under a paper moon

it’s already a pretty damn good day--- time with tiffany and cocoa with marshmallows makes for a happy daniel, and he grins because he’s won and convinced her to give him another mug of cocoa. but at the mention of a surprise, there’s even more joy, because tiffany knows daniel and he’s sure as sure can be that her surprises are good. more kisses, maybe? a kitty? kisses and a kitty? “for me?” he asks, as if there’s any question that the gift placed in his hands could be for anyone but him. that doesn’t really matter though, because he’s already ripping through the paper, eager to see what’s inside (forever a child, he is), and squeals once his eyes land on the sweater. and again on the otter plush. “they’re so cute! and now mr. whale has a friend!!” he’s so happy, so excited that he doesn’t even think about how he’s not supposed to just lean over and smooch tiffany out of joy (which he totally does, pulling away with a bright grin). “thankyouthankyouthankyou, noona!”

“hey! psst---” seungjae is literally hiding behind a fake tree and he’s really not as hidden as he likes to think he is, but in his defense, he never thought he’d make it this far in his grand ‘escape the boring business meeting’ plan anyway. so all in all, he thinks he’s doing pretty good. “good afternoon, you look nice today, um--- could you do me a favor and tell me if the really big guys who look like they could beat my ass to next tuesday are gone yet? or if there’s a smaller guy who looks kinda like me and could be a manifestation of every corporate wall street employee in one, unnecessarily expensive italian suit walking around looking murderous?”

suspicions confirmed! “ah, a gift puppy.” tianlei nods in understanding suddenly, almost as if it’s a distraction for the way he’s leaning in to rub his cheek on jiho’s shoulder--- making sure that his scent transfers. the way it should be. “i’m still cooler though, right? you like me more than the new pup? right?”

text to COFFEE DEALER: hey you know the address you sent me for us to meet up text to COFFEE DEALER: wHY IN THE HELL ARE WE MEETING AT A STRIP CLUB text to COFFEE DEALER: I WAS PROMISED ESPRESSO NOT A STRIPPER

“you have marshmallows?” daniel’s at full alertness now, sitting straight up at the prospect of being able to get more sugary sweetness. of course, tiffany makes a point. there’s a high possibility that daniel’s tummy could disagree with more sweets, but if it means tiffany coddles and snuggles him more... worth it. so he shakes his head eagerly, tugging at tiffany’s shirt and pouting more to convince her to get what he wants. “i can handle it! one more cup won’t hurt! please? just one!”

there’s quite possibly no one more excited to greet someone than tianlei is, and it nearly always comes in the form of a loving tackle as soon as his eyes are set on them. and this time it’s no different. tianlei spots a familiar, loving face, and just... leaps up and bounds over to toss his arms around their body. and everything’s cool! except--- “you smell different,” he comments, pulling away with a small scrunch of his nose in distaste, eyes narrowed slightly with suspicion. “have you been snuggling other dogs?”

“full? hopefully! and it’s gonna be awesome!” he’s quick to snuggle right in, little nose pressing lightly to the skin of the other’s neck. truthfully, he loves this closeness, and he hopes he makes it more than obvious with how happily he wiggles closer. and this is when tianlei is finally able to calm himself--- soft sigh coming from him as he rests there, his favorite spot. “you smell nice,” he mumbles, “like... love and---” coffee? immediately does his head pick up, sniffing at the air until he spots the mug. “coffee?” his head whips back to haeju, grinning eagerly. “does that mean you’re awake now? and you’re ready for a day with me?”

ivy’s all limbs, which makes navigating through an icy winter wonderland really difficult. and awkward, especially in times like these where her first and only instinct after hitting an icy patch on the sidewalk is to drop her shopping bags and cling to the nearest person for stability. “o-oh god,” she utters once she realizes she’s body-to-body with someone, though still not letting go in case she slips again. “sorry, i was just--- it--- ice. big ice. s-slip. sorry.”

“what do you mean i can’t have french fries too?”

daniel stands, hands shaky and eyes downcast. at this point, he looks like he might either pass out or throw up--- maybe even both if he’s that unlucky. but he won’t do either, hopefully. “t-thanks for--- um... f-for meeting with me. my um--- my family throws a-a big christmas p-party every year y’know---- w-with cookies a-a-and food and st-stuff and---” on second thought, daniel might actually puke. “a-and my brothers a-all have f-fiances and girlfriends a-and stuff s-so--- so i was w-wondering if y-you’d come with me this year? n-not as a date--- not r-really. just... j-just... s-so they don’t ask me w-when i’ll find somebody.”

daniel really has no reason to be this pouty. he has a tummy full of cocoa and christmas cookies, and he’s all warm in his pajamas and fuzzy socks. truthfully, everything’s perfect in daniel’s world. so what’s gotten this boy so upset? “i shoulda gotten marshmallows for my cocoa.”

“gooooooood morning!” he should really be more shameless with the way he’s bounding right toward them, smiley face and loud voice and all. but he’s not, and he’s doing it anyway--- arms tossed around their body because he just has so much love and happiness that he doesn’t know what to do with himself. “so today i propose we go get a big breakfast like you see in the movies and then go for a run and then have brunch and then lunch and then take a nap and then have second lunch and then---”