( CLOSED ) | With all of these sweets without a home, we can become friends.

[hairstroke]

WHO: Xiaolang Li and Leon Zhong
WHERE: Beard Papa's Uncle Mustachio's
WHEN: 3/18
WHAT: Cream puff date!
WARNINGS: Tsundere cousins being... tsundere

[ It's been such a wild ride. After the whole Respatrum ordeal, Leon wanted nothing more than to just lay down and go into hibernation. Unfortunately, given that they missed so much school, they had a backlog of homework to finish. Which caused the young heir to be even more busy throughout March. There was no way he was going to let his pristine grades drop just because of some dumb application.

Trying to get caught up in everything ate up even more of his time. It was accidental, but in the process he hasn't been spending as much time with Xiaolang as he should have. Of course, he also figured that his younger cousin is also too busy trying to catch up on school work to really care about anything else. Regardless, Leon still felt bad. He's been spending time with Mio and he didn't want to be that person that solely spends time with his girlfriend and not his friends and family.

Today, he was going to change that.

He recalled that Xiaolang asked him about the IOU that he gave him during Christmas. Leon wanted to take him out earlier, but he decided that it would be best to wait until they've gotten a good amount of their work caught up. Since it's Sunday and they didn't have school, this day seemed like the perfect day to get out and do something together. Even if it's just eating somewhere and carrying a simple conversation, he just wanted to do something with Xiaolang.

After getting dressed in a slightly more casual outfit than usual. (For once, he's not wearing a tie... ) He grabs his jacket and waits by the door, calling out to his cousin. ]

Xiaolang, you ready to head out?

Comments

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[It's about a minute or so later that Xiaolang emerges from his room, also dressed slightly more casual than usual (but still wearing a sweater vest because he's a goddamn nerd), pocketing his phone and making his way over to Leon in the doorway.]

Yeah, let me just get my coat--

[He combs his fingers through his hair a few times, to make sure it was laying down straight enough look what you imprinted upon him, Leon, LOOK AT IT--, before moving to bring down his jacket from the hook. Sliding his arms through the sleeves, he glances over at his cousin in curiosity.]

So which place are we going to again? Uncle Mustachio's?

[Honestly, he'd be fine with any bakery, or sweets place for that matter, just as long as he was getting to spend some time with Leon. There was a lot on his mind, with his memories and Sakura's memories (and what they did and didn't mean for him now), along with Mio's memories and what she wasn't telling him about that-- it'd just be... nice, to talk with him about it. Or maybe not even about the memories in general, just... about things. Normal, average things, like they used to before all of this.

... granted, he wouldn't tell him that to his face, but he really did want to spent time with him, even if it was just eating a whole bunch of cream puffs together.]

[hairstroke]

[ Will these two ever stop dressing like nerds? Probably never. MEANWHILE, Leon is totally watching Xiaolang straighten his hair like a proud father. His baby cousin is picking up his habits... which is a bad thing tbh. ]

That's right. Have you ever been there before?

[ He has been there a handful full of times and enjoyed their cream puffs. Like Xiaolang, he was fine with any bakery so long as he got to spend time with his younger cousin. But he still wanted to pick a place that they haven't gone to very often. Minds well choose something different from the norm.

On cue, a very happy poodle comes rushing over to where her two best boys are at. She lets out a very cheeful bark and is spinning around. The expression on her face practically screams 'TAKE ME! TAKE ME! I WANNA GO TOO!'

A warm smile forms on Leon's lips as he bends down and pets her soft head. ]

Hello, Jasmine. You want to come with?

[cardcaptured]

[It's okay, THEY MAKE PREP LOOK GOOD..... OR SOMETHING someone please slap Xiaolang's hands before this becomes a thing oh my god

He wraps his green, handknitted scarf around his neck before he moves to button up his coat (it was March, but it was still just a touch nippy outside), but he pauses long enough to shake his head at Leon's question.]

No, but I've passed there a few times in the past on my way to karate. I've never really had a reason to stop in there before...

[Mostly because treating himself to cream puffs after a tough workout never really occurred to him? It seemed a little counterproductive, anyway. He opens his mouth to say something else, but the happy, familiar bark of The Best Girl cuts him short, and he can't help the smallest of smiles to break upon his face as he watches Jasmine bounce around eagerly. They'd been away from her for a month, but it was like she was never parted from them, all pep and energy and love. Maybe it was thanks to Sakura's care that she stayed that way?

Once Xiaolang gets his coat on, he picks up the harness and leash hanging from the hook on wall, along with one of her doggy shirts (because we don't want the best girl getting cold!!), and gently scratches at her side to get her attention.]

She probably should. It's been a while since we all went out together as a family. [Though he realizes what he just said, and he hastily amends--] A-And she's probably due for a good walk, anyway.

[hairstroke]

Then I'll be glad to take you there for the first time. I think you will quite enjoy their selections of desserts.

[ Though he says it when an arrogant quality in his voice, he knew. Considering that he and Xiaolang had the same taste when it comes to food (especially sweets), Leon was certain that he would enjoy Uncle Mustachio's.

The soft smile doesn't fade away from his lips as he watches his cousin dress up their best girl in warm clothes. Watching the sweet scene in front of him melted his heart. Jasmine lets out a happy bark, as if it was her way to tell her favorite boy thank you for the pets and putting the doggy shirt on me!! She eagerly wags her tail and nuzzles into his touch. ]

Yeah. It has been a while. [ He said it so absentmindedly that when it occurred to him, a red hue colors his cheeks and he quickly changes the subject. What tsunderes. ] E-Exactly! Let us head on out...

[ Though he trusts Jasmine not to run off on her own, he still keeps a leash on him just in case. Once they were ready, he leads the pack and locks the door behind him before he makes his way to the car. He opens up the back door and watches as the happy poodle eagerly hops into the backseat. After she gets settled, he opens the passenger side for Xiaolang. ]

[cardcaptured]

[While Xiaolang doesn't trust Leon's taste in everything (he still needed to have some Words with him in regards to his idol girl game addiction), he does know that his cousin was good at finding places they both enjoyed for food, so his confidence in this particular place was encouraging. He wasn't a glutton, by any means, but eating delicious things was one of the few things he enjoyed in life.

Getting an energetic dog like Jasmine still enough to get her dressed was always a little bit of a challenge, but Xiaolang manages to succeed, his small smile growing at her enthusiastic thank you. His hand gently passes over her fluffy head to give her a soft scratch behind her ears as she cuddles into his arm, although Leon's words does get him to dart his head up in surprise. Did he just...?

... wait, no, he was turning red. Okay, at least they were still on the same page in terms of familial affection embarrassment. Nodding briefly, his face flushed as well, he stands back up, almost a bit too quickly.]

Y... Yeah!

[Patting at his leg to get Jasmine's attention, the two follow Leon's lead out the door and into the parking lot, Xiaolang keeping an eye on the small dog at all times. She was a smart girl, and very well-behaved, but one could never be too careful!! Once Jasmine is happily settled into the car, Xiaolang slides into the passenger seat, leaning over to get the driver's side door open for Leon so he can return the favor. After that's done, he shifts back into his seat, reaching to buckle the safety belt around him.]

I'm kind of surprised you're up for sweets already. After all the, um... cheesecake and all...

[Sorry, Leon, someone had to help him get rid of all the test cakes for White Day, and he and Mio could only eat so much...]

[hairstroke]

[ If it wasn't already obvious to everyone, there's no doubt they are related. Even in the way they express their family affection towards one another. Neither of the cousins are good at expressing their true emotions and in a strange way, it's something that Leon appreciates about Xiaolang. It's a quiet solidarity that the two of them share.

Upon seeing that Xiaolang was tucked in and ready to roll, Leon closes the door and makes his way into the drivers side. He mumbles out a 'thanks' for holding the door open for him as he shuts it once he's in. After settling in his seat, he grabs the safety belt and straps it onto his chest and lap. ]

I don't mind. Cheesecake and cream puffs are different enough that I can handle it.

[ But the truth of the matter is that he has a huge sweet tooth so there can never be enough desserts for him.

It's fine! He loves cheesecake and was very pleased to help do a taste test. Plus since it's his cousin's cooking, he knew that it was going to be tasty. Needless to say, it was one of the best cheesecakes he's ever had. He was also impressed that his cousin came up with something different from the usual chocolates given out on White Day.

After getting strapped in, Leon starts the ignition and pulls out of the parking lot, driving them to Uncle Mustachio's. The mention of the dessert reminded him, he's been wondering if Sakura liked it or not. More specifically, he was curious as to how that day went and if he made any progress. ]

Did she like your cheesecake?

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[Truth be told, he had briefly considered making cookies instead of cheesecake, as that was also a bit more traditional, but... at least with cheesecake, he could use the excuse that it was for her whole household instead of just for her. After all, Sakura had made chocolates for both him and Leon, so he had to pay that back in triple! He was just grateful he had people around who were willing to test it for him... although Leon's judgement was probably was a bit biased when it came to Xiaolang's cooking.

He was just settling more comfortably into his seat when his cousin decides to go and ask him that, however, and he stiffens with the smallest of squeaks. One could nearly see the steam puffing off his skin as his face turns bright red almost instantaneously, Sakura's... unique reaction replaying vividly inside of his head. It takes him a moment to find his voice, or at least manage something that wasn't a choked little gasp, before he properly answers.]

S-She-- She did, yeah. She liked it a lot.

[God, he will never get that cute 'Hanyaaaan!' out of his head for as long as he lived. But did he really want to? NO. His voice wavers a little, worrying a little whether Leon would pick up on his more flustered than usual state, and attempts to change the subject.]

D-Did Mio like the stuff you gave her?

[He remembered seeing Leon look for nice bakeries not long before White Day, so he ASSUMED that must have been for Mio. (Not that he's aware of what else his cousin gave her, of course.........)]

[hairstroke]

[ While it's totally disappointing for Leon for not being able to see Xiaolang's blushing face, it's a good thing for the younger cousin because if his eyes weren't glued to the road, he would absolutely be poking fun at him. ]

That's good. Of course, I expected that given your cooking abilities. Still, I'm happy for you, Xiaolang.

[ Despite keeping his eyes focused on the road, he's totally smiling at the thought of his little cousin getting even more close with the girl he so obviously liked. At the end of the day, all he wanted was for Xiaolang to be happy and Sakura is the perfect girl for him.

It's brief, but he does manage to pick up on the softer tone of voice that Xiaolang spoke in. That's... interesting. If he wasn't driving, he would turn around to look at him but road safety is the most important thing right now!!

...

Except it's his turn to blush and turn several shades of red upon being on the receiving end of that question. He knows that in his heart, Xiaolang is talking about the cake and possibly the necklace he had bought for Mio. He knows that and yet, given his... other present for Mio, he's blushing crazy. Of course his younger cousin wouldn't know about that and over his cold dead body was he going to tell him. ]

Y-Yeah! S-S-She liked it a lot...

[ Thank god he's paying attention to the road, or else he would spontaneously combust right then and there. Jesus. He's such a sinner. ]