お誕生日おめでとう~!

[sumarusfinest]

A day planner laid out on Katsuya's kitchen counter has a big red circle over the date.

October first.

The officer wipes his glasses clean with a cloth and removes the apron he'd been wearing until moments ago. Changes back into his suit and tie and resolves that his kitchen will just have to be cleaned when he gets home.

He has gifts for a very special someone to go deliver. He scoops up the cake box and his keys and leaves his apartment for the Nexus. A certain magi's tower in the Nexus, to be exact. He does have the courtesy to text her to let her know he's on his way.

Still feels weird to announce 'I'm here to see Miss Verity Willis' to a wall of solid crystal though. Would it still open if he spoke in Japanese? Experiments for another time.

"Verity?"

Comments

[sumarusfinest]

"When I said you were my girlfriend. He replied that I spoke a language he knew, and asked me not to hurt you, because he'd do the same to me." Katsuya shrugs gently.

He doesn't think it's that big of a deal. Not even coming from the Magi. Mostly because he doesn't intend to hurt Verity. What possible reason could he ever want to do that?

"Standard fatherly advice, frankly. I didn't realize it was that cliche in America as well."

[brave_heart_verity]

"But. He's. I don't have a father."

Everyone has a father, obviously, but she's never had one who protected her or smiled at her or did anything of those fatherly things.

She and Naugus are going to have to talk about this. When he's feeling less likely to set everything in the room on fire.

"Huh."

[sumarusfinest]

"That's why I had assumed he was the one who had adopted you." Katsuya points with his fork to further his point. Coffee sip.

"Maybe the biggest brithday present you're being given is a family. Compared to that, cake and flowers seems somewhat paltry."

Katsuya chuckles idly, mostly joking about that sentiment.

[brave_heart_verity]

Gesturing with his fork? How rude. Not that she cares, she likes seeing him relaxed.

"It'd be really weird if you adopted me now, so you'd better stick to the cake and flowers," she teases.

[sumarusfinest]

"Fair point." That would be weird.

But he's glad that Verity seems to be gaining a family. Especially considering recent events.

He had hoped to get the day off properly, but there was no way if he wanted to take Verity out later. He tries to be discreet when he checks his watch, frowning at time's sudden but inevitable betrayal.

"What else do you have planned for the day? Spending time with your new family?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She glances at his watch too. She hadn't expected he could just take off in the middle of the week, but... oh well. She'll see him again soon.

"Mm-hmm. I've been told to 'suit up', so... " she has no idea what's going on really, but she trusts them. "And you have to go back to work."

[sumarusfinest]

"...Suit up? Like...in a suit?" Katsuya is taking this literally too it seems. He didn't know Verity had a suit.

She certainly must look quite stylish in it.

"..I do." The officer looks rather guilty about this. "I wanted to be sure I could get you a cake on your birthday." Another little hair kiss.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I guess? At least now I have a suit for when I need to look professional." Or when she's visiting him and wants to look like they belong together.

It is really stylish. He's going to like it when he gets to see it.

"Hmm. Thank you. This was nice." She'll let him up with a sigh, but not before kissing his cheek. "I'll see you on Saturday right?"

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya meets the sigh and matches it with one of his own. He's not thrilled about this either. The high point of his day is ending, always a let down.

"I wish it could have been for longer. Try to have a good time tonight." Katsuya gives her an encouraging smile. "I will see you Saturday for lunch, yes.'

[brave_heart_verity]

At least they have these high points now.

"I will." She'll walk him to the door, holding his hand until the last possible moment. "Remember to take care of yourself."

[sumarusfinest]

The escort is appreciated. It lets him have time for on more hug that he pulls her into gently.

"Ohtanjyoubi omedetou Makoto-chan~"

Maybe that will still become a nickname. It's hard to tell. He likes her real name better.

[brave_heart_verity]

The hug is warmly returned, and the nickname gets a happy giggle from her. She likes it, especially since he explained how special they are in Japan. "Thank you, Katsuya."

Before he goes she stretches up to give him a little kiss, just a soft shy peck on the lips. "Hontōni daisuki."

It's her birthday she will kiss her boyfriend if she wants to.

[sumarusfinest]

He turns utterly crimson. not even because of the kiss. Just..well.

"That...that was perfect." He finally stutters out, a hand already moving up to touch his lips unconsciously.

[brave_heart_verity]

So long as it's a happy blush. That would be good, since it'll match hers.

"Yeah. I've been practicing."

Beat.

"The Japanese! Not the. Not the kissing."

[sumarusfinest]

"Y-yes, I could tell."

Wait.

"The uhm..T-the Japanese." Flushhhhh. "I-i should be going now. To work. In Sumaru, which is...yeah."

[brave_heart_verity]

"The kissing practice will be with you." Because that needs to be made really clear. And also he needs to definitely still be blushing when he gets back to work.

"Will... will you call me tonight? Just to say goodnight?" She knows she can't see him every day, but a few minutes on the phone should be doable?

[sumarusfinest]

"I tell you what. Call me when you're done having dinner, okay? I promise that unless I'm at a crime scene, I"ll set some time aside to hear all about it. I really do hope you have fun."

He nods. Talking to her over the phone is no problem. It will make his empty apartment feel a little less cold.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Okay. I will." She'd like that.

She should probably let him go now.

Adulting sucks.