You haven't done anything. It's fine. Do you want me to get you a hot chocolate before we get started? I bet you're worn out.
[The last thing he wants is to be the one to ruin another holiday. He loves Christmas, and so far it's been enjoyable. He's looking forward to spending the day with just Jade and Soeki.]
[Jade doesn't want to be the one to ruin Christmas either, so she lets it drop. Oliver has never been afraid of speaking his mind when she'd annoyed him, maybe she's just reading the situation wrong. She nods, smiling softly.]
That'd be amazing. Thanks. I added some desserts to the menu, and I wanna make breakfast for both of you, but we've got hours until Soeki wakes up...
[Jade just laughs, glad to see the mood lightened so easily. Whatever was bothering Oliver, can't be that big of a deal.] Dude, Soeki loves desserts. I'm not going to deprive him of desserts on Christmas.
[Oliver returns with the extra mug shortly after taking his seat back next to her. He's topped up his own my while he's been in the kitchen. It's Christmas. He's allowed to indulge.]
He'll be sleepy after dinner already. I won't see him for a week if you let him have more.
[Jade takes a large sip of her hot chocolate before holding up her hand, all five fingers. She looks only a little bit sorry, hiding her smile with the oversized mug.]
Oliver! [She exclaims, both insulted on Soeki's behalf and far too amused. She elbows Oliver lightly, then stays leaning close, leaning against his side to show she's not really angry. Mostly, she's trying not to crack up.]
Deal. And I won't even told Soeki you said that...
I can't believe you get him to go to the gym with you. I can't even imagine that.
Definitely an apple pie. It's one of my mom's recipes. And I wanna try this peppermint bark fudge. Maybe the gingerbread cupcakes too? Does that sound good?
He doesn't come that often. He hates it, and I think he feels self-conscious if I push him too much in winter. He'll be more willing to try it when he starts shedding the winter weight again.
[He nods his head, already starting to feel hungry as she lists off the recipes. It's hard to say no to any of those.]
That sounds good. Did you want me to help out making them?
If you want to help, that'd be nice. [It's a testament to how much closer Jade feels to Oliver and Soeki, how much they're her family, that this year, she doesn't insist on doing all the work herself. She doesn't want to give up a holiday she could spend with them by cooking for them, as long as Oliver doesn't mind helping her out.]
The apple pie's a family recipe. You should know it.
Yeah, I know. Sorry I don't always let you help. I just... [She pauses for a minute, suddenly very interested in the marshmallows melting in her hot chocolate.] I feel like I owe you and Soeki so much. Cooking's something I could do to not be like, a weird burden.
[Jade ducks her head, embarrassed. By now it's clear to her how much Oliver and Soeki care about her, that they really mean it when they tell her she doesn't owe them anything, but that doesn't mean it's easy for her to accept.]
Maybe this'll be the last time. [Even as she says it, she's aware it probably won't be.]
[It doesn't take long for her to float over Oliver's gift. It's an... interesting shape, a slightly lumpy looking roll wrapped in traditional holiday paper and tied on both ends with bright red ribbon. It looks like a wrapped candy, if wrapped candy's were nearly 3 feet long.]
[Jade grins, watching as Oliver unwraps his present. Inside he'll find a hand-made front door mat, constructed from one of the carpet choices he loved, but Soeki and Jade had veto'd immediately. A non-slip backing has been added and a welcoming message painted on it in black (in her defense, it coordinates with everything) "Home Sweet Home", with each word carefully mimicking one of each of their handwriting (Soeki's, Jade's, and Oliver's).]
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[The last thing he wants is to be the one to ruin another holiday. He loves Christmas, and so far it's been enjoyable. He's looking forward to spending the day with just Jade and Soeki.]
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That'd be amazing. Thanks. I added some desserts to the menu, and I wanna make breakfast for both of you, but we've got hours until Soeki wakes up...
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Are you sure that's a good idea? Soeki does not need to be tempted with more dessert.
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He'll be sleepy after dinner already. I won't see him for a week if you let him have more.
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I either make them tonight or for New Years. Pick one. The recipes are too cool to waste.
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I'm not even going to fit in the bed if you keep feeding him like that. We won't even be hungry enough to try all of them.
[That's probably a little mean, but Soeki knows he loves him. And he's asleep. It's fine.]
Half now, half for New Year's. How's that sound?
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Deal. And I won't even told Soeki you said that...
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[But it's still probably better she doesn't tell him.]
Which ones do you think you'll make today?
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I can't believe you get him to go to the gym with you. I can't even imagine that.
Definitely an apple pie. It's one of my mom's recipes. And I wanna try this peppermint bark fudge. Maybe the gingerbread cupcakes too? Does that sound good?
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[He nods his head, already starting to feel hungry as she lists off the recipes. It's hard to say no to any of those.]
That sounds good. Did you want me to help out making them?
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The apple pie's a family recipe. You should know it.
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[He's touched that she's actually willing to though. Especially if the things she's cooking are family recipes.]
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[He sounds like he's teasing, but he means it. If Jade could start seeing herself the way everyone else did then he would be far happier.]
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Maybe this'll be the last time. [Even as she says it, she's aware it probably won't be.]
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[But he doubts it somehow.]
Do you want us to start on dessert prep soon? Most of the dinner stuff should be okay for a while.
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[His parents would probably disagree with that sentiment, but they aren't here.]
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[It doesn't take long for her to float over Oliver's gift. It's an... interesting shape, a slightly lumpy looking roll wrapped in traditional holiday paper and tied on both ends with bright red ribbon. It looks like a wrapped candy, if wrapped candy's were nearly 3 feet long.]
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What is this?
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[Jade grins, watching as Oliver unwraps his present. Inside he'll find a hand-made front door mat, constructed from one of the carpet choices he loved, but Soeki and Jade had veto'd immediately. A non-slip backing has been added and a welcoming message painted on it in black (in her defense, it coordinates with everything) "Home Sweet Home", with each word carefully mimicking one of each of their handwriting (Soeki's, Jade's, and Oliver's).]
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[He unwraps it at her insistence, grinning as he unfolds it and realizes what it is.]
You guys hated this one. Are you really going to let us use it?
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