening a little. It even took him a second to respond. ]

Oh, you know how to play too huh? How lucky am I?

[ His own faint blush staining his cheeks, he gestured over go the ovens. ]

Did you want a bowl of soup? Or a sandwich?

[ Laughing quietly, Dash waves off the little touch in a playful way. He's not at all bothered by it. More endeared, really. It's nice to feel there's so little space between them. Whatever that happens to mean, whether it's literal or not.

It's metaphorical as well, and evident in the way Dash laughs along with Sungmin's remarks, doing so with such ease. He very boldly sidles over in a sort of faux seductive way. Ooh, Mr. Sungmin, ooh. ] Oh, tell me more about this savory food! [ Now that he's closer, he settles in by Sungmin, nearly elbow to elbow with him.

Ready, it seems, to watch him work. There's a little sidelong smile at the comment about play. ] If you're lucky, I think I must be too.

[ He hums thoughtfully. ] I would love to try some soup you made, if that's all right? [ All the teasing melts off his face and his smile turns sweet and gentle again. There's something very earnest about it. Because his interest is sincere. ]

[ Happiness flooded through him from the easy laughter and playfulness. Unable to really have enough of both and the endearment level kept rising higher and higher the more time they spent with one another. Dash being one of a kind in the best way possible.

Giving a little noise but not quite a hum, Sungmin started thinking about different soup types. He took food very seriously all the time, after all, and greatly enjoyed indulging. Thankfully, his siren side metabolized food really quickly, keeping him from having to limit himself.

He never enjoyed limits of any kind. ]

The savory you'll just have to wait for. [ He twisted his body some to pat Dash's cheek lightly. ]

Any certain kind of soup? I have vegetable and chicken noodle already made from earlier. They're popular choices when it's cold. [ He explained, pulling out both tubs from the fridge to place on one of the countertops. ] But I can make anything else you'd like. There are certain breads to go with each and wines. They bring out the certain flavors.

[ Another faint blush. ] I might think too much about these things.

[ No limits? Those are some of Dash's favorite words.

Sadly, he doesn't have a super-speedy metabolism to justify eating a ton of food. No, he's lucky his nickname is 'Dash' - he gets enough exercise to do something about the rather large quantities of tasty food he eats.

Some of that exercise seems to come in the form of giggling a lot, because he's doing that again after Sungmin's 'savory' comment. He's half-breathless with it by the time he's even thinking of trying to come up with a reply to the question about soup. ]

Oh, it's been a long time since I had chicken noodle soup! [ His mouth forms a little o-shape. ] I'd really like that. Is it okay? [ Dash looks wide-eyed and excited. ]

Don't worry about it either! It's what you're passionate about, isn't it? Of course you'd think about it often! [ He offers a bright smile. ] It's nice to watch you be excited about it. [ Actually, very nice. It really makes Dash's heart feel warm and it's been some time since he felt this way. Or anything akin to it. Something... sort of separate from simple affection or happiness. Kinship, maybe? ]

[ Dash's laughter sort of paused everything on Sungmin's end as he just took in the moment. The darkness of it, at least, in his last ten years because he tended to stray from bonding enough with others for such a moment to happen. But here Dash wandered into his life and lit everything up. Sparked things back to life he believed he lost out at sea. ]

You're so cute. [ He managed to voice, already grabbing for a bowl to heat up some of the soup, grabbing for bread and a glass of wine. ]

You can eat at the nook. It's a special corner of the bakery. My favorite because it's tucked in and cozy. The overstuffed couch really makes it better too.

[ Once he finished, he motioned for Dash to follow him and place everything onto the table in front of the couch. There were booths, of course, and other tables if Dash preferred them. ]

I am passionate about it. It's the one thing that's made sense for me.

[ Dash feels different here too. Not in the same ways, because he's not dealing with the same sorts of dilemmas about interpersonal relationships, but...

It's similar, in a sense. He can't totally put his finger on the difference between this interaction and others he's had, except to say he feels comfortable now. That's the big difference. He feels comfortable being this comfortable with someone. Maybe that sounds weird, but for someone as naturally gregarious as Dash, it's pretty habitual to invite people to get close.

It just happens.

Sometimes it means he's awfully, awfully transparent. And people can take advantage of it. Feeling at ease with someone means he doesn't have a fear of this happening. And he doesn't have that with Sungmin. He can follow the other without feeling uneasy. ]

You love this space, too, don't you? [ he asks, when they make their way to the couch, which he occupies as easily as anywhere else in the bakery so far. It's just... easy. It's not something he has to second-guess. ] Made sense, huh?

[ He echoes the words thoughtfully. ] I like the way you talk about this. [ A smile, bright and open. ] You're cute, too, Sungmin.

[ Being comfortable with someone really changed everything, invoking a warmth Sungmin wanted to hang onto for as long as possible. During his childhood, his mother used to talk about how others entered your life at the times you needed them most to bring something. It just took time to discover what they were bringing and why. Dash waltzed into his life and for Sungmin it seemed less about just existing day to day. A lot more about actually living.

Sitting down next to Dash on the couch, he needed to refrain from reaching out and touching him somehow. Already a reflex and he needed to not let it become one so easily. ]

When I first arrived on the ground and after dealing with the reaper status, nothing made any sense. The human world is really confusing when you haven't lived there.

[ He gave a slight shake of his head. ] I stumbled into cooking and it was the first thing to ever make sense. Like I should have been doing it all my life. Not even in the water did something feel that right.

[ His eyes gazed over at Dash. ] Is that how you feel with hats and fashion in general?

I do love this space but you're the cuter one.

[ Dash would happily agree. Comfort changes a lot of things, doesn't it? It's as though it opens a path to someone's heart. It makes it easier to be open in return. Though Dash does sort of give off the impression of being a kind of person who doesn't hold much back. He's honest to a fault and gives more than he knows.

In fact, he's having the same struggle as Sungmin. It's his instinct to reach out, as he's proven a few times already since they've met. He's happy to show his feelings through touch. ]

I can only imagine what that would be like. [ The expression on his face is sympathetic. ] It had to have been hard. [ Remember what we said moments ago about struggling not to reach out?

Dash fails to win that battle. Unthinking, he extends his hand and lays it over Sungmin's. If it were a bit later, this might have a quite electric effect, but this Dash has yet to travel to the godly realm for the first time. ]

I'm glad you found something that made sense to you here. It sounds like it was- is a comfort to you?

[ Withdrawing his hand, Dash considers this. ] Fashion is an outlet for me. It might've been something I did to keep out of trouble at one point.

[ Instead of saying anything right away about that last remark, Dash just nudges the top of Sungmin's hand with his forefinger and blushes a bit. Gosh, Sungmin. Finally: ] Charming flirt.

[ Giving a faint shrug, he tried to not dwell too much on the overwhelming feeling of loss and regret he always encountered anytime his mind drifted back towards the past and what happened with the cleansing of the sea. How could anyone decide to condemn a whole species just because of image? His family did not deserve what happened to them at all. ]

The ground has been good to me in some ways. [ He responded, giving a significant look at Dash as if to include him with the words. He meant it, though, Dash happened to be a very good thing crashing into his life and very unexpectedly. ]

Keeping you out of trouble? What kind of trouble were you getting into? [ He really couldn't picture Dash causing any kind of problems. The guy seemed too pure hearted for such a thing. Smiling at the touch on his hand, he used his free one to gesture towards the soup. ] It's better while it's hot.

Charming flirt huh? You have got to be cutie smiles. [ The most cute imaginable and with such a beautiful and heart stopping kind of smile. The one to take your breath away. ]

It's hard to find where you really fit in with the world, isn't it?

[ Sensing that the topic is a saddening one, Dash decides he'll devote his attention as much as possible to seeing Sungmin smile. He offers a reassuring one of his own, nodding once. ] It seems to me like we're lucky to have you.

[ Is he speaking on behalf of the entire human realm? Possibly.

Or he could be speaking about himself, primarily. It's just a feeling that he's getting, in spite of having known Sungmin only a short while.

Despite being sort of clueless in some respects, Dash can occasionally be rather wise and savvy. It's not something he can control, of course. That'd just be too much power for one person, and he's already a prince, after all. ]

Um, nothing serious! [ he says, carefully pulling the soup closer so he can try it, immediately making an appreciative sound and giving Sungmin a look of pure approval at the taste. ] This is so good!

[ What was he saying? Oh, right. ] I just don't sit still well, so I guess I can get myself into predicaments without realizing. [ Here, he shrugs a bit helplessly and shyly. ]

Cutie smiles? [ That elicits a laugh, one that's full of joy. ] I like it! And you, thank you.

[ He sighs, a not unhappy sound. ] It's rewarding when you do find that place. Or, I think so.

[ Being on the ground changed everything and for awhile left him bitter and questioning but at the moment he wondered why he ever longed to return to the sea. One person really could make a difference for a perspective. Nodding his head fondly, his cheeks dusted with a faint blush. Normally, he never heard such genuine compliments and from someone so endearing it meant more. ]

Thank you and I'm glad you like it. You're free to stop by any time for a meal. [ Cooking meant so much to him and he enjoyed the repetition of all of it. He knew when he mixed certain things together he landed onto particular results.

The other comments - well - ] I like you too, by the way.

You have so much energy. It makes sense. You need to work some of it out more. [ Sometimes he really couldn't help himself. ] I'll tell you I was really confused when I first got onto the ground. I didn't know any human things or customs. I probably looked really odd the first few months.

[ He looked off in the distance for a moment. ]

They probably would have come for me if I didn't make the deals I did by now.

[ Dash beams at the words, nodding energetically. ] I'll definitely come by again! Now that I know this place exists, it would be a crime not to return! My stomach would never, ever forgive me if I didn't. [ From some people, this kind of over-the-top praise might sound insincere, but Dash manages to sound very genuine.

Maybe it's because he doesn't stop himself from honestly enthusing about things. There's no censorship of his reactions, really. ]

Thanks, [ he says, almost shyly, in reply to being told Sungmin likes him as well. It's a sweet sentiment, after all. ]

Work some of it out? [ Dash seems a little lost about the implications of those words. Either that or he's wondering about what that would look like in his own life. He does sit up a bit straighter, pulling his attention from his food, when Sungmin continues to elaborate. ]

Were you in danger? [ he asks, seeming almost hesitant to do so. Like he's nervous of the answer.

Or scared on Sungmin's behalf. ]

[ A soft blush stained his cheeks from the sweetness and sincerity of the compliments. Dash did not seem the type to just say things for the sake of them, after all, and it meant a lot to Sungmin when he used to deal with a lot of lies and illusions. ]

You're welcome anytime. [ He added again, just in case. As for the other bit, well - ] Work some of your energy out I meant! It might help you to be able to sit still better.

[ The past always lingered no matter how much Sungmin tried to push it aside. His eyes drifting off to stare at something in the distance but he didn't really see anything. ] The seas were cleansed a few years ago and everyone died except for a friend of mine and - [ The deal he made with the reaper kept him alive in a sense. ]

I lost my entire family. I had a really big one. I'm - tied to the Underworld. That's how I'm here. I don't think anything can happen to me while I'm in the service of it.

[ Dash doesn't hide much. Actually, he hides very little. He's just not all that good at being secretive. It doesn't come naturally to him, and when he tries to engage in subterfuge, it's usually noticeable and awkward. So, it's just better to be honest.

Honesty right now means reaching for Sungmin's hand with his own. He covers the other's larger hand with his, the difference between the two perhaps seeming especially profound with Dash's hand atop Sungmin's. ]

I'm sorry, Sungmin. [ His brow furrows sadly. ] That's... it's nowhere near enough just to say that, but I am sorry. You don't have to say more. If you want to talk, I'll listen, but you don't owe me any answers. [ They've just met, after all. Even if they'd known one another for decades though, that still wouldn't mean Sungmin owed Dash a thing. ]

I do have... some questions. But I don't know if it's fair for me to ask. [ That's Dash for you. Honest to a fault, again. ] Maybe if we spent more time together? [ His nose wrinkles a bit. ] That came out more flirty than I meant! I just- I want to get to know you better. That's what I meant.

[ Talking about the sea always pained him and he longed for even just another minute with his loud and warm family. They were all so close before the cleansing and no matter what happened, he would never move past it. Ever. Forgiveness would never arrive either for those who made it happen. It never made any sense either because while sirens weren't saints, they weren't as evil as some.

Giving a nod of his head, he tried to push the memories away. ]

I - thank you, Dash. You can ask what occurred to you. [ Something about Dash made him want to share and give away some of the torment he kept locked away inside of him. ]

[ Lips twitching, he looked down at Dash's hand on his own. ] That did sound flirty but I liked it. I - would like to spend more time with you. A lot. Get to know you better.

[ Dash's fingertips fidget a little over Sungmin's, as if he's looking for some way to give the other a little more comfort. Even a little would be something. He doesn't know how to make what he's feeling clear, or perhaps just doesn't know yet.

Maybe soon. ] I'll ask you next time, [ he says, nodding slowly. ] Maybe you can tell me a little more about yourself then?

And I can tell you about me too. [ Here, he offers a little smile. ] There's no pressure that way, right? [ They can go at their own pace and reveal things as they're ready to share. ]

It's... just what we want to say and that's all. [ This is also his way of saying that whatever Sungmin wants to say, it's enough. They've only just met, so there's no reason they have to try and answer every question. And now they're expressing their interest in seeing one another again, too... ]

[ The feel of Dash's hand kept him from floating off into the violent memories and nightmares, something grateful bloomed within him because of it. Who knew such a chance encounter could become something so monumental but his mom used to say the best connections always were the unexpected.

She used to tell him time and time again he couldn't plan everything. Now, he understood.

Swallowing, he gave a slight nod. ] You're right, we can slowly get to know each other and not make it feel like it's an interview or something. [ Slyly, he attempted to squeeze Dash's hand back. He really, really liked it. ]

Do you have to get going home or do you maybe want to take a walk with me?

[ If Sungmin needed a tether to keep him from drifting into the places where those thoughts and memories might haunt him, Dash would happily offer his hand whenever he could. Whenever Sungmin wanted. He'd gladly be that sort of anchor.

They may've just met, but there's already a feeling of old familiarity between them. Something like pieces slotting together in ways they never had before.

Dash beams. ] I'm glad. That sounds like the best way. [ His hand closes more firmly around Sungmin's. ]

I'd love to take a walk with you if you want. Just point us in the direction you'd like to go! [ Here, a chuckle works its way into his words. He's tickled and a little amused and a lot happy. Sungmin put that laughter in his voice and that smile on his face. ]

[ The happiness he enjoyed and really wanted more of. Actually, he wanted to invoke all kinds of pleasant and nice emotions in Dash and not just because of the siren. But the siren generally focused on sexual type of emotions and making certain things happen.

Smiling in return, he held out a hand for Dash to take. ]

When I first arrived on the ground and after ....work things at the time, I used to walk around and just find places to go. I never really had a destination in mind and you'll see soon enough that's really unlike me.

[ He led them out onto the street. ] But I think I have a destination in mind this time if that is okay with you. [ If Dash agreed, he'll bring them towards a garden he found not long after he settled onto the ground. ]

[ Dash holds onto Sungmin's hand, unabashed. It feels nice. There's a kind of energy to it, but he can't quite put his finger on it.

Not quite. Later, he'll know what it means. For now, it's just a pleasant little tingle of something warm. ] That's perfectly okay with me! [ He smiles as a reassuring gesture.

But also because he's happy. Sungmin is good at drawing that out of him.

It fades, but only to be replaced by a look of curiosity. ] Were you exploring? [ he asks, falling into step with the other. ] Wandering around is actually a good way to feel settled, isn't it? You wouldn't think it just from saying that, but it seems like it helps.

[ A beat, then he adds this next bit, looking a little thoughtful and a little sheepish at the same time, like he's pretty sure he believes what he's saying, but he's not sure how to say it. ] You seem... sturdy. I mean- steady. Grounded?

Edited 2018-07-04 04:35 (UTC)

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