🌈Artsy Fartsy🎨

Sweetheart that he is, Torbek could die happy if it meant getting to hold you in some way. He's interesting in the sense that he knows he's tall, but he doesn't quite understand by just how much. So whenever the two of you lay down together he's quick to curl up in your embrace, arms wrapped around your middle with his head in your lap… despite the fact that he could encircle you thrice, with room to spare. But if it doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother him, and his little nub of a tail goes absolutely off the wire when you card your fingers through his fur.

Speaking of, please play with his fur. He'll sit happily for you, should you decide to put some effort into detangling it, for as long as you'll indulge him. And the results… he's putty just standing next to you, but feeling you scratch gently at his skin, gently twisting the strands of fur around your fingers… it's hard to describe the depths of Hell he'd trudge through for you, considering he already would if only you asked… but, regardless, you have a very happy bugbear at your service. For as much as he asks others for affection, its very rare that he actually receives it, so when you sit him down for this, he's actually a little stiff at first. His heart is in his throat, and he just can't stop smiling to himself. He might babble a little bit just to burn off some of that excited energy as you gently tease apart the strands, speech laden with lovestruck compliments and veiled "thank you"s. As luck will have it, he'll probably be struck by some curse the moment you're done, thus undoing your work -- and believe me, he will mourn the feeling of having his fur detangled for once -- but you're happy to sit him down again for as many times as it takes.

In public, he's prone to looming over you, like some sort of reverse-shadow. It's a little intimidating to anyone who notices him, frankly. Is this his way of protecting you? Is this just his nature? You're not quite sure, but either way, take his hand and tug him a little closer to you to walk side-by-side. It means a lot to him, truly.

In this same vein, whenever you two are together like this, he always leans down to be just that extra bit closer to you. He slouches a lot as is, but with this, there's a purpose. You suppose it isn't too unusual -- just like how some people lean into those they love, or angle their bodies towards them, it's all a sign of love. It's just a little more… prominent with Torbek, because of the height difference. Whether its at the dinner table or walking down the street, he's always subconsciously leaning down towards you.

He's an oddball when it comes to asking for affection. Sometimes he'll ask directly, almost shamelessly -- for a kiss… or several. Other times, he'll just affix you with a puppy-dog stare, and hope that you take the hint. Although if you don't catch on fast enough, he's quick to break and go straight back to asking. You haven't tossed him aside yet, after all.

When he doesn't want to get up in the morning, he'll shove his face into you and make the saddest, most belabored whine you've ever heard in your life. The world could be burning down around you, and it'd still make you pause to consider staying a bit longer.

"But Torbek doesn't wannnttt to get up yet."

You'll have to bribe him with a smattering of kisses, and even then, it's a bit of a gamble. But hey, what's five more minutes?

Hugging Gideon is like…

Warm, like coming home to a crackling fire after being out in the snow. The fire coursing through his veins keeps you warm in the physical sense of course, but its nothing compared to the sense of belonging that envelops you when he tugs you into an embrace. There's no place safer, more loving, than in Gideon's arms.

There's a lot of things about the world he wishes he could fix. And believe me, if he could hit your problems square in the gut and make them go away, he would do it in a heartbeat. Hell, he might try anyways. But still, he knows some wounds need a bit more than that to heal. So when he brings you into his arms, the scent of smoke and leather washing over you, he really does try to pour everything he can into it. Steady and unyielding in his comfort, and yet, gentle all the same. His voice rumbles in his chest when he talks, his promises providing a much-needed distraction as he drags a single hand up and down the curvature of your spine. He's with you to the end of the tracks, and then some -- and he's going to make sure you know that.

"Everything's gonna be alright, I've got you."

Whether its a brief side hug after a day apart, or whether he's the last bit of glue holding you together after a day gone bad, hugs with Gideon like home.

Hugging Kremy is like…

A promise. Kremy doesn't get attached to people quickly, but when he does… there's not much he won't do for them. And you're no exception to that.

But it's funny, in a way. He doesn't let himself get attached to people, and so when he does, it's like every wound unto you is a wound unto him, too. Seeing you so hurt is nothing short of agony, and the worst part is, he doesn't know quite how to help. He's used to fixing problems with a bit of charm and a sharp tongue, but… well, that's not always the solution. So when the wounds are more emotional, he flounders a bit. He knows what to do on paper, sure, but this is new. This is sincere, and he actually cares, and he'd give anything to fix what ails you. So you'll have to forgive him for being a little anxious as he pulls you into his arms, hushed promises of better tomorrows falling from his lips as he tries his best to be that point of safety for you. He settles into it eventually, lithe arms wrapping around you more securely as the wheels in his mind start to turn.

"We're gonna be alright, you hear? Gonna take care of everything, just you wait."

Hugging Frost is…

Tranquility. It's no surprise to anyone that Frost didn't get a lot of hugs growing up. One might expect him to be a bit stiff because of it, but that's not necessarily the case -- over the past handful of years with the crew, he's had his fair share of hugs and random bursts of affection. Rarely initiated by him mind you, but regardless, he's come to embrace such displays -- especially when others need it the most. So when things are rough, and you really need a hug, he knows how to make you feel safe.

He has the perfect frame for it -- strong arms pulling you into his chest, and soft fur bowing under your presence as his big paws come to cradle the back of your head. You can scream and cry all you like as he cradles you, but really, you find yourself melting into the steady rhythm of his ministrations too quickly to vocalize your pain in such a way. Maybe its the steadiness of his movements; maybe its the even tone of his voice as he talks you through the moment; maybe it's just Frost. But no matter what, the end result is the same -- here, you are safe, and warm, and the rain will pass soon enough.

"You'll be okay, everything will be okay. We'll make sure everything turns out just as its meant to. "

Hugging Gricko is…

Natural. You've come to realize that, despite how often people underestimate him, Gricko is one of the most emotionally intelligent people you know. And so when the storm clouds roll in, and you feel your head fogging over with too many "what ifs," Gricko is always the first to notice.

He finds out what works best for you over time -- whether you want a point of connection by holding hands until you're alone, or whether you want to wait until you're in private to talk, he's happy to accommodate. But when he's finally able to hold you in the way that you need, it happens without even thinking. Its familiar in a way that only comes with a true connection with someone. Loose and free, yet whole in its execution in the way that he himself always seems to be. He really does hug with everything he has, and yet, you never feel suffocated. If you want to talk, he'll happily listen, but if not, that's okay too. He's here to talk you through things, to tell you all those things you need to hear, but are too choked up to ask for. Might even sing you a song or two, if the mood calls for it.

His hands run up and down your upper arms even as you part, keeping that last point of connection as a reminder that no matter what, he's here for you.

"Hey, hey, look at me. It's all gonna be right as rain, okay? I promise you that. Now come on, let's go get your mind off things."

Hugging Torbek is…

Sharing the burden. If Torbek had to choose any place in the world to stay in for the rest of the life, he'd choose your arms -- not a single moment of deliberation before making the call, really. He doesn't care how impractical it is -- the bugbear simply loves holding, and particularly being held by, you. He'll usually tuck himself into your hold, shrinking down as much as he can, just to have that extra bit of contact. Strong in his grasp, but light in his demeanor -- not unlike holding a giant dog, really. But when you're feeling down? Things change, a lot.

Torbek doesn't quite know how to bring you comfort like the rest of his friends… He's not strong like Mr. Gideon, or smart like Mr. Kremy… but he knows what makes him feel better. So, wouldn't that help you, too? He tries to be strong for you, wrapping those long arms around you as he pulls you into his frame -- just like you always do for him. His voice has a light undertone of panic as he tries to soothe you, to tell you that everything will be okay, that they'll figure things out… but it's more worry, than anything else. He does mean everything he says, and you pick up on that quick enough -- he just hates to see you hurting so. He really does feel your pain, and he's going to do everything he can to make things better -- or at least, more bearable until it passes. He'll be here, every step of the way.

"Torbek is right here, can Torbek help?"

Kremy Lecroux

Ah, fuck.

Kremy is painfully aware of the fact that he's falling for you, and its nothing short of agony for him. There's not a single thing he can to to dig his heels in deep enough to even slow his descent, much less stop it -- Kremy's falling, and he's falling hard.

He's never really had the chance to feel something this deep with another person; historically, he's always squashed the feeling dead in its tracks the moment its started. Which is to say, this is all very scary and new to the poor gatorfolk.

Once he accepts the feeling, he's just as bad as you'd think with actually addressing it. Left to his own devices, he'd spend years dancing around the topic -- never plainly vocalizing his affections for you, but at the same time, very clearly different.

Because while he's not going to say anything first, the depth of his affections is blindingly obvious. He trusts you -- You're his first and last thought in damn-near every situation, and there's a weight to this that really can't be overstated. He's constantly turning to you for advice, and when shit starts going south, you know he's grabbing you first.

He's also quick to lash out against threats towards you -- whether its in the heat of battle, or a verbal jab from a stranger. Its not that he doesn't think you can handle yourself -- quite the opposite, in fact. But you do enough of that every day, and like hell he's gonna add more onto your plate, especially if he thinks you're just gonna let it slide.

Everyone can tell just how deep he's fallen for you based on those little behavioral changes alone -- since when has Kremy ever asked what someone thinks before doing it? But it goes even deeper than that. He gets a little more affectionate, a little more willing to joke around. He's really only ever been known to touch people if it confers some sort of benefit -- a shake of the hand for a deal, a reassuring hand on the shoulder to coax someone into trusting him -- but with you? Its friendly, honest to Gods friendly. And Hell if that isn't the strangest thing the Crew's ever seen.

You think that in his age he wouldn't get so flustered, but whenever you reciprocate his little touches, he gets Flustered, with a capital F. He thanks the Gods every day that you can't see him blush, as though the white-knuckle grip on his cane wasn't a dead giveaway. You get the same reaction whenever you put him first in your mind, too. To be thought of, even when there's no benefit to you, really makes him soft.

He's also very particular about the way he looks on a normal day, but if you're in the area, he'll be snapping out that prestidigitation before his suit is even mussed. Never a single scale out of place, when you're around.

Gideon Coal

Well, shit.

Now listen. Gideon is clearly no stranger to the carnal side of affection. But romance? Completely foreign. He's a certified bolter, bailing out at even the slightest scent of commitment in the air. He just doesn't stick around long enough for feelings to even begin sprouting, much less bloom into this. And so this is all very strange and new to him!

He goes through waves of his understanding -- first you're friends, then close friends. Then, he starts to catch onto the sexual attraction element, which is all well and good, but… there's still something else there. Something nameless. It takes a while for him to put a name to it, but while he might not have a descriptor for that feeling, it always guides his actions.

He does a lot of stupid shit to try and impress you, no matter what stage he's at with the whole "realization" thing. Carrying heavy shit that doesn't need to be carried, scrapping with people to show off his strength, all the "classic" Gideon things. But it doesn't end there -- he also starts taking a bit more initiative in showing off his other skills, too. If you've got a watch that needs fixin', Gid's your guy.

He's a damn-good flirt, and oh boy, he really pulls out all the stops for you. You think it wouldn't captivate you as much as it does -- Hell, you've seen him debut half of these moves since you've been friends -- but damn, you've never been on the receiving end of them. You see why he pulls as many people as he does. Warm personality draws in your heart, and the heat, the physical heat that radiates off of him, makes you want to move that fraction closer. Makes you want to play with fire. Every touch is perfectly timed, that subtle drawl in his voice making you hang on the edge of each and every word…

Again, Gid's got game.

Would accepting his advances before he's fully come to terms with his feelings impact the possibility of a relationship down the road? Oddly enough, probably not! Of course you'd have to clarify things at some point, but chances are, the sexual and the romantic would just… slowly start to bleed into one another. That's not to say he wouldn't have his own category 5 crashout over all of this at some point -- the man has zero idea what he's doing in the romantic world, and man, he hates feeling so damned confused -- but it'd get done.

That being said, a sexual relationship wouldn't be a prerequisite for the development of a relationship, either. In fact, you get to see a very fun stage, where for a brief period he actually leans a little bit into the "classic" romance tropes in an attempt to woo you. Think flowers and a suit -- both wildly out of character for him, especially as he's stiffly reading from a preprepared notecard -- but its cute. Genuine in the emotion, even if it's the actual polar opposite of who Gideon actually is. He scraps all of it about 15 seconds into the attempt, but it's cute, and genuine, and you know that you'll be bringing it up every anniversary.

Morning Frost

Ah, this complicates things.

Frost is no stranger to attraction, but actually falling for someone is a completely different story. Its both exciting and terrifying at the same time -- an opportunity to learn and feel, but with potentially drastic consequences.

The feeling of falling was a slow one, but now that he's come to terms with his affections, there's no climbing back up. Although truth be told, he really does enjoy the experience! In a way, of course. There's a lightness in his chest whenever he's around you, even though his mind gets scattered into butterflies the moment you start speaking. It's very contradictory, and at times a little annoying, but for once he's okay with that.

He goes back and forth in his decision making. Should he just come out and say it? Should he ruminate on his feelings more? Is the risk of ruining the friendship too high? Was he too bold, in brushing your hand like that? He wants to be sure that he's making the correct decision, which is a little paralyzing, but nothing he does is artificial. That's just Frost.

Beyond all of that though, this big cat is completely whipped for you. He's very subtle in his flirting, but at the same time, he's so obvious in his intentions because you know him. Gentle touches of his own volition, disguised as helping hands; subtle compliments on your beauty, instead of the normal ones he gives of your talent and intelligence; the occasional gift, showing how he remembers all of your little conversations. Because while he's not adverse to physical affections from his friends, he rarely initiates it himself… unless its with you. And while he's not afraid to give compliments, these ones don't have the platonic tone that they usually do. And while he does give gifts when money allows… these are a little more curated, more personal. He doesn't do a 180 shift in behavior -- that wouldn't be Frost, after all. It's just subtle enough to plant the seed in your mind, but oh so obvious because again, you know him.

He also invites you out more for one-on-one time. If you don't meditate with him already, chances are he's offered in the past and been politely declined… but now, he'll offer again. Perhaps he'll tempt you with the thought of the sunrise, or a walk into town afterwards. No worries if not, of course. But he does like spending more one-on-one time with you, whatever that may be.

Of course, while all of his actions are very calculated, he's endlessly infuriated by the betrayal of his own body. If you can't pick up on his subtle flirting, chances are you'll notice how his pupils dilate when he looks at you, or how his whiskers twitch in your direction. The former would be imperceptible if he wasn't a tabaxi, but unfortunately, that affectionate response is very pronounced in him.

Gricko Grimgrin

Oh… oh!

Gricko fell for you ages ago, he just never realized it. He's had his fair share of college crushes, and the long-term relationship here and there, but nobody's ever really been able to keep up with him like this. Maybe its the fact that you're already so firmly integrated into his life, but honestly, he probably would have gone another decade or two without realizing he liked you in this way had the guys not said something about it.

When exactly did the lines start to blur? He couldn't say, really. But now that he's looking at it with fresh eyes, suddenly he understands why everyone you guys met thought the two of you were a couple. And huh, maybe he doesn't flirt with the rest of his friends as much as he thought. Maybe it literally is just you. Huh.

When he realizes, he's at a bit of an impasse. Because truth be told, you guys ARE practically dating already. But do you realize that? How does he even bring this up? Should he? The answer is obviously yes, but the question comes back to "how," and man, that's a really big question.

There's a brief period of time where suddenly all of your "normal" habits -- carrying him around, casual touches, rambling with one another -- leaves him a little stunned. He doesn't pull away, but you do notice these brief, almost bewildered looks, before he melts back into your normal Gricko. Sometimes you'll even catch him in a brief blush, toothy grin beaming up at you as you laugh together about something trivial.

Its kind of like he's seeing you with new eyes, in a way. He's almost taken all of these little things for granted, but now he really lets himself indulge in it all… and its fun! He almost forgot what being in love was like! It's fun! He loves this! In a way, he almost doesn't want to rush it. You both kind of speedran things -- you never had that awkward stage of figuring out how to push the boundaries of platonic and romantic. It just kind of happened. And while he's kind of glad he didn't have to do that -- he's too old for all of that business -- he does love those early "puppy-love" stages. And so he doesn't breach the topic immediately… instead, he has a bit of fun just flirting. Maybe he gets a bit more overt, just to see how you'll react.

He's not suave at all, but that really doesn't matter to you. It's Gricko, its part of his charm. He's your goofy little goblin, who seems to have gotten all of his flirting tactics from cheesy Major Images and the backs of Laffy Taffy wrappers… and God, its endearing. Somehow nothing changes and everything changes, all at once.

Eventually he does sit you down dad-style to make sure you're both on the same page. Master of communication, honestly.

Torbek

Torbek isn't shocked at all when he realizes he's fallen for you -- how could he not? You're you! He sees the process of falling for you as an inevitability, as certain as the rising of the Sun. If you asked him to put a date on when he started to fall for you, he honest to Gods couldn't. For all he cares, he always has liked you in that way.

Torbek also really makes no effort to hide his affections -- he might think he's sneaky about it sometimes, but really, its as plain as day. He's full of compliments, and he very much makes himself your shadow. And while he does compliment his friends often, there's very much a difference with you. He's also not subtle at all about asking if you have a partner or not.

But he's not all talk, either. He makes it a point to make your life easier, regardless of whether or not you reciprocate his affections in that way. There's never any expectations with what he does for you -- he just does it, because he wants to make life better for you. Item placed too high up? Torbek's got it! Too much work to do? Torbek can help! You probably shouldn't let him try, but Torbek will do his best to help! Craving a treat from home? Torbek doesn't know how to make it, but he's sure if he asks Mr. Kremy reallyyyy nicely, then he can make it for you!

Chances are, if he thinks you might reciprocate, he'll just come out and state his feelings outright. There's a small chance that he might go to one of the guys for help (a move with horrific consequences, knowing these buffoons, but unfortunately Torbek trusts his friends enough to follow their poor advice), but really, its more likely that he'll just get too excited one day and blurt it out.

Torbek is very clear in his intentions. He's a big boy with a big heart, and the subtlty of a brick through a window.

Kremy Lecroux

The richest, rarest indulgence. Kremy doesn't hand out kisses freely -- you're never actually starved for affection of course, but you understand that for him, such displays are special. Sacred. He represses the absolute life out of his gatorfolk tendencies, but the fact of the matter is that touching snouts is a very, very intimate thing for him, and he makes quite the effort to convey that whenever your lips meet.

Sharp claws trace delicate lines along your skin -- scratching temptingly under your jawline, before swiping affectionately across your cheeks. If you're lucky, and most importantly completely alone, you might catch that barely-there bellow bubble up from his chest. Its deep, instinctual, and almost hypnotic in its rumbling tone -- he hates that he does it, but he will admit that it certainly serves its purpose in capturing your attention. It's not like he needs the help, of course -- whenever you kiss, he's nothing short of captivating -- but he'd be lying if he said your reactions to him doesn't stroke his ego a bit.

Truth be told, he's also just a little stingy with his kisses, because… well, it's a little bit of a puzzle to figure out. If you leave the decision in his claws, he will 9 times out of 10 choose to show his affection in other ways… although if the time is right, he certainly wouldn't protest to you kissing him. Just cradle his snout in one hand and press a few kisses to the side of that maw of his -- he loves it more than he lets on.

Gideon Coal

Molten glass -- glowing, tempting warmth, dripping like honey… To kiss Gideon is to thrust your hand into the furnace, and feel the loving caress of the flames beckon you even closer. There's something about him that practically hypnotizes you, even beyond the skill he possesses for this… particular activity. The scratch of his beard, his big hands roaming in all the right places, the little smile that always seems to tug at the corners of his lips whenever you meet like this… Its so easy to sink into him, and let the roughened edges of the world burn away to ash as you indulge in what Gid can provide.

If you're not big on PDA, you've got to be quite firm about it early on, because this man has absolutely zero shame. Even a quick kiss is liable to dissolve into something a little more involved as he leans in for just one more "quick" kiss, with those teasing words of his… Nobody can really blame you for falling for it, but public decency laws are unfortunately pretty common.

Despite the rather lascivious undertone to his affections, let it never be said that he isn't the sweetest, most loveable goofball in these moments, too -- for damn near every kiss he gives, he gets at least one brief laugh out of you, too. Maybe its from a teasing little quip muttered against your lips, or maybe its a well-timed flexing of the hands against your skin. Sometimes it'll be the "gentlemanly" kiss against the back of your hand as he gives you a boost, and other times it'll be the firm press of his lips against your jawline as he surprises you with a bearhug… but no matter what, you can't say this man isn't positively taken with you.

Morning Frost

Like laying in a sunbeam in the early morning -- warm, safe, tranquil. Frost isn't the type of tabaxi to do anything half-way, so whenever you kiss, you truly feel like the center of the world. Those big paws coming to cradle your face, gentle as ever as you're guided to his lips… his whiskers tickling you just the slightest bit as they brush against you… the pleased little purr he lets out in the softer moments… Kissing him fills you with a lightness that you thought was reserved for quiet sunrises and midnight revelations, and Gods, its such a magical sense of peace, of belonging.

Sometimes though, he will get invested in a given task, and just absentmindedly press little lingering kisses to wherever he can reach. If you call him to the present, his lips will stay pressed against your skin, but he'll look up with a quiet "hm?" in response. Its very cute, because when he does this, you can also watch his pupils dilate in real-time as he fixates on you, the sweetheart. He never quite realizes he's seeking you out in these moments, but its not like he'll stop once caught -- he'll just give you a more tender kiss, before returning to his task.

Never forget though, this big cat can be quite cheeky when he wants to be. He's quite capable of taking your breath away -- I mean, how could anyone stay composed when he's just so… him? His tail wraps around your ankle as he leans into you, letting out a tempting noise, something crossed between a growl and a purr as you meet again and again. He'll never bite, he knows his fangs are far too sharp for that… but that's not to say he won't let you graze them, if you like the thrill of it all. Try not to look too lovestruck when you pull away, unless you want a teasing little comment to follow you.

Gricko Grimgrin

Every sappy dream come true. No matter how many years pass, no matter how old you get, Gricko has a way of making you feel truly alive. When you start getting older, there's this expectation that the world will feel a little less magical, a little less fun… but not with him. Every kiss with Gricko feels like you're falling in love for the first time again, heart soaring as you giggle against each other's lips. He's your rockstar, electric lover that he is, and you can never get enough.

He's a talker as-is, and that doesn't change a bit when you're kissing him. You think it'd get on your nerves at some point, but really, its just another trait that endears him to you. Hell, his inability to shut up is one of the things that drew you to him in the first place, isn't it? He's always murmuring something against your lips, from cheeky little remarks to rile you up, or more commonly, some silly thought that came to him that he just can't wait to share. It can be a challenge to get him to quiet down, but card your hand through his hair and take a little control… not saying it'll work, but it might give you a bit of an edge. Or it might make him worse. Only one way to find out, right?

Chronic love biter. Compared to some goblins, he's actually quite nice about it -- a little tug to your lower lip here, maybe a brief nip to an exposed bit of skin when he's feeling mischievous… but if you encourage it, he definitely gets a bit bolder in the sharper side of his affections.

Torbek

Your favorite taboo. He's tongue, teeth, messy and desperate and inexperienced, and Gods, he's yours. And it's so much hotter than it really should be. He's never been told what he is and isn't supposed to do, and there's a certain thrill in guiding a man whose equal parts bashful and bold. He wants to do everything right, but he was never taught how to hold back -- he's so unbelievably respectful towards you, but he's never been taught all the stupid rules about the "proper" way to kiss your lover… which is a very, very welcome thing.

Especially because in addition to everything else, he's also very vocal. This, combined with the fact that everythingyou do drives him up a wall, is absolute heaven. He's so earnest in his affections, that really, it's hard to resist the urge to card your hands through his fur and pull him closer. He's so easy to work up, too -- by now, he knows that what the two of you share is genuine, and yet your simple, eager reciprocation to his adoration has him pulled taut.

Very much an addict to your affections, and will subtly beg for your attention throughout the day if he feels deprived. If he's leaning down and giving you puppy dog eyes out of nowhere, there's a decent chance that he just wants a quick kiss to the cheek -- and I mean look at that face, how can you say no?

'The weather here is nice at night,' you think to yourself.

The wall of the hotel is firm against your back as you lean against it, taking in the cool night air. The heat was blistering in the daytime, but now with the dual moons overhead, its calmed to a comfortable temperance. As the days go on, it seems like every bounty is a little more dangerous than the last, so when you get open-and-shut cases like these, it's a bit of a treat. Stars know you all need it.

The crunching of gravel beneath boots brings you out of your thoughts, the familiar rhythm alerting you to Pyke's approach as he rounds the corner and takes up a spot against the wall beside you. A comforting presence, its not long before you fall back into your own thoughts, savoring the peace he always seems to bring with him. In the back of your mind you vaguely recognize him lighting up a cigarette, before shoving his hands into his jacket pockets -- casual as ever.

It wasn't always like this -- once, there was a time where you struggled to gauge the silence, but now those worries seem so far away. You didn't really understand the true experience of a comforting silence until you met him. Still, it's all the more a treat when you two do chat. And its just then that he speaks, as though having read your mind.

"Any idea what this thing actually is?"

You look over to him, and dangling from his middle finger is a keychain -- a very cute, and very familiar keychain. You grin, so fond that it makes your heart flutter in your chest, and its then that he tosses it over to you. It lands in your hands perfectly, and you take the time to admire it closer.

You had been looking at the little critter in the earlier half of this bounty -- just a quick glance at the mini stuffed animal while casing your target. You can't imagine it held your attention for more than a few moments, and yet like always, Pyke had caught on to your interest. And that's just the thing -- that attentiveness, these small acts of kindness… they've been more frequent lately. Its like any time you avoid buying something for yourself, Pyke will come in at the last seconds before you leave to hand that very thing over to you. Its sweet, painfully so.

You turn the keychain, admiring its tiny face; it's chubby little body; the fluffy tail, and poorly-sewn dots for eyes... It's adorable. Positively adorable. I mean really, is there anyone in the multiverse who doesn't love…

"A shrewell," you smile, "Didn't know you liked the cute and fuzzies, Pyke. Putting this one on your keyring?"

The comment gets a huff of laughter out of him, and you take that as a win.

"Seriously though, thank you," you say, "how do you always know when I'm holding back on buying trivial shit like this, huh?"

He shrugs."I like to think I know you pretty well."

And with that he flicks the ash off his cigarette, not elaborating any further.

This time its your turn to huff out a laugh, and you twiddle with the plush's rounded ears as you try to figure out your next words. Truthfully, the thing is only worth a couple of bucks -- Hell, the shop he got it from probably overpriced it. But the idea that he's thinking of you…

"Yeah, you do. Thanks, Pyke."

"Don't mention it."

Prompt: Pink- Kindness