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Yep, and you can thank me all you want for it ♪

[Modest.

He waits for Elan's guess. Which turns out not to be wrong, but also isn't very precise. Hiyori rests a hand under his chin and replies back:]

You could say that! I'll give you one more hint: it's related to one of Elan-kun's hobbies.

...well, they've got to be photos of something, then.

[ He knows his hobbies and he doesn't have a lot of them. ]

Shall I go ahead and open it up?

Close!

[But not quite right. He figures he's kept Elan in suspense for long enough, though.]

Go right ahead.

[When he opens the box he'll find two frames inside. Two frames containing pressed flowers. While he's looking over the gift, Hiyori explains:]

These I found at a local crafts store. I happen to like flowers, so they caught my eye as something I'd like, but I also thought of you and your hobbies. I wasn't sure if you'd been putting your photos on display in your apartment, or if the walls were completely bare, but either way these seemed like they'd encourage you to show off your work and add a touch of beauty to the place.

[Any more gifts like this, and he'll probably qualify as a sugar daddy.]

[ Oh. Elan blinks as he examines the frames and then he laughs quietly. ]

...that's sweet.

[ He means "sweet", too. ]

I'll find something to put in them. And here I don't have anything for you. I feel a little out done.

[Elan's reaction pleases him. The look in his eyes is soft and affectionate.]

Ah, but you did have something. You got me this fried rice!

[Here he picks up his utensil again, so he can wave around a forkful. Then, after popping that into his mouth:]

... Don't worry about it. This was an unexpected visit. I got you those things because I wanted to. You can consider them a "congratulations" gift for settling down and obtaining normalcy. Or maybe a "coming of age" gift, though I'm not really sure how old you are.

Old enough.

[ He shrugs. ]

Housewarming it is. Or apartment-warming in this case. Maybe it'll make this place feel a little more lived in.

[ He laughs and takes another bite of his food. ]

I didn't exactly have anything planned. Do you want to do anything today? Or are you alright with being a shut-in?

Elan-kun prefers to keep an air of mystery, huh?

[Maybe it's all those years living as an undercover body double. In any case, he takes another bite as well.]

I'm fine with whatever you want. Half an hour isn't really enough time to plan out a fun-filled itinerary, especially when you've got to cook, so I wasn't expecting that. But if you want to show me around your favorite local spots, then feel free. If not, we could always watch a movie together. Or some of my performance videos. Or, we could sing again! ♪

Hm.

[ He seems to consider that for a moment. ]

There might be a place or two... although part of me just wants to stay in...

[ He's mulling this over, not quite coming to a conclusion just yet. ]

Singing would probably not make the neighbors happy, unfortunately. No matter how good it is.

So we can't be too loud together, huh? That's a shame.

[He muses aloud innocently, chewing another bite of his meal after.

Though his phrasing might have sounded a little less than innocent.]

[ Ha. Elan's eyes spark with a sense of amusement. ]

Oh, probably not. But I'm sure we can find a way to avoid disturbing the neighbors.

[ Also totally innocent. ]

I don't think we need to gag anyone just yet.

That's a relief. Elan-kun doesn't seem like he'd have that kind of hobby.

[Okay, so maybe he's given up on the innocent act.]

Plus you had such a lovely voice last time. It'd be a shame if I couldn't hear it properly. I'd rather have you sing for me!

[Automatically assuming Elan's the one who'd be gagged??]

I don't think I'd want to be gagged either, unless someone asked very nicely.

[ He laughs, taking it all in stride. ]

Unfortunately no singing. I don't even have a karaoke machine.

Then I guess I should've bought you that! I don't like to carry heavy equipment myself though, so I would've had to enlist Jun-kun to carry it.

[It's unclear whether or not he's kidding. But as for what they can do right now...]

Anyway, even if we're not singing, that still leaves other options. We could watch something—like my videos, or that travel program I mentioned! ♪ Or we could change our minds and go somewhere. Or we could play a game, if you have any of those around. Or I could tell Elan-kun all about my adventures while you listen.

[He twirls his empty fork in the air as he goes down the list of ideas.]

[ Elan laughs and puts his chin in his hands. ]

Travel program sounds like a good start. We'll have to see how it goes, I think. If we get bored of that we can find something else to do, right? It's not like we're locked into something.

That's very true. Alright, travel program it is, then!

[He'll finish his rice and drain the rest of his tea. After getting up from the table:]

I bet Elan-kun's excited to see my lovely face on the big screen ♪

[And then, once they've put their dishes away:]

You don't happen to have a laptop that can hook up to the TV, do you?

It'll be nice to have a version of you I can mute if I want to.

[ He's teasing. Probably.

But as they're putting the dishes away: ]

Of course. It basically comes standard these days. Give me a second to get that set up...

[ The laptop comes out and he spends a moment or two futzing with some wires... but it'll be set up in no time! ]

[He makes a face at that.]

Rude!

[But it's a playful sort of pout.

After putting away their dishes, he flops down on the couch. Does it cost a fraction of the couches he grew up sitting on in his household? Undoubtedly, but it's comfortable enough. He's adaptable!]

Great! The program is called 'On the Road with Eve!' A name that's simple, but effective ♪ You can find the whole thing streaming on [insert Youtube knockoff here]. Jun-kun's in most of the episodes with me, so you'll be able to see him, too!

[Once Elan searches the name of the program, he'll be able to see a variety of episode names and thumbnails. Most of which show him and Jun doing some activity or another: making pottery, pounding mochi, greeting animals, even farming and fishing. Each episode takes place in a different location, with a focus on lesser-known cities and rural areas.]

Mmmhm. I gotcha.

[ He's already navigating through the menus and looking for it. It isn't that hard to find, honestly. The name is unique enough. He pauses as he pulls up the episode list, then glances over his shoulder at his lounging companion. ]

Do you have a favorite episode? Or should I just pick one at random?

It's hard to choose just one favorite, but let's see here...

[He leans forward to look at the screen and see which offerings popped up first. And, upon seeing one particular thumbnail, he chirps out:]

Ah, now that's a good one. For that one, we traveled to a small town famous for its kabocha. But not enough people were moving there, so the town was trying to advertise itself using their mascot, Lord Gourdsworth! ♪ Jun-kun and I got to wear the mascot costume, which is an adorable round squash wearing a crown and royal robes. Then, when we unzipped the costume, everyone's eyes boggled! They were shocked to see two handsome idols had been inside all along. We also did some farming, and of course we got to eat the squash in the end.

Oh, that sounds like it's going to be fun.

[ He smacks the select button to start it playing and then sits back on the couch. He's silent for a moment as the intro starts and the theme starts to play - but he leans into Hiyori after a moment, shoulder to shoulder and the nside to side.

Aw, he's cuddling a bit. ]

[The video (which has tons of views) kicks off with the two hosts introducing themselves, Hiyori and Jun smiling and greeting viewers against a backdrop of autumn leaves.

"Hello, hello, and welcome to Paradise on Earth! This is Tomoe Hiyori of Eve! ♪ Joining me today is Jun-kun, also from Eve!"

"Ohii-san, couldja stick to just introducing yourself~? Anyway, this is Sazanami Jun from Eve."

They banter some more before the theme starts to play, a little jingle they of course sing together. Hiyori is all too happy to watch his own face on the screen. No doubt about it, he looks good dressed for autumn! But he's distracted from admiring himself when Elan cuddles up to his side. That causes him to look down at the other boy, a teasing smile forming on his lips.]

Aww, aren't you cute? ♪

[ Elan snorts low under his breath and shoots Hiyori a sidelong glance. ]

Cute? Is that what you're calling it? I'm good at being cute when I want to be, you know.

[ He sighs and shakes his head. ]

You appreciate it, don't you? You're benefiting!

When did I say you were bad at it? I said the opposite!

[His smile is fond even if he's teasing. He didn't expect Elan to turn into a cuddlebug the moment they sat down on the couch, but he won't complain!

In fact, he'll even cuddle back, leaning his head on top of Elan's. Meanwhile, the Hiyori on the TV screen begins to describe the small town, with the camera panning over various locations.]

I'd say we both benefit. Which is how we decided things should be: a friendship with secret benefits ♪ You lean on me, I lean on you! It's that sort of relationship~♪

[ The show is interesting - it's a travel-vid, after all, and it's showing off the interesting parts of the town! It helps that both of the hosts are pretty entertaining about it, too. He's silent for a moment as he absorbs some more of the show before speaking up again. ]

Secrets can be fun.

[ He laughs. ]

I guess in our case we do a lot of different kinds of fun, hm?

[After showing off some locations around town, the video cuts to the town's main attraction: kabocha squash! Hiyori and Jun are shown being led around a farm, until they reach the field where squash are being grown. They react with exaggerated surprise upon seeing how big the biggest squash are, each picking one up and holding it for the cameras.]

Mm-hm~

[Hiyori hums, still resting his head against Elan's.]

We eat, we sing, we take in good views together, and we've even been to space~ ♪ I'd say that's a good amount of fun. But there's always more we can try!

[Meanwhile, on the screen, he and Jun are similarly bantering.

"They're hard and tough on the outside, but they should be sweet inside. Kind of like Jun-kun!"

"Uh, what does that even mean~?"

It appears Elan isn't the only one Hiyori likes to tease.]

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sorry for the delay

no worries!

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