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[emet_sulk]

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[vrepit_no]

[Well that explains a few things... There's some relief that Felih might have been content and taken care of, at least, but it still rings strange that Felih would trust this man so much.]

I do.

[The admission is quiet. Not begrudging, but soft. He worries so fiercely about Felih. The world - worlds - have been so cruel to him. And if he doesn't remember, doesn't have the same feelings for Shiro as he did before, the least Shiro can do is make sure he's safe and happy and loved.]

We were close... in another universe. He's one of the kindest, fiercest, most loving people I have ever met. And he hides when he's hurting. Turns it into caring for others and ignoring himself.

How long have you been partners?

[emet_sulk]

[ How strange that this man whom he knows nothing of should also somehow know of Felih. Felih had never mentioned another world besides Duplicity or their own. Another timeline perhaps...? ]

Hmm, well, let's see...

[ He sits back in his chair, fingers steepled before him and eyes closed as he counts. Time means less to an immortal soul like him. It's easy to lose track of the months and years. ]

The first snow had begun to fall when we first signed a contract together. The last day I remember in that city was unbearably warm. Six moons, I believe? In addition to the time we've been here.

[ He raises a finger, eyes open once more. ] Almost a turn of the year.

[vrepit_no]

[That's... huh. Shiro blinks, trying to take that in. Only a year? Obviously under very different circumstances and forced to make sure there's sex, so that could have the potential to make Felih happy rather quickly, but. That's still an awfully short time.]

[Shiro shoves a pang of anxiety away. It's been a year since they got together, not since they met. Regardless, what business is it of yours, Shirogane?]

Huh. Congratulations. What are you getting him for your anniversary?

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch stares at Shiro blankly. For their...anniversary? Wait, this is like the Starlight gifts all over again. It hadn't occurred to him at all that he should be preparing something to celebrate a year of being together. ]

Ah... I hadn't given it any thought. Do you always give one another gifts after merely a year together?

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro stares in momentary disbelief. Seriously?]

It's pretty common, yeah. Once a year, on the anniversary of your becoming a committed couple, you set aside the day for the two of you to relax and have fun and focus on one another. What you mean to each other. How you've grown together. Gifts are usually a part of that.

...Are you committed to each other?

[They were, right? He's pretty sure there had been talk of Mates. Was that from Felih, or this guy? He can't remember, but he's pretty sure that even if they're in an open relationship, Mates is a deeper connection with someone you want to stay with for the rest of your life.]

[emet_sulk]

[ A mix of expressions flit over his face. Consternation, annoyance, resignation - culminating in a frown as he stares at the table. It's too damn hard to think of a gift every turn of the sun for someone. Doesn't one run out of ideas after a few years? ]

I suppose we are, [ he mutters. His interlaced fingers hang loosely over his lap, elbows propped by the arms of his chair. ] But I know he has other lovers. It is impossible for one person to satisfy his desires.

[vrepit_no]

So long as you're both okay with that, then that's not a problem to a committed relationship.

[That's not an excuse, mister.]

You know, it doesn't have to be something big. A bouquet of flowers and a piece of jewelry is really common on Earth. Since Felih likes gold and red, why not get him a necklace or a ring with a red gemstone in it? Dance with him at home.

[It's really not that hard, sir. Shiro's keeping his face and tone fairly bland, but man.
This guy's irritated by the idea of having to give his mate something once a year?]

[emet_sulk]

I already have. For Valentione's.

[ The agitation must look bad to an outsider but Emet-Selch isn't thinking about how he should mask this before a stranger. Would it really be so terrible if he didn't do something for their anniversary each year? Surely acknowledging it is enough. ]

And I danced with him on his nameday, [ he mutters to himself, hunching over one arm of the chair as he props his chin in his hand, thinking hard. ] Do I have to do this three times a year...?

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro sits back, sipping his drink, eyebrows raised slightly.]

I guess it depends. How much do you care for him over your convenience? It's not like you have to do something different every year. You can make a tradition, repeating it every year. Felih adores dancing - he's hardly going to complain if you dance with him three times a year.

[emet_sulk]

[ His brow furrows more deeply and he glances at Shiro. ]

Don't you mortals prefer something new every year? Felih, especially, would surely grow tired of dancing eventually.

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro watches him evenly across the table. Mortals, huh? Mm. Don't like that much. The last immortals he met were either: Cain, personifications of concepts with no human morals, or similarly moral-less essences of magic who wished to order universes according to their whims. This doesn't bode particularly well.]

That depends on the person. It's often nice to receive something different to break up the routine, or to show that your partner is paying attention to your wants and needs, but if it has become tradition to do a particular thing on a particular day, then we mortals- [There's a slight stress on the word.] -often look forward to that particular day for those specific gifts or outings.

Also, I think you deeply underestimate how much Felih loves to dance.

[emet_sulk]

[ He falls into another troubled silence. They do like their yearly celebrations. He's participated in many - never directly but in the background, allowing himself to forget that the world is fractured, broken, for one brief night.

A bout of homesickness takes him and he seems to sag into his chair with yet another, small sigh. ]

He does like dancing. And singing. [ And dressing in fine clothes and jewellery to cover the scars of his childhood. ] I will see what I can do.

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro's head tips a little as he watches Emet-Selch's rumination from across the table. He could leave well enough alone, since he's at least secured a half-promise. ...no, this is too odd. His tone softens.]

Can you tell me what's bothering you about the idea?

[emet_sulk]

[ His gaze flicks to the other man and then away. He debates sitting up but...he doesn't want to muster the energy.

He doubts this stranger will understand. But at least they may not judge him with bias...? ]

I have lived for a very long time. I do not count the years passing as you or Felih do. Five - even ten - can pass before I notice. I don't even remember Felih's nameday though I know we celebrated it sometime during the spring.