Lebreau was in the process of marinating her famous Bodhum Island-style barbeque when she noticed Yuj coming in with a huge grin on his face. "I take it Maqui gave you another one of his patented kisses?," Lebreau asked with a smirk. Yuj blushed and looked at Lebreau, "of course not! He just gave me a sexy look, and you know, that totally does it for me." Lebreau giggled, rolled her eyes, and said sarcastically, "right, I'm sure you get plenty of satisfaction from just a look. I'm sure if I got only looks from Gadot, I'd be completely smitten with him."
Hope chuckled, but when he noticed eyes on him, he went back to setting tables. Yuj shrugged, "okay well maybe I'm just THAT excited about our date later that I can't help but hide my smile." Lebreau finished up creating her marinade and washed up, "well in that case, I'll let you off early. All you are going to do is think about your date anyway. Besides you completed tons of prep work, and I was thinking of teaching Hope here how to do some prep work too, since he'll probably be a better student than you. So why don't you go shopping and get a nice new outfit for the date. Believe it or not, I actually want you two to work out. You've been so close for as long as I can remember, and I like the idea of keeping our NORA family together."
Yuj blushed, slightly surprised by what Lebreau had to say. "Thanks Lebreau!," Yuj gave his sister-figure a huge hug and grinned playfully, "I completely agree, Hope will make a better student since he doesn't know any better than to pay attention to you!" Lebreau playfully threw a towel at him. Hope smiled at the two, secretly wondering what it would have been like to have siblings growing up.
"Let me guess, you want me to pick you up something sexy too?," Yuj asked with a twinkle in his eye. "You better! I have a date with Gadot tomorrow, so it better be hot!," Lebreau yelled from the kitchen as she pulled out the meat she already had marinating since the night before. Yuj nodded, "will do! Although, I don't think any outfit can possibly make you any sexier than you already are." Lebreau poked her head out of the kitchen, "damn right! Now get going!" Yuj grinned, waved at Hope and headed out of their café.
Maqui's head bobbed to the music on his headphones as he rummaged through the Eden Atelier store trying to find a nice gift for Yuj. The store was a popular chain in Eden as well as various cities on Cocoon. No one was surprised when they managed to open a new Gran Pulse edition of the store in the past week. The airships brought down many of their products and the designers were already using Pulsian dyes and materials to create new styles.
Maqui had no idea what Yuj would like, and knew he had no chance of finding something that would be his taste, but nonetheless he wanted to find something for him to show that he cared. At first Maqui thought about the usual cheesy things like fancy foods or flowers, but since it was Yuj he was shopping for, he knew the only way to go was fashion. He had given Yuj special gifts of machinery that took a lot of engineering skill in the past, but he wanted to do something completely unexpected of him.
Maqui continued going through various racks and shelves while dancing around in circles to the beat of his music, trying to contain all of the excitement and energy he was feeling. He had never been so elated before, and the euphoria he was feeling made it very hard for him to work. As he bopped around, he noticed the teal-haired object of his affection enter the shop. His eyes widened and he hid, crouching behind where the clothes were hanging.
Yuj had not yet been to the new Eden Atelier store and that was his first destination after he left the café. While he would have loved to shop for himself, he found this a good opportunity to get some clothes for Rosch and Cid, along with a cute outfit for Lebreau. He also planned to go to a new shop called the Metal Works Moogle Shop to get something special for Maqui. He knew Lebreau would think he was crazy for not getting something sexy for him to wear at his own date, but even he had priorities.
As he was going through the racks for winter-wear, Maqui tried his best to resist the urge to pounce on him from behind and give him the hug of his life. Even though Maqui typically was very hyper and rather impatient, his wish to surprise Yuj later with something nice outweighed his wish to have a preemptive strike from behind. Yuj purchased some warm jackets, gloves, scarves, boots, warm shirts and pants for the two men he was clandestinely seeing. He prided himself in the fact that he was 99.9% sure in their sizes just from a glance. Yuj knew he had a keen sense of sizing when it came to style and he was proud of it.
Maqui hid a chuckle when he saw Yuj picking up a sexy, tight looking dark maroon shirt with teal accents giving the shirt a look that could only mean he would have bought it if he had enough extra gil. Maqui knew the moment he saw the look in Yuj's eye, he would have to surprise Yuj with that sexy shirt. And Maqui knew in a strange way it was a present for himself too.
Yuj picked up a cute outfit set for Lebreau as a thank you for letting him off early, and headed to the checkout in record time. After he paid the cashier he ran out trying to get to the Metal Works Moogle Shop as fast as he could so he could take his time to get Maqui something special. Maqui had never seen Yuj leave a clothing store so quickly in his life and wondered where he was going in such a hurry. He shrugged and grabbed the shirt and was puzzled as to what size to get him. He turned off his music and scratched his head.
"Um. . .uh. . .," Maqui looked at the shirts with a pout then found a sales person, "you know that really cute teal-haired guy who was just here? Um. . .what size shirt should I get him?" The sales girl giggled, "oh that guy? Isn't he a cutie? I think I would get him a medium, that way it will hug him just right! Oooh do you know if he's single?" Maqui felt a slight twinge of jealousy, a new emotion for him, and looked at the lady with a slight furrowed brow, which only made him look less menacing, "yes, he's taken in a happily committed relationship." The girl pouted and left back to folding clothes. Maqui didn't care that Yuj and him had only had one date that wasn't even a 'real' date but as far as he was concerned, she didn't need to know that. Maqui picked up the shirt and decided to bring it back to his shop to wrap it up himself.
Yuj excitedly wandered around the Metal Works Moogle Shop and found many things that could engage Maqui's interest, but wasn't completely sure what he should get him that would be different from what Maqui could just make himself. Yuj muttered under his breath that he wished he tried to convince Rosch to come with him, but he knew all too well that he would rather be dealing with an adamantoise than a shopping trip. He decided instead of finding him something that was completed already, he would buy him various components that he could use to make something amazing. He purchased a wide array of components that are used for item and weapon upgrades and tried to find Maqui the best of the best.
While Yuj was shopping for Maqui, Rosch couldn't stifle a sneeze. He wondered where it came from and then went back to creating the map he was working on. Cid grinned, "someone must be thinking about you, Yaag." Rosch shot a glare at Cid and tossed him a small computer device, "start imputing all of the information you know about the area along with information regarding plants, wildlife, and environmental factors." Cid caught the device and looked at Rosch thoughtfully, "you are still not one for small-talk are you. Even after being around someone who can likely talk your ear off?" Rosch rubbed the temples of his head, "in those cases, he was the one who did all of the talking. If you feel the need for useless noise, feel free to talk to your heart's content."
Cid smiled, "in that case I will take you up on that, as useless noise helps the time go by more leisurely. Although if I ask you a question; you'd best answer." Rosch continued to glare at him not wanting to discuss anything until he was finished with his map. While he enjoyed the man's company, he did not want Cid to know that.
Cid entered the data into the device and shivered as the cold breeze blew against his face. Rosch took note of this and added more wood into the fire and went inside the tent to get some blankets. "Here, this should help you stay warm. They have very adequate insulation and are wind resistant. Your body heat will stay inside it and continue to bring your temperature to equilibrium," Rosch stated as he handed Cid a blanket and put his own around himself. "That was more than I needed to know, but I thank you for the gesture. It is really freezing. . .out of curiosity, how did you know I was cold?," Cid asked wondering if he had turned blue from the icy chill. Rosch looked away from Cid's gaze, "I saw you shivering." Cid smiled slightly and chuckled, "you are very observant, much like your fashion friend who would have been able to tell because my clothes probably wrinkled in a manner that implied that I was cold." Rosch grinned and chuckled with him then cleared his throat returning to work.
"Again, I was lucky to receive such a pleasurable sounding laugh. I hope to hear more of them in the future. As for your observation, I must say that I am rather impressed by your ability to pick up on subtle nuances of another, such as a simple shiver. A rather positive and useful trait," Cid stated as he looked at Rosch through the fire.
Rosch felt heat rise against his cheeks, but he reassured himself it was due to the fire's warmth. "It is something that is important in reconnaissance work. I'm sure your level of observation is on par with the best," Rosch stated feeling slightly uneasy but he wasn't sure why. "I see. Well it is sufficient when it comes to work, I suppose. But we aren't doing any reconnaissance work right now, so I'll just pretend that the real reason you noticed is because you want me to be comfortable and you are trying to be a good host," Cid mused.
Rosch sent a glare at Cid, "I am not being a good host because you are not a guest here. This is your new home for the time being. I believe I told you that." Cid grinned, "in that case Yaag, that means you noticed because you are attuned to how my well-being is. You do realize that means you like me, otherwise you would not care and let me fend for myself." Rosch's eyes widened and then they narrowed into a sharp glare—he did not know what to say back, "to be nice I simply gave you a blanket, you are reading into it far too much." Cid chuckled, "perhaps, but it is very fun ruffling your feathers." Rosch's mouth dropped open. He was baited, just like the fish that he knew Cid was planning to catch for dinner.
"Well I did have to get back at you for your chocobo suit joke," Cid said as-a-matter-of-factly. "I already told you, I wasn't joking. Now are you planning to catch fish at the lake or not?," Rosch asked again trying to change the subject. Cid grinned and wrapped the blanket around himself, "but of course, I'll be back shortly." With that Cid walked to the lake wrapped up comfortably and enjoying a moment of warmth.
After Cid left, Rosch rubbed his head for what felt like the billionth time that day. "Oh? Lover's quarrel already?," Yuj stated with a grin. "I'm about to head on my date and I know you must be sick of me already but I went shopping!," Yuj exclaimed happily. He handed Rosch several bags and grinned widely, "before you say anything you gotta see these!"
Rosch looked at Yuj with a slightly confused look, although it didn't show on his facial features and looked at the bag Yuj was carrying. "I got a couple chocobo feathers! Don't think I didn't hear that little wise-crack you made when I was leaving today about Cid in a chocobo suit. I figure you could attach some of these to one of the outfits I got him," Yuj stated with an evil grin. Rosch could not help but smirk, "that sounds like a great idea." Rosch had never participated in a practical joke in his life. But after being around Yuj so often, he figured one joke could give him some entertainment. Yuj grinned, "alright, you better take pictures for me! I'm gonna go over and pick up Maqui, so I'll see you later!" Yuj waved as he flew off on the cycle.
Cid returned after only thirty minutes with a large fish that could easily feed a family, let alone two people. "I already scaled it, so it's ready to go. I'll let you prepare it since you know what seasonings you have," Cid stated as he washed up from the fishing trip. "Yaag? I know this might be a little out of place in timing, but. . .if your injuries aren't too bad, I'd like you to join me in going to the ruins tomorrow. I'm very interested to see what else we can uncover in there," Cid stated still thinking about the Cie'th stones.
Rosch filleted the fish with ease thanks to his hunting knife, courtesy of Yuj. He gathered a variety of herbs, lemons, and some butter from the small refrigeration system that Yuj had Maqui make him when he first helped him put the camp together. Cid quirked an eyebrow, "if I didn't know better I'd say you were a chef in a previous life. . .or you've been around Yuj so much that soon you can become a chef and he can lead the military." Rosch glared at Cid playfully, "in that case if you spend time with me, you might become a decent man of the military." Cid feigned being offended and the two men shared a laugh. After Rosch skillfully prepared the fish and some vegetables, the two sat by the fire and ate as the stars came out in the night sky. When the two men pulled up the insulation blankets, Rosch vaguely remembered that Yuj had a similar plan for his date with Maqui. He wanted to sit under the stars on the deck, eating and watching them as they flickered in the sky.
Rosch looked down and noticed that here he and Cid were; under the stars and eating dinner together with blankets. In retrospect, Rosch realized that while he and Cid were in a similar situation, he could hardly call it romantic. He supposed that perhaps Hope did not have the best idea for romantic atmospheres at all, or that perhaps Rosch himself just did not notice a romantic situation even if he was hit on the head with it.
Cid glanced at Rosch who looked deep in thought, "Yaag?" He waved his hand slightly in front of Rosch's face which resulted in a glare back at him. "Good to know you're still with me. For a moment I thought you fell asleep with your eyes open," Cid chuckled. Rosch felt flustered inside, not understanding what he was thinking about. He could rationalize anything and he believed that what made Yuj and Maqui's situation completely different from his own was the fact that the two had plenty in common and they shared a passion and attraction for each other. Rosch did not like thinking about Yuj and Maqui's love life, he had no interest in that concept and he figured it must be the medications for his pain that were causing his delusional thinking.
Cid sighed, "you must be exhausted. It has been a long day and the pain medications we have both been taking along with the various salves can make the mind grow weary and tired faster than usual. Perhaps after we finish up here we should relax for the rest of the evening." Rosch nodded, "yes, you read my mind. While there is plenty to finish. . .I am not sure I am feeling well enough to continue at this point. My mind is rather. . .preoccupied."
Cid smiled softly, "I'm glad that you now have a sense of your own limits. I recall a time when you wouldn't stop working until you were unconscious. It's nice to see you are finally starting to see that your life is worth more than just your job." Rosch looked at Cid thoughtfully, "I appreciate your comment. I have been trying my best to re-evaluate my life and my circumstances. While Yuj can be rather crude at times, he has a zest for life that I find quite refreshing. He is the first person to ever tell me that I need to take this time to figure out what I want for myself." Cid nodded in sincerity, "I think that would be best for both of us, Yaag. We have both experienced many things that we have not had time to process or work through, let alone have the chance to put the circumstances behind us so we can move on."
Rosch looked at him with a smile and nodded while passing him a cup of deliciously sweet apple tea. Rosch decided to wait until the next day to let Yuj show Cid the outfits he bought. He figured if he is going to make a chocobo joke, he could at least do it first thing in the morning, so Cid could start his day with a laugh.
Maqui happily wrapped the cute shirt for Yuj and placed on top of it a small matching maroon mp3 player that he made to also play various radio stations and cooking broadcasts for him. He grinned and danced around with his headphones almost falling off his ears. When he heard the gentle hum of a velocycle outside he practically jumped and hid the gift in his huge backpack. He ran out happily with a huge grin on his face, "Hiya Yuj! I thought we were gonna meet at the restaurant, but hey, I love a free ride." Yuj loved his boyfriend's toothy grin that made him always look so happy and carefree. "Of course! What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't pick you up to take you there," Yuj replied with a huge grin back. Maqui blushed at Yuj calling him his boyfriend and smiled cheerfully, "Well in that case, I'll let you drive!" Yuj chuckled, "I'm starting to think you are stalling when it comes to driving this thing." "Well I have been known to crash them pretty good, but at least I can fix what I crash," Maqui said as he hopped onto the cycle cuddling Yuj from behind, which was quickly becoming one of his favorite habits. Yuj placed his hands over Maqui's and squeezed them gently, "okay, so I was thinking, we should eat outside tonight. . .just the two of us on the deck with the heaters blasting, a nice cozy blanket to keep us warm, some hot cocoa with Lebreau's homemade marshmallows, and a romantic evening under the stars. . .what do you think?" Maqui was feeling breathless. He normally could keep up with Yuj in the 'talking up a storm' department, but for the moment, all he could feel was his chest pounding and he squeezed Yuj tighter. "I'd love that," he squeaked. After they took off Maqui finally was able to catch his breath, "hey, how did you come up with such a nice idea? I thought I was your first date yesterday." "Well, maybe I had a little help," Yuj chuckled. Maqui grinned, "you mean someone gave you the idea and you totally feel in love with it." Yuj nervously laughed, "hahaha. . .uh. . .yeah. I'm not even gonna ask how you knew that already. Oh! By the way, I was wondering. . .since you met Rosch this morning, I was thinking that he could really use a mode of transportation. And since you are the transportation master engineer, I wanted to know if I could commission you to make him one of these." Yuj pat the velocycle as he drove and Maqui grinned. "Leave it to me! And don't worry, I'll do it for free. I think that guy has been through enough already," Maqui stated happily getting excited to show off his engineering skills.
Yuj smiled and parked the velocycle next to the café. He hopped off and before Maqui could even speak another word, Yuj planted a long, sweet kiss on his soft lips.
TBC. . .
A/N sorry for such a short chapter _ But I hope the next one can make up for it when I get it up!