[Sylvain is Sylvain, as Felix well knows, but there is something positively indecent about watching him lick up that bit of whipped cream? The fact that they're sitting so close undoubtedly has much to do with it, and yet Felix chose to slide into the corner spot; he's well and truly stuck, at this point in time, and thus all he can do is click his tongue in a reproving manner. It's just... gross...
But not as gross as the drink Sylvain slides his way. Saints! He shifts his attention down to it, finding it easier to scowl at this cup of sugar than Sylvain himself.]
I told you, I'm not drinking it.
[He has his own coffee to deal with, thanks, which he takes a (careful) sip of as he pointedly slides the cup back Sylvain's way. Ask nicely, stupid.]
[ is it really gross? is it really?? because as he's watching felix scowl down at the drink, he's licking cream off the corner of his mouth while trying to hide a smile. ]
One sip isn't gonna kill you, Fe. [ he pushes the cup back over again, right next to felix's own coffee. ] Come on.
[ and just because he can, just because they're sitting so conveniently close to each other, sylvain leans into him and nudges his shoulder with his own. ]
[Sylvain, this is harassment? Report to HR immediately?? Or: Of course it isn't gross, but there's no way in hell Felix can stand to watch such a... display. Whew. He'd rather die.
Which, you know. Maybe he will die, since Sylvain is insisting that he take a sip of this Revolting Beverage™. No, thanks, Felix wants to say. Wants to remind Sylvain that he this drink, and therefore he must suffer the consequences—but Felix makes the fatal mistake that is glancing back Sylvain's way, meaning that Felix catches the full brunt of his stupid smile. Ah. Well. Let it be known that at that precise moment, Felix knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that his fate is sealed.
And yet there's still a few seconds of silence, because Felix is nothing if not stubborn. Three, two, one...]
Fine, [he snaps, trading his cup of perfectly serviceable coffee for the cup of... whatever this is.] If it shuts you up.
[Meaner than he needs to be, perhaps, but listen: bringing this cup to his lips is true torture. His lip is curling in disgust well before he tilts the cup back—and as soon as the liquid hits his tongue, he is pulling an oh-so dramatic face, setting the cup right back down on the table as he wills the taste away. He doesn't even notice that there's whipped cream clinging to his lips, and even if he did... well, would he care? Probably not, because holy shit, this drink is vile...]
[ here's the thing: if felix really didn't want to drink it, if he really was adamant about it, sylvain would have backed off. he would've dropped it and that would be the end of that. and maybe this is another one of those things felix lets him get away with, because he clocks the moment felix caves and he shouldn't feel so pleased about it.
and it's the same old Felix Meanness™ along with the token protest sylvain expects, but sylvain is too busy trying not to laugh at the way felix brings the Revolting Beverage™ to his mouth, the subsequent curl of his lip in disgust. it's so reminiscent to the same expression he always wore when they were kids, all those times glenn had made them eat their vegetables before they could go back outside to play, and it's still the same expression he wears now, years later. it's equal parts fondness and nostalgia that hits sylvain all at once, right down to the overdramatic expression immediately afterwards. he can't help it—the laugh that he was holding in bubbles up and out, only just barely reigning it in before it attracts the attention of the rest of the cafe customers. ]
That bad, huh?
[ and while felix doesn't notice the whipped cream still on his lips, sylvain does, because of course he does. he reaches up before he can catch himself, fingers framing felix's jaw as he gently brushes his thumb over his lips, wiping away that last bit of cream. ]
[Felix's cup of black coffee is right there; the smart thing to do would be to take a sip, bitterness cancelling out the sweetness on his tongue, but before he can think to reach for it—ah. Well. Felix is hit with the one-two punch that is Sylvain's laugh, Sylvain's fingers settling along the line of his jaw, and what can Felix do, really? How is Felix supposed to react to Sylvain's thumb suddenly smoothing over his lips? This is a far cry from Sylvain's normal teasing...
And thus Felix freezes, eyes widening the slightest bit as he stares back at Sylvain. A (pink-cheeked) deer caught in headlights.]
You—
[Why do you do these things, he wants to ask. The elusive reason for this has to be more than his reactions, stupid as they admittedly are; surely Sylvain is looking for, expecting, something else, but Felix has yet to puzzle that mysterious something out. He tries. He's trying now as he pulls his chin free just to shift his attention down to the table, frowning at nothing in particular—and as his effort is invested there, he doesn't seem aware of the way he runs the tip of his tongue along his bottom lip. There's a trace of sweetness there, still. The ghost of a feeling.
Mmph.]
It's disgusting, [he manages to grumble, giving Sylvain a Look as he makes a grab for his cup at last.] I don't know how you stand it.
[He's going to sit here, sipping his sugar-free drink and pointedly not thinking about anything at all. Eat your doughnut; let him rest.]
[ felix pulls away and his hand drops down, shifting in his spot to face forward again lest he do something even worse like touch his lips again or, goddess forbid, actually kiss him. the pad of his thumb tingles, and he doesn't need to try very hard to feel felix's breath on his skin lingering like some sort of phantom touch. sylvain had realized his mistake the second he'd touched him, knew immediately that he wouldn't be able to forget that expression on felix's face, pink-cheeked and wide-eyed, the way his tongue flicked out to touch his bottom lip as if to chase that feeling. and in spite of all of that, he didn't stop himself.
as felix frowns at the table, sylvain lifts his hand to his own mouth and licks away the whipped cream left there, trying and failing to not think about how soft and warm felix's lips were beneath his thumb. ]
Guess I'm used to it.
[ his tone is wry, just a little sheepish as he takes one piece of the doughnut, popping it into his mouth in an attempt to distract himself. felix isn't looking at him, but he hasn't tried to move away any further, so sylvain doesn't feel like he ruined everything. and it's also the fact that felix hasn't that makes it so dangerous—he didn't protest, he didn't even push his face away like he'd done before. it takes effort for sylvain to shove that surge of hope back down where it belongs, but considerably less for him to admit to himself right at this moment, tucked away in a crowded cafe next to felix, that he has it bad for him. ]
It's why you shoved that candy onto me back then, right?
[Felix feels Sylvain shift beside him, knows that means Sylvain is probably, like, licking the whipped cream from his fingers, and that's—hmm. It sends an inexplicable shiver down Felix's spine, although Felix attempts to cover that by wriggling about, sitting up a tad straighter as he takes another sip of his scalding drink. It's gross, is what it is. Who would even think to do such a thing. What is Sylvain even saying.]
What?
[Candy? He meets Sylvain's eyes, puzzled—but then it all clicks into place. Felix remembers tossing that bag of something abhorrently sweet to Sylvain, just before he swallowed his pride and offered an apology, and it was... well. He remembers telling Sylvain that a girl handed the bag to him, and that was true, wasn't it? A girl did hand it to him—after he handed her a few coins. Funny, how that works.
Funny, how Sylvain brings that up now. Felix feels his face flush a half shade darker.]
That—I wasn't going to eat it, [he says, as though that perfectly explains everything, The End.] I've known you long enough to know what you like.
[HE can't remember what candy it was, but he's, like, fairly confident it just so happened to be one of Sylvain's favorites. Maybe something he'd pointed out during one of their trips to the market place. Felix is quick to roll his eyes, when such a thing occurs, but Felix commits those details to memory.]
[ he still remembers how it happened. how could he not, when the number of times felix has ever given him anything in the past few years could be counted on one hand? felix gave the excuse that it was from a girl, and while it was true that felix had more girls he was actually friends with compared to sylvain, well... he knew better. but he'd went along with it anyway, took the candy that just so happened to be one of his favorites, one that he'd mentioned off-hand to felix when they went down to the market for one of the professor's errands. and that's the thing, right—sylvain didn't expect felix to have been paying attention, he didn't expect him to actually remember, but he did. just another one of those Felix Things that sylvain is still caught off guard by even to this day.
but that has less to do with felix and likely more to do with his own hangups. the point is that he played along and it hadn't come up again until, well, now. ]
I know. [ he leans forward to rest his elbows on the table, chin propped up in one hand. a blatant disregard for proper table manners, not that either of them care in this moment; he's too distracted with the pretty flush on felix's face, and wondering how far down that blush goes. ] You remembered, even if it's something you don't like.
[When does Felix forget anything, when it comes to Sylvain? Rarely—which says, mmm, quite a bit in and of itself, but rather than focus on that, Felix quietly scoffs before taking what's less of a sip and more of a gulp of coffee. Of course he remembered. Of course he'll keep on remembering.]
You're hardly shy when it comes to sharing your opinions. [Hmm, well—] Hardly quiet.
[Grumble, grumble, as Felix's eyes flick to Sylvain's face, then just as quickly flick away. He doesn't want to think about the silly gesture that was giving Sylvain sweets; he definitely doesn't want to think about how strange it feels, seeing Sylvain look at him with open affection. They're best friends, yes, and Sylvain has done this before, but ah, the way it's begun to twist Felix's stomach over the past few weeks...]
[ he bumps felix's knee with his own lightly beneath the table as he does indeed go back to his doughnut as commanded. it's reminiscent of those sweet buns they had back at the monastery that felix hates, except these are a little more dense than he's used to. it's still an experience though, like with everything else they've had since they got here; he thinks the hot pockets are still a winner, even if felix keeps pretending that he hates them. ]
Are you sure you're not gonna have at least one bite of this?
[Felix wrinkles his nose at him in response, a clear no to the second question, at least (because he's purposely tuning the first one out)—but hey, here's a sudden, uncomfortably invasive thought: Sylvain popping a piece of pastry into his mouth. Sylvain's thumb once again lingering on his lips, catching on his—
Hmm! Hmm, hmm, hmm. Felix shifts in his seat yet again, thinking about how perfectly ironic—and perfectly stupid—it would be for him to die of, like, heatstroke on Sylvain's kind-of-sort-of birthday. Life is cruel.]
You wanted it. [And Felix provided, but the point still stands. Kind of.] Don't blame me when you get sick.
[A beat—and then please enjoy Felix bumping his leg against yours, Sylvain. Returning the friendly favor.]
[ he's thinking about it, actually. feeding that piece of doughnut to felix like he did with that berry when felix first woke up, wondering if he'd let him get away with it a second time. maybe he's pushing his luck but felix still hasn't actually said no, even bumps his leg back in return, and it's suddenly difficult to ignore the way heat drips down his spine to pool low in his stomach.
i wanted you, he thinks, taking the last piece and swallowing it down along with the rest of whatever he wants to say. always a coward; some things just never change. ]
[Sylvain is going to regret going on the merry-go-round: confirmed. And Felix is going to fuss at him while grudgingly patting him on the back, but anyway! Anyway. Sir.]
You follow me, and you don't ask questions.
[The Look he gives Sylvain over the top of his cup is intended to remind him that they did, in fact, go over this very important point not too long ago—but there's no real heat to be found there. Why would there be? It's a fine morning, despite—because of?—a few incredibly minor things, so. After a second's silence, wherein Felix considers not saying anything more at all:]
We have to ride a— [His brow furrows as he thinks. He's generally avoided vehicles, trusting them even less than he trusts horses, but what was it—ah, yes.] A "bus." It stops at the corner.
[The corner outside the coffee shop, which Felix helpfully points to as he twists about in his seat, looking out the window. He's done... a surprising amount of research, for this trip? And of course it's good for him; like, if he's going to live in this wacky world, he can't avoid major parts of it, but! Well. Sylvain knows how he is, surely. This is just another Thing Felix has done for Sylvain, so while Sylvain may very well be accustomed with Deerington's public transportation system, Felix looks, mmm. Somewhat pleased with himself, if Sylvain fuckin' squints.]
[ listen, he wasn't sure if there was anything after this, okay. this was also already a lot more than he was expecting—felix buying him these things and humoring him, letting him sit close and going along with it. he almost feels like he's getting spoiled, really.
he'll even get to ride the bus, look at that. and sylvain is pleased about that, of course, because while he's seen the vehicles of this world and know the basics of their purpose and how they operate, he still has yet to actually ride one. sylvain is far from qualified as he is to drive any sort of car, but it doesn't make him any less excited to be in one.
more importantly, it's also a testament to how much time felix had put into planning this—is it a date? like, sylvain isn't completely positive because he doesn't want to assume, but it definitely sort of feels like one. and really, he doesn't need to dig very deep to find that yes, he'd like it to be one, actually, and that's... well, that's telling in and of itself, isn't it?
whew. ]
You're really not going to tell me where we're going, aren't you? [ don't get him wrong, he's excited. and felix looking pleased with himself is very endearing and completely justified, not to mention also making him feel so soft it's kind of disgusting. that's been happening a little more than he'd like lately and sylvain isn't sure what to make of that. ] Alright. Lead on, then. I'll be right behind you.
[It isn't like Felix buys anything else in this place, aside from, like, beef jerky and hot pockets. He is unintentionally frugal—so it's good, in a way, to spend this money he hasn't earned on things that actually matter. Sylvain's coffee, for one; their bus fare, for another, after they make their way to the corner and loiter there for a good twenty minutes. Listen: clambering into the bus for the first time is An Experience? As is finding two seats, which they manage to do just before the doors close and the whole thing lurches forward. Excellent.
And while Felix isn't fond of the buses many stops-and-starts, he has to admit that it's... nice, watching the world zip by them. Nerve-racking, yes, but nice. Sylvain chatters away beside him, pointing out this or that, but Felix keeps his eyes on the stops—and occasionally checks his phone, where he painstakingly typed a few very important notes. Missing their opportunity to get off this thing would be... the worst...
...But they don't miss it. The bus comes to the stop Felix is expecting, and Felix stands, unthinkingly grabbing hold of Sylvain's wrist as a group of children elbows past him. They're just eager to get back out into the world, you see, because as Felix steps back onto blessedly solid ground, pulling Sylvain along behind him—well! Well. Look at that. The Faerghus Lads are staring at the local amusement park.
Or, well. Sylvain is probably staring at the amusement park; Felix is glancing between it and Sylvain's face, trying to decide if he's made a tactical error here. Screams can be heard from that roller coaster in the distance? Music drifts back their way? There's the smell of fried things, carrying the promise of more sugar, should Sylvain want it—and Felix thinks about how he just so happened to overhear people excitedly talking about this place's reopening for the summer. A thing that comes to life in "June," huh? It seemed... fitting.]
[ good to know felix only needs beef jerky and hot pockets to survive. it's not as if sylvain is any better with his dollar romance novel and silly sunglasses purchases; he's been justifying it as "research" but they both know the real answer. anyway, the bus ride is great, and sylvain spends most of it taking it all in, marveling at the technology even if he can't see that much from where he's sitting. but most of all it's nice? just to sit back and enjoy the sights while they're ferried to their destination, wherever it is. it's like riding in a giant metal carriage of sorts, except louder and without horses. the only drawback for sylvain, it seems.
thankfully, felix knows where he's going, and sylvain looks down when he grabs his wrist, feeling a lurch in his heart just as he's pulled along off the bus. felix hasn't let go of his wrist as they come to a stop in front of the amusement park, and sylvain slides his hand up unthinkingly to hold his hand instead. the screams from the roller coaster sure is something, and he finds himself grinning as he watches the kids from the bus run in, breathes in the smell of cotton candy and funnel cake, takes in all the bright lights from the rides and the games. neither of them have been to this kind of place before and the prospect of having something else to themselves, something else to call their own makes him so... happy. he isn't thinking about anything else—not of the stuffy parties his parents had forced him to in the past before he'd left for the academy, not of the piles of presents he'd never wanted; not the permanent glare miklan had fixed him with as he watched from the sidelines, when sylvain learned what jealousy and rage looked like side by side.
he isn't thinking of any of that. he thinks of threading his fingers through felix's, thinks of trying every single ride and game and disgustingly sweet treat they come across, the face felix would undoubtedly make when sylvain cajoles him into taking another bite. he thinks of how felix had thought of bringing him here at all to begin with, and as sylvain looks back at him to see that expectant look on his face, he wonders how he could have known that this was exactly what he'd wanted: a new memory for them to share, one untouched by the war and everything else they'd been through ]
Come on.
[ and so he does just that, lacing their fingers together, giving felix's hand a squeeze as he smiles and tugs him along to the first thing that catches his attention: the merry go round. ]
[Felix has seen so many of Sylvain's smiles throughout the years? Has most of them memorized, honestly, and so it's relatively easy for him to tell when Sylvain is being fake and when Sylvain is being genuine. Oh, sure, he misses the occasional cue, but Felix undoubtedly knows Sylvain better than most.
So when Sylvain smiles back at him, squeezing his hand (when did he grab it and why didn't Felix notice) as he does so, the only thought in Felix's mind is: Ah. That's it! Just that, because Felix immediately knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sylvain is... pleased. Happy. Sylvain very much likes this place Felix has taken him to, and suddenly all of the work leading up to this moment—the research—feels more than worth it. Anything to keep that expression on Sylvain's face...
And what can Felix do, then, other than allow Sylvain to tug him right along? Sylvain's fingers between his feel, mmm, strange, to be sure, but not unpleasantly so; it's more like it's a Thing Felix is oddly aware of as they weave through the groups of people milling about, even as Felix eyes the many wild things around them. Rides and booths and games and—well! Well. It's almost enough to send his head spinning, but Sylvain, as ever, keeps him grounded—and leads him to what might just be one of the tamer-looking options in the general area. To say that Felix is secretly grateful would be... an understatement.
But boy? Boy.]
Horses, [Felix half-grumbles, half-sighs as they step into line, making sure to keep his eyes on the merry-go-round lest he feel tempted to look down at their still-joined hands.] Of course you drag me here. How predictable.
[Sylvain "Horse Boy" Gautier strikes again! God damn.]
[ that gets a laugh out of him, bright and carefree and unrestrained, because of course felix has to make a comment about his horse girl tendencies. he takes one (1) horse home and this is what he has to deal with for the rest of his days. ]
What's wrong with horses? [ he leans down, resting his forearms against the railing surrounding the outside of the merry go round as he watches the people on it bob and spin along to the music. and since he's yet to let go of felix's hand, it means felix is tugged closer to his side, his hand held between both of sylvain's. ] These aren't real ones, anyway. Besides, I haven't visited Whitney since I left her with Mercie after that whole orc thing.
[ does he miss his horse? listen, maybe so. more importantly, the ride is like, the tamest one there is here and he just thinks it's better to work their way up to tackling the roller coaster, okay. nevermind the fact that they're the only two actual adults in this line that's mostly made up of children. ]
me keeping track of that icon like https://tinyurl.com/y7lysdm4
[There are so many children in this line, and half of them keep turning around to stare at Felix and Sylvain. Or, well. It feels like they keep turning around to stare at Felix, and thus Felix, like, shoots the nearest one a scowl before deciding that maybe it's better to glance down at their hands. His hand, held securely between Sylvain's. It's.
...Hmm. Well. Felix thinks of orcs, instead, fingers flexing against Sylvain's as Felix works out how he feels about this. It's far more difficult than it has any right to be.]
And why haven't you? The horse isn't Mercedes' responsibility. [Another flex of his fingers.] And the beast likes you.
[Goddess knows why. And no, he's not answering that question about what he, personally, has against horses, because... well, damn! He doesn't trust them! That's that.]
[ they're staring at both of them, probably felix more than sylvain because every time sylvain catches one of them looking he meets them with a friendly smile. he hasn't seen this many children in one place in a long time? like, the monastery didn't count because everyone was basically (at least from what they knew) around the same age, or at least within the same age bracket. and then after that was the war and, well. the war isn't a place for children.
it's funny, how they were born and bred for it instead. ]
She's not, [ he says around a chuckle, tightens his fingers briefly around the flex of felix's. ] I didn't know where else to put her, and I figured Mercie could use the company.
[ deerington doesn't have stables?? who knew. and he's at least fed and watered her, even if he hasn't actually taken her out for a ride like he should. it might've been better to leave her with annette, honestly, but that's a can of worms they haven't really opened just yet. ]
She'd like you too, if you weren't scowling at her the whole time, you know.
[Please know that Felix is going to reach out to Mercedes and confirm that Sylvain has not, in fact, abandoned his equine child on her doorstep before running for the hills, because that would be? So rude? And Mercedes doesn't deserve that, The End.
For now, however, Felix settles for a quiet, doubtful little hum, even though he knows damn well that Mercedes is probably pampering that horse. Loving its horsey company. Yes, Mercedes is a saint—and Sylvain is a fool, hence the flat look Felix offers him when he suggests that the horse's indifference to him can be traced to his face.]
Sylvain, [he says, in what he thinks is a surprisingly patient voice.] I am not smiling at a horse.
[Never mind the fact that Felix rarely smiles as it is. It's the principle of the matter! Horses don't give a shit about the expressions humans wear, Felix is sure of it—and yet let it be known that Felix is still considering this, on some level, as the merry-go-round comes to a stop, its current occupants exit, and the line drags them both through the gate and onto the rotating platform. Horses recognizing human expressions is, like... a subject of one of Annette's silly songs...
...As is this ride, actually. Felix pauses by a very weird horse, glaring at it for a moment before looking back at Sylvain.]
Are we really going to—
[Well! You know! Clamber atop one of these fake horses and/or chickens, which Felix is still eyeing with open suspicion.]
[ they can just take whitney and mercedes up to visit annette, a blue lions reunion, and maybe sylvain can persuade annie to let him take whitney out for a spin or two and they can pretend alternate timelines and stuff don't exist. a fun time for everyone! but yes, mercedes is indeed spoiling whitney, sylvain is certain that she loves mercie more than she does him, which is, really as it should be. ]
Fine, but you could smile at me instead.
[ how about that, huh?? anyway, sylvain is the one who smiles and talks to his horses lovingly while feeding them, so like, maybe it's a little biased. whatever. the point is that he knows felix is thinking about it as they're ushered onto the platform, but not without the attendant giving them a surprised look when they walk past him. because they are, without a doubt, the only two adults on this ride.
anyway. ]
Yes, Felix. [ sylvain swings a leg over the horse's saddle, and his feet still touch the floor because he's tall as fuck. he looks completely at ease in spite of it, leaning forward to brace his elbows on the little handlebars attached to the horse's bridle while trying not to laugh at felix's expression. but, oh—his expression shifts, his smile curving into something a little less decent as he waves a hand to the chicken, tone dropping in pitch. there's still children around, okay, but let it be known sylvain will never pass up the opportunity to tease felix: ] Don't tell me you're too embarrassed to ride the cock.
sylvain needs to take responsibility for his child
[Felix is standing right beside this chicken; it makes sense, then, that the kids running about ignore it, because a) who wants to ride a chicken and b) some weirdo has clearly claimed it, anyway. And really, it isn't as though Felix is paying attention to them. The only thing he's paying attention to is the long line of Sylvain's thigh as Sylvain stretches his legs out in front of him, because there is something, mmm, patently unfair about it. Felix knows damn well that his feet are going to hang, so what if he just stands here the entire time, hmm? What if.
Or: Felix is distracted, and thus Felix is caught entirely off guard when Sylvain lowers his voice to say that. A beat, as Felix processes what is being implied here, and then—oh. Oh.]
That's not— [AAAH. Felix glances to the side, seeing if anyone—any CHILD—is there before he hisses:] Sylvain!
[Goddess, please, have mercy. Saints, please preserve him. He is going to kill Sylvain on his kind-of-sort-of birthday—but just as he takes a step toward Sylvain, the man running this ride calls out to him. You! Yes, you! This thing ain't movin' until you sit!
...So.
................So.
The exit is on the opposite side of the attraction, and the weight of, like, twenty pairs of (small) eyes suddenly settles atop his shoulders. He is well and truly stuck, it seems—and thus he does, in fact, climb on top of the cock, refusing to look at Sylvain as he does so. He isn't even going to look back at Sylvain when the music kicks in and the ride suddenly, somehow, starts; he merely reaches forward, arms settling woodenly (ahaha) around the beast's neck as they go 'round and 'round.
But at least Sylvain gets a very nice view of the back of Felix's neck? Which is, of course, bright fuckin' red.]
[ challenge: how many times can he get felix to say sylvain! for the duration of this date, let's go. anyway, sylvain is aware of the very real threat of felix killing him, sort of birthday or no, but does he care? no. is it completely worth it? yes. and so sylvain faces death as he always does with that same lazy, cavalier smile, except this is felix, so it's tinged with more fondness and affection than he would normally allow. a secret that's really not so secret anymore, but he's unfortunately saved by the ride attendant, only to be treated to the sight of felix getting on the cock.
felix doesn't even have to look back to know that sylvain is looking at him, the widest grin on his face and trying not to laugh too loudly when the ride starts. the novelty of the ride doesn't even distract him from admiring the pretty flush on felix's nape and the tops of his ears, and sylvain reaches into his pocket to pull out his phone, turning down the volume before snapping a picture of felix. it's right when the seats have risen marginally up on the pole, felix's feet dangling off the ground and it's honestly the cutest thing ever. 10/10 best birthday present by far.
the ride comes to a stop after the fourth rotation and getting off the platform is kind of weird in that it's thrown off his equilibrium a bit, but he manages, taking a second to lean against the railing as he waits for felix. ]
So, [ there's that same knowing smile that felix likely hates, and he has the audacity to wink as he lowers his voice again when felix gets closer. ] How was the cock?
[Felix knows—knows—that Sylvain is smiling at him; he feels it in his very bones, thank you, which is why he stubbornly remains facing forward until the ride comes to a complete and total stop. It works out for him, in a way. Without Sylvain to focus on, he's free to wonder how this thing works... free to listen to the nearby children laugh, because hey, he doesn't dislike children...
But all good(ish) things must come to an end—and for Felix, that means carefully sliding off this cock? Wobbling on his own two legs, just for a moment, before following the crowd of kids toward the exit, because of course Sylvain is already waiting for him, the dastard. Felix graces him with a scowl as he approaches.
And of course Sylvain graces him with that.
There are several things Felix could do, in theory? Several ways to respond, but Felix settles for the simplest course of action: brushing right past Sylvain without a word. Heading out into this wide, wide world without his best friend, because his face is red enough as it is and Sylvain does not deserve the satisfaction. Time to go look at... carnival games, it seems...]
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no subject
But not as gross as the drink Sylvain slides his way. Saints! He shifts his attention down to it, finding it easier to scowl at this cup of sugar than Sylvain himself.]
I told you, I'm not drinking it.
[He has his own coffee to deal with, thanks, which he takes a (careful) sip of as he pointedly slides the cup back Sylvain's way. Ask nicely, stupid.]
no subject
One sip isn't gonna kill you, Fe. [ he pushes the cup back over again, right next to felix's own coffee. ] Come on.
[ and just because he can, just because they're sitting so conveniently close to each other, sylvain leans into him and nudges his shoulder with his own. ]
Please?
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Which, you know. Maybe he will die, since Sylvain is insisting that he take a sip of this Revolting Beverage™. No, thanks, Felix wants to say. Wants to remind Sylvain that he this drink, and therefore he must suffer the consequences—but Felix makes the fatal mistake that is glancing back Sylvain's way, meaning that Felix catches the full brunt of his stupid smile. Ah. Well. Let it be known that at that precise moment, Felix knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that his fate is sealed.
And yet there's still a few seconds of silence, because Felix is nothing if not stubborn. Three, two, one...]
Fine, [he snaps, trading his cup of perfectly serviceable coffee for the cup of... whatever this is.] If it shuts you up.
[Meaner than he needs to be, perhaps, but listen: bringing this cup to his lips is true torture. His lip is curling in disgust well before he tilts the cup back—and as soon as the liquid hits his tongue, he is pulling an oh-so dramatic face, setting the cup right back down on the table as he wills the taste away. He doesn't even notice that there's whipped cream clinging to his lips, and even if he did... well, would he care? Probably not, because holy shit, this drink is vile...]
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and it's the same old Felix Meanness™ along with the token protest sylvain expects, but sylvain is too busy trying not to laugh at the way felix brings the Revolting Beverage™ to his mouth, the subsequent curl of his lip in disgust. it's so reminiscent to the same expression he always wore when they were kids, all those times glenn had made them eat their vegetables before they could go back outside to play, and it's still the same expression he wears now, years later. it's equal parts fondness and nostalgia that hits sylvain all at once, right down to the overdramatic expression immediately afterwards. he can't help it—the laugh that he was holding in bubbles up and out, only just barely reigning it in before it attracts the attention of the rest of the cafe customers. ]
That bad, huh?
[ and while felix doesn't notice the whipped cream still on his lips, sylvain does, because of course he does. he reaches up before he can catch himself, fingers framing felix's jaw as he gently brushes his thumb over his lips, wiping away that last bit of cream. ]
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And thus Felix freezes, eyes widening the slightest bit as he stares back at Sylvain. A (pink-cheeked) deer caught in headlights.]
You—
[Why do you do these things, he wants to ask. The elusive reason for this has to be more than his reactions, stupid as they admittedly are; surely Sylvain is looking for, expecting, something else, but Felix has yet to puzzle that mysterious something out. He tries. He's trying now as he pulls his chin free just to shift his attention down to the table, frowning at nothing in particular—and as his effort is invested there, he doesn't seem aware of the way he runs the tip of his tongue along his bottom lip. There's a trace of sweetness there, still. The ghost of a feeling.
Mmph.]
It's disgusting, [he manages to grumble, giving Sylvain a Look as he makes a grab for his cup at last.] I don't know how you stand it.
[He's going to sit here, sipping his sugar-free drink and pointedly not thinking about anything at all. Eat your doughnut; let him rest.]
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as felix frowns at the table, sylvain lifts his hand to his own mouth and licks away the whipped cream left there, trying and failing to not think about how soft and warm felix's lips were beneath his thumb. ]
Guess I'm used to it.
[ his tone is wry, just a little sheepish as he takes one piece of the doughnut, popping it into his mouth in an attempt to distract himself. felix isn't looking at him, but he hasn't tried to move away any further, so sylvain doesn't feel like he ruined everything. and it's also the fact that felix hasn't that makes it so dangerous—he didn't protest, he didn't even push his face away like he'd done before. it takes effort for sylvain to shove that surge of hope back down where it belongs, but considerably less for him to admit to himself right at this moment, tucked away in a crowded cafe next to felix, that he has it bad for him. ]
It's why you shoved that candy onto me back then, right?
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What?
[Candy? He meets Sylvain's eyes, puzzled—but then it all clicks into place. Felix remembers tossing that bag of something abhorrently sweet to Sylvain, just before he swallowed his pride and offered an apology, and it was... well. He remembers telling Sylvain that a girl handed the bag to him, and that was true, wasn't it? A girl did hand it to him—after he handed her a few coins. Funny, how that works.
Funny, how Sylvain brings that up now. Felix feels his face flush a half shade darker.]
That—I wasn't going to eat it, [he says, as though that perfectly explains everything, The End.] I've known you long enough to know what you like.
[HE can't remember what candy it was, but he's, like, fairly confident it just so happened to be one of Sylvain's favorites. Maybe something he'd pointed out during one of their trips to the market place. Felix is quick to roll his eyes, when such a thing occurs, but Felix commits those details to memory.]
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but that has less to do with felix and likely more to do with his own hangups. the point is that he played along and it hadn't come up again until, well, now. ]
I know. [ he leans forward to rest his elbows on the table, chin propped up in one hand. a blatant disregard for proper table manners, not that either of them care in this moment; he's too distracted with the pretty flush on felix's face, and wondering how far down that blush goes. ] You remembered, even if it's something you don't like.
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You're hardly shy when it comes to sharing your opinions. [Hmm, well—] Hardly quiet.
[Grumble, grumble, as Felix's eyes flick to Sylvain's face, then just as quickly flick away. He doesn't want to think about the silly gesture that was giving Sylvain sweets; he definitely doesn't want to think about how strange it feels, seeing Sylvain look at him with open affection. They're best friends, yes, and Sylvain has done this before, but ah, the way it's begun to twist Felix's stomach over the past few weeks...]
Stop staring. Eat that... thing.
[Quick question, Sylvain: what is a doughnut.]
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[ he bumps felix's knee with his own lightly beneath the table as he does indeed go back to his doughnut as commanded. it's reminiscent of those sweet buns they had back at the monastery that felix hates, except these are a little more dense than he's used to. it's still an experience though, like with everything else they've had since they got here; he thinks the hot pockets are still a winner, even if felix keeps pretending that he hates them. ]
Are you sure you're not gonna have at least one bite of this?
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Hmm! Hmm, hmm, hmm. Felix shifts in his seat yet again, thinking about how perfectly ironic—and perfectly stupid—it would be for him to die of, like, heatstroke on Sylvain's kind-of-sort-of birthday. Life is cruel.]
You wanted it. [And Felix provided, but the point still stands. Kind of.] Don't blame me when you get sick.
[A beat—and then please enjoy Felix bumping his leg against yours, Sylvain. Returning the friendly favor.]
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[ he's thinking about it, actually. feeding that piece of doughnut to felix like he did with that berry when felix first woke up, wondering if he'd let him get away with it a second time. maybe he's pushing his luck but felix still hasn't actually said no, even bumps his leg back in return, and it's suddenly difficult to ignore the way heat drips down his spine to pool low in his stomach.
i wanted you, he thinks, taking the last piece and swallowing it down along with the rest of whatever he wants to say. always a coward; some things just never change. ]
So, what's next after this?
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You follow me, and you don't ask questions.
[The Look he gives Sylvain over the top of his cup is intended to remind him that they did, in fact, go over this very important point not too long ago—but there's no real heat to be found there. Why would there be? It's a fine morning, despite—because of?—a few incredibly minor things, so. After a second's silence, wherein Felix considers not saying anything more at all:]
We have to ride a— [His brow furrows as he thinks. He's generally avoided vehicles, trusting them even less than he trusts horses, but what was it—ah, yes.] A "bus." It stops at the corner.
[The corner outside the coffee shop, which Felix helpfully points to as he twists about in his seat, looking out the window. He's done... a surprising amount of research, for this trip? And of course it's good for him; like, if he's going to live in this wacky world, he can't avoid major parts of it, but! Well. Sylvain knows how he is, surely. This is just another Thing Felix has done for Sylvain, so while Sylvain may very well be accustomed with Deerington's public transportation system, Felix looks, mmm. Somewhat pleased with himself, if Sylvain fuckin' squints.]
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he'll even get to ride the bus, look at that. and sylvain is pleased about that, of course, because while he's seen the vehicles of this world and know the basics of their purpose and how they operate, he still has yet to actually ride one. sylvain is far from qualified as he is to drive any sort of car, but it doesn't make him any less excited to be in one.
more importantly, it's also a testament to how much time felix had put into planning this—is it a date? like, sylvain isn't completely positive because he doesn't want to assume, but it definitely sort of feels like one. and really, he doesn't need to dig very deep to find that yes, he'd like it to be one, actually, and that's... well, that's telling in and of itself, isn't it?
whew. ]
You're really not going to tell me where we're going, aren't you? [ don't get him wrong, he's excited. and felix looking pleased with himself is very endearing and completely justified, not to mention also making him feel so soft it's kind of disgusting. that's been happening a little more than he'd like lately and sylvain isn't sure what to make of that. ] Alright. Lead on, then. I'll be right behind you.
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And while Felix isn't fond of the buses many stops-and-starts, he has to admit that it's... nice, watching the world zip by them. Nerve-racking, yes, but nice. Sylvain chatters away beside him, pointing out this or that, but Felix keeps his eyes on the stops—and occasionally checks his phone, where he painstakingly typed a few very important notes. Missing their opportunity to get off this thing would be... the worst...
...But they don't miss it. The bus comes to the stop Felix is expecting, and Felix stands, unthinkingly grabbing hold of Sylvain's wrist as a group of children elbows past him. They're just eager to get back out into the world, you see, because as Felix steps back onto blessedly solid ground, pulling Sylvain along behind him—well! Well. Look at that. The Faerghus Lads are staring at the local amusement park.
Or, well. Sylvain is probably staring at the amusement park; Felix is glancing between it and Sylvain's face, trying to decide if he's made a tactical error here. Screams can be heard from that roller coaster in the distance? Music drifts back their way? There's the smell of fried things, carrying the promise of more sugar, should Sylvain want it—and Felix thinks about how he just so happened to overhear people excitedly talking about this place's reopening for the summer. A thing that comes to life in "June," huh? It seemed... fitting.]
Well?
[Well? Throw him a bone, please, he's dying.]
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thankfully, felix knows where he's going, and sylvain looks down when he grabs his wrist, feeling a lurch in his heart just as he's pulled along off the bus. felix hasn't let go of his wrist as they come to a stop in front of the amusement park, and sylvain slides his hand up unthinkingly to hold his hand instead. the screams from the roller coaster sure is something, and he finds himself grinning as he watches the kids from the bus run in, breathes in the smell of cotton candy and funnel cake, takes in all the bright lights from the rides and the games. neither of them have been to this kind of place before and the prospect of having something else to themselves, something else to call their own makes him so... happy. he isn't thinking about anything else—not of the stuffy parties his parents had forced him to in the past before he'd left for the academy, not of the piles of presents he'd never wanted; not the permanent glare miklan had fixed him with as he watched from the sidelines, when sylvain learned what jealousy and rage looked like side by side.
he isn't thinking of any of that. he thinks of threading his fingers through felix's, thinks of trying every single ride and game and disgustingly sweet treat they come across, the face felix would undoubtedly make when sylvain cajoles him into taking another bite. he thinks of how felix had thought of bringing him here at all to begin with, and as sylvain looks back at him to see that expectant look on his face, he wonders how he could have known that this was exactly what he'd wanted: a new memory for them to share, one untouched by the war and everything else they'd been through ]
Come on.
[ and so he does just that, lacing their fingers together, giving felix's hand a squeeze as he smiles and tugs him along to the first thing that catches his attention: the merry go round. ]
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So when Sylvain smiles back at him, squeezing his hand (when did he grab it and why didn't Felix notice) as he does so, the only thought in Felix's mind is: Ah. That's it! Just that, because Felix immediately knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sylvain is... pleased. Happy. Sylvain very much likes this place Felix has taken him to, and suddenly all of the work leading up to this moment—the research—feels more than worth it. Anything to keep that expression on Sylvain's face...
And what can Felix do, then, other than allow Sylvain to tug him right along? Sylvain's fingers between his feel, mmm, strange, to be sure, but not unpleasantly so; it's more like it's a Thing Felix is oddly aware of as they weave through the groups of people milling about, even as Felix eyes the many wild things around them. Rides and booths and games and—well! Well. It's almost enough to send his head spinning, but Sylvain, as ever, keeps him grounded—and leads him to what might just be one of the tamer-looking options in the general area. To say that Felix is secretly grateful would be... an understatement.
But boy? Boy.]
Horses, [Felix half-grumbles, half-sighs as they step into line, making sure to keep his eyes on the merry-go-round lest he feel tempted to look down at their still-joined hands.] Of course you drag me here. How predictable.
[Sylvain "Horse Boy" Gautier strikes again! God damn.]
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What's wrong with horses? [ he leans down, resting his forearms against the railing surrounding the outside of the merry go round as he watches the people on it bob and spin along to the music. and since he's yet to let go of felix's hand, it means felix is tugged closer to his side, his hand held between both of sylvain's. ] These aren't real ones, anyway. Besides, I haven't visited Whitney since I left her with Mercie after that whole orc thing.
[ does he miss his horse? listen, maybe so. more importantly, the ride is like, the tamest one there is here and he just thinks it's better to work their way up to tackling the roller coaster, okay. nevermind the fact that they're the only two actual adults in this line that's mostly made up of children. ]
me keeping track of that icon like https://tinyurl.com/y7lysdm4
...Hmm. Well. Felix thinks of orcs, instead, fingers flexing against Sylvain's as Felix works out how he feels about this. It's far more difficult than it has any right to be.]
And why haven't you? The horse isn't Mercedes' responsibility. [Another flex of his fingers.] And the beast likes you.
[Goddess knows why. And no, he's not answering that question about what he, personally, has against horses, because... well, damn! He doesn't trust them! That's that.]
sTOP
it's funny, how they were born and bred for it instead. ]
She's not, [ he says around a chuckle, tightens his fingers briefly around the flex of felix's. ] I didn't know where else to put her, and I figured Mercie could use the company.
[ deerington doesn't have stables?? who knew. and he's at least fed and watered her, even if he hasn't actually taken her out for a ride like he should. it might've been better to leave her with annette, honestly, but that's a can of worms they haven't really opened just yet. ]
She'd like you too, if you weren't scowling at her the whole time, you know.
je refuse
For now, however, Felix settles for a quiet, doubtful little hum, even though he knows damn well that Mercedes is probably pampering that horse. Loving its horsey company. Yes, Mercedes is a saint—and Sylvain is a fool, hence the flat look Felix offers him when he suggests that the horse's indifference to him can be traced to his face.]
Sylvain, [he says, in what he thinks is a surprisingly patient voice.] I am not smiling at a horse.
[Never mind the fact that Felix rarely smiles as it is. It's the principle of the matter! Horses don't give a shit about the expressions humans wear, Felix is sure of it—and yet let it be known that Felix is still considering this, on some level, as the merry-go-round comes to a stop, its current occupants exit, and the line drags them both through the gate and onto the rotating platform. Horses recognizing human expressions is, like... a subject of one of Annette's silly songs...
...As is this ride, actually. Felix pauses by a very weird horse, glaring at it for a moment before looking back at Sylvain.]
Are we really going to—
[Well! You know! Clamber atop one of these fake horses and/or chickens, which Felix is still eyeing with open suspicion.]
"equine child" i hate this
Fine, but you could smile at me instead.
[ how about that, huh?? anyway, sylvain is the one who smiles and talks to his horses lovingly while feeding them, so like, maybe it's a little biased. whatever. the point is that he knows felix is thinking about it as they're ushered onto the platform, but not without the attendant giving them a surprised look when they walk past him. because they are, without a doubt, the only two adults on this ride.
anyway. ]
Yes, Felix. [ sylvain swings a leg over the horse's saddle, and his feet still touch the floor because he's tall as fuck. he looks completely at ease in spite of it, leaning forward to brace his elbows on the little handlebars attached to the horse's bridle while trying not to laugh at felix's expression. but, oh—his expression shifts, his smile curving into something a little less decent as he waves a hand to the chicken, tone dropping in pitch. there's still children around, okay, but let it be known sylvain will never pass up the opportunity to tease felix: ] Don't tell me you're too embarrassed to ride the cock.
sylvain needs to take responsibility for his child
Or: Felix is distracted, and thus Felix is caught entirely off guard when Sylvain lowers his voice to say that. A beat, as Felix processes what is being implied here, and then—oh. Oh.]
That's not— [AAAH. Felix glances to the side, seeing if anyone—any CHILD—is there before he hisses:] Sylvain!
[Goddess, please, have mercy. Saints, please preserve him. He is going to kill Sylvain on his kind-of-sort-of birthday—but just as he takes a step toward Sylvain, the man running this ride calls out to him. You! Yes, you! This thing ain't movin' until you sit!
...So.
................So.
The exit is on the opposite side of the attraction, and the weight of, like, twenty pairs of (small) eyes suddenly settles atop his shoulders. He is well and truly stuck, it seems—and thus he does, in fact, climb on top of the cock, refusing to look at Sylvain as he does so. He isn't even going to look back at Sylvain when the music kicks in and the ride suddenly, somehow, starts; he merely reaches forward, arms settling woodenly (ahaha) around the beast's neck as they go 'round and 'round.
But at least Sylvain gets a very nice view of the back of Felix's neck? Which is, of course, bright fuckin' red.]
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felix doesn't even have to look back to know that sylvain is looking at him, the widest grin on his face and trying not to laugh too loudly when the ride starts. the novelty of the ride doesn't even distract him from admiring the pretty flush on felix's nape and the tops of his ears, and sylvain reaches into his pocket to pull out his phone, turning down the volume before snapping a picture of felix. it's right when the seats have risen marginally up on the pole, felix's feet dangling off the ground and it's honestly the cutest thing ever. 10/10 best birthday present by far.
the ride comes to a stop after the fourth rotation and getting off the platform is kind of weird in that it's thrown off his equilibrium a bit, but he manages, taking a second to lean against the railing as he waits for felix. ]
So, [ there's that same knowing smile that felix likely hates, and he has the audacity to wink as he lowers his voice again when felix gets closer. ] How was the cock?
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But all good(ish) things must come to an end—and for Felix, that means carefully sliding off this cock? Wobbling on his own two legs, just for a moment, before following the crowd of kids toward the exit, because of course Sylvain is already waiting for him, the dastard. Felix graces him with a scowl as he approaches.
And of course Sylvain graces him with that.
There are several things Felix could do, in theory? Several ways to respond, but Felix settles for the simplest course of action: brushing right past Sylvain without a word. Heading out into this wide, wide world without his best friend, because his face is red enough as it is and Sylvain does not deserve the satisfaction. Time to go look at... carnival games, it seems...]
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i can keep making this thread as thirsty as i please
it's what we deserve
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