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Almost there.

[He spoke softly so as not to ruin the mood of the moment. There wasn't much left of the packaging to get through before the present itself was revealed. Rude couldn't wait to see the look on his partner's face whenever he saw the pristine set of goggles sitting inside the gift-wrap. Exact replica of Reno's own with a carefully placed enchantment on them.

His hand idly slipped further down Reno's head and down his neck, rubbing there absently as he watched ~~his bird~~ Reno work deliberately. It was cute how the redhead reacted to his petting him and Rude was grateful to get to experience the privilege of being able to treat Reno this way.

He was damn happy they were this close now. It seemed impossible that they could be more close than they had been for years now--and yet they'd discovered something more, decided to take one more step further into their relationship. It was scary and exciting and rewarding all at once.

Mostly rewarding right in this moment. Rude hummed contentedly, the deep rumble almost purr-like, and continued to pet Reno.]

[ There occasions when the Turks exchanged gifts, weirdly normal things happening in the office. But it's the personal aspect and closeness that is a novelty here. It feels good, when the fingers comb his hair, running through the strands— something he's not yet ready to admit aloud but doesn't bother to hide or lock down on the Bond.

The touch on the neck gives me a little case of shivers, but then he unpacks the gift and lets a long, raising 'ooooOOOOO' ]

Shit! What a gorgeous thing— [ he picks them up, watching carefully until he notices the rune marking of an enchantment. So that's the reason why they're looking like his own. This is an upgraded version, Reno' googles mk. II'

Man, next time gift offering happens, he has to step up his game and get Rude something better. ] Enchanted! What do they do?

[ In his excitement he turns to Rude immediately, but then his smile turns a little sly, as he realizes it might also be part of the game. So he leans onto Rude ]

Ne~ you're gonna tell me, right? [ Riiiight? ]

[The purr turned into a soft chuckle at the redhead's antics.]

...You're cute.

[The words slipped out before he could register them, much less stop them. He didn't backtrack though.]

When you're all riled up. Look at those feathers all puffed up.

[Never mind the fact that they really hadn't been two seconds ago--not until Rude had said it to rile up his partner. He put an arm around Reno as the harpy leaned against him, happy to keep him close, and ran his fingers through the feathers some more, smoothing them down.]

Why don't you guess if you're so keen to.

[ You massive softie of a man. Deep down Rude is a softie, it has always been an open secret, but now it has been confirmed. Not that Reno didn't had confirmations earlier, but for dramatics, this confirmation now is even more important. Gives him more leverage for teasing later, right, right?

And then he goes to comment on the FEATHERS! Exactly when Reno has his mouth half-open for a witty retort. One more second it stays this way, until he pursues his lips together in a wordless "oh" and finds his (metaphorical) standing again, as he leans into the embrace ]

Oho—! You know you're getting a pass on this only because you're criminally cute, right? [ He claims with over-confidence, but the amusement and a warm, content feeling is very clear across their Bond. No lie, he does enjoy the touch smoothing his feather ] You can take some, if you like them so much.

[ The feathers. And he'll be back to the subject of gift soon ]

[There was a grunt at the rhetorical question, a noncommittal response to being called 'criminally cute'. It was only fair after Rude had just done the same to Reno. But who would call a man like him 'cute'? Someone as insane as himself. Which meant only Reno, of course.

Then there was a one second pause in the petting after Reno offered his feathers to Rude. Just long enough to be noticeable.]

...I have enough. I don't need to pluck you dry for more. Even if they are gorgeous.

[So the not-so-secretive secret was out. Rude really did have a cache of Reno's feathers stashed away somewhere. He couldn't help himself. He was genuinely attracted to them and keeping a few precious ones stored away had simply happened.]

[ Just long enough to be noticeable... which means that Reno from his small bliss, started to ruffle again at the lack of contact. Opening his eyes and blinking up at Rude. His fingers still gripping tightly at the gift. ]

You kept them— [ He huffs out a laugh as it dawns on him. Sometimes the feathers just fall off, sometimes they come off during the daily preening routine (Look, he might not be happy about being a monster, but you bet he isn't going to take care of his looks to a certain extent). And sometimes, just sometimes Reno bothered enough to throw them away. Most of the time not, and they disappeared anyway. His tone turns playful ] See, that's exactly what makes you cute.

[ Reno caught that hint of exasperation on Rude being called cute, so he...doubles down on it. ]

Not all of them.

[He said in his defense. Not that it really helped much. The fact still remained that he had hoarded feathers. And would probably continue to save certain ones whenever a they caught his eye and he couldn't manage to throw them away.]

You molt too much for me to hide that many feathers.

[He teased right back! Plus, he ruffled Reno's feathers a little harshly just to emphasize his point--and annoyance. Not that he was really all that annoyed. But if they were gonna play...]

I'm surprised you're not going bald in areas. [...] Seriously though, Reno, be careful with your preening, all right? I can help more if you want.

[Help preen his bird to keep his feathers nice and pretty? Why yes he would do so in a heartbeat. And enjoy it to boot. Go on, tease him some more. He's expecting it at this point.]

[ Ohh, now he's getting scolded. That makes him pout a little. He could bite in retaliation, part of him genuinely considers it. A small chomp sends the message, yes? All playful of course. ]

I might just take ya on that offer. You got better access than me— [ Most of the feathers are on his back, after all, and arm-wings obviously. And all too often when he sees a stray feather jutting on the side of his neck he has that urge to just... pluck it.

Well, he can't get himself entirely clean of them, as he tried during his early days. It's something he just had to learn to accept. For now, he slumps as much into Rude as he can, it's the dragon's body heat. So toasty. Then his tone turns downright flirty and fingers draw around Rude's wrist, where he can find skin (or scales) between the fabric of shirt and fabric of gloves ] And very skilled hands.

[If Reno were to look up he'd see the small smirk that flitted across the dragon's lips. He felt that touch against his wrist. Heard the tone Reno slipped into.]

I like to keep them busy.

[A matching inflection, playing along.]

[ Just a glance, just enough to get that smirk in his sight, and feel something— happiness, satisfaction, what it is? Words are hard... ]

I'm gonna keep you busy.

[ It's somehow... incredible how this comes so naturally to them. The whole switch was (and still is) full of discoveries and testing of little steps, but it still, just feels natural. Doesn't make Reno want to prickle, pack out and disappear from Rude's life. Because how could he?

But, hey, back to the goggles. They rested in his hands, and Reno still doesn't know what they do. So he simply puts them over his head and onto his face. Feeling the prickle of magic on his skin, barely there, just signifying the nature of the object ]

Mmm, I think I have an idea. Mind turning off the light?

You'll have to free me.

[He said with an amused chuckle and a quick kiss to the harpy's forehead. He shifted until he had Reno gently pushed away enough that he could slip off and do as asked. The lights went out.

Rude's eyes took a moment to adjust but he could still easily see in the darkness that fell over the apartment. The light seeping in through the window made it ridiculously easy for him.

He watched Reno carefully. He knew what he bought but it was nearly impossible for him to test the things out himself. He hoped they worked.]

How is it?

[ Reno was silent, at first. There was a moment of hesitation before he opened his eyes behind the goggles. And at first, it was the darkness that did welcome him. Before a disappointment has settled in he remembered— he has to activate them. Probably like any other enchanted object

And thus

Boom.

The shapes started to become noticeable. Barely outlines for further things, but everything within close reach is quite clear. Reno turned around until he found Rude. He flashed him a wide grin, and then he struck with all the harpy speed, and all the feathers. Launching forward and leaving a sudden intense kiss on Rude's lips, while holding his face in his hands. ]

Fucking brilliant! [ He exclaimed in unfiltered delight ] Rude, this is just the best!

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