maskormenacelogs | you had me at aloe

Entry tags:

you had me at aloe

WHO: Hazel Lockwood & Josuke Higashikata
WHERE: Hell House, Heropa
WHEN: World Naked Gardening Day
WHAT: It's Hazel's birthday! So this happy couple is spending some time together.
WARNINGS: Schmoopy bullshit, foul language, bad fashion decisions, maybe something to do with plants? Who even knows with these two.

[Last year, in order to make up for missing Hazel's birthday the year previous (because she'd neglected to even tell him when it was), Josuke had pulled out all the stops to celebrate. In hindsight, while they'd had fun, he thinks the gesture might have been a little overambitious, and he's not entirely sure it was in Hazel's best interest to go all out from the get-go. After all, she wasn't used to celebrating herself. She was still shaky at best when it came to recognizing her personhood, and acknowledging any kind of sentimentality still resulted in her seizing up altogether or flying off the rails.

It's endearing, but no reason to be careless with her, and so this year Josuke has planned for them to play things out a little more by ear. They'll start at home and stay at home if that's where the day takes them, but it will be up to Hazel to direct.

The only real surprise she'll be getting is the present he's carefully planned for her which he brings to her in her gardening room sometime around noon. Set carefully within an obnoxiously glittery purple gift bag (of substantial size) is a jacket that Josuke had customized especially for her.]

Happy birthday.

[His smile is genuine, but there's mischief within it.]

How old does that make you now? Somewhere between relic and fossil?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[today is her birthday, and Hazel is expecting things to go as close to mundanely as any other day in her life. she didn't celebrate what was to her a pointless endeavor, and she'd assumed - foolishly - that after last year the only other person who knew the date would have gotten it out of his system. there was some unexpected outside stupidity, sure, but it was of the sort that she could easily handle.

the telltale rustle of a gift bag completely blows those expectations out of the water. it is possibly the worst idea in the world, but Hazel can't help falling for the bait. how could she? with that amount of tacky sparkle there was no way that her curiosity couldn't be piqued.

it takes her no time at all to peel off the gloves she'd been using to transfer seedlings and dig into the bag, pulling the mystery item out through a forest of tissue paper. as Hazel holds it up and catches sight of a very familiar symbol, she forgets for a brief moment that there's someone else in the room; her face lights up with a very sincere smile, right before she buries her face happily into that heart. god, she was going to wear this to pieces.

thankfully (perhaps) the dulcet tones of happy birthday manage to bring her back to earth. her shoulders hike up slightly in realization, and her cuddling of the jacket turns to something more akin to a stranglehold as she shifts it slightly to glower unobstructed at Josuke.

she's cranky about being caught off guard, and not much else. it shows in the way even Hazel can't keep petulance completely on her face for very long in the light of another opportunity to tease.]

I think it puts me at juuust too old for you, actually.

[That Hazel likes the jacket is not only a relief, but a huge win. Once upon a time, back when they'd still been getting to know each other, Josuke had tried to buy her something cute to wear and she'd been so mortified by its appearance (but endeared to the thought) that she'd turned the shirt into a throw pillow instead.

He'd never really minded, but he was definitely glad to have finally gotten clothing shopping for her right, though perhaps that is partially to do with converting her to his wardrobe by never pointing out when she swipes or wears his things?

The thought is one that leaves him grinning wider, but Hazel's response is what makes him laugh aloud.]

Yeah, no. I'm an adult now, I can do whatever I want.

[Except drink and gamble.]

But you keep pretending, I don't mind. I dig retro, you know that.

[Letting her hold onto the jacket, he folds up the bag and then leans close to plant a kiss on her cheek.]

So, what are you working on in here?

[a puttering whuff of air escapes her lips when he steals a kiss off her, and she bats him away with the kind of vigor that only embarrassment can provide. no way that she's going to let him reward himself for being a sassy asshole.

(for now, anyway)]

And I'm gonna need to see some identification before I believe half that garbage.

[what a stellar comeback, Hazel, he'll really be feeling that one for days. she shifts the jacket in her hands a little, unintentionally cradling it now, before spinning on her heel to better take stock of what she'd been doing before all this stupidity had interrupted her.

it has the pleasant side effect of nudging her just out of Josuke's reach, but that's something she won't comment on. it feels disgustingly needy to be playing around with proximity like this, even now.]

I was just moving some seedlings into their pots, nothing really exciting. These ones aren't even going out into the garden.

[they're all going to be sweet spoiled inside children. although at the mention of the garden Hazel's expression can't help but twitch into something irritated.]

I was gonna set up some of the garden shit after, actually, but I fucked up how many starter trays I needed and I'd rather chew off my own arm than go back today so I guess it's gotta wait.

[a pity, that. it would've been the perfect excuse to continue pretending today wasn't her birthday.]

[Hazel can huff and puff all she likes, but the only thing it serves to accomplish is further fueling Josuke's amusement. But when the consequences for his actions are being swatted at with no real aggression, how could he ever be sorry?]

Like I'm dumb enough to let you anywhere near my ID.

[She'd find a way if she wanted it badly enough, he knows that, too. But rather than argue that point, because it seems like a dangerous one to linger on for too long, Josuke considers the way she's cradling her present and makes a show of pointedly grinning right at her, and nodding at the jacket. He did good. He knows it. And he's basking in the satisfaction of knowing she appreciates the gift. But more importantly, it sounds like maybe there's something more he can do for her today.]

Hmm...I'd rather you didn't chew off any body parts. Want me to run to the store for you? I can get whatever you need, just write me up a list. Unless you wanna come with.

[that disgusting grin is met with the world's most offended look as Hazel hoists the jacket further up her shoulder and away from him, like she's trying to protect her child from drug-dealing hooligans. the fact that Josuke gave her the thing to begin with has been completely eradicated from her memory; as far as she's concerned the coat fell out of the damn sky.

her petulant instincts nearly see Hazel turning the offer of help down flat on principle, but (a birthday gift from above, perhaps) her thoughts catch up with her before that can happen. she considers the reason that she's so reluctant to return to the gardening store today, and then briefly imagines Josuke's likely reaction...

maybe he could top this gift that he didn't actually give her in the first place, nope no way.]

Like you'd be able to navigate somewhere like that on your own. I'll come.

[her gaze drifts a little, suddenly interested in the seedlings again. she may be setting up an incredible shitlord move, but this part is pretty sincere - as is the appeal of just going out together with her fiance for little daily things.]

I can see if this damn things fits alright or not that way.

[don't even, Josuke. d o n ' t.]

[He has no idea what he's getting himself into, but really, he should probably expect it to be awful. If it's a place even Hazel would prefer to avoid, there has to be a damn good reason for it. And yet, here he is, attempting to win the Boyfriend of the Year award by offering to fetch whatever she needs for her gardening.

Naturally she has to go out of her way to make him regret his life choices. But...it'll be worth it if she wears the jacket.

Even his smile says that.

Josuke don't? How about IT'S TOO LATE HAZEL, JOSUKE'S ALREADY THERE!]

You're right, I wouldn't know the first thing about what I'm buying, so if you're gonna come along, you better slip into that jacket...

[EVERY FUCKING TIME

it's amazing how instantly his reaction causes any sort of qualms she had about leading him straight into the mouth of madness to evaporate. Hazel shoots him the crankiest look to ever walk the earth before acquiescing to the completely unnecessary hustling to get her into the jacket.

as she's shrugging it on, her elbow 'accidentally' flies up too high and clocks Josuke square in the mouth. whoops. maybe that wouldn't have happened if he hadn't hurried her so much!

with an unpleasant little grin now plastered across her face, Hazel spins on her heel and takes a few steps backwards towards the doorway. she doesn't comment on how nicely the tails swish around her, or how perfect the pockets are to shove her hands into like a cocky jackass. all he gets is a chirpy:]

Well, come on. They're not gonna stay open all day.

[Rude.

Seriously rude! But she's forgiven the moment Josuke gets a good look at her filling out that jacket. Orange might be her favorite color, but she looks great in his, too.

And if he looks a little proud of that fact as he follows after her? She's just going to have to deal with it like it's some consequence for clipping his mouth. Which he might be rubbing idly, but whether or not that's because it stings or because he's trying to hide a smirk is unclear.]

So, what kind of horror show are we going to be walking into? It's gotta be something if it had you hesitating. Or maybe something happened that got you all embarrassed?

[That's not concern in his voice. That's, this ought to be good.]

[it's more of a punishment than it has any right to be, because as soon as Hazel catches sight of his look of pride out of the corner of her eyes she can't stop the warmth blooming where her stomach once was. she mitigates the urge to wrap her arm around his waist by giving him a playful punch on the arm, but it doesn't do much to interrupt her thoughts.

she's been stealing from Josuke's wardrobe for nearly the entire length of their relationship, but there was a different sort of giddiness coursing through her thanks to this jacket. for all her squawking at every insinuation she might have a crush on someone, she couldn't imagine anything better than people knowing she belonged to someone. it made her feel cute, just for a moment, against all odds.]

Embarrassed? You fucking wish I did anything more than get embarrassed for people.

[it's her birthday and he's a little infatuated with the image of her wearing his symbol around. that's enough to prevent her bluff getting called, right?

either way, Hazel's own infatuation won't allow her to beat down on it forever. once they're out the door she's reaching for his hand, albeit with her gaze steadfastly on the pavement in front of them.]

I'm just feeling kinda lazy today. Is that a fucking crime?

[she's not averse to spilling the terror before they reach their destination, honestly. he's just going to have to wheedle her a little more to make it worth letting go of teasing him with the mystery.]

[It's enough, alright. And it shows in the way that his fingers curl around hers when she takes his hand, as well as in the way he keeps his big mouth shut. They've called a silent truce, so there'll be no more teasing. For now, anyway.

Because, eventually, he'll have to pay her back for that playful shoulder punch. Maybe by embarrassing her a little in the store when they get there? Yeah, that'd be great. Birthday or no, she can't eat cake so she can eat her own words!]

I think the real crime here is how shitty you've gotten at making excuses, but whatever.

[Wait, wasn't he supposed to not tease? Okay. New plan! Tease less than normal. Yeah, he can do that.]

I mean, I'm just trying to be considerate and keep them on your level. If you think they're shitty then you might wanna try some self-improvement instead of whining to me.

[what's the best way to celebrate successfully receiving your birthday indulgence? continue pushing your already-expanded limits, of course. if he's going to let her hang onto his hand and keep tossing jabs, there's really no reason not to.

besides, it's not a particularly far walk to the garden store from their house. there isn't going to be time for much more than hysterical laughter once they get there, so Hazel's trying to soak up the 'pleasant' conversation for as long as she can.]

How's it my problem if you can't come up with a decent excuse to save your ass?

[So much for not teasing. Why did he ever think that was possible? He can't recall a day that's gone by when they've spent time together when there wasn't at least some teasing between them. Even in the most dire of situations...that spark always survived. Even when they couldn't put it into words, the memory lived on.

...he squeezes her hand a little tighter, loving and reassuring both, though the latter may be more for his own sake than hers. She's always been a better anchor than him, keeping him tethered to his senses. Of course, to keep her from worrying at all, and on today of all days, he has to keep things going.]

Unless...could that be your way of telling me my dashing good looks are just too distracting?

Ah, shit, guess you caught me.

[she's feigning shame at being 'found out' pretty well, even managing to play the unexpected pause in her delivery into holding back for dramatic effect. really, Hazel just wants to peek at him out of the side of her eyes after that unexpected little squeeze.

there's no concern in her heart over it, only a brief moment of allowing herself a little infatuation. it was always like this - no matter what mud they were slinging at each other, Josuke took the time to make it clear there was nothing but leave underneath. it made her heart a little too full to know that probably would never change.

there's no acknowledgement of any of that, of course. she simply squeezes right back, giving their hands a playful little swing as she continues on with her breezy false confession.]

I didn't wanna say anything in case I hurt your feelings, but it's pretty damn hard to think up good shit when I'm always wondering why anybody let someone so fucking funny-looking wander around outside.

[that's technically dashing, right? she was dashing his ego against the rocks.]

Yeah, well, so long as you're into this kinda funny looking, I got no complaints.

[And isn't that the truth? Not only will Josuke's heart never stray, but neither will his eyes. He's with Hazel, committed in every way. Ever making her doubt that isn't something he could forgive himself for, so it's not something that'll ever happen. Period.

Of course, there's times when he's sure she'll doubt whether or not she deserves all he has to give, but that just means he has to try all the harder to convince her she's worth all his love and more. She's even worth walking into a trap for...and, let's face it, given how willing she was to leave the house, he's definitely signed himself up to be the victim of some nightmare for her entertainment.]

So what kinda seedlings were you working with? They gonna grow into really big and bright flowers? I like those kind.

[Because of course he does.]

I'm sure you'll find something else to bitch about.

[the response is a little murmured, because even such an oblique admission of her regard in a public space is difficult for Hazel to accomplish. much as she enjoys pulling him back down to earth, especially where his appearance was concerned, the truth of the matter was she didn't like the sincerity of her feelings to be doubted any more than Josuke did.

thankfully there's a ready made question for her to move on to, and she does so with no time to spare. the predictability of his floral tastes elicits an amused puff of air - because, really. of course he does.]

Mm, bad news for you then, those were just zinnias. I was thinking of getting some sunflowers though, for the side of the house.

[they were easy enough to keep...and they seemed more than a little appropriate.

the garden shop is within sight now, and Hazel picks up her pace almost without realizing. she really hopes that the guy who'd been there earlier hadn't finished his shift yet - mostly because unlike some of the other employees, he'd opted for a half-apron the size of a postage stamp rather than the full-sized option on this very special day.]

Zinnias...they one of those flowers that look like big puffs of petals?

[Because there's a lot of those. He may not know much about flowers, but he knows that. He also knows sunflowers, and probably to Hazel's great pleasure, Josuke lights up a little at hearing she plans to plant some along the side of the house. Anything resembling sun symbolism makes his heart swell, and having something like that growing will make their home feel even more like home to him.]

You gonna plant those near the sunflowers or keep them out back?

[As her pace quickens, his strides grow a little longer. Or a little more like his norm, in any case. Walking slower for her sake sure does take effort.]

I guess if you wanna be boring about it, yeah. They're the ones in the bouquet I gave you for your birthday last year.

[if she just slurs her words into a big mashed-up mumble it's almost like she didn't say them at all, right? this year Hazel's definitely going to have to buy him a big botanical picture book so she isn't forced to keep giving out these excruciating additional details. if she lives that long, anyway.

at least he seems more than pleased about the sunflowers. watching him smile about it, even slightly, sure does light up her insides. ugh. better to focus on replying instead of literally anything else because all these other options suck.]

Nah, they're gonna go out back so I can get funky with the landscaping. I want the sunflowers to kinda be their own focal point, you know?

[like the sun...real or the metaphorical one of someone's life. you know, whatever.

seeing Josuke start moving more quickly automatically has her speeding up even further, motivated solely by the spirit of pointless competition. well - this time there is an actual goal jumbled inside all the stupid ego. she wants to hold the door for him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

you had me at aloe

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

can you believe i spent twenty minutes looking up flowers

yes. what i can't believe is that you even had to ask me that question.

i like to pretend that you still expect normal people activities from me alright