she smiled.

”good.”

”that’s good actually. was she surprised? maybe. he was quick, though. ”it takes a little practice...”

there was a warmth that grew in her chest, sort of like the grinch, but not on such an effective level. still, she leaned into his shoulder.

THEO BECKETT

☉

her praise warms him. it had not been something he'd been searching for, but now, as it's given to him, he finds himself seeking more, perhaps. it feels nice.

"i'll get better eventually."

the more they play, the more he can practice.

his shoulder leans into hers as his hands move to start over. he splits the cards equally this time, and slowly, he brings them together, riffling.

he's already getting better.

smiling, he leans closer to kiss her cheek.

"thank you."

Lulu Flint

☉

she smiled, watching him, and enjoying it more than playing herself.

then, he kissed her on the cheek, and it was too pure. too wholesome. trauma manifested in projectile vomit of the soul, shooting through her in an instant and making her feel generally nasty. parts of her curled inward as her heart throbbed, and anxiety flared.

because it didn’t feel primal, or sexual—the only closeness she could manage. it was sweet.

it was dangerous.

”sure. of course.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

sweet. dangerous.

he feels the same things as her, though not to the same extent. where her anxiety flares, his simply sparks, flickering for moments before being pushed aside in favor of the rest.

the smile lingers even as he turns away, returning to do it once again before starting a new round. he takes his time as if it'd prolong the moment.

"i've gambled, played poker and blackjack, but it's funny how i've never picked up something as...simple? as this."

Lulu Flint

☉

the flutter of the cards was soothing, as always. he went slow and meticulous, and she could hear every moment where one slipped over the other, until all fifty-two were remixed together again.

poker. blackjack. games that reminded her of the past. but, as much as she had once loved to play them, these were not games she’d played in since galar.

”sometimes the simple things are the most satisfying.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

one more riffle later, and he assumes the role of the dealer, scattering cards to set up their round of poker. he places the deck to his side, reaching for his cards after.

"what should we play for?"

Lulu Flint

☉

there weren’t many things to play for in poker in lieu of money, which usually led to a loss of other things. she wasn’t exactly wearing many layers, though.

”um…”

she looked around. ”i dunno. what do you think?”

THEO BECKETT

☉

he looks around as well, coming up short.

with no apparent desire for money or material things, he shrugs, landing on a thought.

"i've never played strip poker before."

Lulu Flint

☉

she hadn’t been sure what to expect in his response. eyes looked down at herself. typically, underwear was present. socks. only two simple articles of clothing were available to bet. sweater and pants.

glancing back up at him, she blushed a little.

”might not last very long.”

THEO BECKETT

☉

"that's fine."

he might even be counting on it.

with a soft smile, he reaches for his cards, peering at them discreetly.

"hm."

it's a horrible hand.

Lulu Flint

☉

his response made her feel flustered as she picked up her chair and moved to the other side of the table, pushing plates of garnish out of the way.

there was still nothing to place down, which felt awkward. very few steps to this.

she looked at her cards, pursed her lips a little, and cast eyes back up at him, waiting for the flop.

mK6jDnSY

THEO BECKETT

☉

a horrible hand, but is it enough?

MyPBMhAa

it is.

at the end, he flips his cards open, revealing two doubles.

Lulu Flint

☉

it was enough, because lulu had literally jack shit. low cards, and no pairs. pitiful, really.

”well…”

nerves fluttered as she reached for the hem of his borrowed sweater. it was lifted overhead and set aside on the table. her face flushed, predictably. shoulders were narrow as she reached to return her cards to the dealer, whose eyes she could only barely meet.

THEO BECKETT

☉