#felt like a curb your enthusiasm scene a bit I won’t lie

[seldaryne]

woke up this morning considering how velrith/astarion would work when they’re Both having Off Days

Haven’t fully formed the thoughts yet, but I did see a post that reminded me of the fun part of cptsd where it takes its sweet time to hit you & he can probably expect that post-game (i think me forgetting this about cptsd is objectively kinda funny in a meta way given that i Also own the label, seems very on brand lmao)

But anyway. Surely there will be instances where no one is actually equipped to be picking the other person up & since the relationship is one of firsts And fumbling their way through ‘healthy habits’ even if they feel wrong to the traumatized nervous system is something for me to think more deeply about

& that’s not even accounting for the fact there’s a really high chance of clashing coping mechanisms too (touch starved & sensory seeking vs touched out dissociation etc etc)

will circle back to this later, just some seeds of thoughts currently

[link4eva]

Kiro’s Promised Date in January (元月之約) [CN]

Hey, y’all! A couple notes before you begin reading...

This date was released a couple of years ago in the CN server but hasn’t been released to the ENG server. I think it’s safe to say that it won’t be released so I’ve decided to just go ahead and translate this super cute date.

With that being said, I don’t actually know any Chinese so this date was done by the power of Google Translate and with a huge help from the amazing and wonderful @keliosyfan​ ! You’re the best!! 

I hope you enjoy!!~

[First Part] 

On a Sunday afternoon, Kiro came downstairs to my apartment building early. We had made a date to go to the department store to purchase Chinese New Year’s goods together, but he didn’t think he’d have the spare time to do so.

(Scene changes to the mall)

The spring festival is approaching but the cold weather can’t curb people’s enthusiasm for buying New Year’s goods. Only at this time do the usually deserted shopping malls become lively. Lanterns, Spring Festival couplets, Chinese knots; every inch is filled with decorations. Their bright red colours make for a very warm atmosphere.  

MC: Sure enough, you still gotta decorate to have the feeling of New Year!

Looking at the various decorations, I couldn’t help but sigh. Kiro also couldn’t help but lean over towards me.

Kiro: So MC, do you decorate your home every Spring Festival?

MC: ...I do, but it’s not over-the-top. It’s just sticking spring couplets and hanging Chinese knots and the like. I prefer buying dried fruits and snacks rather than decorations~ 

Kiro: Shall we go and buy snacks now then?

Kiro looked at me with anticipation and excitement written in his eyes which made me unable to refuse.

MC: Just know that your purpose today is this. And... me too, of course!~

Kiro: Haha~ Who’s the one who’s always mindful all the time? Let’s go! Destination: Supermarket on the basement floor! *Changed some wording here*

With that being said, he raised one fist, while his other one held my hand very naturally, and winked at me.

Kiro: There are too many people here! We gotta hurry!

Before he finished speaking, I had subconsciously squeezed his hand back. Even in this cold weather, Kiro’s palm was still very warm. Like a warm winter sun…

As I imagined this, I couldn’t help but reach out to stroke the blonde hair sticking out from under his hat. The fluffy brim and scarf blocked most of Kiro’s face. And coupled with a pair of glasses, it would be hard to notice if he was even in the crowd.

Kiro: Speaking of which, this is the first time I’ve bought a New Year’s gift. I’ll be sure to follow your directions~

MC: Eh?

I recalled the year I went to Savin’s hometown with Kiro. At that time, he told me that he used to be alone so he didn’t like Chinese New Year.

It seems that Kiro’s life has become a little different because of me.

I don’t know whether it’s gratitude or blissfulness, but I look at him with a smile, my heart is overflowing with warmth.

MC: There are so many people who buy Chinese New Year’s goods!

I stretched out the ending cryptically.

Kiro: Are there?

Seeing Kiro’s curious look, I gave a slight cough but didn’t actually say anything, just leading him to the supermarket slowly.

He also secretly made up his mind.

Today, I have to prepare his New Year’s gift together with him! Not only that but also decorate his house so that he will have the most enjoyable and happiest Spring Festival ever!

[Second Part]

There are more people in the supermarket than I had originally thought. Fortunately, Kiro has already done a “full disguise”. But even so, leading this superstar to walk amongst the crowds still made me nervous.

Kiro didn’t think much about it. The empty shopping cart was soon filled with all kinds of New Year’s goods, so many that it was overflowing.

MC: It feels almost done, shall we check out?

I glanced at the shopping cart, then looked at the goods on the shelf. I didn’t hear Kiro’s answer so I turned my head to look at him. Kiro was fiddling with his scarf while frowning slightly, looking a little distressed.

I was a little puzzled. Before I had time to ask, I found myself looking at the glasses on the bridge of his nose. A layer of fog appeared on the transparent lens at some point. Looking closer, Kiro also had tiny beads of sweat on the tip of his nose.

I looked at his tightly wrapped coat and the fluffy scarf that was super warm at first glance….

Is it too hot?!

I hurriedly pulled Kiro to a corner and looked around to make sure no one could see us. I quickly took off his glasses.

MC: Sorry, I forgot that the heater is always on during this time of year….

Kiro’s forehead was also covered in sweat but he still smiled gently.

Kiro: It’s okay, winter should be a little warmer….

MC: Anyway, take off the scarf first!

I stretched out my hand and wanted to take off the scarf for him. As soon as my fingertips touched the soft corner of the scarf, I was held by Kiro.

Kiro: Don’t move….

Kiro lowered his voice and his expression suddenly became a little nervous. I can say that this expression is quite familiar.

I quickly put his glasses back on him and then turned my head and ran away from some girls’ gazes.

That was close! I exhaled and Kiro’s low laugh came from behind me.

Kiro: That was a quick response time! As expected of my Miss Chips!

MC: I haven’t even worked out with you yet…

I puffed up my cheeks and pretended to complain. I wanted to get out a few more words but they got caught in my throat when I saw the sweat on Kiro’s neck.

MC: How about we forget it today? Next time, I’ll come by myself….

Kiro: But you have a film shoot next week, won’t you be busy?

Kiro leaned closer, lowered his glasses, and looked at me.

Kiro: Let’s just buy the stuff today. It’s been a long time since we went shopping together. So let’s fulfil my cautious wish~

While talking, a few more customers passed by, and Kiro quickly pushed up his glasses.

MC: Pff….Good response haha!

Seeing him panicked, I couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe because of me, Kiro also laughed again.

The next second, I was pulled into a warm embrace.

MC: Woah! What’s happening?

I exclaimed, Kiro’s breathing on the side of my neck was light and slow. The warmth on my neck then began to trickle up towards my cheek, little by little.

Kiro: Forget it, I won’t lie to you. It really is a bit hot. 

MC: Then we are one and the same--

Kiro: So, let me hug you so I don’t get hot.

MC: Wouldn’t that make things hotter?....

(Screen goes black)

I couldn’t help but whisper. Kiro turned his head slightly as if he hadn’t heard me and hugged me tighter. His soft hair rubbed against my neck, his hot breath fanned onto my skin, and even my heart somehow felt weak.

MC: Why are we doing this?....

Kiro: Because I like it, don’t you?

His voice was smiling. Although I couldn’t see his face, I could easily imagine his smile. It must be as warm as his embrace.

MC: I…., I….

(Mall background comes back up)

I hesitated for a while, unable to say a complete sentence. Kiro’s laughter fell onto my ears more clearly. We just hugged quietly in the corner for a while. During this time, customers occasionally passed by and sometimes glanced at us weirdly.

I’m really embarrassed by the constant “watching ceremony”. I gently pushed Kiro who was leaning against me.

MC: Kiro, this is too embarrassing….

Kiro: It doesn’t matter, just let them watch~

As he said this, he hugged me tighter and whispered to me. The heat that had finally dissipated from my cheeks was ignited once again and I was too shy to speak. Kiro quickly let go of me.

He put on his hat again and under his cover-up was his brilliant, smiley face; as bright as the sun.

Kiro: OK, charging is complete! I have been fully resurrected! Let’s go continue our shopping over there! 

[Third Part]

Kiro took my hand and pulled me to the other side where all the New Year’s decorations were. Although he looked at ease, I couldn’t help but feel a little worried when I saw his thick coat and fluffy hat.

MC: I’ll buy the stuff quickly! If you feel hot, let me know….

Kiro: You worry too much, I’m fine. But since you’ve said so, then I must take on the important task of reminding you about the time….

He stopped suddenly and turned to look at me sideways, his expression becoming very serious for a moment.

MC: And, therefore?

Even knowing that he is likely to be joking with me again, I still subconsciously start to get nervous and stare at him indifferently.

Kiro: Therefore, I have to hug you every ten minutes which can remind you of the time and “charge” me simultaneously. Perfect!

Kiro raised his eyebrows, his feigned seriousness was instantly replaced by a somewhat triumphant smile.

I was told by him that I didn’t know what to buy, so I turned around and hurriedly tried to escape the heat that was ignited again.

The other side of the special area for New Year’s goods is mainly various kinds of decorations. Since I’ve decided to help Kiro decorate, I decided to get all sorts of New Year’s goods.

I kept stuffing all kinds of things into the cart. When I got to the fifth New Year’s decoration, Kiro couldn’t help but make a comment.

Kiro: MC, will this be too much? Aren’t you just doing simple decorations?

MC: These are for….

I paused and watched Kiro carefully examine the appearance of the New Year’s decorations. I decided not to tell him that the decorations were actually his for the time being.

It could be thought of as a small surprise for him! 

MC: I bought it for the company!

I randomly thought of an excuse and carefully continued to select decorations. Although I have bought a lot, I still feel that it is not enough.

MC: This seems good….

When I came to the pillow shelf, I looked at the piggy-shaped pillow in front of me and muttered to myself.

Suddenly, I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders. Kiro’s hands tightly encircled me from behind, his hot breath fell on my ears.

Kiro: Ding dong! Friendly reminder, ten minutes is here~

I don’t know if it’s because of the thick scarf or Kiro’s breathing, but I felt my cheeks get hotter. I turned my head and Kiro’s face was close at hand. His cheeks were dyed a light red.

MC: Are you hot?

Kiro: Not hot! Not hot! Have you picked up everything?

The corners of his mouth were raised slightly with a smile. However, that smile seemed to be less energetic than before and perhaps even a little weak.

I took another look at the pillow, then looked back to Kiro, then nodded quickly.

I have to say, even after staying in a heated building for so long, the bitter cold can make people feel refreshed.

(Cut to plaza)

Walking out of the mall, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. As soon as I was about to ask him about the next stop, Kiro proposed that he take me to a place.

Kiro finally stopped after going through an alleyway not too far from the mall.

Kiro: We’re here!

(Cut to shop)

A small shop covered in bright red appeared in front of me. Sunlight penetrated through the alleyway, lighting up the window grilles on the glass; it looked like it was shining.

Flaming red lanterns are hung on both sides of the store door, and the handwritten Spring Festival couplets with the word “blessing” written on them, are paired with the brown wooden doors.

Through the window, you can vaguely see the things placed inside it. The uniquely designed pillows and the exquisite Chinese knots form exquisite New Year’s pictures….

I couldn’t help but walk a few steps forward and looked at the wooden door carefully. Suddenly, I began to wonder if I was really in the center of Loveland City.

Kiro smiled and pointed to the red lanterns by the door and shook his head to talk about it, following the way I explained the New Year’s goods with him before.

Kiro: In fact, I discovered this store on Halloween. At that time, there were no red lanterns and wooden doors, only pumpkins and bats.

Kiro: I walked by accidentally during Christmas. I didn’t expect that the decorations and merchandise here all became the theme of Christmas!

Kiro: So I guess, in this current period, will this be the theme of the Spring Festival? Sure enough, I guessed it~

MC: Sounds like a pop-up shop! Or “theme flashes”?

Kiro: Almost! Although the theme is always changing, there is one thing that’s in the store year-round.

MC: Eh, what is it?

Kiro winked at me with a mysterious smile. He took my hand and opened the door at the same time.

Kiro: Let’s go see!

The moment I opened the door, the warm air surrounded me. Inside, there was a strong New Year’s breath. All kinds of New Year’s goods were neatly placed on the shelves. Before I had time to take a closer look, Kiro took me straight to the deepest part of the shop.

Because there were no outsiders present, Kiro finally had the chance to take off his thick disguise. The white T-shirt underneath was particularly eye-catching among the red New Year’s decorations.

My gaze had been naturally locked onto his body until…. 

Kiro: This is it!

As soon as Kiro’s voice sounded, a whole wall of donuts appeared in front of my eyes!

[Fourth Part]

The donuts in front have various shapes, and they all fit the theme of Spring Festival. There are pandas, pigs….

MC: Amazing! Wait, isn’t this shop selling decorations? Why are there so many donuts?!

MC: You said it’s always there….Is this still a dessert shop?

MC: What! No wonder you--

Before I could finish, the complacency on Kiro’s face instantly vanished and was replaced by a suspicious kind of blush.

He coughed slightly, with a side-eye, and reached his hand to take a panda-shaped donut from the shelf. 

Kiro: You can see through it. Actually, I heard that there’s a whole wall of donuts here. I thought I was in donut heaven but I didn’t expect this….I can’t eat any of them!

He sighed and put the donut on his index finger. The panda spun around on his finger like a hula hoop.

Kiro: It’s so realistic, turns out they are all decorations….  

Kiro: This is simply a fraud to food lovers! Unacceptable!

Looking at Kiro’s slightly puffed cheeks, I imagined that he was extremely disappointed after encountering “fraud” here on the first day, and laughed.

MC: That’s too funny! I want to interview the manager now~

Kiro: We’re not here to work, we are here to buy things! Take a look, how about that piggy pillow over there?

I looked in the direction of Kiro’s finger and a pair of cartoon pillows lay quietly on the shelf, designed to be cuter than the ones in the mall.

MC: Eh? Did you bring me here to pick a pillow?

Kiro: Yes, don’t you want to help me decorate my home well? I have to buy everything for you~

MC: Eh! How did you know?

I nodded. It took me a while to react with a shocked face to Kiro’s smile.

Kiro: Because your lying was really bad!

Kiro took the shopping bag stuffed with all kinds of New Year’s goods in his hand.

Kiro: Many of these were bought for me, right?

MC: You guessed it again….

Kiro: I knew it! We really know each other the best!

His eyes are shining. He seems to have seen through my little surprises and secrets. But he secretly kept this discovery to himself.

A burst of warmth came to my heart and I looked at the pillows on the shelf and made up my mind; Today, I must pick the best New Year’s goods for Kiro!

With this in mind, I looked around in the store and finally bought the final purchase of the evening.

(Cut to Kiro’s house)

After returning to Kiro’s house and doing some decorating, the originally cold room finally had a New Year’s atmosphere.

I hugged the piggy pillow I just bought and slumped on the sofa. I looked around and was quite satisfied with my masterpiece. 

Kiro sat down beside me, picked up another pillow of the same style, and turned to me with a smile.

Kiro: Thank you, MC.

MC: No problem….

After suddenly receiving such a formal thank-you, I was a little embarrassed. I could only look away and look at the panda donut on the coffee table and whisper.

Both: So….

After a brief silence, we both nodded. I looked at Kiro in a daze. He also froze for a moment but he reacted quickly after.

Kiro: You go first~

MC: I just want to ask you about your future plans. How will you prepare for the Spring Festival this year? Do you want to go to Savin’s hometown?

As I spoke, I subconsciously recalled what happened last year. The memory was like eating a cola-flavoured candy, the sweetness spreading through my heart.

I prompted Kiro but found that he didn’t look very happy. Perhaps even a little depressed?

Kiro: Actually, this is what I wanted to ask you too….

Kiro: I will take over the work for the next party and start all kinds of preparations tomorrow. I have to participate in the live broadcast on New Year’s Eve.

He turned to look at me with a helpless smile on his lips.

Kiro: So I may not be able to accompany you on New Year’s Eve….

The cola candy suddenly turned into a bubble and shattered in the air with a loud “pop”.

I was playing with the pillow and my hand let go of it. I didn’t come back to my senses for a while. 

I needed to move my lips. Before I had time to say anything, Kiro threw the pillow aside and leaned directly in front of me. He knelt on the carpet, putting one hand on the back of mine, and making a swearing gesture with the other.

Kiro: I will come back to find you immediately after it ends, I promise! I’ll be there before midnight!

Kiro: If I can’t make it….

Kiro lowered his eyes. After a short pause, he picked up the donut on the coffee table, held it in front of him, and winked at me.

Kiro: Then I will also look at you behind the camera and accompany you in the most special way on New Year’s Eve!

His smile is always so gentle, and his eyes are like gentle sunlight, as if he could envelop me even if he was separated by the camera.

MC: Then if you can’t come back, I will try my best to eat up the New Year’s Eve dinner alone!

MC: What! I can also take photos of all the delicious things and send them to you!

Kiro: How do I feel that you deliberately want to torture me?

MC: Haha~ You saw right through it!

Kiro smiled and squeezed my hand tighter, his focused gaze seemed to look into the deepest part of my heart.

The moment our eyes met, I felt that the sadness that I was hiding was completely seen by him and I quickly raised the corner of my mouth and smiled at him.

Kiro winked without saying anything. The next moment--

The distance between us suddenly became very close. So close that I could see the curl of his eyelashes and I could see myself in his eyes.

Kiro: I’ve thought about it. Let’s give our New Year’s gifts to each other in advance!

The distance at this moment became increasingly smaller and our breaths were almost entangled. 

Between the lighting and the room, I quickly raised the pillow, blocking Kiro’s face!

MC: Wait, wait a minute! Whatever it is, give it to me on New Year’s Eve!

Kiro held my hand, the barrier that was blocking his face was removed by him. He blinked innocently. I felt that my cheeks were too hot but I had to bite the bullet and look at Kiro in front of me.

MC: If you can’t come back, I’ll find you….

MC: This is so you can prepare with peace of mind. After it ends, we will have the New Year’s Eve dinner together!

Kiro was taken aback for a moment and that little surprise immediately turned into a huge smile. His azure blue eyes were like a clear sky, washing away all my shame and disappointment.

He took my hand and gently kissed the back of it. The temperature bloomed from where his lips touched.

Kiro: Well, that settles it. I will prepare an even grander gift to give to you!

Kiro: When the time comes, you must accept all orders from me.

[END]