Disclaimer: Solitary Shadow, as much as she wants to, cannot have Klonoa and Guntz for Christmas this year. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Author's Note: Ah, a Christmas story. I just needed to write one, because that's what I do. Disappear for ages and then come back. Heehee.
This is again my favourite pairing - I'm thinking at the moment you guys are sick of it - and the fluff doesn't come until later. It's a nice quiet fic. Perfect to read while you eat chestnuts roasting on an open fire - unless you're allergic to nuts or don't have chestnuts or don't like them - or a slice of cake.
Happy Christmas to you all!
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Guntz walked down an alleyway, head down, lips pressed tightly together. He felt tired and ill, despite the cheery atmosphere. His hands were clutching something and he walked quickly, out of the alleyway, down the road and out of the town.
He was going home.
People wearing thick coats and hats passed him by, wishing each other happiness, but he wasn't part of it. All he wanted to was to get home, away from happiness that he would never get, away from people he found uncomfortable, and everyone else. His house was isolated, away from the cheerful atmosphere of the town, and it was quiet there. It was where he could find his solitude. There really was nothing more he could ever want.
Here he was now, in the peaceful village of Breezegale; the whole village was alight even so today, high in spirit due to the season. Guntz didn't mind this too much, as it was definitely more bearable than the atmosphere of the town, and besides his house was in the far distant corner of the village. He took a detour to avoid as many villagers as possible, going by the small side road, and walked quickly to his house.
Once he was inside he quickly shut the door and threw off his jacket, sighing with relief. The house was cold also, and he shivered, but he didn't put anything else on to warm himself. Instead, he went straight over to the fireplace and lit the fire, using a match. He put down the package on the coffee table and went out of the room, going upstairs to change.
-----
Guntz sat down on the armchair, letting the warmth of the fire melt the frost on his fur. He picked up the package and unwrapped it idly, revealing yet another gun - a vintage pistol. It was a treat he'd bought for himself, mainly to celebrate a special occasion. And because he had spare dreamstones. Being a gun fanatic, the two things added up together nicely in his mind and he'd gone and bought the pistol. He stroked the contours of the pistol almost lovingly, fingers lightly skimming for scratches or anything that would diminish its value. He found no faults - the pistol was flawless. Smiling to himself, he got himself a cleaning cloth and began to polish the gun, the tang of weaponary polish hanging thickly in the air. He used to retch at the stench of it, a long time ago - eleven years ago - but he was now used to it.
"I wonder if I can... load it..." He muttered to himself, and reached in his pocket for a spare cartridge. There was none. And he knew he didn't have any more left upstairs. He sighed and put the pistol away in his case, and got up, intending to put it back upstairs where he could load it afterwards. The bullets could wait. He went upstairs and found the room where all his guns were kept, and carefully placed down the pistol on the shelf. Then he went downstairs again, straight to the kitchen. Right now he wanted a nice relaxing moment, with a cup of coffee in his hands. Just the way he did every so often.
But it wasn't as easy as that. Not that particular day.
The doorbell rang, and Guntz twitched, annoyed. He briefly considered ignoring the bell, but then there was no point - his living room and kitchen were in plain view from the windows and he was visible from the outside. Sighing, he shuffled towards the door. "Yes?"
"Good afternoon." A soft timid voice called him. Guntz stiffened at the sudden voice, but then opened the door - coming face to face with a certain cabbit.
Klonoa stood nervously on the doorstep, holding something tightly, and he smiled at the hunter. "Um... may I come in?"
"Oh... yes. Of course." Guntz stuttered, and stepped aside to let the cabbit in. Klonoa shook off some snow off his fur as he entered, taking off his coat and tucking it underneath his arm, and then unlaced his boots. He breathed out, shivering with the cold. Guntz watched, looking somewhat concerned and confused.
"Your house is nice." Klonoa commented when he stepped out of his boots. "I haven't been here before. Nice and warm too."
"Would you like a drink?" Guntz asked, taking the cabbit's coat and hanging it up on the rack. "I know it's cold out there." His eyes fell on the frost clinging on to the cabbit's fur.
"Oh yes. I would like that." Klonoa replied.
"Do sit down. I'll get the drinks." Guntz gestured towards the living room. Klonoa stepped in, almost hesitating, but walked into the middle of the living room and looked around, marveling. The room was spacious, perhaps too spacious for one person; but with two, it was perfect. The armchairs were plain and black, the cushions a dull, but soft golden colour, and it looked beautiful. Guntz had a coffee table also, with various newspapers and a white mug with two straws. The mug was clean and empty. Klonoa tilted his head to one side, wondering about this curious arrangement, before he sat down gingerly on one of the armchairs. Guntz didn't get many visitors, he guessed, but the hunter sure knew how to treat one. Both armchairs faced the fireplace, which was thankfully lit, and Klonoa felt the frost melting from his fur. The seats were comfortable - very comfortable - and he felt very much at home.
"Tea or coffee?" Guntz called. "What drink would you like?"
"Do you have any hot chocolate?" Klonoa called back. "If not I'll have some coffee."
"Hot chocolate coming right up. You mind the sort with milk?"
"I prefer it with milk." Klonoa giggled to himself. Guntz really was considerate once he looked deep inside. "I'd like that, please." Guntz replied in the positive, and Klonoa settled back warmly into the armchair, a small dozy smile on his face. The sky was clear outside, with a bitter wind, but in here he was safe and warm. The whole room reminded him of Guntz; it was so his style, and the decoration colours matched his fur. That was what was good about it all.
"You seem to be thinking hard about something." Guntz commented, walking into the room with two mugs. He walked silently on the carpeted floor - so silently that Klonoa actually didn't realize he was in the room until the hunter put down a mug in front of him. He jumped and looked up at the hunter, who only chuckled in an amused manner and sat down on the armchair opposite him.
"Ah- no..." Klonoa stammered, his face turning red. Guntz chuckled again, his eyes glistening in the firelight, and turned back to watch the fire.
"What brings you here then, Klonoa?" He asked, after taking a sip of his drink.
"Because it's a special day for you today." The hunter stopped dead, about to sip his coffee but unable to, but Klonoa didn't notice. "You're seventeen today, aren't you?"
Guntz stayed silent for a moment. "... Now where the hell did you learn that?" He finally said. "I don't give out private information to anyone..."
"You told me. Seven months ago." Klonoa stifled a giggle. "Honestly, don't tell me that you forgot that."
"...Oh yeah. I remember." And indeed he had. He remembered ranting on about various things to Klonoa, while accidently slipping on many aspects of his life that was originally intended to be private, and had even gone as far as to telling the cabbit his birthday. Guntz inwardly cursed himself for this mistake, and vowed to let out steam once in a while instead of letting it all out in a rant next time. Klonoa was unaware of this inner turmoil, however, and took a sip of his hot chocolate. It was one of the the best hot chocolate he'd ever tasted; he normally liked the ones with cream floating on top, but this one didn't need cream. It was sweet and warm, with just a hint of bitterness, and he loved the taste. He found that he was still clutching the object he had come to deliver in his arms, and looked over at the hunter. He seemed to be brooding, and Klonoa let him be for a few seconds before Guntz looked over.
"You make really nice hot chocolate." Klonoa said, trying to start a conversation. "And besides... happy birthday." He handed the hunter his gift and drew back. Guntz took the wrapped object and looked curiously at it, putting down his mug on the coffee table.
"Considering your birth date... well, not exactly twice the usual presents." Klonoa commented.
"But it's better than none." Guntz replied, and then a soft smile spread onto his face. "In fact... it's much more better than none." He murmured and got up, placing the present down on the chair, and then knelt in front of Klonoa's armchair, taking hold of a gloved hand. Klonoa gasped at the sudden touch, blushing somewhat; but the hunter didn't appear to notice as rare affection glistened in his blue eyes.
"Thank you." Guntz whispered and the cabbit knew it was heartfelt. Guntz reached up to pet Klonoa's head softly, and his touch wasn't rough or agressive this time; it felt gentle and soothing, just the way it should feel like.
"Go on, open it then. It won't be bad luck to open it today." Klonoa said. Guntz nodded and began opening the present, and the cabbit noted that he did this very neatly and tidily; he was like Lolo, who always opened her presents carefully and saved the wrapping paper. He doubted that Guntz would save the wrapping paper, but he was sure doing this extremely neatly.
"Wow..." The hunter exclaimed softly to himself, looking at the present. It was a book on weaponary, and he flicked through it, stopping on a page and reading the words. "No wonder I couldn't get the silencer to fit on that Kalashnikov... I shouldn't have put it into the barrel... interesting..." He looked up. "This is going to help me a lot. I have some problems with my weaponary and I don't always know how to use them properly." He smiled brightly at Klonoa. "Thank you- hmm, what's this?" Another package had fallen out and he opened it.
And stared.
"I didn't actually know what type you use-"
"I love you." Guntz looked up, eyes glistening with emotion. "I just totally love you." He got up and ran out of the room, laughing gleefully, holding the box of bullets in his hand, running off to load his new pistol. Klonoa heard his half-crazed, but nonetheless delighted laugh, and giggled to himself. Guntz was funny sometimes.
-----
"You got me all the things I could ever want this year." Guntz said as he sat back down again. "There's only seven days left until next year, but it's still a fair amount I could ever want there. Those bullets must have cost you a lot."
"It wasn't too bad." Klonoa sipped his hot chocolate again. "Although the manager of that shop looked strangely at me when I bought them. I suppose he thought I was really out of place." He put down the mug and looked at Guntz. "Since it's your birthday and it's a day of celebration, there should be a special dinner to mark the occasion, shouldn't there?"
"Dinner?" Guntz looked questioning. "Hmm. What are the options?" Klonoa quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Guntz wasn't turning down his offer, and he wasn't telling him to go back home either. The hunter seemed to be in a fair mood today, and that was good.
"Shall we go out to eat, or shall we stay home and cook?" Klonoa asked Guntz. "We'll do what you want to do. My treat."
"Hmm. Before I make up my mind, could you tell me your preference?"
"I would like to stay with you." Klonoa answered. "Preferably here to cook. But that's up to you."
"Nice." Guntz grinned. "Because that was the option I was going to choose." He chuckled again, playfully stroking the cabbit's headfur and brushing it back. "Great, I finally get to celebrate with someone else!"
-----
"Do you have chicken, turkey or a joint of some kind? That's traditional."
"Turkey right here." Guntz put down a wrapped package on the kitchen counter. "Thought I might treat myself. I get to treat us instead." He smiled, one of his rare, handsome, genuine ones, and Klonoa couldn't help smiling back; how could he not smile with Guntz? "Speaking of traditional, what's the main dessert today? Apart from cake that is."
"Mince pies. Or gingerbread, which is easier and kind of more homely. Mince pies need to have mincemeat in them which needs a lot of work over two or so days." Klonoa was peeling the ginger roots and adding the spices. "I hope you like it, Guntz! It's not to everyone's taste. For instance, Chipple and Lolo can't stand it." He sighed. "Can't think why. Gingerbread's delicious."
"Never had it." Was Guntz's reply. Klonoa stopped dead, holding the ginger roots.
"Never had it?" Klonoa repeated. "Surely you can't be serious..."
"I am." Guntz was garnishing the turkey, laying a few strips of bacon on its breast. "I've never had it when I was little... it was more of a dinner thing. Considering my birth date it isn't too surprising. So I got nice dinners. Really nice ones. But I don't think I had anything other than cake for dessert. Pecan pies I had when I was four. Delicious." He seemed lost in his thoughts. "I've only had four consecutive, properly celebrated birthdays. My father was killed in June. Since then I've never celebrated, because..." He shrugged. "What's the point in celebrating on your own? I get to celebrate with you tonight, though. I guess Goddess Claire decided to be merciful to me this year... and perhaps onwards." He smiled at Klonoa. The cabbit smiled back. "...You're actually aware that the gingerbread mix is sticking to your hands, right?"
"What? Huh..." Klonoa yelped softly as he began wiping off the mix. Guntz only chuckled and put the turkey in the roasting tin, putting it in the oven.
"Don't ever change on me, Klonoa." He said softly as he stood up straight again. "I like you that way."
"If you say so." Klonoa murmured, having succeeded in getting the gingerbread mix off his hands, and was shaping it now. He finished the last one and put the lot into the oven also. "Let's ice our own bits. If you happen to like it, that is. I've already made butter icing."
-----
The dinner itself was wonderful; while the turkey was roasting the two had sat down on the table and talked. Guntz talked rather a lot once he was comfortable with it, Klonoa noticed - he was willing to give advice, to listen to others and such. He had a sense of humour that the cabbit found that they shared. When the gingerbread was done - way before the turkey was even browning - Guntz bit into one and tucked into another, enjoying it.
"For God's sake, Guntz, ice it first!" Klonoa scolded with good humour. Guntz merely grinned and took up the icing bag, scribbling some things onto the gingerbread. They were mostly words of wisdom, or a quick scribble of a picture.
When the turkey was done they could tuck into the meal, and they did so happily; the dinner was a success, with gingerbread and 'something else' to finish off, according to the hunter. Guntz was fetching that 'something else' now, as Klonoa leaned back contentedly on the armchairs.
"Full and happy, are we?"
"Indeed." He called back. "What's that 'something-or-other' you are bringing, may I ask?"
"Look over."
Guntz put down two glasses of fine-quality wine on the coffee table. "You've had wine before, I believe?"
"Not really." Klonoa answered. "Wine, to me, is a flavouring - but I've never had it on its own."
"It's not a very strong one." Guntz said. "It's a bit like champagne. But without the bubbles. You might like it. You might not." He picked up the glass, showing Klonoa the right way to hold a wine glass. "You don't hold it by the stem, that doesn't do much for the wine - that's it - swirl it around a little, that'll warm the wine slightly. Try tasting it a little now."
Klonoa held the glass to his lips and sipped the wine. The wine tasted sour and strong at the first sip, and he almost grimaced at the taste; but after a while a glorious sweetness spread around his tongue, and he was surprised (although pleased).
"See?" Guntz laughed, and he took a delicate sip of his wine also. "Hmm. Not bad. Not bad at all."
They stayed silent for a while, sipping wine and relaxing by the fire. Klonoa felt at heaven, relaxed and happy; he had never imagined that being with the hunter would be so enjoyable. He felt peaceful, being able to celebrate in such a quiet place for a change. Guntz had cheered up considerably also, he could see that, and he felt happy. But there was something rather strange about the place, he thought, and he looked around, trying to figure out what was strange. Then it clicked.
"Haven't you got any decorations around the house?" He asked. Guntz had stood up, clearing away the spare mugs on the coffee table and the various bits of newspapers, and Klonoa jumped up to help him.
"Not many." Guntz replied idly. They were walking towards the kitchen together now. "I haven't got a tree. But I did put up a small wreath up there on the window-" It was true. "And there was something else I put up. Can't remember what, though."
"Hmm." Klonoa said thoughtfully, but said nothing more. Nothing was said until the both of them began walking back towards the living room, and Guntz stood still at the foot of the stairs.
"Oh yeah. I remember." He said softly.
"What?" Klonoa asked, and stepped back in front of Guntz. The hunter seemed somewhat wary when the cabbit had stepped back, and he thought it odd; "What's wrong?"
"Mistletoe." Guntz said quietly, looking up to the ceiling. Klonoa looked up also, and saw the sprig of mistletoe hanging on the ceiling. And they were directly below it, both of them looking at each other as if spellbound. Klonoa knew what it meant, Guntz knew also, but neither of them voiced it for a while. They just stood and stared at each other and occasionally up at the mistletoe.
"Well." Klonoa finally murmured. "I didn't expect that."
"Neither did I." Guntz said. "But we can't back out, can we?"
"We can't." Klonoa answered, his eyes resting on the mistletoe. "How can we back out?"
"I guess we'll just have to do it." Guntz said, looking into the cabbit's eyes. Klonoa bit his lip slightly.
"I've never kissed before. And we're both male..." He chuckled nervously. "You know..."
"I do. Because I haven't kissed either." Guntz answered, and leant down so he was level with Klonoa. "You... ready?"
"Do your worst." Klonoa grinned, closing his eyes. Guntz inhaled and exhaled again, staring at the cabbit; he didn't know how to make this quick yet still nice enough, what with his lack of experience in this matter. He closed his eyes also, and then pressed his lips onto Klonoa's, as gently as possible.
It was nothing like he'd expected; Klonoa's lips were soft and warm, and had the pleasant taste of wine. Guntz had thought kisses as somewhat strange and had winced whenever he saw someone kissing another person, due to inner disgust. But now it felt right, it felt nice and he wanted more. This was not to say that he was the only one enjoying the kiss, of course. Klonoa was breathless and felt light-headed, but couldn't stop. Guntz felt too nice, too wonderful to pull away and he clung there, longing for more contact. Guntz wasn't as rough with him as he expected - the cabbit had to marvel at this, as his handling of some other people and certain unfortunate objects had been very rough indeed. Klonoa subconsciously wrapped his arms around the hunter, pulling him close, longing for more touch; Guntz was surprised, yes, but he wasn't about to back out either.
It seemed hours before they broke the kiss. They stared at each other for a long while, having completely forgotten what to say, and just stood there.
"Not too bad," Guntz finally spoke. "Was it?"
"Not bad." Klonoa answered with a slow smile and a blush. "That was... nice..."
Guntz smiled and patted the cabbit's back, emphasizing that there were no hard feelings. "Come on. Let's go and sit down in the living room."
-----
"You drink a lot of coffee." Klonoa commented.
"Do I?" Guntz looked down into the mug. "Hmm. It's only the third cup today. I've got to wash those mugs."
"Speaking of mugs, Guntz... Why do you have two straws in that mug over there?" Klonoa pointed. Guntz looked over to the coffee table, and smiled at the two straws in the cup.
"Those, you mean? Well... they're important to me. I don't drink out of this mug." He sighed and continued. "Those straws make me feel that I've got someone to share things with. It creates a vision of a companion in my eyes. That way I'm not lonely. Even though-" Here he laughed somewhat bitterly. "-it's not permanent."
He glanced at Klonoa as he said this, and was surprised to find pity and sorrow welling up in the cabbit's eyes. He added "But today isn't like that, Klonoa. I have you with me to celebrate." He patted the cabbit's head gently. "You made me really happy today." Klonoa looked up and smiled again, his cheeks a soft pink, and Guntz found himself wanting to hold him tight and stay there; why, he didn't quite understand, but there was something undeniably cute about the boy that intrigued him. His fingers lightly skimmed the shoulders of the cabbit; but then his expression turned into one of concern and he leaned forwards.
Klonoa looked uneasily at the hunter. "What is it?"
"You clothes are so thin." Guntz felt the cabbit's shirt, pinching the fabric. "Oh Klonoa, what were you thinking?"
Klonoa blushed with embarassment. "Well... I thought it would be less cold... it's always colder in the mornings, you know that - but I never expected the temperature to just plummet like this." He shivered. "If it's cold outside... um... How am I going to get back?"
Klonoa's house was at the opposite side of the village, he knew; it was still twenty minutes' walk, and that was the shortcut. Plus, the shortest way back would directly cross over the Bell's Hill, where Guntz had no intentions of letting Klonoa go at midnight.
"It's snowy out there." He opened the window a crack, and closed it almost immediately, wincing. "And terribly windy too. You can not go out alone in that."
"Aww..." Klonoa sighed. "Then what do I do?"
"...You could stay the night." Guntz answered, stroking the cabbit's head in an attempt to soothe him. "It's warm here at least. After today it's the least I could do for you. You can have the bed too."
"But what about you?"
"The armchairs are there for a purpose. Put them together and you've got yourself a nice couch."
"Don't do that." Klonoa protested gently. "It's your bed. And I'm in your debt already. I'll take the couch."
"...So you're staying?" Guntz smiled. Klonoa nodded after some hesitation, and the hunter chuckled. "Nice one! Tell you what, it's a double bed. If you want you could share with me."
"...Are you sure?"
"Sure as hell." He winked and led the cabbit back inside. "You go up first. I'll turn off the lights."
The bed was warm and soft, the cabbit noted once he was sat down on it; he bounced a little at first, being used to doing that with his own bed back at home. The mattress was firmer in Guntz's bed, but it was warm. And the bed didn't creak. He settled down comfortably, sighing.
"What are you sighing for?" Guntz entered the room and sat down next to Klonoa, taking the boy's hat off for him and setting it down. "Glad to see that you found this room alright. I was wondering what was going to happen once you entered the weapons room."
"The... weapons room?"
"Yep." Guntz grinned devilishly. "Where I keep all my guns. If you wander in there you might get a shock. But I might show you around it sometime. It's safer with me guiding you around, although I can't guarantee your life fully even so." Seeing the look on Klonoa's face, Guntz laughed and shook his head. "I only do things for friends once I'm assured they're comfortable with it. Don't worry too much. I was joking." He laughed once more and turned the blankets over. "Come on in. It's warmer inside."
-----
"Guntz?"
"Hmm?"
"You know that kiss..." Klonoa looked shyly at him. "...under the mistletoe?"
"Yes...?" Guntz turned fully towards him, his eyes intense.
"Could we..." Klonoa blushed and swallowed softly. "Um... Could we... do it... again?"
"...Again?" Guntz inquired. "Once not enough?"
"..." Klonoa didn't attempt a reply and just blushed. Guntz chuckled, amused, and lowered himself down to Klonoa's level, holding the cabbit by the waist. The cabbit watched him, nervous and tense, but relaxed as the hunter stroked his fur; the bed was warm now, quite warm, and he loved it.
"We could do it again." Guntz murmured against Klonoa's cheek, and without further hesitation placed his lips upon the cabbit's. He was even more gentle this time around, and Klonoa closed his eyes with bliss; he could feel the soft warmth, and he could taste the coffee on the hunter's lips - rich and delicious - and he reached, hugging Guntz closer, wanting more. He was surrounded by warmth, from the intense body heat of the hunter to the warmth of the sheets. He didn't want to let go.
"My God..." Guntz whispered hotly as the kiss broke. "I'll never be able to stop..." He dived back down for another kiss, which Klonoa recieved happily. Their positions had shifted by this time, with Guntz directly on top of Klonoa, but neither of them really noticed. Guntz couldn't stop kissing the cabbit, it just felt too nice to stop. He smelled faintly of peppermint and apple pie (which went well together, he thought wryly) and Guntz enjoyed every bit of it. Klonoa, of course, was almost light-headed with happiness by this stage. Guntz's scent - spicy with a hint of musk and gunpowder - and the heat between them intensified the experience for him.
Guntz broke this kiss also and looked down at the cabbit, breathing deeply. Klonoa lay beneath him, with kiss-swollen lips, eyes closed and a dazed expression on his face, and the hunter chuckled. He nuzzled the cabbit gently on the cheek, and Klonoa responded with a quiet sound of contentment. Guntz closed his eyes, moving over, and caught Klonoa's bottom lip between his own lips playfully. Klonoa let a soft moan escape him at the sensual gesture and opened his eyes, blushing softly. The hunter's fingers lazily danced across the cabbit's chest, down to his abdomen, which made him mewl out quietly in surprise. Guntz merely smiled and settled down comfortably next to him, still smiling.
"Cute..." He murmured, kissing the tip of Klonoa's ear. "You're really cute, you know that?" A soft lick. "Mmm, I could stay here like this for ages... with you..." He nuzzled deep into Klonoa's arms, pulling the blankets around the both of them.
Klonoa mewed again, louder this time. He settled onto Guntz's chest uneasily, but then relaxed and purred as the hunter stroked his head and kissed him; he felt dazed and faint with happiness.
"Guntz." He whispered. "I really enjoyed myself today."
"Me too, kitten." Guntz murmured back. "Mmm." Klonoa reached up shyly to meet the hunter's lips with his own. After a short, affection-filled kiss, Guntz lay back down with a drowsy smile. And then suddenly he was asleep, chest heaving gently as he inhaled and exhaled, lips curved in a smile. Klonoa watched the hunter for a long while, a grin on his lips, and looked briefly out of the window when the midnight bells began ringing in the distance. He listened silently to the bells up until the ninth stroke, and bent down close to Guntz's cheek, whispering two words and pressing a kiss onto his lips:
"Merry Christmas."
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Awwwwwww.
They're so cute. Fancy Guntz getting Klonoa slightly drunk with wine before he gets him into bed. Bless them both.
I liked writing this one. It's one of my 'start slowly and then add a few bits in to finish it over a month or so' stories. Not many of those, but they're long. I've never had a really traditional Christmas Dinner - not many of those nowadays, I've heard that 43 percent of people in England are going to tuck into ready-made stuff - but I'm having one this year. In fact as you read this I might be having turkey with gravy and little bacon-wrapped chipolatas.
Alright, I'm hungry now.
All together once more before I go to have dinner.
Awwwwwwww.