is this a date?[break][break]

niko's never been one to put labels on things, but this might be the first time he's seriously considered. still, he makes no comment on it as they walk down the many aisles of the store.[break][break]

"uhh, how much do you need?"[break][break]

he reaches out for the little basket, offering to carry it for her instead.[break][break]

"i got, like, one or two we could use."

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"Not many. I was mostly just making sure you had some stuff before we got the produce so it wouldn't go to waste while we bought more cooking ware."

The fresher, the better, her mother would say. And Jessie would stand by that motto as well.

She offered him a grin as he took the basket from her, turning to lead him down the aisles. Her hands worked swiftly to grab what they needed: onion, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs, egg noodles, butter. When they approached a shelf with some stock, it was too high for her to reach.

"Um... can you get that for me?"

NIKO MANNER

☉

the basket feels tiny in his hand, but adorable, all things considered. it's with a smile that he watches her pick out what they need, appreciating just how efficient she seems to be.[break][break]

"hm?"[break][break]

oh. it's too high. his lips curl into a grin as he takes a step closer to her.[break][break]

"of course."[break][break]

with ease, he reaches up for the stock, then leans in to kiss her cheek before dropping it into the basket.

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Jessie watched him pick the stock she wanted, nodding her approval as he brought it down to put into the basket.

What she did not expect was the fleeting kiss on her cheek. She blushed before throwing a smile at him, reaching to take his hand and pull him away.

"Thank you. One more thing, and we have it all."

She brought them to a selection of different roasted fowl, where she selected which she found best. With that, they were able to check out and go back to his apartment.

"Hey, you remember that thing we talked about? The night we met? How you wanted me to make you a hat?" she said as they entered, setting her bag down.

NIKO MANNER

☉

his apartment is spacious, though it's more likely out of necessity than anything else. he doesn't have to squeeze through the door to get in; it's wide enough for him to simply step in.[break][break]

the rest of his apartment looks clean. almost too clean. if that doesn't give it away, then the smell of cleaning supplies might.[break][break]

"i had the place cleaned yesterday."[break][break]

professionally, of course.[break][break]

at her question, he nods, following after her to the kitchen counter.[break][break]

"jessie. did you make me a hat?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Jessie couldn't help but let herself look around the area when she walked in. It was definitely a lot bigger than her own place. Perhaps because she spent her money on other things rather than spacious housing like this.

Not that she cared. But, it would be nice to have a bigger bed.

There was a trace of chemicals, tickling her nose and threatening to make her sneeze. Somehow, she didn't.

"Awe, for me? You shouldn't have," she teased, but she wondered what this place would've looked like if it hadn't been cleaned before she got here.

Humming, she brought the groceries to the kitchen and dug around to grab the hat in question. Pulling it out, Jessie presented it to him with a shy smile, obviously unsure if he'd like it or not.

"It took me a while because I was trying to figure out the size and all... so I decided to give it to you as a late Christmas gift. So... Merry Christmas?"

NIKO MANNER

☉

the place would've looked pretty similar if only because niko's barely here. he's someone who'd much rather prefer being out and about than being home in something as spacious as this. though comfortable, it feels lonely.[break][break]

even before she pulls out the hat, his expression lights up in joy and excitement, much like a kid receiving their gift on christmas morning.[break][break]

"no fuckin' way."[break][break]

he takes the hat, slipping it over his head with ease.[break][break]

"it feels perfect. how do i look?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Jessie couldn't help her blush and giggle as he showed his excitement for the hat. She didn't think that he'd like it as much as he did.

It warmed her heart to see him grow so excited over the thing she made for him.

"You look like you're prepared to be warm and cozy in the cold," she said with a smile, clapping her hands together.

"I'm glad you like it."

It wasn't like she had spent weeks worrying over it...

Going to dig through the bags, Jessie pulled out the vegetables, turning on the water in the sink. She made sure they were clean before rummaging in his cabinets to find something to cut on and a knife.

"Do you want to help cut the veggies?"

NIKO MANNER

☉

"you kiddin'? i love it."[break][break]

it feels more than warm and cozy, though he can't quite place what it is exactly. still, he appreciates it for what it is: a gift.[break][break]

stepping next to her, he nods.[break][break]

"sure. how do you want 'em? sliced? diced? cubed?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Her heart swells from his praise. Jessie couldn't help but feel bashful and elated at the same time.

Niko loved her gift. That was all she wanted in the world.

Pushing away those thoughts that decided to invade her mind, she dried off the vegetables and placed some in front of him.

"Just slice them. They don't need to be perfect or anything. As long as they're bite sized."

She let him take care of that, deciding to start shredding the meat.

NIKO MANNER

☉

"gotcha."[break][break]

a drawer slides open and from it he pulls a knife, spinning it within his hand with trained ease. placing the veggies on the cutting board, he starts slicing, finishing in no time.[break][break]

"where do these go?"[break][break]

asked as though he's someone who's never cooked once in his life.

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

Jessie finished with the meat, setting it all in a bowl. Typically, she'd make her own broth with the left over bones, but she wanted this to take less time. So she saved them in a separate container for later use.

"You can keep them there until the broth is heated up."

She searched for a large enough pot to pour the broth into, allowing it to heat up while adding in seasonings and the like. Her hands worked diligently to cook the pasta. Once everything was ready to be incorporated, she looked back at him.

"You can put them in now," she said with a soft smile.

NIKO MANNER

☉

with basically nothing to do, niko watches her cook, losing himself in the moment before eventually being called out of it. he nods, reaching back for the sliced vegetables.[break][break]

"yes, ma'am."[break][break]

into the pot they go. plop-plop-plop![break][break]

"how long until it's done?"

[attr="class","ooc"]Jessica Manner[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]