Note 2|Video

[teacuptarget]

[Here's Gau, standing dressed in an apron in a professional-looking kitchen. Everything around him is spotless, of course. He's grinning broadly, and holding himself very straight, as if proud of himself. In fact, the bracelet is obviously propped enough away from his body to show off the scenery on purpose.]

Hey, everyone! If I could just have your attention for a moment? I'll be opening a bakery of my own - known as Rainy Day Treats - very soon! I know a few of you stopped by Sigyn House not long ago when I had brought some things home, so you might know my baking style!

[He hadn't really planned it that way, but hey, if it worked, it worked.]

Anyway, I'll actually need to do some hiring before the doors open, so if you're looking for a job and can either bake, work a cash register, deal with customers, or wait tables, let me know? We're located in Sigyn District, but of course everyone is welcome.

((OOC note: Jobs are basically first-come, first-serve, unless your character is very rude to Gau or something, but the application is on his journal here. Feel free to just post the application there, respond here ICly, both, or just... heckle him or show support.))

Comments

[teacuptarget]

[Gau reaches for one of the cookies, hoping that eating one himself will make his friend feel more comfortable with the gift.]

I suppose that's true. I can't just sit around though, and I think looking for a way to leave is better done once you know the situation better, and talking to people - which a job helps with - aids in that too. I'm glad that we're all friends, though, if we're going to be working together.

[aeterno_arma]

[He wanted to share those with Gau, yes. He takes a cookie too and takes a small bite.]

Oooh god, those are so good. [He smiled in a very pleased fashion and then blushed when he realized that he spoke out loud.] Uh, sorry.

I agree, there's no point on wait for something to happen. When I worked in the circus there were always many people around, very busy...I didn’t knew them very well, I was only really close to Aisha. I'm glad this will be different. It's more comfortable.

[teacuptarget]

It will be nice, working with friends.

[Gau pauses, realizing something suddenly, and then hugs the pillow he's holding onto a little closer, as if it's not awkward at all to do such a thing to someone else's belonging.]

Oh, but... you know... I mean, we're really comfortable together, so about that other conversation, maybe we just... shouldn't. Talk about it. I don't want to ruin anything...

[aeterno_arma]

[Laurent didn't forget about the conversation they needed to have but he wanted Gau to be relaxed first.]

It won't ruin it for me, kisses don't make me uncomfortable. I won't make you talk about it if you really don't want to do it, Gau. You can ask me anything you want, you know.

[teacuptarget]

I want to.

[Gau smooths fingers over the pillow, working wrinkles out of the fabric, and then bites his lip for a second before continuing.]

Is it silly, never to have done it? I mean, I'm sixteen. I should have, shouldn't I? At some point?

[aeterno_arma]

[Laurent finished the cookie and puts his hands down in his lap.] It's not silly or weird. Not everyone gets interested in sex and kisses at the same time, or, at all.

You will feel it at the right moment, age has nothing to do with it. Kissing can be awkward at first, that's why you need to practice to get better at it.

[teacuptarget]

I'm just tired of it, though!

[Gau sighs, pulls his legs in closer to himself, a little.]

I mean, I've been thinking about these things for years now. But I just keep waiting... and it's not going to happen.

[Another heavy sigh, and he closes his eyes, shakes his head.]

I want to learn. I want to try it and practice and get good at it.

[aeterno_arma]

Don't say that. Who wouldn't like to kiss you? You are a wonderful person.

[Laurent looks at him with a sad look. Poor Gau, he looks so worried about this.]

If you want you can practice with me.

[teacuptarget]

He'd wanted someone to talk to about it. And sure, he'd thought about putting the 'form' thing in with Ayame, just to see if he'd really get a kiss. But it had been a passing thought, and not something he'd turned out doing.

But Laurent was different, didn't he? Laurent was his friend. And did that mean it was a better idea or a worse idea? Was he really ready to decide such a thing?]

I...

[He offers a shy smile, then shakes his head, slowly.]

I'm not sure? I say I'm ready to give up, but... there's someone I really like, and... I'm not sure if I should...

[aeterno_arma]

[Laurent won't read too much into the kiss if that was any consolation. He doesn't see them as a romantic gesture, not at least when he's involved. Romance is something that happens to other people.]

It doesn't have to be now, or ever. The offer is there if you ever need it. That someone you like it's in this city?

[teacuptarget]

Yeah, he's here.

[Gau's face lights up even brighter, and his voice takes on a very soft tone.]

Raikou-san. He took me in after my mother died, and so... he's sort of... everything to me? My caretaker, my partner, my friend. But it's because of that.... I mean. He doesn't see me that way. I keep thinking if I grow up enough... he will.

[aeterno_arma]

[An amused expression appears in Laurent's face. He doesn't get how people can get so hyper while thinking about someone else, but he's glad to see them happy. Adam acts like that with his girlfriend too.

And more often than not Laurent wonders what's so wrong with him that he can't feel like that towards anybody.]

Love is a matter of age?

[teacuptarget]

No, it's not!

[He shakes his head rather vehemently.]

But what's considered appropriate, or right, those things are... a matter of age. I mean, where we come from at least, there are a lot of laws and rules involved with... well, okay, not love itself, but sex. And so it's just... it's difficult. For him, I mean.

[aeterno_arma]

[Ah, that he meant. Yeah Laurent is not going to touch that issue, he's afraid Gau's head might explode if he tell shim how he lost his virginity. Is not something he wants to remember either.]

I think I understand, And yes, some people needs more time than others. Maybe later he will see you in a different light, if he doesn't then he's quite the idiot.

[teacuptarget]

Raikou-san is not an idiot!

[The outburst is over in a second, and Gau looks almost sheepish about it.]

S-sorry. It's just... but it's so tiring waiting around for it too. I mean, I feel like... I should take those steps for myself, maybe?

[aeterno_arma]

[That scared him, mostly because it was unexpected.]

M-my apologies, Gau. I didn't mean to upset you.

Ah...maybe you could ask him out, invite him to dinner as friends and see how things go. Change how he sees you?

[teacuptarget]

It's okay. I know you didn't mean it that way. You don't even know him, so it's not like... you know. It was personal.

[Gau shook his head.]

I can't really. I mean, invite him out to dinner or whatever. I mean, it doesn't really work that way, when you've lived together and worked side by side for so long. When I say take those steps on my own, I mean...

[He takes a deep breath, then sets the pillow he's been clutching aside, pushes up to his knees, rather awkwardly.]

I might want that... kiss... after all?

[aeterno_arma]

No, no..what I meant is that anybody should see how special you are, Gau.

[Gau you are also a bit confusing person, but it's probably Laurent's fault, he's not that good at social interactions.]

I..ah, sure. What sort of kiss do you want?

[teacuptarget]

Hmm.

[What kinds of kisses are there, even, he wonders? Of course he knows the difference between a quick peck on the lips and full on face-sucking, but he's not really sure what's in between. And if he overthinks it too much, he won't do it. He knows that.]

Just... a kiss. A real one. Like, one that's supposed to... feel really good. Make you... you know.

[aeterno_arma]

[Oh there's many. You can have a nice kiss and not involve the tongue and so on. Laurent thinks that is still better if they start slowly.]

I think I get what you mean. [Laurent moves closer to him, sitting right in front of Gau.] Are you really sure?

[teacuptarget]

I'm really sure. I trust you.

[Gau smiles reassuringly at his friend, reaches out to gently grasp one of his hands. If he's going to do this, he wants to make sure his friend understands that it's not something he's going to regret.]

[aeterno_arma]

[Laurent squeezes his hand and smiles]

Okay then, let's start. This is just some general lines, as I said there are many sort of kisses. First you need to take your time, it's better not to rush it and just let things happen. Sometimes being decisive and adding an element of surprise can deal to a good kiss but that's tricky and not always appropriate. You don't want to scare the other person by kissing them out of the blue.

[He moves closer to Gau until they are mere inches apart, his free hand now the boy's cheek. Laurent looks at him straight in the eye.]Eye contact makes the other person realize you are interested, but don't keep your eyes open during the kiss.

[teacuptarget]

Right, eye contact is good. But not during. Understood.

[They're so close. And Laurent's eyes are so nice this close, and that expression is so infinitely kind. He wonders, sometimes, how Laurent can be so very kind.

Gau gives a slight nod, feeling the hand against his cheek sliding a little with the movement.]

[aeterno_arma]

[Laurent murmurs a yes, glad that Gau is taking this so easily.]

Now, you two need to move more closer. The movement needs to come naturally, but remember to angle your head slightly to avoid bumping noses by accident.

[That happens with beginners. Laurent follows his own advice. He pulls Gau in close as He leans down and kisses him softly, closing his eyes.]

[teacuptarget]

[There's nothing intense about it, like this. There's nothing to tap into the buried-deep desires he doesn't talk to anyone about, nothing to make him think of his crush, nothing to dredge up his secret hopes.

There's only himself, sitting with a trusted friend, lips pressed to lips.

It's soft, and gentle, and Gau lets his own eyes fall closed, presses forward just the slightest bit.]