[Azul shows up at Leona's place here a little before noon. It's an unannounced arrival, since his goal is to surprise Leona with a gift for his birthday... then again, it would probably have been a surprise even if Azul had called ahead, as Leona would likely immediately question when and how Azul found out about Leona's birthday, let alone getting him anything. Hell, Azul isn't even obligated to get him anything, considering that Leona did not really get Azul anything for his own birthday months ago and Azul was the one who had ended up treating them both with a meal.
Still, he had ended up getting something for Leona anyway... but now he feels a little awkward about actually handing it over, at least in person that is. Because it suddenly occurs to him while standing on Leona's doorstep, hand raised and about to knock before halting, that there's a chance of Khalid being inside too. Or that Leona isn't even home at all and is spending the night at Khalid's place. And while he's spent the last two weeks making peace with the fact that the other man is Leona's boyfriend now, the idea of interrupting whatever private time Leona might be spending with him on his birthday today makes Azul feel... weird.
... Granted, given the time, it's also entirely possible that Leona is just sleeping in today and Azul is overthinking this way too much. You know, that's also a possibility as always.
Still, after a moment of his hand hovering in the air in front of the door for far too long, he ends up dropping it back down without knocking and makes to set down the box on Leona's doorstep instead, in a spot that he hopes isn't going to get ignored or stepped on. Azul's already gotten him plenty of meals before, so this time he went with an actual item that he thought Leona might enjoy having: his own personal chess set to play with, with lion decals around the edges. Even the king and queen pieces have been shaped to look like lions to go along with the aesthetic, something he commissioned to have made here. A simple card that just says, "Happy Birthday Leona Kingscholar", after deciding that Azul didn't need to be thinking so hard about whether he should add anything else aside from that and his signature at the bottom.]
[See, there's a reason why Leona doesn't make a big deal out of his birthday. One: it's not a big deal at all. Two: he wouldn't even really know how to handle people celebrating it. Sure, he gets presents and calls from family back home, but it's never been something he's been all too keen about.
So, he hadn't seen it as something important to mention now.
Except, clearly, Azul figured it out somehow and he's raising a brow as he catches the octopus in the act as he comes back to his house.]
[Oh geez, Azul was not expecting Leona to be coming up right behind him, let alone back so soon from wherever he had been up to now. The gift almost slips out of his fingers when Azul quickly whirls around to face him, but thankfully catches it in time as he sighs.]
Goodness Leona-san, you almost startled me... couldn't you have at least called out with a greeting first rather than sneaking up on me like that?
Because it's considered common courtesy to do so? Even if I am the one visiting right now...
[... anyway, Azul sees that glance toward his hands, and decides that he will have to just bite the bullet now rather than putting the gift down and leaving. So he holds the box out for Leona to take rather than trying to set it down on the doorstep again.]
Leona raises a brow, but does take the present. They’ve come a long way where the lion isn’t as suspicious of accepting gifts from the octopus. It’s still weird since they’re not exactly gift-giving types but…well, he is curious.]
[Because as far as he knows, he hasn't told Azul his birthday before unless someone like Ruggie had blabbed it out to him in their freshmen year together.]
... Leona-san. Do you really think it would be that difficult for me to find out something as simple as a birthdate?
[Maybe here, yeah, but back home... well. This is Azul Ashengrotto you are talking to, would it be that surprising that he and his eels gathered that kind of information on some of his fellow classmates before ending up in this place...]
No, but regardless, the point is that I happen to know, and now you have a birthday present in your hands. One that you still haven't bothered to open yet, by the way...
[He says, with a tilt of his head toward the gift. Come on, we're waiiiiiiting!]
[The chess set will be easy to find under the wrapping, carefully packaged in a way that the unique design of the board and pieces look pristine when Leona finally opens the gift.
Azul doesn't say anything, not rushing to try to go "well?? what do you think?" or immediately fish for praise for his "thoughtful gift" or whatever as he might have before back home: he actually stays respectfully quiet for once and waits, allowing Leona to take the time to really look it over as long as he wants first.]
[Even if Leona doesn't say it yet, Azul is observant enough to notice what looks like the beginnings of a grin on Leona's face, and so he can't help but do the same.]
As a matter of fact, I did indeed have it commissioned. I wanted to provide something unique and with the highest quality craftsmenship that I could find.
Hey, sometimes its necessary to pay a little extra if it's for good quality.
[You should see how much he spent once on a fancy teakettle and cups for customers to use in the Lounge, even if the value was entirely lost on them in comparison to himself.
However, it seems Azul truly can't help but pout a little now finally as he huffs dramatically.]
Still, the least you could do is say "thank you", you know...
What? Me appreciating it isn’t enough for you? You need a word of gratitude, too?
[Since when has Leona ever said thank you to anyone? He hasn’t even said that to the prefect and his own dorm mates after being snapped back to normal during the Spelldrive tournament.
So he can’t help but look amused at Azul’s theatrics.]
It's not so much a need so much as its simply the appropriate thing to do. Besides, its only two words, and if you say them, I'll be giving you two words in return as well that shows my own gratitude in having my gift acknowledged. A fair exchange, don't you think?
[... He really could have just said "yes, because it will make me happy to hear you say it" instead of any of that, couldn't he? What a dramatic-ass nerd...]
[Yeah, he knows, but this is funny to tease you with now.]
Does my own two words of reciprocation that you would thus receive in response not benefit you as well? I know I certainly feel like it does, when others say it after I have thanked them for something they've done.
[Plus, it could be worse. At least its not three words starting with "It's" and ending with "A Deal" like a lot of their interactions in the past heavily involved instead of actually thanking each other for repaid favors...]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
forward dated to Leona's birthday at the end of July
Still, he had ended up getting something for Leona anyway... but now he feels a little awkward about actually handing it over, at least in person that is. Because it suddenly occurs to him while standing on Leona's doorstep, hand raised and about to knock before halting, that there's a chance of Khalid being inside too. Or that Leona isn't even home at all and is spending the night at Khalid's place. And while he's spent the last two weeks making peace with the fact that the other man is Leona's boyfriend now, the idea of interrupting whatever private time Leona might be spending with him on his birthday today makes Azul feel... weird.
... Granted, given the time, it's also entirely possible that Leona is just sleeping in today and Azul is overthinking this way too much. You know, that's also a possibility as always.
Still, after a moment of his hand hovering in the air in front of the door for far too long, he ends up dropping it back down without knocking and makes to set down the box on Leona's doorstep instead, in a spot that he hopes isn't going to get ignored or stepped on. Azul's already gotten him plenty of meals before, so this time he went with an actual item that he thought Leona might enjoy having: his own personal chess set to play with, with lion decals around the edges. Even the king and queen pieces have been shaped to look like lions to go along with the aesthetic, something he commissioned to have made here. A simple card that just says, "Happy Birthday Leona Kingscholar", after deciding that Azul didn't need to be thinking so hard about whether he should add anything else aside from that and his signature at the bottom.]
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So, he hadn't seen it as something important to mention now.
Except, clearly, Azul figured it out somehow and he's raising a brow as he catches the octopus in the act as he comes back to his house.]
Wasn't expecting any visitors today.
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Goodness Leona-san, you almost startled me... couldn't you have at least called out with a greeting first rather than sneaking up on me like that?
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[He still gives him that look, eyes briefly glancing down at that present in his hands before back at the octopus.]
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[... anyway, Azul sees that glance toward his hands, and decides that he will have to just bite the bullet now rather than putting the gift down and leaving. So he holds the box out for Leona to take rather than trying to set it down on the doorstep again.]
That aside, I came to bring you this.
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[So, what’s the point?
Leona raises a brow, but does take the present. They’ve come a long way where the lion isn’t as suspicious of accepting gifts from the octopus. It’s still weird since they’re not exactly gift-giving types but…well, he is curious.]
What’s this for?
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[Some of his teasing lilt comes back to Azul's tone now, upon Leona taking the gift out of his hands.]
Surely I don't have to tell you of all people, do I?
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[Because as far as he knows, he hasn't told Azul his birthday before unless someone like Ruggie had blabbed it out to him in their freshmen year together.]
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[Azul rolls his eyes at that, but fine, be like that about it...]
It's the 27th, which also happens to be your birthday today, if I recall correctly.
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Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall telling anyone when my birthday is.
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[Maybe here, yeah, but back home... well. This is Azul Ashengrotto you are talking to, would it be that surprising that he and his eels gathered that kind of information on some of his fellow classmates before ending up in this place...]
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[That's such a weird knowledge to have in his opinion.]
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[He says, with a tilt of his head toward the gift. Come on, we're waiiiiiiting!]
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[A click of his tongue against his teeth before he finally starts opening the present.]
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Azul doesn't say anything, not rushing to try to go "well?? what do you think?" or immediately fish for praise for his "thoughtful gift" or whatever as he might have before back home: he actually stays respectfully quiet for once and waits, allowing Leona to take the time to really look it over as long as he wants first.]
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Seems quite expensive even for you. Did you commission it?
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As a matter of fact, I did indeed have it commissioned. I wanted to provide something unique and with the highest quality craftsmenship that I could find.
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[He picks up a piece, running his thumb over it carefully as he takes in the details.]
Not bad, octo-punk.
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[And yet, Azul is in fact smiling rather than putting on the dramatic pouting and sighing he might have done before, at least not just yet.]
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[He tucks the piece back in.]
Wasn't expecting you to spend that much money on me even for my birthday.
[A lunch or dinner, he can get. This seems far more personal and expensive.]
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[You should see how much he spent once on a fancy teakettle and cups for customers to use in the Lounge, even if the value was entirely lost on them in comparison to himself.
However, it seems Azul truly can't help but pout a little now finally as he huffs dramatically.]
Still, the least you could do is say "thank you", you know...
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[Since when has Leona ever said thank you to anyone? He hasn’t even said that to the prefect and his own dorm mates after being snapped back to normal during the Spelldrive tournament.
So he can’t help but look amused at Azul’s theatrics.]
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[... He really could have just said "yes, because it will make me happy to hear you say it" instead of any of that, couldn't he? What a dramatic-ass nerd...]
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[He raises a brow at him. Leona isn’t one to say those two words easily, after all.]
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Does my own two words of reciprocation that you would thus receive in response not benefit you as well? I know I certainly feel like it does, when others say it after I have thanked them for something they've done.
[Plus, it could be worse. At least its not three words starting with "It's" and ending with "A Deal" like a lot of their interactions in the past heavily involved instead of actually thanking each other for repaid favors...]
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