Tai.

Jasper leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Tai’s cheek. “I love you too.” His own smile was hidden by the rim of his mug, but it was apparent how happy he was with how his eyes sparkled. “Actually yes. If you’re gonna make a move on that cute little witch boy, do it. It’s the difference between a king-sized bed and a California King.”

It was strange, how warm - how close to complete the exchange of words had made his feel. It was comfortable in a way he couldn’t remember feeling, having been so long since they’d exchanged them. The mention of the witch though had everything coming to a slight halt, confusion following the blatant call out before he laughed. “I’m sorry, what?” Asked as if he genuinely needed some kind of guidance on whatever instruction had just been given.

“Relator? Oh well, if you’re willing to grovel, I won’t say no. You’re very attractive on your knees, darling.” Alistair had all but forgotten the events minutes earlier, Tai had that effect on him. 

Grin was more than evident, almost glowing at the mention of groveling. It was easy to let the world around them cease its spinning when they were together, which should have told him all he needed to know and yet it still didn’t. “And here I thought you hadn’t been given the privilege of such a wonderful sight.” Teased, ignoring the question about the realtor for as long as possible. Arm instead offered to get them moving. “Come on, let’s get going before any one else decides they want their fingers broken tonight.”

“That shits gonna kill you.” He was sitting on the chair in the shop like a king perched directly on his throne. Legs were lazily crossed though, growing bored of watching the show for what seemed like the thousandth time. “Just one day, big magical dick slap right to the face and I’m going to be the first one to stand in line and say I told you so.” Chided with the curve of a grin, eyes finally pulled from the window to direct attention to the familiar face. “If it turns you into some house animal or something pray you’re cute, or I’m not keeping you.”

alcohol,  the  nasty  thing  that  everyone  seemed  so  keen  on  getting.  an  acquired  taste  they  said,  but  how  anyone  got  to  acquire  the  taste  is  beyond  him—  he  really  couldn’t  get  beyond  the  first  couple  sips,  much  less  enough  to  consider  himself  able  to  get  an  acquired  taste  for  it.  calloused  hand  raises  and  flaps  the  smoke  away  from  his  senses,  gazing  down  to  the  glass  of  alcohol  and  make  up  to  the  other,  “only  assholes  huh?  guess  i’m  partially  an  asshole  then.”  yet,  he  picks  up  the  drink,  to  take  a  sip,  it  wasn’t  bad  so  he  drank  more  ;  then,  look  of  disgust,  eyes  bulging,  “do  you  have  anything  that…  that  doesn’t  taste  like  it  has  alcohol  in  it?”  it’s  all  in  playful  fun,  he’s  seen  ayda  around  him,  been  around  him  before.

out of everything that came rolling off his tongue, it was the nickname that prompted her to point her finger at him. “Dont call me that.” her tone was light, no tease, but there was a touch of humor behind the order. but by the time that finger had lowered, the corner of her mouth had pulled up in a smirk as attention came to where they had finally stopped. Just there, at the edge of the island, the markings of their territory. “Why are you carrying booze around at four in the morning?” still, she took the flask, never one to say no to a drink in particularly stressful times. her attention remained, though. stayed put on their barriers before she finally addressed him. “someone… has been fucking with our shit.” she wasn’t completely sure of the severity of the situation, nor the specifics - just the rough draft version. “and the last thing i need is to ignite some sort of panic from the sight of a founder poking at weakened barriers.” there was a pause then, eyes cast sideways at him. “and there’s a plant out here that gives Cain a rash, so… i want it.”

Jasper came back out of the kitchen, two mugs in his hands. “Listen, I know you, okay? I know talking about feelings any deeper than the surface makes you uncomfortable, which is why I don’t push it. But I’m gonna say something that doesn’t get said enough, clearly. I love you. I love us, I’m gonna fight tooth and nail for us. Because every time one of us get’s scared we just run. And I’m tired of running, Tai. I’m staying, and you’re staying. Because we deserve this.” He slowly handed the man his mug and nodded as if to say that was the end of the discussion. 

He didn’t know what to expect when Jasper seemed to begin the speech that he assumed would likely hurt in some form or fashion. That wasn’t quite the truth though. Instead, it was the opposite. The smile that forced its way into features betrayed him, those feelings. “I love you.” Repeated, like he was taste testing something he’d had a million times but still hadn’t gotten tired of. If you listened closely enough, it was almost as if saying it for the first time all over again. “And yes, I suppose we are both staying, then. Any other decrees you’d like to make today? It’s a good look for you.”

A soft sigh, face tilting to lean into the gentle caress. The tension left him as soon as they were connected, as it always did. “I’m alright, he was a prick, but I’m okay. Why were you so late?”

He watched for any sign that Ali may have been lying about his current state, mental, physical or otherwise. Once satisfied that he was in fact okay, he was content to move onto the next topic. Shoulders shrugged. “Got tied up with a last minute thing, the realtor had dropped off some paperwork.” Admitted, easily - because it was the truth. “Clearly, I need to prioritize better next time, but I am more than willing to make it up to you. I’ll even grovel just a little bit.” Laughing at the last bit.