Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[mombastic]

Thank you, Leon!

[ BUT FIRST. Delicious pancakes, yes. ]

[discard]

... Naturally.

[But yes, he'll settle down to pancakes as well.

With lots of syrup.

Mmm, syrup.]

[mombastic]

[ She won't have as much syrup, but at least he's happy(???) so it's fine! And the pancakes are so nice and fluffy and warm and honestly, she's half-surprised he'd not interested in becoming a chef with his skills.

... Then again, maybe that's just her proud mother side. ]

[discard]

[He's just a perfectionist, mom....

Either way, it's a nice, warm and comfortable breakfast. Leon's content with it, and... it's a weird feeling, to realize that he's so commonly happy.

It's something he's never experienced before, and...it's all thanks to Otome.

For now, though...he keeps his eyes on his pancakes and eats, quietly.]

[mombastic]

[ It's fine, she's still thinking over her plans here-- but once she's done eating, she'll reach into her pocket and pull out a key to pass over to Leon. ]

Here you go. This should get you into the office.

[discard]

Thank you.

[He accepts the key and stands, nodding.]

Then I suppose I will leave dishes to you, and go run this errand.

[Bye mom!!!]

[mombastic]

Mm, I'll be waiting!

[ ... and hopefully it actually takes him a while because now she has to go run and buy a cake at the nearby bakery and do some manner of birthday decoration and hope she's actually right about this, because otherwise it's just going to be embarrassing. ]

[discard]

[Wow, that really would be embarrassing.

But he's gone for awhile, don't worry. The woes of getting motion sick on the bus means that he opts to walk instead, so she'll have plenty of time.

Eventually, though, he'll text her to let he knows that he properly obtained the book and that he's on his way back.]

[mombastic]

[ And he'll get a text back that the door will be unlocked, in case her call's not finished.

Interestingly enough, though, it's weirdly dark inside when he gets home?? The plot thickens... ]

[discard]

[Dark...... did Otome step out for a bit? It seems strange that she'd leave the door unlocked, but... he'll go ahead and enter anyway, reaching out immediately for the light switch.

Click!]

[mombastic]

[ The table's been cleared off! On it sits a rather cute, reasonably-sized cake with candles forming a neat circle on the top and at the table is Otome-- who's beaming widely as she sets off one of those fun party poppers. ]

Happy Birthday!

[ ... hopefully it's his birthday. ]

[discard]

[Leon freezes.

He can't help it, really. He's never had a birthday celebration in his life, so when Otome suddenly dumps this on him--

He's not sure what to do.

He stares at her with wide eyes, and then shifts his gaze to the cake, and then to the party popper and confetti--

And blinks again.

Help.]

[mombastic]

... Oh... [ well, she'll slowly lower the popper now. From the way he's staring at her... ]

Was I wrong?

[discard]

... No, I...

[He frowns a little uncertainly, hesitating in the doorway.]

... I was simply...caught unawares. You are correct, of course. It--I suppose it is my birthday, yes.

[mombastic]

... I don't think I've ever seen anyone so uncertain on their birthday before.

[ but she says it gently... with a father like his, that's unfortunately unsurprising. ]

[discard]

Do not... misunderstand me. I am--grateful for this.

[Probably.

It needs to sink in before he can be properly grateful--but then he's just ducking his head, bangs hiding his expression somewhat.]

I just have never...done this before, so I am uncertain what to do. [He's never celebrated his birthday before.]

[mombastic]

...

[ She'll just gently place the popper on the table and walk over, resting a hand on Leon's shoulder as she lowers herself just slightly to try and meet his eyes. ]

This is a very special day for me, Leon, and for everyone who cares about you. It's an anniversary of when you first came into the world... so this day is all about you. What you want to do, what you want to experience... all of those choices are yours.

[discard]

[... He has to swallow, because for a moment, ridiculously, his throat feels tight.

But it's...so much to take it. He knows that Otome loves him and cares for him in a way that nobody else ever has, but to hear it said so plainly on a day like today...it's so much.

Shakily, he breathes in and then out, and lifts his head just enough that it's easier for her to meet his eyes--and he looks a little lost, still.]

I... I see.

[And, shakily but sincerely--]

...Thank you for... for this. [For realizing it. For caring about it. For wanting him to have something on this day.]

[mombastic]

[ There's a softer smile, once he looks at her, before she slowly reaches out to pull him into a hug. There are so many times when she's looked at him and wished she could have met him earlier, that she could have been there as a support when he was much younger and struggling to find a place. But right now, all she can do is be there for Leon as he is now, to give him what he'd apparently never had. ]

I wish I could have done more, honestly. But I didn't want to let such an important day slip by.

[discard]

[As ever, he tenses a little at the touch--but he relaxes faster than before, slumping a little into her hold, and buries his face against her shoulder. All he knows is that Otome has showed him more love and care than anyone ever really has, freely and without restraint, and...he loves her for it too.]

No...you've already-- you've done so much for it already. I did not even tell you when it was.

[And yet...

Here they are, because Otome is magic.]

[mombastic]

I noticed you looking at the calendar earlier, and I had to make a guess... I'm just glad it turned out to be right. [ And now she knows when his birthday is, so she can be better prepared for next year. For now, having Leon resting against her like this is good enough; it means she didn't put him in a tight spot. ]

We'll officially mark it in the calendar, okay? This is something I want to celebrate with you.

[discard]

...Even just that you recognized and wish to celebrate it is...more than enough for me.

[It's honestly more than he could ever ask for.]

[mombastic]

Of course I do! But there's really nothing you want to do today? Or just want in general?

[discard]

[... Hm.]

... No, I cannot imagine what I could possibly want beyond what I already have.

[mombastic]

... Well, this makes it difficult to spoil you, doesn't it?

[ Really, Leon... ]