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 Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:47 pm
Quote: Sweet Treats (5) : There’s no shortage of holiday themed popup shops and specials at your local places, and after a long day there’s nothing better than a nice treat for yourself. Maybe you decided to try something new, maybe it was a gift, maybe you got one of the coupons in the mail to try the place out–however you wound up with this drink, you’re in for a good time. No matter what your preferences are, the drink is delicious. Hot, cold, sweet, bitter–there’s a version of it for everyone. But, the flavor isn’t what makes the drink so special–it’s how good it makes you feel. There’s no alcohol in it, but drinking it can leave someone feeling tipsy, warm, and in a general good mood. Inhibitions aren’t lowered and there’s no negative repercussions for having the drink; it might make children more hyper, but the drink just has the ability to put someone in a pleasant mood.
Holding onto his partner's hand Liam was heading them both towards a stall, that was rather large and had seating, it seemed popular and he was certain he knew why. The place had old fashioned hot chocolate. It wasn’t that powdered stuff but rather it was melted chocolate with other things added for flavor. He’d heard it was here, someone had mentioned it at work, and Liam had decided his partner who had a sweet tooth would appreciate this stall.
“While I would like to do some proper shopping here, we could always use more things for the manor, I think this is the first stop for us - well for you really.” Because this was likely the best stall for Aloysius.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:48 pm
Aloysius knew they’d be going out today so he’d dressed a bit warmer just in case and pulled on gloves along with his scarf. Hats weren’t his thing but he was considering earmuffs since he didn’t have the issues with contacts that he did with glasses when it came to them. It helped a bit as Liam pulled him along through the outdoor shopping market. There were plenty of shops around and he could already see a few things he might get for the manor or for Desiree.
Smelling the sweets and warm drinks as he stepped up to the stall with Liam, he nodded. It was the best stall for him considering warm cocoa or tea and baked goods. It all smelled wonderful as he pulled his scarf down a bit to get a better whiff of it all.
“Yes, a perfect start with something to keep me warm with how cold the wind can get.” Even being bundled up didn’t seem to help and he felt his skin prickling up from the chill as he stood there. “If possible one with vanilla and hazelnut added in, that would be nice.” Even if he didn’t drink coffee, he still had a slight taste for those syrups in things sometimes, something always bakery-themed when it came down to it.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:50 pm
“That and I know you have a sweet tooth.” He spoke, rubbing his cold nose to his partner's cheek. “So then hot chocolate with those flavors? I don’t think either would go too well with tea.” Though maybe the vanilla would, he didn't see the other going well with tea at all. Pulling Aloysius with him to the counter, when it was finally their turn, he ordered for them both. “Any sweets while we're here? We can walk and enjoy things while we shop.” They didn’t need to sit and relax, since that meant sitting and getting colder. Moving would help them both keep warmer, and it meant going into the stalls and under the lights…and the warmth. He was thinking of them both, and the best way to keep warm, he knew it was cold out but that was unavoidable. There were just ways to deal with it, and they were both already well bundled up for this weather.
“You did seem to be looking at some stalls on the way here…”
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:51 pm
Aloysius jumped slightly from the sharp cold of the other’s nose on his cheek. “Maybe I should get you a scarf like mine, your nose is ice cold darling.” There was concern there as he nosed them back a bit, his own face not as cold since he kept his scarf up more often than not and the thick thing did a good job at keeping the cold air from his lungs. It wouldn’t suit either of them well if he started up a coughing fit from the cold in public, it wasn’t the kind of attention he wanted drawn to him.
“Cocoa yes and one of the cinnamon rolls, maybe not the biggest one since it may make a mess but they still look delicious.” Letting them order with his comments in mind, he looked around while waiting for their drinks and snacks at the end of the stall with the others. Everyone was bundled up against the cold, something that made him less worried about how bundled up he was. It wasn’t something anyone questioned in winter as they did in summer, letting him relax a bit more on this outing with Liam.
“The stall with scarfs and shawls, I want to get one for Desiree since she is so very keen on wearing mine, I do wonder how she gets them all…” Side-eyeing his fiancé, he knew that they were the one who had enabled her to try and win his mauvian over. Of course, they would make sure Desiree liked them so that it never came down to an ultimatum between the two. It was so unlikely to happen given he couldn’t really see life without either of them going well.
“Maybe the one that has little earrings and things, I wonder if you might find something for Mel there.” It would be better if Liam was the one to give a gift to his sister because things were still a bit sour. With his fiancé’s help and determination, it was at least begrudgingly professional. So much so that he was able to collaborate with her for both their benefit and forward progress for the negaverse. It was a small victory but he knew it was hard won and only because of the man standing by him.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 6:57 pm
“Sorry.” He hadn’t noticed really, perhaps that was because it was that cold…would make sense. Maybe he should get himself a scarf, maybe they would while out shopping, it wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Ordering for the both of them, as Aloysius wandered to wait at the end of the counter, Liam took his time looking around at all the people sitting about enjoying their drinks and snacks. It really all did look, and smell, wonderful it really wasn’t a wonder when he ordered himself some apple dessert to go with his drink. When he finally moved towards his partner, to collect their things, Liam let an arm come about the other's waist loosely.
“I wouldn’t know anything about that. While we’re there however you should pick one out for me as well.” Seeing as his nose was apparently cold, he just couldn’t feel that. “You should get her a few…and wear them each for a bit before letting her have them. She does prefer things you’ve worn and used…” Shrugging as he spoke, it was a cat thing he assumed. She was more than your average cat but that bit seemed to have stuck with her, and he wasn’t about to complain. He found it all rather endearing and cute to be honest.
“You help me pick out a gift and I’ll present it to her. I want it to be from us both even if she doesn’t know it.” He spoke softly, honestly, he was doing his best to get them together as siblings more and more…and it was working here and there. The latest bit was a big step as far as he was concerned, he was proud of them both, he just wasn’t going to say that especially infront of Melody. She was the one likely to back out of things if he said how proud he was of them both, Aloysius wouldn’t do that thankfully, but that didn’t mean he didn’t think it and wouldn’t keep trying with them.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:02 pm
Aloysius smiled as Liam wrapped an arm around him. “I just worry you might get sick if you get too cold is all.” Picking up his cocoa and the cinnamon roll, he wasted no time taking a bite out of it. Maybe it was a bit bigger than he expected but it was good nonetheless.
“We can do that, at least her theft is only of scarves. I would be more upset if she took my coat since that takes a while to get tailored.” It wasn’t much different from when she was a cat but at least now he didn’t have the issue of having to find them somewhere tucked under a bed or behind the couch where she would make a little nest anymore.
“I will try, I have some idea of what she likes since things have stayed mostly the same when it comes to her jewelry. Growing up she was always fond of bracelets.” It wasn’t something he saw her wearing too much anymore but he wasn’t sure if that was because of work or choice much as he didn’t wear things that might get caught on paperwork or between books while he was at work or in his office powered up.
Taking a sip of his cocoa, Aloysius blinked for a moment before going for another sip. It was better than he’d expected and the cold seemed to fade away as he warmed up a bit more. “Try yours, darling, mine tastes wonderful!” Turning slightly in their hold to see what they thought, he didn’t want to move too far.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:02 pm
Laughing, the blond let his chin drop down onto the other's shoulder. Normally it was him worrying over Aloysius getting sick, not the other way around, how amusing this was. “I could think of worse things than even your coat for her to take, but I doubt she’d do such things. She is more sentient than the average cat after all.” Taking shoes, socks, and other things would be worse than a coat really. Liam did wonder if his partner got custom-made shoes as well, he wouldn’t be surprised, so replacing them would be difficult as well.
“Honestly, we should get you more tailored clothing. You could use a larger wardrobe love.” He thought Aloysius could always use more clothing, more variety, and he’d personally book him a damn plane to Italy if he needed to in order to fulfill that want. He’d just have to learn enough Italian to survive and get his partner brushing up on it.
“So we can get her something nice, something more solid with less movement.” So it was less likely to move about and get caught on things, it seemed more practical that way. Watching, walking up to the others side, he stopped and turned his blue eyes onto the other. “That good?” He questioned, though really he wasn’t too surprised since his fiance did like sweet things. He did do as told though, brought his own hot cider to his lips and took a slow sip. It was warm, so very warm, but then there was the taste and it really was that good. “Oh, yeah. I agree.” Even though he wasn’t drinking the same thing as his partner.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:04 pm
Lightly nudging his head against theirs as they rested their chin on his shoulder, he leaned back into them. “I never needed much more than I have outside of replacing things but… for you yes I may do that.” He was set in what he wore but if they were getting nice clothing to wear maybe he should look for a few things that complemented their usual color choices. It might be a bit hard with how he preferred cool tones over warm tones but there could be a middle ground.
“You would like it there where my tailor is, the weather is always rather nice. Probably a bit too sunny for my complexion but you would do well there.” Melody had the right idea with the large hats she wore but they didn’t suit him so he just avoided it when he could.
Standing near one of the stalls to look at the jewelry, the mention of something solid made sense. A necklace or earrings might work as well since he knew she rotated them out frequently to go with her outfits. His own earrings were one of a kind so that wasn’t an option but he didn’t mind much since they served a purpose other than sparkling in the light.
Aloysius’s smile warmed as Liam drank as well, this outing was going well, and honestly, he felt much better about being out than he normally did. Maybe it was the nice drinks or just how comfortable Liam made him but either way it made the whole prospect of being out in the crowd not as bothersome as it felt sometimes.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:07 pm
“We should go then, together, I think I’d like to see Italy myself.” Even if it wasn’t where his father from in Italy he did want to see the country .The idea of laying under the sun and soaking up it’s warmth was also inviting, something he did from time to time in the summer here, he wasn’t out to take color but he did it rather easily, he just liked how the sun's warmth felt against is skin. Liam could easily understand how cats could just lay in the sun soaking it up - he could too.
“I think I lucked out with my complexion…though I never thought about it till I heard some female customers, when I worked for Rhona, who asked if I went to a tanning salon. I didn’t and it was winter.” And he naturally had a good color, and kept most of it, it had made the two females jealous, though they had laughed and smiled about it.
Another sip from his drink as he turned his focus on to what Aloysius was looking at. “A bangle of some sort…a band rather than links.” It would look nicer as well, or so he thought. “I think I’d like to see Italy, Venice actually, during the big carnival. But I also heard murano makes really lovely glass. We could perhaps get some glass pieces for the house?”
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:09 pm
“We can, it just may take some additional planning around everything but we can make it happen.” The money wasn’t the issue, that was something they both knew but leaving the city and all his responsibilities behind would be hard, he’d have to work up to that over time otherwise he’d be stressed throughout the whole trip.
“You did and it amazed me that you stay tan all year round.” Pressing a kiss to their cheek as he nodded and looked at a few of the bangles on display. One specifically caught his eye, one that had an inlay of sapphires or some other blue stone. It suited her just as much as it did him so he picked it up and looked it over. The silver of it would go with most of the things she wore and he showed it to his partner.
“Something simple yet elegant, maybe something she might wear more often when out at events.” Looking around at some of the other booths as they spoke, he could see how they’d like to go to a carnival. There was so much Liam hadn’t seen or done due to being an orphan and now… well now Aloysious was able to bring them places and experience new things.
“They would be lovely darling and if the trip goes well we can go anywhere else you want to see over time.” It would take time but he felt good about the prospect of stepping away to go places with them.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:12 pm
“I know, and I know we can plan it and make it happen.” He was certain they could plan a trip and make sure everything Aloysius did would be handled, he wouldn’t mind finding a way to let Melody handle things where Aloysius would be comfortable in it. It should be family handling things for the family, but he knew the feelings they had about each other. He knew Melody was ambitious as well. “I can’t imagine if I lost every bit of color I have…it would be odd.” At least for himself it would be, he was used to having a good amount of color, his blond hair standing out along with his blue eyes. He wasn’t like most Italians who had dark hair and eyes, even those who didn’t have color like he did, but he was more than fine with that.
Looking over the bangle Liam nodded slowly. “Yes, I think she might like that. It’s just simple enough to make sense while fancy enough that she can wear it to events. I like it.” He was certain she’d wear it, all without knowing her brother had picked it out. He wished he could tell her but he knew she wasn’t likely to wear it if she knew, a shame really.
“Again, you promise me the world…something I never thought I’d have, even with all the hard work I could pour into things.” He’d figured he’d work hard, very hard, and earn a car and maybe a condo or someplace nice to live. He hadn’t seen a relationship for himself much less travel, not like Aloysius was talking anyway, Liam figured little short trips here and there maybe every year or two but all short and simple things.
“I think maybe Spain as well…someplace warm and with good food.” He would, for now anyway, refrain from colder places as Aloysius didn’t do as well with the cold. But as he got better, as he could handle the cold better, he would look into seeing the northern lights, he wanted to see them at least once. “Greece maybe as well? I want to try the food there, it looks good…better than most of the places here.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:13 pm
“If you lost color like that I might assume you were deathly ill but we both know you rarely get sick and it seems to hit me enough for the both of us.” Chuckling lightly as he adjusted his scarf, he nodded to the stall owner and paid for the bangle. It was placed in a small gift bag with matching blue tissue paper before being handed back to him alongside the receipt.
Reaching to grab their free hand again, he stayed close as he pulled them lightly towards the next stall with scarves and other fabric accessories. “You do deserve it darling just as you say I deserve rest and happiness.” A gentle squeeze of their hand came with his words because they had helped get him to rest at least a bit and after the shadowy doppelganger they had helped reassure him in a way that made him less afraid of the happiness he had from being with them.
“Spain would be nice, just maybe not during the running of the bulls. I want to avoid that much excitement on a trip for a while at least.” Greece sounded nice as well and he could already think of some foods he might enjoy in both countries.
“Of course, you can try all the food around the world even if I may not partake in everything you try. I think…. Japan is a country with designer fruits and all sorts of fancy desserts but I am sure I can find nice sweets almost anywhere.” Sipping at his drink again, it was easier to talk of future plans with Liam. That nagging nervousness over the future and what it brought seemed to fall away tonight. Maybe it was the fact they were out shopping together or just the fact that this holiday had gone without anything harsh. It was a reprieve and he was glad for it and glad that nothing had happened to Liam this time either.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:13 pm
“I’m just glad I don’t get sick that often.” Or that bad when he did. He figured it was that he went out and did things, he climbed trees and got himself dirty and was exposed to things. He had built an immune system, he was certain he’d seen it once online that the younger generations were more prone to allergies and sickness because they didn’t get out and do things - they didn’t build an immune system. “If I lost that much color I think I’d have already called an ambulance for myself.” Because he was certain he couldn’t get that pale, pale for him was tanned for most.
“Mm, I know. You’ve made sure I know that. You and your sister.” Seeing as he got on well with Melody, even if she didn’t get along with her brother. “Oh, no worries there. I wouldn’t want to go and see that…too violent, even if it is tradition and all that. I think we should perhaps look into both countries to find where we want to go, what weather would be best and events we would want to see…and things we want to avoid.” It would take time to look into both countries, to plan everything out, but it would be worth it. Liam wanted the trips they took to be full of things to do and foods to try, cultural things as well.
Looking over the scarves, there were a lot of choices, Liam finally reached for a nice dark blue one. “Isn’t it Japan that has square watermelons? I wonder if they taste as good as the normal ones…” Holding the scarf up to Aloysius for inspection. ”For Desiree?” Only after he wore it, at least once, of course. Sipping his hot cider he sighed happily, content, it was so nice and warm and just the right amount of sweet. The apple flavor was so good when warm. “We should see if any stall has apple pie…” Because he wanted apple pie, so warm and nice, yes that was something he wanted but not to have here and now - he wanted to bring it home.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:16 pm
Looking at the scarf Liam offered, he pulled one of his gloves off to feel the fabric. It felt decently warm and soft so he figured she’d like it once he wore it much as Liam recommended. “Very nice, I think she will like that once I wear it a bit. Maybe I can get one of my favorite ones back from her after giving her this one?” It was a lost hope he figured but it was worth a shot.
Moving over past Liam, he saw a deep red scarf of the same material and decided to grab that as well. Checking out quickly by tapping his phone at the kiosk, he put his glove back on and walked over to his partner. “I think this will do nicely.” Wrapping the scarf around Liam’s neck loosely, he adjusted it and pressed a kiss to their lips. “Perfect.”
The mention of square melons had him wondering about flavor while he walked with them to the next stall. “We can find out if square or spherical tastes better, also I believe they have other odd ones as well for holidays. But the first thing would be for us to find a nice pie to bring home for us. I am fairly certain there should be at least one with pies and other baked goods, maybe with more cider to bring home.” It would be something nice to have while sitting by the fire, an activity that was happening more often with the cold weather nipping at him as he walked to and from his car to work and home.
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Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2024 7:17 pm
“I doubt it, she’ll just add it to the nest she has going. I think that’s about all we can do - add to the nest.” As he grabbed another scarf, this one thicker, and thus warmer, and offered it over. The shade of blue was different, but no less attractive, it was a shade or two off from the previous scarf. “This one should be warmer, not that she needs them for warmth, I think this one would be very nice.”
Blinking as a scarf was wrapped about his neck, still holding out the second scarf, Liam brought a hand up and touched it gently. “Thank you.” It was perfect, a very fitting color for himself. While both his partner and Desiree, and even Melody, looked best in cool colors he looked better in warm ones - like this scarf. Before they could move on Liam was purchasing the scarf, along with another one he grabbed up - this one was for Aloysius. With them both bagged up he let Aloysius lead him off.
“How would we find out about the fruits in Japan? I mean we’re not going to go there for a while, by then I doubt we’ll remember it.” And he didn’t think ordering fruit, from another country, would be the best idea. “Yes, pie.” Nodding his head as he finished off the cider he had, a shame really, and trailed along at his fiance's side. “If they have bottles or cider I think we could grab two for u s…maybe one for your sister? You think she’d like to try it?” He did get her to try new foods fairly often, something he took pride in really.
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