#cannot believe kaen tryna rizz up harlow rn

[ilbound]

@bedlamology has requested a story : that was the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me! / harlow to kaen <3

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

For a little while now Kaen has simply been standing in the gallery amid Harlow’s showcase ( something they promised they would attend even if they knew nothing about art ) while their friend tries to mingle and make connections.  Idly , Kaen nurses their glass of wine ; bitter and dry , it's not to their taste.  And they cannot help but feel … OUT OF PLACE , surrounded by people with money , surrounded by people with beauty— So who are t h e y , really ?  When one of the wandering members of the wait-staff passes by , Kaen deposits their now-empty glass on her tray and , once refusing another offered drink , they retreat to a quieter area of the gallery to s u l k and further fade away from the public eye until Harlow is done for the evening.

In the meanwhile , however , one of her paintings catches their eye.  There is just … Something about it that calls Kaen’s attention.  The use of colors , perhaps , for it reminds the godling of f i r e and r a g e ( these , the two primary traits which define who they are ) .  Checking the sheet nearby , Kaen notices a few people have already made their bids on it.  Kaen considers it : wouldn’t Harlow be thrilled if they bought something , too ?  Not that they need to , but they w a n t to.  Quickly checking their surroundings to make sure the artist in question is not around , Kaen puts down a bid of their own and scurries away , pretending as if they did nothing at all , feigning innocence.

Well , as luck would have it , Kaen d i d win the painting and that doesn’t escape Harlow’s knowledge.  She certainly seems overjoyed by the prospect that Kaen would do such a thing , and that alone is more than reward enough for the godling.  Kaen beams at their friend , reaching out and taking hold of both her hands , swinging them gently.  ❝ Aw , c’mon , Har , Ah didnae do nothin’ major , ❞ Nothing major would be simply showing up to these events to show one’s support , not outright BUYING A PAINTING as a surprise.  ❝ Y’re super fuckin’ talented , how could Ah n o t wanna do more fer ye ?  Ah know it wasnae necessary but , trus’ me , Ah wanted ta’ do it.  Ah promise ! ❞

Kaen glances at the painting they won ( they may have to do some rearranging to find a proper place for it ; it deserves somewhere where everyone can see it ! ) , and then looks back to Harlow , furred ears perking upright , wee tail a’swaying behind them.  ❝ B’sides , now Ah can ‘ave a lil’ piece o’ ye in mah apartment— N- not ta’ make it weird obviously !  Ye know wha’ Ah mean ! ❞  The flustered gleam in their stone-dappled features dims back to their usual g l o w , though their broad grin remains as they give Harlow a cheeky look , ❝ Y’know , if ye wanna show yer thanks an’ all … How ‘bout we do dinner ?  Say , this weekend ? ❞  Did they just ask her on A DATE ?  Yes , they most certainly did.