[Jaskier had been counting down the days until Christmas would arrive. Unlike most who keep careful track of the days until the holiday, Jaskier's growing excitement and burgeoning impatience had very little to do with the day itself relative to the prospect of more time being spent with Tech. Not to say Christmas didn't serve some purpose in elevating it to be more than just any ordinary day, of course. It was to be their first Christmas together and that meant something. To Jaskier at least. And he'd like to believe it meant something to Tech, too. But even if this were to be the absence of a holiday, Jaskier doesn't believe he'd be any less excited to see Tech for a meaningful length of time again. In fact, that prospect seems entirely impossible to his mind.]
[They hadn't spoken and they hadn't seen one another, but it feels wrong in hindsight to say that month had been one of nothing between their first meeting and their reunion. In that time, Jaskier completed his first composition for Tech while Tech created and sculpted his forest of lights for Jaskier. So, while there was little arguing there'd been a separation, there was also little arguing something else hadn't persevered in spite of it. That something else complicated their reunion, of course, but it also made it feel more like a true beginning than their meeting in the maze had been. With the earnestness of their feelings, there had been a clumsiness, a sense of near-disaster that reared its ugly head more than a few times, but they were honest. But they were honest. They were honest and whatever lingering doubts there had been dissipated, and Jaskier felt seen while Tech felt heard, and it finally felt like they had even footing with one another. For Tech, Jaskier imagines it was the beginning of a new chapter, but he knows with certainty that this is the beginning of their story for him.]
[So, of course, he's excited. And no matter how foolish it's felt at times, he's caught himself on more than one occasion staring longingly at his device and just barely resisting the urge to come up with literally anything he might say to prompt a conversation. There's always a little flutter in his chest when sorting through his clothes and he happens upon the sweater again that Jaskier could swear somehow managed to pick up some of Tech's scent and hold onto it. Never mind how many times he's returned to the beginnings of their song, trying whatever musical phrases he comes up with in private experimentation so he can present Tech with whatever ends up being best.]
[And Christmas simply couldn't come sooner.]
[When the day finally arrives and Tech finds himself in Jaskier's space, there are probably very few surprises to be found. As was the case for most homes in Willow, there were only a few touches of modernity to be found throughout Jaskier's home. With the majority of electricity within the house going to the overhead lights and the quite modest refrigerator, the rest of Jaskier's home looks far more akin to those he's familiar with from his own world than anything else.]
[Jaskier moved the table that serves both as a place to eat and a desk for writing (if some of the ink stains were any indication) a bit from its original position at the very center of the room and closer in the direction of the space that serves as both the pantry and kitchen to be closer to the hearth. It's less for the purposes of more heat—the fire there has very little trouble warming the whole house given the house itself is not terribly large—and more for the better lighting both from the fire and one of the warm bulbs above. Still, Jaskier has gone to the trouble of placing a lantern at the center of the table just in case with all the wreath-making supplies in neat little piles around the table.]
[But it's likely what's opposite the kitchen and hearth that speaks more to being so very much Jaskier's space as the kitchen seems almost untouched with how little Jaskier's made use of it for himself. In the alcove beneath the loft serving as his bedroom sits in a built-in daybed covered in pillows and an oversized throw that's been haphazardly tossed over it. It's likely not all that difficult to envision a groggy Jaskier making it down the small spiral staircase from his bedroom to only take a nap there once the fire was stoked back to life. At least until the sun managed to peek through the window behind the daybed, in any case. Or perhaps if not taking an additional nap to wake in his own time, it wouldn't seem all that odd to think of Jaskier idly strumming his lute as he sat with his legs thrown over one of the arms of the highback armchair placed in one of the "corners" of the space until a fit of inspiration overtook and he stumbled out of the chair to go write down his brilliance. The lute itself, after all, sits propped up carefully in one of the built-in bookcases nearby. Resting against the wall next to it sits the shelves Jaskier had to remove to make room for the lute. Or it would be reasonable to assume that in a fit of restlessness and boredom, Jaskier takes to sprawling out on the rug with one of the few books he's decided to purchase to see if it's worth reading. (It would come as likely very little surprise to Tech that the books that are stacked unevenly across two shelves rather than neatly arranged are more purchases made to fill out the space and avoid such barren shelves than something Jaskier's decided he wants to read.) If it passes the test, the hours likely fly by before he even realizes it. If not, he may very well just let sleep take him right there.]
[Regardless of what it is Jaskier could hypothetically get up to in that space, it's easy to see the traces of his life there more than anywhere else that Tech's immediately privy to upon entering.]
[Not that he's able to take much of it in immediately once Jaskier lets him inside. The bard is too quick to offer a kiss in greeting after he's closed the door behind Tech.]
I missed you.
[Jaskier doesn't feel an ounce of embarrassment or self-consciousness in admitting as much even if it was nothing like before with the silence that fell after their first meeting. He still thought about Tech enough since that night in the forest, he still tempered himself enough to not seem overeager by concocting any excuse for Tech to come over that it was still sincere. He wanted to see Tech sooner and more often than what ended up happening, and the intervening time felt at once dilated and contracted all at once.]
[He missed him.]
[But even with as much as Jaskier missed him, he does, at least, move out of Tech's space enough to let him get out of his coat rather than giving in to the impulse to just stand there kissing him or holding him. Or, well, he does after one more kiss. Jaskier is only human, after all. He can't be faulted for wanting at least a quick peck before he surrendered Tech's space back to him.]
[ Tech Boy had been preparing for this a couple days in advance, making himself pretty scarce as he put together a modest (but still entirely from scratch) meal to emulate a Thanksgiving dinner. There was a small turkey, homemade stuffing, fresh rolls, mashed potatoes and veggies to roast. The turkey and veggies he planned on preparing at Jaskier's because he wanted to make a fresh gravy from the drippings, but everything else only needed warmed. And the only thing he cheated with was picking up an apple pie from the local bakery because he figured they would do far better with it than he ever could.
Needless to say, he brings a lot with him to Jaskier's place -- but he doesn't carry it all. Oh no. He's the god of technology. And the motto of technology is always work smarter, not harder. So there's a drone hovering beside him, doing the heavy lifting. ]
Yo. Merry Christmas.
[ He greets when Jaskier opens the door and the drone sets its package at the entryway before it zooms off -- presumably heading back to Tech's home to await further instruction. In the meantime, Tech picks up the bag and heads in -- indulging in kiss one and kiss two before he untangles from Jaskier to head toward the kitchen and immediately start making himself at home. ]
I didn't know what we were doing for food, so I thought I'd bring a little something.
[ A little something, he says as he unpacks big tin trays that would feed four or more people. But this might also be Tech...mother henning over Jaskier. After all, he prepared a lot because he knows Jaskier eats a lot but also he wants to leave him with leftovers. He worries the bard might not be properly feeding himself -- especially not if he's relying on taverns and restaurants. So this will be an easy way for him to eat for a couple of days if he's too tired or lazy to make the journey all the way to town. Just heat it up and he's good to go. Or....he could always eat it cold if he didn't want to go to the extra step of waiting for it to be heated.
Either way, Tech gets to work spatchcocking the turkey with Jaskier's limited kitchen tools so it will cook faster and more evenly (it's all the internet rage that this is the best way to cook a turkey, after all!) and then gets it set up in the oven, washing his hands following and finally giving Jaskier his full focus. ]
I got you a gift. It's not much, but...
[ Tech takes out a neatly wrapped package from a different bag. He offers it over to Jaskier. Inside is a leatherbound notebook with straps to tie around it and keep it closed as well as a tiny box with a burgundy and gold trimmed fountain pen -- personalized with the first few notes of the song Jaskier sang for him in the woods. As much of the phrase as could fit on the length of the pen. Jaskier could think of him whenever he writes with it -- that's the hope anyway. ]
[Jaskier trusts when Tech says he brought a little something with him for food, it was genuinely going to be a little something. Even with the presence of the drone, Jaskier doesn't begin to suspect that might be a bit of an understatement. But as one sizeable tin makes its way onto Jaskier's somewhat limited counter space, he starts to regard the claim with more suspicion. While Tech is busying himself with spatchcocking the turkey, Jaskier is taking a peek at the other trays to see what else he's brought and just how much. Jaskier doesn't call Tech out on the minimization of him having brought a feast fit to feed a family rather than just the pair of them, but that's perhaps an even exchange if Tech doesn't make any comment about the roll that happens to go missing from its brethren under such mysterious circumstances. Of course, Jaskier is entirely unaware of how likely that seems normal to Tech, unaware that this proclivity to thieve food before the meal is finished and it's time to eat shall end up one that persists throughout the intervening decades.]
[Evidence of the crime is being brushed away by the time Tech presents the carefully wrapped gift. This time, Jaskier is significantly less trusting of Tech's claim that it's not much and the expression on Jaskier's face conveys nearly as much when he accepts it. Granted, Jaskier doesn't imagine such a modestly sized package could possibly be as grand as the last time Tech gave him a present, but even so. He has a difficult time imagining that Tech would give him anything without any thought put into it, which would make the present not all that much as he claims. And his doubts are proven almost immediately correct! Jaskier's expression brightens the moment he lays eyes on the notebook while with the pen, there's a soft gasp of recognition for the notes.]
It's not much, he says, [Jaskier says with a wrinkle of his nose without being able to stifle an ounce of his smile when he looks to Tech again. He informs Tech of how wrong he is much in the same tone that a child might when refusing to share something that others are immediately and inherently envious of another possessing,] It's beautiful.
[So there. Go on and continue talking shit about his new fancy pen and notebook, Tech. You won't be allowed to touch them! And instead of getting to play with them, he's going to have to suffer another kiss. Woe be unto this god of technology as a consequence for his actions! This one, however, comes over the top and with Jaskier throwing an arm around Tech so he can place a hand on the cheek opposite of the one he kisses. Coming from anyone else, the kiss would likely be just obnoxious, but from Jaskier? Well, it's still a bit obnoxious—as it's meant to be—but there's an earnestness to such effusive affection. He's shooed off easily at least. Not without Jaskier playfully mussing up Tech's hair first with a laugh as he takes back his arm, but he knocks it off with enough swats or pushes all the same.]
[ It's not much, Tech would insist as someone who would prefer spoiling his partners with elaborate jewels and too expensive trinkets. Even the display in the woods was more of that homemade gift vibe rather than something rich and flaunted. But these are the sorts of things he knows Jaskier appreciates more -- because yes. Obviously, Jaskier loves fancy, material objects and finery, but Tech thinks Jaskier also loves presents from the heart more. And here, Tech isn't rich because he's a god who can fill his bank accounts or hack any ATM with a blink of an eye. He's only as wealthy as his socialization -- which puts him squarely on a middle line. He talks, he has companions, but he's not throwing parties or going out of his way to meet people. So his presents for Jaskier, until he's able to save up enough for that lute, have to be all heart and less expense.
Tech makes a little sound that's one half groan at the theatrics and one half laugh -- both of which get swallowed into the kiss Jaskier plants on his lips. And when Jaskier musses with his hair upon being eased away, Tech reaches up to tame it back down with a mild huff. ]
Well, I just thought you could use it for jotting down ideas for songs...and um. When you use the pen, you could think of me?
[ He says and then immediately feels self-conscious for saying it, tapping his fingers together and glancing to the floorboards uncertainly. Isn't that some arrogant bullshit to want to be in someone else's thoughts so he gave him a present to make sure Jaskier would at least think of him for two seconds when he picked up the pen or put it to his lip or chewed on the cap when he thought of his next musical phrase? He supposes he'll never be able to chase that one aspect of his godhood out of him -- wanting to be the center of someone's thoughts as long as they would allow. ]
But I missed you too, by the way. I got one of the photos I took of us blown up into a print and I don't know if you wanted a copy or anything, but I brought it in case you do.
[ The final item he produces is an envelope of an 8x10. It doesn't have a frame or anything, but it's a picture of them in the morning at the inn. It would have been in the sunlight if Wintermute wasn't in its period of darkness, but it was right before they got breakfast -- taken in the warm cozy room. They're still in bed, but dressed at least and Tech is wearing a bright smile while Jaskier looks content...but perhaps still sleepy and on the verge of drifting back off. The angle of them is beautiful, though. Or maybe Tech is just biased because he can only see something beautiful when it comes to him and Jaskier. All the same, Tech finally shrugs off his coat and finds an appropriate spot to hang it before taking out a phone and turning on a timer for the turkey. He slides that back into his pocket, glancing toward Jaskier. ]
We got about an hour and forty-five minutes before I gotta get up and deal with the bird. You wanna start making wreaths or should we wait for that until after dinner?
What. Oh, no. No, no,no, that would be...a mess. I just realized how I feel about him, and I don't think he likes me back. I don't think Viktor likes anybody, really.
It could make things very awkward for us, and it would be selfish of me. So, I'm going to keep it to myself for now.
ok. buckle up, jayce. i'm gonna tell you a story, short and sweet. i met baphomet and he and i became fast friends. we started hooking up, too....with the agreement to be friends with benefits only. fast forward a couple months. i'm there on his hospital bed and i had that 'holy shit, i actually love him' moment. i could have kept my mouth shut. i didn't think he wanted a relationship so i thought about not saying anything. but then i took a chance and told him anyway. because honesty is the only way relationships work. and ya know what? turns out he felt the same way and now we're a thing.
point is, NOTHING kills relationships faster than a lie. and if you keep this a secret from viktor cuz you're afraid of rejection or making things awkward or being selfish....that's the same as lying to him. because you're always gonna feel like you have to hold something back and then what happens if he gets in a relationship with someone else? honestly, man. you got nothing to lose by telling him. you've been partners for 10 years. you're basically married already. he's not gonna stop being your friend even if he doesn't return your feelings.
[Valentine's Day does not exist on the Continent, but Jaskier's heard enough chatter about it from everyone that he believes he has a handle on it. Thus the morning of the fourteenth, Tech will receive a delivery from one of the local courier services. Rather than a bouquet of the traditional roses, Jaskier has sent a bouquet of sunflowers and orange alstroemeria with sprigs of baby's breath. There's also a teddy bear dressed quite coincidentally quite similar to a particular bard. Most importantly though is around the bear's neck is a chain, attached to which is a key to Jaskier's treehouse.]
[ Jayce learned a couple of days ago that Tech b-day is April third, so he did his best to finish his present in time. Midmorning, one of Folkmore's helpful bunnies -who is wearing a messenger bag and a delivery boy cap with holes to fit its ears- is going to find tech and bring him a shoe-sized, elegant box.
Inside, there's a toy-sized-dragon automaton that will come to life and move around as soon as Tech turns the crown located between its wings and winds it up. He could probaby keep it going indefinitely using lore. Next to the dragon, there's a birthday card, that simply says; ]
Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy this little friend.
[ The gifts and birthday wishes make him a little uncomfortable, truthfully. If only because it feels a bit like everyone is celebrating a lie. Though as Tech opens the gift, he's delighted to see the little toy. Tech might not have had the greatest experiences with dragons, but it's not the dragon part that he likes so much as the craftsmanship and thought. ]
thanks, man. makes a better pet than any real pet tbh 😂
at least in terms of what i'm able to take care of. you know you didn't have to, tho...
[ Delivered via adorable soot sprite couriers to Tech's apartment is an elegant three-piece suit complete with a small selection of accompanying dress shirts, cufflinks, ties, and bowties so he can accessorise as he sees fit. He'll find no adjustments are necessary — everything has already been tailored to fit him quite nicely. Magic or the exacting efficiency of an android's keen eye? Maybe there's a bit of both involved.
There's also a signed card from K wishing him a very happy birthday and offering to take him out if he ever wants an excuse to put the gift to good use. While K's never seen Tech in anything so formal, he thinks the god would be quite handsome all dressed up and hopes he chose well.
(How did K know the date? All thanks to Kate's post, of course.) ]
[ When the gifts come rolling in, Tech's caught by surprise. He went from not having a birthday to suddenly having one people outside of Kate are recognizing. Of course, that's primarily due to Kate, but still. By the time Tech gets K's gift, he sits with the box on his bed for a while -- reading and rereading the card. It's short and concise but says a whole lot without directly saying it. Tech's not great with emotions. It took him a couple months to admit to himself he had feelings for Baphomet. And when it comes to K, he's been even more careful with his feelings because so many people have hurt K in the past. Tech Boy doesn't want to be another person added to that list -- whether that's just adding confusion or muddying up their already intense connection with emotions K doesn't want.
But this gift starts to paint things in a different sort of light. Maybe it is something K wants. With thumbs brushing over the fabric of the suit, Tech wonders if there is a space for him in K's life in that sense. Maybe it's not just some feeling of obligation toward a god that reigned over all of technology. Maybe there are deeper feelings than that. And that applies on both sides.
Tech could also be entirely wrong. Which is why it takes him a bit to text a response. And especially why he tries to play the response off as no big deal. ]
yo, kei. thanks for the gift. you didn't have to
unless that's just your subtle way of asking me out on a date... 😉😉😉
[ It would be easy — and safer — to joke along and leave any deeper implications untouched, but he doesn't think Tech is the kind of person who'd teasingly float an idea he has absolutely no genuine interest in. At least not like this, and not with him. No, he's reasonably certain this is Tech's way of testing the waters as it were, and it's... incredibly surprising, and flattering. He's had the impression the god's proverbial dance card is full several times over, too full for there to ever be room or desire for another.
But perhaps his assumptions are being influenced by his own limited experience with polyamorous relationships. Since becoming involved with Jayce, he and Jayce haven't seen much of each other (or not as much as K would like, anyway), and with Jayce's girlfriend now being here and living with him, it has seemed kindest to give them space to get settled together. He doesn't want to intrude or risk feeling like even more of a third wheel. Overall, it's been a sort of lonely experience so far.
He's still figuring out what he's allowed to want from the people in his life, what he's allowed to ask for, and here Tech is simplifying all of that for him. Unless he's completely misreading things? But he feels certain enough to take a chance and ask directly. ]
You're welcome. I know you probably don't have an actual "birth" day, but I wanted to celebrate this one. You deserve it.
[ Being open and honest. It's how things worked. There was a long period in Tech's life where open honesty only led to betrayal or being taken advantage of. Gods were a shitty bunch and Tech adapted to it by also becoming shitty. Evolve or perish. There's still a residual instinct to clam up, to laugh it off, to pretend as though any wants he almost expressed were just jokes -- not because he doesn't trust K but because vulnerability is a scary thing.
But honesty is how the best relationships are built. So...honesty it is. ]
i would.
but it doesn't have to be. just spending time with you in any way is enough
[ With that he hopes K understands there's no pressure. Date or not, romantic or not -- K has the freedom of choice and Tech will very much respect whatever choice he makes. ]
[ K's attempts at creativity aren't limited to musical pursuits alone, and Tech is the recipient of his latest little sculpture made from recycled electronic components: it depicts two figures cuddled up together. The underside is neatly dated and signed with the name Tech gave him. ]
[ The gift makes him smile -- from the positions of the mini sculptures to the materials used. Everything was so thoughtful. It's easy to imagine this as a depiction of the two of them, beautiful in its technological simplicity.
Tech places it on his desk to always have this piece of K with him whenever he's working and takes the time to write up a little thank you note to express his appreciation. At the bottom, he leaves K with a musical phrase -- the beginning of a song for him to answer in some way, like a love note in a few neatly drawn measures.
This note will be slipped under K's apartment door sometime in the early evening. ]
[ It takes a frustratingly long while, but eventually Tech receives K's response — in the form of a recorded video of himself, sat at his piano in the bright afternoon light. The thank you note is visible on the music stand.
After a moment K begins to play, completely focused on the music in the manner of someone who isn't used to performing for an audience; he's sharing something very personal, not trying to be entertaining. The relatively simple beginning suggests he may not have strayed far from the the original musical phrase provided by Tech, perhaps still struggling against the hurdle of genuine creativity, but soon... the melody is evolving, flourishing into a fully realised song that he plays without error, his movements fluid and precise and not quite human. Unselfconsciously so.
Once it concludes he looks toward the relic with a wide-eyed smiling expression that's simultaneously elated and somehow shy, almost as though he can't believe what he just did. Nervous, maybe, about what Tech will think of his effort. He reaches toward the relic and the recording ends. ]
Do you have any experience with migraine symptoms?
[ Since Tech's physiology is possibly the closest to his own of everyone here, and because Folkmore is lacking in android technicians, he seems the best person to ask. But the real reason K's finally asking after suffering from chronic headaches for months now: it's a roundabout way of checking in on Tech. ]
not migraines, exactly. but i do have some experience with debilitating pain/glitches. you need someone to run a diagnostic?
[ If this had been closer to when Tech had those glitches, he might have been far more guarded about them. But it had been two years, going on three. They were in the past and he was in a better place now. Physically, at least. ]
My research at Thoth suggests several possible causes but nothing conclusive. But, then, they do seem geared more toward furthering AI enslavement than providing healthcare for us. Reprogramming me was proposed more than once.
That's kind of you to offer. What helped you, out of curiosity?
[ He isn't sure if asking about the cause might be too personal, so he'll start there. ]
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[They hadn't spoken and they hadn't seen one another, but it feels wrong in hindsight to say that month had been one of nothing between their first meeting and their reunion. In that time, Jaskier completed his first composition for Tech while Tech created and sculpted his forest of lights for Jaskier. So, while there was little arguing there'd been a separation, there was also little arguing something else hadn't persevered in spite of it. That something else complicated their reunion, of course, but it also made it feel more like a true beginning than their meeting in the maze had been. With the earnestness of their feelings, there had been a clumsiness, a sense of near-disaster that reared its ugly head more than a few times, but they were honest. But they were honest. They were honest and whatever lingering doubts there had been dissipated, and Jaskier felt seen while Tech felt heard, and it finally felt like they had even footing with one another. For Tech, Jaskier imagines it was the beginning of a new chapter, but he knows with certainty that this is the beginning of their story for him.]
[So, of course, he's excited. And no matter how foolish it's felt at times, he's caught himself on more than one occasion staring longingly at his device and just barely resisting the urge to come up with literally anything he might say to prompt a conversation. There's always a little flutter in his chest when sorting through his clothes and he happens upon the sweater again that Jaskier could swear somehow managed to pick up some of Tech's scent and hold onto it. Never mind how many times he's returned to the beginnings of their song, trying whatever musical phrases he comes up with in private experimentation so he can present Tech with whatever ends up being best.]
[And Christmas simply couldn't come sooner.]
[When the day finally arrives and Tech finds himself in Jaskier's space, there are probably very few surprises to be found. As was the case for most homes in Willow, there were only a few touches of modernity to be found throughout Jaskier's home. With the majority of electricity within the house going to the overhead lights and the quite modest refrigerator, the rest of Jaskier's home looks far more akin to those he's familiar with from his own world than anything else.]
[Jaskier moved the table that serves both as a place to eat and a desk for writing (if some of the ink stains were any indication) a bit from its original position at the very center of the room and closer in the direction of the space that serves as both the pantry and kitchen to be closer to the hearth. It's less for the purposes of more heat—the fire there has very little trouble warming the whole house given the house itself is not terribly large—and more for the better lighting both from the fire and one of the warm bulbs above. Still, Jaskier has gone to the trouble of placing a lantern at the center of the table just in case with all the wreath-making supplies in neat little piles around the table.]
[But it's likely what's opposite the kitchen and hearth that speaks more to being so very much Jaskier's space as the kitchen seems almost untouched with how little Jaskier's made use of it for himself. In the alcove beneath the loft serving as his bedroom sits in a built-in daybed covered in pillows and an oversized throw that's been haphazardly tossed over it. It's likely not all that difficult to envision a groggy Jaskier making it down the small spiral staircase from his bedroom to only take a nap there once the fire was stoked back to life. At least until the sun managed to peek through the window behind the daybed, in any case. Or perhaps if not taking an additional nap to wake in his own time, it wouldn't seem all that odd to think of Jaskier idly strumming his lute as he sat with his legs thrown over one of the arms of the highback armchair placed in one of the "corners" of the space until a fit of inspiration overtook and he stumbled out of the chair to go write down his brilliance. The lute itself, after all, sits propped up carefully in one of the built-in bookcases nearby. Resting against the wall next to it sits the shelves Jaskier had to remove to make room for the lute. Or it would be reasonable to assume that in a fit of restlessness and boredom, Jaskier takes to sprawling out on the rug with one of the few books he's decided to purchase to see if it's worth reading. (It would come as likely very little surprise to Tech that the books that are stacked unevenly across two shelves rather than neatly arranged are more purchases made to fill out the space and avoid such barren shelves than something Jaskier's decided he wants to read.) If it passes the test, the hours likely fly by before he even realizes it. If not, he may very well just let sleep take him right there.]
[Regardless of what it is Jaskier could hypothetically get up to in that space, it's easy to see the traces of his life there more than anywhere else that Tech's immediately privy to upon entering.]
[Not that he's able to take much of it in immediately once Jaskier lets him inside. The bard is too quick to offer a kiss in greeting after he's closed the door behind Tech.]
I missed you.
[Jaskier doesn't feel an ounce of embarrassment or self-consciousness in admitting as much even if it was nothing like before with the silence that fell after their first meeting. He still thought about Tech enough since that night in the forest, he still tempered himself enough to not seem overeager by concocting any excuse for Tech to come over that it was still sincere. He wanted to see Tech sooner and more often than what ended up happening, and the intervening time felt at once dilated and contracted all at once.]
[He missed him.]
[But even with as much as Jaskier missed him, he does, at least, move out of Tech's space enough to let him get out of his coat rather than giving in to the impulse to just stand there kissing him or holding him. Or, well, he does after one more kiss. Jaskier is only human, after all. He can't be faulted for wanting at least a quick peck before he surrendered Tech's space back to him.]
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Needless to say, he brings a lot with him to Jaskier's place -- but he doesn't carry it all. Oh no. He's the god of technology. And the motto of technology is always work smarter, not harder. So there's a drone hovering beside him, doing the heavy lifting. ]
Yo. Merry Christmas.
[ He greets when Jaskier opens the door and the drone sets its package at the entryway before it zooms off -- presumably heading back to Tech's home to await further instruction. In the meantime, Tech picks up the bag and heads in -- indulging in kiss one and kiss two before he untangles from Jaskier to head toward the kitchen and immediately start making himself at home. ]
I didn't know what we were doing for food, so I thought I'd bring a little something.
[ A little something, he says as he unpacks big tin trays that would feed four or more people. But this might also be Tech...mother henning over Jaskier. After all, he prepared a lot because he knows Jaskier eats a lot but also he wants to leave him with leftovers. He worries the bard might not be properly feeding himself -- especially not if he's relying on taverns and restaurants. So this will be an easy way for him to eat for a couple of days if he's too tired or lazy to make the journey all the way to town. Just heat it up and he's good to go. Or....he could always eat it cold if he didn't want to go to the extra step of waiting for it to be heated.
Either way, Tech gets to work spatchcocking the turkey with Jaskier's limited kitchen tools so it will cook faster and more evenly (it's all the internet rage that this is the best way to cook a turkey, after all!) and then gets it set up in the oven, washing his hands following and finally giving Jaskier his full focus. ]
I got you a gift. It's not much, but...
[ Tech takes out a neatly wrapped package from a different bag. He offers it over to Jaskier. Inside is a leatherbound notebook with straps to tie around it and keep it closed as well as a tiny box with a burgundy and gold trimmed fountain pen -- personalized with the first few notes of the song Jaskier sang for him in the woods. As much of the phrase as could fit on the length of the pen. Jaskier could think of him whenever he writes with it -- that's the hope anyway. ]
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[Evidence of the crime is being brushed away by the time Tech presents the carefully wrapped gift. This time, Jaskier is significantly less trusting of Tech's claim that it's not much and the expression on Jaskier's face conveys nearly as much when he accepts it. Granted, Jaskier doesn't imagine such a modestly sized package could possibly be as grand as the last time Tech gave him a present, but even so. He has a difficult time imagining that Tech would give him anything without any thought put into it, which would make the present not all that much as he claims. And his doubts are proven almost immediately correct! Jaskier's expression brightens the moment he lays eyes on the notebook while with the pen, there's a soft gasp of recognition for the notes.]
It's not much, he says, [Jaskier says with a wrinkle of his nose without being able to stifle an ounce of his smile when he looks to Tech again. He informs Tech of how wrong he is much in the same tone that a child might when refusing to share something that others are immediately and inherently envious of another possessing,] It's beautiful.
[So there. Go on and continue talking shit about his new fancy pen and notebook, Tech. You won't be allowed to touch them! And instead of getting to play with them, he's going to have to suffer another kiss. Woe be unto this god of technology as a consequence for his actions! This one, however, comes over the top and with Jaskier throwing an arm around Tech so he can place a hand on the cheek opposite of the one he kisses. Coming from anyone else, the kiss would likely be just obnoxious, but from Jaskier? Well, it's still a bit obnoxious—as it's meant to be—but there's an earnestness to such effusive affection. He's shooed off easily at least. Not without Jaskier playfully mussing up Tech's hair first with a laugh as he takes back his arm, but he knocks it off with enough swats or pushes all the same.]
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Tech makes a little sound that's one half groan at the theatrics and one half laugh -- both of which get swallowed into the kiss Jaskier plants on his lips. And when Jaskier musses with his hair upon being eased away, Tech reaches up to tame it back down with a mild huff. ]
Well, I just thought you could use it for jotting down ideas for songs...and um. When you use the pen, you could think of me?
[ He says and then immediately feels self-conscious for saying it, tapping his fingers together and glancing to the floorboards uncertainly. Isn't that some arrogant bullshit to want to be in someone else's thoughts so he gave him a present to make sure Jaskier would at least think of him for two seconds when he picked up the pen or put it to his lip or chewed on the cap when he thought of his next musical phrase? He supposes he'll never be able to chase that one aspect of his godhood out of him -- wanting to be the center of someone's thoughts as long as they would allow. ]
But I missed you too, by the way. I got one of the photos I took of us blown up into a print and I don't know if you wanted a copy or anything, but I brought it in case you do.
[ The final item he produces is an envelope of an 8x10. It doesn't have a frame or anything, but it's a picture of them in the morning at the inn. It would have been in the sunlight if Wintermute wasn't in its period of darkness, but it was right before they got breakfast -- taken in the warm cozy room. They're still in bed, but dressed at least and Tech is wearing a bright smile while Jaskier looks content...but perhaps still sleepy and on the verge of drifting back off. The angle of them is beautiful, though. Or maybe Tech is just biased because he can only see something beautiful when it comes to him and Jaskier. All the same, Tech finally shrugs off his coat and finds an appropriate spot to hang it before taking out a phone and turning on a timer for the turkey. He slides that back into his pocket, glancing toward Jaskier. ]
We got about an hour and forty-five minutes before I gotta get up and deal with the bird. You wanna start making wreaths or should we wait for that until after dinner?
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cw: brief thought of torture
cw: brief mention of torture
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Text | un: Talis
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It could make things very awkward for us, and it would be selfish of me. So, I'm going to keep it to myself for now.
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ok. buckle up, jayce. i'm gonna tell you a story, short and sweet. i met baphomet and he and i became fast friends. we started hooking up, too....with the agreement to be friends with benefits only. fast forward a couple months. i'm there on his hospital bed and i had that 'holy shit, i actually love him' moment. i could have kept my mouth shut. i didn't think he wanted a relationship so i thought about not saying anything. but then i took a chance and told him anyway. because honesty is the only way relationships work. and ya know what? turns out he felt the same way and now we're a thing.
point is, NOTHING kills relationships faster than a lie. and if you keep this a secret from viktor cuz you're afraid of rejection or making things awkward or being selfish....that's the same as lying to him. because you're always gonna feel like you have to hold something back and then what happens if he gets in a relationship with someone else? honestly, man. you got nothing to lose by telling him. you've been partners for 10 years. you're basically married already. he's not gonna stop being your friend even if he doesn't return your feelings.
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>Video
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backdated 2/14
Action-ish | April third | Mid-morning
Inside, there's a toy-sized-dragon automaton that will come to life and move around as soon as Tech turns the crown located between its wings and winds it up. He could probaby keep it going indefinitely using lore. Next to the dragon, there's a birthday card, that simply says; ]
Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy this little friend.
-J.T.
text;
thanks, man. makes a better pet than any real pet tbh 😂
at least in terms of what i'm able to take care of. you know you didn't have to, tho...
Re: text;
Hi, Tech. Glad you like it. You don't have to clean after this one, no.
Having a nice day?
delivered on April 3rd
There's also a signed card from K wishing him a very happy birthday and offering to take him out if he ever wants an excuse to put the gift to good use. While K's never seen Tech in anything so formal, he thinks the god would be quite handsome all dressed up and hopes he chose well.
(How did K know the date? All thanks to Kate's post, of course.) ]
text;
But this gift starts to paint things in a different sort of light. Maybe it is something K wants. With thumbs brushing over the fabric of the suit, Tech wonders if there is a space for him in K's life in that sense. Maybe it's not just some feeling of obligation toward a god that reigned over all of technology. Maybe there are deeper feelings than that. And that applies on both sides.
Tech could also be entirely wrong. Which is why it takes him a bit to text a response. And especially why he tries to play the response off as no big deal. ]
yo, kei. thanks for the gift. you didn't have to
unless that's just your subtle way of asking me out on a date... 😉😉😉
text (and editing for better clarity)
But perhaps his assumptions are being influenced by his own limited experience with polyamorous relationships. Since becoming involved with Jayce, he and Jayce haven't seen much of each other (or not as much as K would like, anyway), and with Jayce's girlfriend now being here and living with him, it has seemed kindest to give them space to get settled together. He doesn't want to intrude or risk feeling like even more of a third wheel. Overall, it's been a sort of lonely experience so far.
He's still figuring out what he's allowed to want from the people in his life, what he's allowed to ask for, and here Tech is simplifying all of that for him. Unless he's completely misreading things? But he feels certain enough to take a chance and ask directly. ]
You're welcome. I know you probably don't have an actual "birth" day, but I wanted to celebrate this one. You deserve it.
Would you like it to be a date?
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But honesty is how the best relationships are built. So...honesty it is. ]
i would.
but it doesn't have to be. just spending time with you in any way is enough
[ With that he hopes K understands there's no pressure. Date or not, romantic or not -- K has the freedom of choice and Tech will very much respect whatever choice he makes. ]
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→[action] lmk if you want anything changed!
It's perfect! <3
<333
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a gift delivery
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Tech places it on his desk to always have this piece of K with him whenever he's working and takes the time to write up a little thank you note to express his appreciation. At the bottom, he leaves K with a musical phrase -- the beginning of a song for him to answer in some way, like a love note in a few neatly drawn measures.
This note will be slipped under K's apartment door sometime in the early evening. ]
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After a moment K begins to play, completely focused on the music in the manner of someone who isn't used to performing for an audience; he's sharing something very personal, not trying to be entertaining. The relatively simple beginning suggests he may not have strayed far from the the original musical phrase provided by Tech, perhaps still struggling against the hurdle of genuine creativity, but soon... the melody is evolving, flourishing into a fully realised song that he plays without error, his movements fluid and precise and not quite human. Unselfconsciously so.
Once it concludes he looks toward the relic with a wide-eyed smiling expression that's simultaneously elated and somehow shy, almost as though he can't believe what he just did. Nervous, maybe, about what Tech will think of his effort. He reaches toward the relic and the recording ends. ]
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text
[ Since Tech's physiology is possibly the closest to his own of everyone here, and because Folkmore is lacking in android technicians, he seems the best person to ask. But the real reason K's finally asking after suffering from chronic headaches for months now: it's a roundabout way of checking in on Tech. ]
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[ If this had been closer to when Tech had those glitches, he might have been far more guarded about them. But it had been two years, going on three. They were in the past and he was in a better place now. Physically, at least. ]
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That's kind of you to offer. What helped you, out of curiosity?
[ He isn't sure if asking about the cause might be too personal, so he'll start there. ]
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cw: drug use mention
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[text] un: cupkate
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cw: vague mention of drug use
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