narcolepsy | Ruinwood treehouse open post/inbox for all baeins (besides mushbae)

Chuckling softly, he ushers Baein inside and closes the door. If he is nosy, Daeshim is even worse.

“First of all…did you move into the treehouse?” The whispering has stopped at least.

Baein breathes in, wets his lips and then he nods, still looking at Hunter a little confused even as the door closes behind them. His cheeks tint a little pink though because he's also smiling a little at the thought.

"Mm, I did. I mean, I'm working on it. Daeshim... asked me to."

There's still things to move, and Baein has stayed at the Treehouse most of his time now. So technically he's already moved in. It just feels fresh still, which is an odd sensation in the Ruinwood where everything is timeless.

Hunter is a little more fond of all of the Baein’s by nature…and he’s also protective of them. All of them. Including this one. And there is a little worry there under the surface.

He’s seen Daeshim lose some of his sparkle and he doesn’t want that for Baein, too. But maybe them being together more often will help that not to happen.

“I think he misses you,” Hunter nods a little and goes to grab something out of the fridge. It’s a pizza pan size pastry with a sweet whipped cream mixture and sliced strawberry and a strawberry glaze smeared around. The plastic is peeled carefully off of the top and he starts to cut it into little slices; one he puts on a plate and slides it over to Baein.

“Try this. Tell me what you think,” he worries his bottom lip and watches him carefully, “Also…do you want to help me plan a sort of…outside get together for all of us? The weather is getting nicer and I think Daeshim could use a little…outdoor…family…food…time.”

It's felt dull for a long while. Or perhaps it was a short while. Whichever it is, Baein prefers not to dwell on it too much, because then he'll catch that sensation of loneliness he tried to not sink into when it was more... just more. Now it's not, and the longer he ignores it, the fainter it becomes, until it's nothing more. At least that's what he's hoping, if he's ever giving it thought.

Baein looks down a little, blinks hard once, and then lets out a little huff.

"I miss him too."

He's thinking about it now and oh... no. Swallowing, he looks up and schools his expression back to the gentle calm that usually flutters around him. Only to blink (again) at what Hunter brings forward. And then at the plate now by his hand at the counter.

"What's this? A... get together? Like a party? Dinner?" Oh. Oh he likes this idea, and his eyes dart from the cake and to Hunter. "You're asking me?"

Edited 2023-04-26 19:01 (UTC)

Hunter squints briefly because he can feel a hint of that inner turmoil. It doesn’t feel like something he should comment on, though, so he lets it go in favor of smiling softly.

“Yeah, I miss him, too…not as much as you do, I bet but!” He nods quickly, “That’s why I want us to have this party-thing! It’ll get all of us together, outside in the Ruinwood…it would make him happy. I think we all could use a little happy after this long winter.”

He smiles more and leans against the counter and into his palm to watch Baein with the dessert, “Yeah, you would know best how to make him happy. So I’m asking you. That’s apparently called a Strawberry Pizza, by the way. I don’t know. I found it online and it looked easy so I tried it. Tell me if it’s good.”

This Baein isn't really closed off at all mentally. He'd be an open book, but perhaps on a page too far into the story for you to get the right context, perhaps. And the next time you'd have to jump forward— or perhaps back? To find that specific detail that's missing. But it's always got a hint of warmth, acceptance, both good and less so.

A startled laugh slips out and the blonde shakes his head in fondness.

"Comparing like that is never a great idea. Everyone feels differently, right?" He gives Hunter a close lipped grin, one eyebrow raised a little. "I love that idea, though. Daeshim deserves it. He... he deserves so many things. B... but I'm not sure if I'm the right person to ask..."

To distract himself from the momentary bout of insecurity, Baein grabs the treat and takes a bite, eyes widening as he makes a little noise of appreciation.

"Oh! This is so tasty—" he muffles himself with a hand, chews and swallows before he attempts to talk again. "A dessert pizza! I've never considered that before."

“Oh, I’m not comparing exactly. But you have technically known him longer than I have…or the others. You’re his original. Right?” Hunter reaches out to take a little slice of the Strawberry pizza, licking some of the glaze off his finger.

“You’re absolutely the right person,” he hums, “I was thinking we could make a table of just treats. All of our favorite foods buffet style,” oh, “run some twinkling lights from the trees—“ there’s a pause, “…could probably get the lightning bugs to do it, but that seems like a lot of work for them…you guys can ask them…I don’t speak bug.”

He smiles and takes a little bite, “Oh, it is good. Great.” He looks it over, “Really, I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s sweet, creamy and fruity…”

He's about to take another bite, and then he pauses at the first question, breath hitching.

"I... I wouldn't know. I mean, out of everyone here... I have known him the longest, I suppose that is right. But—" But what? Baein isn't so sure about that right now, so he doesn't continue. Instead he smiles and takes another bite as Hunter keeps speaking, and Baein nods along, looking more enthusiastic already.

"Are you sure you need me to help? Seems like you got most of it planned out already." His voice has an edge of teasing to it, eyes glinting with good humor. "I don't think I speak bug either, but I wouldn't know. I've never tried!"

The blonde finishes off his piece with a hum of appreciation before licking the cream off his fingers.

"Baking... you're really good at it. I love this, it's so yummy."

“Sungki and I are rooting for you,” Hunter snorts softly and goes to grab two glasses of water, one of which he puts down in front of Baein. They’re not exactly trying to ruin a marriage but Baein is closer to Daeshims roots and if Baein being closer means Daeshim brightens up again - then yes, he is absolutely rooting for this.

“Oh, no, they’re just ideas!” Hunter pouts a little, blushing, “I want your input. What would he like? What would you like? I just want everyone to have a good time.” He smiles a little, “Try speaking bug next time…I need to know if this is a skill I should try and work on. Animals I get. Bugs are tiny…but I’ve gotten better with the moths.” He glances up at the light, “Yes, I know you’re there. Go tell Sungki there’s food.”

But he blinks at Baein again, “Oh, no no. I’m not good at baking. I’m working on it though. I’m more of a cook…but…I’m trying to get better at all of the sweet stuff… Thank you.”

For a moment, Baein just looks at Hunter, almost as if he's suddenly lost himself for a moment, and then his eyes shift down to the counter and to his hands and his shoulders shift a little before he swallows.

"Mm... thank you." He's careful not to touch on any possible implications beyond just a heartfelt good luck on anything.

But if he's saying thanks because of the water or the sentiment, well, who knows. Baein accepts the glass gratefully to take a sip though, eyes widening a little as he sees the flush and oh— cute. His eyes flicker up to watch the moths too, and Baein chuckles.

"You're asking me for help, but your baking is stellar, and you're asking me to speak to bugs when you're already doing it better than me, though I suppose the moths are a little different."

The smile in his voice is warm though, and Baein sighs fondly. "Fruit tarts. Tiny ones. I think apple is probably his favorite. Cherries too? But he loves snacks overall too, I think you know."

Hunter stares at Baein. His smile is pretty and he’s warm like Daeshim. And when he talks its pure affection that leaves his lips.

Every muscle in Hunters body relaxes because this also feels like home. The way Baein feels - it’s home. Always home. Every single one of them.

“Do you know how to make them…?” He asks quietly, “You should come here and we can make what we can. We can…um…we can order anything we can’t make…would you want to do that? It has to be a secret, though.”

Baein laughs, fond and a little floaty.

"I think so... I don't mind trying! Jasper was— ah... is better at them, but he's not here right now." Baein's voice goes a bit wistful and he breathes out before he continues. "I think we should both make some! I have a recipe too."

His smile drops into something more conspiratorial and he nods then.

"Of course of course! A secret because it's a surprise. When did you want to throw the party?"

Hunter is certain that this Baein’s Jasper isn’t the one he knows but he still understands why Baein sounds like that when he says his name like that. He misses Jasper…

“We could do that, yeah,” he nods quickly and when Baein’s smile changes, Hunter is strangely more fond of him all of the sudden.

“I uh…” he straightens up, thinking, “I’m not sure, really. I know Lennon is probably about ready to have the twins so we might have to work around that…I don’t know if we should try and hurry up or if we should wait until after…” he looks over, “What do you think?”

The Jasper Baein is thinking of is the one who is one with the wild right now. Baein feels him around sometimes, knows he's always there, but he misses him a little too much sometimes. Misses talking to him. If Hunter is feeling his mind out, a flash of the feeling of Jasper might flare up a little bit before it fades slightly.

Baein is still smirking a little. There's a little bit of the attitude in him that's in all Baeins, but it's probably most notable in the one Hunter is closest to: the gremlin energy only Angel Bae exudes in droves.

With a hum, Baein furrows his brow for a moment. "If you want to make it easier on everyone to join... perhaps after? Isn't he currently staying mostly indoors...?"

Ruinwood treehouse open post/inbox for all baeins (besides mushbae)

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