All that and a box of chocolates

It’s not a big event. It never really has been for them, whatever Tsubaki and Swain are. That’s why Tsubaki is a little conflicted as he looks over the sweets aisle. Hips shift and sway to the side as he looks everything up and down. His gaze settles on a more expensive box. One that exceeds their usual snack budget. It’s pretty, a red box, the outside of it lined with a soft velvet. His thoughts linger on it when he walks away, trying to convince himself that they don’t need it. It’s frivolous, a waste of money when Tsubaki could get something cheaper.

Should, get something cheaper.

His tail lashes back and forth. Lips purse into a stubborn pout before he turns around from the imp food section and goes right back to seasonal. He grabs the box, fast yet not without care, places it in a safe spot to make sure it doesn’t get crushed. The rest of the shopping trip he spends mumbling to himself. Both validating and invalidating his wasteful spending.

Tsubaki grimaces when he pays for everything, the bill raised a significant amount once the sweets were scanned. He pretends like it doesn’t prick at his skin or tickle the back of his mind uncomfortably. There was, however, a small mumble of excitement in the back of his mind. The promise of a silky bittersweetness that he can share with the man he cares for the most. It’s what makes the whole transaction bearable to him.

He imagines Swain popping one of the delicate chocolates into his mouth. Mind playing back that oh-so-satisfied hum that rumbles through Swain whenever he approves of something. The way the cowboy would savor each chocolate like they were a delicacy. They were a delicacy.

He gets home an hour later. The walk is always long but typically worth it. Cardio is important, after all. Walking through the door, Tsubaki is greeted by his imps, Darby and Kip. Kip swirls around him, curious about whatever Tsubaki bought.

“Yeah, yeah. I get it you guys, happy to see you too.” A kind hand shoos them both away so he can get through the door.

There’s no signs of Swain about. Which makes Tsubaki, understandably, pout. Excitement to show the gift off to his cowboy, so when he’s not home a nervous (excited? nervcited?) disappointment knowing that he will have to wait. With a quiet sigh, Tsubaki starts to put things away.

He leaves the box nearby. Lets it linger just out of his sight on the dining room table as he starts to prepare dinner. After all, if Swain is out then he must be working. And if he is working, he will be hungry. So he starts on dinner. Something easy, simple, filling.

Tsubaki makes balls of cauliflower and quinoa that had gone through the food processor with a handful of eyeballed spices. He fries them in a pan while water boils on one burner and tomato sauce simmers on another. It doesn’t take long for it to finish and once everything is mixed together he puts a lid on the pot and leaves it in the oven to stay warm.
And now that dinner is done, that itchy, too excited, too nervous feeling crawls back up his neck again. There’s a frustrated huff and he looks around the open plan of their dining and living room. The house is a little messy… maybe cleaning up can tide him over until Swain comes home. So that’s what he does. Cleans the two rooms, makes them look pretty. He doesn’t touch the nest of blankets and pillows on the couch though. The idea of it makes him upset so he leaves it.

As he’s checking to make sure dinner is still okay, Tsubaki can hear the door open and he’s quick to meet Swain at the door. Pushing himself into Swain’s arms, nosing against a soft, yet strong, shoulder. The cowboy smells like sweat and wood.

“Welcome home,” he murmurs. A smile graces his face as he feels a strong hand settling on the small of his back, dragging him closer. “I made dinner… cleaned a bit too… oh, and I also took care of the shopping too.”

Swain just chuckles at him. Loud and rumbling and that alone seems to settle down all of the thoughts clamouring around in Tsubaki’s head.

“Yer always workin’ yerself into a tizzy this time of year, Sugar.” He teases sweetly. When Tsubaki tries to hide his face away in embarrassment, two calloused fingers trap his chin and make him look up. So of course, Tsubaki pouts. Lips pursed as does his best boo-boo eyes because his… whatever they are… (when people pry he likes to call Swain his husband. It feels right.) just fucking laughed at him and teased him. And of course that gives Swain the opening to press a myriad of sweet little kisses to his lips.

His lips taste salty. Like sweathad beaded down from his hairline when he was working. Tsubaki doesn’t mind the taste and he thinks he never will.

Swain, ever the gentleman, gently guides Tsubaki to the kitchen with a hand on the small of his back. “Now, show me what ya made fer dinner, sweetness.”

So Tsubaki does just that. Swain helps him set the table and Tsubaki plates all the food. The box of chocolates still lingers there and Tsubaki can see his cowboy eye it. Though it remains not talked about while they both prattle on about their day. Swain talks about how the frost is finally starting to melt and how they should probably start planting seedlings. Tsubaki talks about wanting to give growing mushrooms another try. Laughs when he sees Swain’s little grimmace.

Dinner is pleasant, as always. It’s only when the table is cleaned up and dishes are done, does Tsubaki finally take the box of chocolates and hands them to Swain.

“Soooo… while shopping they had some Matentines chocolate out and I know it’s not really our thing but I saw them and couldn’t help it so here.” He says the words so quickly because he’s nervous and his face is flushed.
He doesn’t know what to do when strong (but gentle) hands take the box of chocolates and studies it. The corner of Swain’s lips tug into a smile, small but genuine as he tilts it in his hands expecting it.

“Sugar, you didn’t have ta to go an’ do that fer me.” Swain coos, one hand leaving the box to cup Tsubaki’s cheek. The thumb gently rubs against it and Tsubaki all but melts. “Ya wanna eat these on the couch. Watch a dumb movie an’ enjoy ‘em tagether?”

“Yes please.” Is all Tsubaki hums and he leans into the gentle touch and presses a kiss to the inside of Swain’s wrist.

And he thinks that sometimes it’s worth it to buy something stupid and expensive because that means he can share it with Swain.