westerncontinent | Tied up in tinsel

Tied up in tinsel

[It's a flash of inspiration coming from watching a Solstice-related advert while they're curled up on the couch. Cloud's initial thought is already? Even if it is, at least, December by now (if only just), but after that one comes the memory of how Zack had seemed a little disappointed by how short time their decorations were up last year (mostly because they'd still been settling in and buying things haphazardly), when they were taking them down.

So, maybe they could start a little early this year? Cloud opens his mouth, then glances sideways to Zack and closes it again. They could. But even more so... surprising Zack with some initiative might be even better, even if he only started small, like their bedroom.]

I'll be back.

[Jumping up off the couch, Cloud crossed the small apartment, into their bedroom and the storage closet there, snagging the step stool on the way. One which even Zack used in the few cases he needed something from the higher shelves in the closet, because not even Zack Fair was tall enough to reach those easily, and after he got a box on his head once, he'd started using the step stool.

Smirking a little at the thought, Cloud peered up at the boxes, rolling his eyes when he realized the one he needed wasn't even closed right and standing sort of precariously on its shelf. Zack. Getting up there, Cloud started to try and tip the box right, then had to start feeling around because it seemed to be wedged wrong?

And then he got a plastic solstice tree bauble on his head as it rolled out of the box. Muffling a groan, Cloud got down, picked it up, and got back up, shoving it into the box. Maybe too deep, because he was getting something tangled around his fingers. Zack. Rolling his eyes again, he reached up to try and feel around the insides of the tilted box, because he didn't feel like yanking the whole contents of it on top of him.

Apparently this would take a little longer than he thought.]

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[While Zack does that, Cloud sets about taking out the rest of the stuff out of the box, sorting out things in piles so it's easier to find what they are using right now and what's tree decorations. Pausing in the middle of plugging in one of the electric candelabra to figure out if the lights are still good, Cloud snorts at Zack's question. Or is that more like pleading?]

I'm not dealing with getting a tree today or tomorrow. We put this stuff up now, and then we get the tree next weekend. That'll be more than a month it'll all be up in the end, y'know.

[Be appeased by that, Zack. He's not budging about it.]

Yeah, but...

[ Is that a pout? That just might be a bit of a pout, even as he finishes another set of lights. Because tree, Cloud. The tree is a part of the decorating process! Of course, he might also look ridiculous for pouting with that tinsel crown on his head on top of things. Just a little.

He takes a break now from the lights at least to start with the garland that wasn't ripped and destroyed. ]

[Zack literally pouting won't sway him, but it sure forces Cloud to muffle laughter, biting down on it as he puts the candelabra he tested on their bedroom's window sill and plugs it in.]

Next weekend, Zack. Think of it like something to look forward to. Besides, you wanna take some time choosing the tree, don't you? Don't need to rush through it. We can buy more tinsel tomorrow, though...

[Since they'll need it, whether or not Zack actually goes through with the threat-promise of buying more suitable supplies for actually, ah, using it to tie someone up.]

I do, but- you know.

[ He also wants it now. But he supposes he'll have to wait now. Cloud won't budge. So, he keeps his hands busier on dealing with the garland. ]

Sure it's just tinsel you wanna pick up?

[ He shoots the question almost nonchalantly, eyes still on the garland. ]

Yeah, I know.

[But watching Zack look forward to this will be... cute, he's pretty sure. Zack getting more wound up. Of course, Cloud's amusement ends in a sputter when Zack follows it up with that and he smacks his head on the windowsill.]

Wh--- I, um. I... Yeah. If we find some place that's got... what we need.

[Pink in the face, he rubs his scalp as he straightens up, getting Another candelabra and ready to go out with it to Another window.]

[ Zack lifts his head immediately at that bang. And by the time Cloud's given him an answer, he's already halfway across the room, ready to reach out and check his forehead. Embarrassed or not, doesn't matter to him. TOUGH LUCK, CLOUD.

...which means it doesn't stop him anyway from going the rest of the way, taking the next candelabra out of his hands and kissing his forehead as he runs his free hand over it. ]

I'm sure we can find a place.

Zack, I'm fine, you don't gotta---

[Sighing, Cloud subsides and lets Zack run a hand over his head and lean down to kiss his forehead, if not with an eyeroll. He didn't hit his head that hard, really. But of course Zack doesn't care about that, so it's just easier to submit to it.]

Well, uh. Yeah. Probably could.

[Looking up at Zack, Cloud knows him well enough to know he's serious enough, and he might... definitely be interested, but that doesn't mean they have to do anything about it.]

As long as it's not Solstice themed.

[He refuses.]

-What?

[ The thought startles him enough to pull back, perplexed. It also has Zack eyeing him up now. As if trying to read his face and make out anything else there. ]

Why not? I mean you'd look pretty good as a tree, you know.

[ Or maybe that's him grinning stupidly wide instead at his own half-joke.

...Half. ]

No.

[That is a mighty glare, and Cloud's voice is flat.]

No kitchy stuff.

[He can't… say he'll do it himself if Zack Thinks of getting something dumb, because he never would go buy ropes or... whatever, by himself, so that means either together with Zack or Zack alone doing it.]

But I think you'd look really cute as a tree.

[ Yes. Yes, that's his argument. It's his argument and he's going to stick with it. He's also fully expecting another look for that comment- partly because it's really partially genuine there. But he returns back to wrestling through the garland, pausing long enough to hold up an untangled part and ask: ] Not even something like this? I'm sure they have something like it around this time of the year.

[It's an argument that's gonna get him hit with one of the plastic tree decorations from the box if Zack's not careful. As it is, he does get another flat look, Cloud's Eyes narrowing to slits Before he takes that candelabra back and again turns to go put it up. Pausing when Zack speaks up and turns back around, frowning in confusion for a few seconds until he understands what Zack means by 'something like this' and holding up the garland.

The refusal is quick and ready on the tip of his tongue before Cloud pauses. Zack gets to stupid about solstice, but it's kinda cute. On the other hand, this is ridiculous to contemplate, but...]

... Maybe something ribbon-like.

[Ribbon, present. Surely that's close enough? He's not convinced something like tinsel would be comfortable.]

[ He's expecting more pouting. Another indignant no. Especially at that look.

But.

That's Zack's eyes slowly widening. And his smile with it, too. ] You really mean it?

[ Because you know, Cloud. You know. Once you give him the go ahead.... ]

[Taking a breath and holding it for a beat or two, Cloud knows exactly how things will go if he confirms that he really does mean it, but even if he was more uncertain about it than he is, Zack's smile sets him alight from the inside.]

Uh-huh.

[Shit. Too late to take it back now. Or, he could, but having brought it up and hen confirmed it, it'd be both cowardly and yanking Zack around to suddenly say no. He can't cross his arms thanks to the candelabra he's carrying, so huffs loudly instead.]

Just don't get ridiculous with it.

[ Zack's- well, Zack's literally bouncing up and down on the bed a bit at that answer, far before Cloud makes that later comment. ] This is gonna be great, Spike! You aren't gonna regret it!

[ Or maybe he will. He's not sure, but he at least finally finished finagling the garland, so he can go and properly hang it. He might also have given Cloud a soft smack on the butt on his way out to the main room. ]

Not sure 'bout that.

[Not with Zack and his handsy… hands. Of course, that gentle smack is far on the lighter end of the sort of attention Zack usually pays his ass, as quick as it is. Following Zack out into the other room, he chooses one of the windows to put the candelabra on the windowsill and plug it in.]

Let's just get this done for now, okay. We can, um, check out more 'bout that later.

Sounds like you're in a hurry all a sudden.

[ There's a wink to go with that comment as he glances back. But he doesn't take it any further than that as he brings the garland over to the little mantel to hang the smallest piece there. Then starts for the little hooks they left from last year above the kitchen's cabinets. ]

Gonna have to rearrange the furniture again for the tree, I guess.

[To focus on something else! That's all! Rolling his eyes when Zack winks because he's obnoxious like that, there's still a little smile that bubbles up as he watches Zack string one of their whole garlands above the cabinets. That was a good idea Zack came up with last year. It looks really nice.

That, though? About moving furniture?]

Uh-huh. On Saturday. [You know, next week(end). He sure isn't moving any furniture this weekend, thanks.] All tree-related things next week, Zack.

Oh? For a moment, I thought you meant it should have been done last Saturday.

Meaning we should do it today.

[ Yes, he might keep poking at this. No, he's really not sorry for it.

Maybe he should be a bit though. Or... maybe he's too focused on the fact that he just lost his balance with a knee up on the counter.

And there he goes crashing to the floor. ]

Ouch..

If you keep trying like this I'm gonna push it forward to two we---!?

Zack! You okay?

[Darting back from where he'd been about to turn back to go into the bedroom and pick up some more things, Cloud rushed over to Zack, wincing as he knelt down, a hand on his shoulder. He knows Zack is durable enough it'd take more than this to injure him much, but pain is pain and it sure looked dramatic.]

Wasn't me cracking my head on the windowsill enough?

[ Sure looked dramatic and now he has a dopey smile to show for it. He's also putting a hand on the hand on his shoulder. ] Guess not. But I'm okay.

[ Catching that hand now, he's gonna take it and kiss it. Maybe partly by reflex and partly just because he likes to before he returns that hand to Cloud. ] So, two more wee' days, right?

[Zack is so dumb. Shoving the shoulder he's gripping, Cloud snorts, but ends up smiling, even if that's kind of encouraging Zack. Even more so when he takes his hand to kiss it.]

I'm not the one that got hurt. Come on. [Squeezing Zack's hand, he pulls on it but doesn't let go - regardless of if Zack really needs it, he's going to help him back on his feet.] And yeah, we'll move things and get a tree on the weekend. At least we're getting started earlier than last year.

[Even if that 'earlier' and 'started' isn't quite enough for Zack.]

[ Well- at least he's not threatening two weeks again. So, that's something.

He's also going to keep to that offered hand. Maybe for more than just the help. Maybe so he can pull Cloud in after and just casually wrap his arms around him for a bit. ] Much earlier. Think it'll be even sooner next year?

No, Zack. [The flat look he's given is of truly epic proportions, even if it's for something as silly as this. Cloud has limits, however, and how early they decorate for solstice is one of them.] You're not gonna change my mind, so just give it up. It's still gonna be most of the month like this, that not good enough?

[Arching an eyebrow, Cloud squeezes Zack's hips both in reprimand and a half-return of the hug. Zack would've squeezed his ass he knows, but that feels a little too awkward for him.]

Think your idea with the garland over the cabinets was a great idea, though.

You know me, Spike. It'd be up three months ahead of schedule if it were up to me. [ He says it casually as he drops a kiss on his forehead. Leans back with a bit of a smug smirk. ]

But I'm dating my boss apparently.

[ Such a bossy boss. But it doesn't stop him from squeezing some ass. ]

Yeah, I do know. [Laughing, Cloud's smile up at Zack is half smirk as well, rolling his eyes at the "boss" comment. ] Sure, that's why I'm keeping you on a tight lea--sh!

[He should probably have expected that the closeness to his ass would mean Zack would take advantage, but he was more focused on other things, so Zack's rewarded with a surprised half-squeak. There's a poke to Zack's side in retaliation, but probably softened by the way Cloud leans up to kiss Zack's jaw.]

And if you're okay, maybe we should finish the rest of the decorating we're doing?

Tied up in tinsel

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