#avenoie

AVENTURINE: [tossing zoie a grin over his shoulder as he holds up the dough] are you planning to help, or is the birthday girl exempt from labour for the night?

ZOIE: [giggling] i just thought i'd let the master handle it; you seem to be enjoying yourself. besides, i'm more of a... supervisory presence.

AVENTURINE: is that what they call sitting around and looking pretty these days?

zoie props her chin in her palm and playfully rolls her eyes, watching as her lover returns to folding the dough with care. floured knuckles and wrists. there's some on his cheek. but it's the way he moves that gathers her attention -- confident and rhythmic, like he's playing a game even here.

ZOIE: [squinting] and you love it!

he laughs, warm and low and charming in that same aventurine way -- the way where it seems as if he's holding onto all the cards and still letting you win.

AVENTURINE: [eyes softening, leaning in] yes, darling, i do love it.

he continues to lean closer to zoie until his nose gently bumps hers, and he nuzzles it in a loving bunny kiss. tension curls in the air like steam as his hand ghosts over her exposed thigh, near the edge of the island. and then -- a quick kiss to her lips. teasing and tender and tasting of sweetness.

ZOIE: [sighing dreamily, eyes gone all hazy] you taste like cookie batter.

AVENTURINE: [smug, quirking a brow] better than victory, hm?

ZOIE: [coyly] maybe.

a beat passes after he pulls away to return to the dough. zoie watches his back flex through his shirt as if it's something holy -- shoulders all relaxed, tension billowed out and gambled away. there's still hints of alcohol and roulette lingering about in the air, but it's not enough to overtake the sugar and promise of night between the two lovers.

her expression is soft with something more than mere amusement.

ZOIE: i still can't quite wrap my head around how you won that last round, you know.

AVENTURINE: [kissing his teeth] that man bet more than he could afford. beginner's mistake. [glancing back with a sly smirk] you, on the other hand, always bet smart.

ZOIE: why -- 'cause i chose you? [gently teasing] as if you're some safe bet!

AVENTURINE: oh, i never said that. at least my payout is unmatched.

zoie tosses a dish towel at him playfully, which he catches without so much so as sparing her a look.

AVENTURINE: [amused, with a hint of lax warning] careful, birthday girl.

ZOIE: [beaming happily] or what!

aventurine drops the dough and wipes his palms clean, walking to hover over zoie and brush a finger up her thigh as he rests his elbow near her knee. he parts her legs to fit in the space between and tilts his head, watching her with all the stars in his eyes.

AVENTURINE: [in between kisses over her face] or... i'll have to whisk you off to the bedroom, and then these birthday cookies will never get baked.

ZOIE: [flushing a bit, attempting to be absolute in her resolve] nooo... i would like my birthday cookies, thank you very much.

his cocky veneer thins to reveal something quieter, something more devoted beneath. and her endearing nature only draws him to kiss her again -- slower this time. no teasing quickness to it. just a lingering warmth. his hands settle on her waist to pull her closer to him, close enough for her to drape her arms around his shoulders.

AVENTURINE: [whispering into her mouth] whatever you wish for, i will do everything in my power to make it come true.

the cookie dough lays briefly forgotten behind them. somewhere, jazz horns croon on. and here, the night wraps around them like a velvet promise.