The joy that spilled from Cian only served to elicit a similar feeling from Penelope. She beamed back at him.
[break][break]
"Of course! I'm glad you like it so much."
[break][break]
If he hadn't, she would've been a little crushed. It took hours of shopping to finally get her hands on a pair exactly his size. But after witnessing that look on his face, as far as she could tell, it was all well worth the effort.
[break][break]
With that settled, they were finally able to dig into their food.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


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

it must have taken her hours to find the right pair because his feet are very big. makes buying shoes for him near impossible unless a certain level of determination is shown.[break][break]

after finishing his food (likely after her as he is a slow eater), he pushes the bowl away from him before dabbing at the corners of his lips with a napkin.[break][break]

"the many hours i spend on tiktok every day is not wasted after all."[break][break]

where else would he have learned to cook such an impressive meal?[break][break]

"any requests for the next time, babe?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

Standing up, she reached across the table to grab his bowl and stacked it over hers.
[break][break]
"Hmmm," She hummed, "Maybe some soup when it gets colder? Would make for a nice night in."
[break][break]
Chicken gnocci soup, Chili, Potato soup -- the list was endless.
[break][break]
Penelope took both plates and utensils back into the kitchen, gave them a quick rinse, then threw them back into her washing machine. Since it was nearly full, she made sure to put that sucker to wash while she was at it. When she eventually returned, it was not without another surprise.
[break][break]
"I actually have another surprise for you."
[break][break]
Out from around the corner, the woman approached the table with a wide smile and clear plastic container in her hands. Inside laid a small, round cake. If she didn't completely fuck it up, it was supposed to be his favorite flavor, embellished by neat handwriting spelling out the word 'Cianny' in pink frosting.
[break][break]
"Ta-da! It's cute, right? I did the writing myself and everything."
[break][break]
For someone who couldn't cook for shit, she was at least proud of being able to do that much herself.
[break][break]
"It took wayyy too long to come up with our name, by the way. I kept thinking of shit like Penian, but like, that doesn't flow off the tongue at all."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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

"instant ramen soup. gotcha."[break][break]

while penny handles the dishes (as she should because he was the one who cooked so it's only fair), cian leans back in his chair and enjoys his glass of wine.[break][break]

"no way."[break][break]

and here she comes with another gift, now officially outdoing him. but his excitement overpowers as he peers down into the box.[break][break]

"wait, did you bake this yourself?"[break][break]

is it edible?[break][break]

"yeah, i think penian spells very close to penis. i love cianny."[break][break]

he thinks to himself only to realize something.[break][break]

"i guess today is cianny day, huh?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

 "God no. I'm not trying to kill us both," She chuckled, setting down the round cake in front of him. Two candles were stuck into it's top, surrounding the pink handwriting with pillars of yellow. Their color -- or, at least, the color Penelope first thought of when she went out searching for candles.
[break][break]
"Shit, wait, we need a lighter. One sec." WIth a jump, she twisted her torso back toward the kitchen, knowing full well her little pink lighter was stuck somewhere between her three utility drawers. It only took a quick second for her to return, prize in hand.
[break][break]
Penelope's widening grin broke into a long, fluttery chuckle. "You're such a dumbass." She shook her head and gave his shoulder a light, playful tap. "But I guess you could say that."
[break][break]
Small spurts of laughter continued to trickle out as she squeezed the handle of the lighter, flicking the two candles to light with its gas-powered flame. Only after setting the lighter down do her eyes return to Cian. "Got a wish?"
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


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

"yeah, but you love me."[break][break]

cianny day. nothing will top this.[break][break]

as for wishes...[break][break]

"i do."[break][break]

but which one to wish for on his twenty-seventh birthday? he can't even remember his last one so he really shouldn't be overthinking this. he glances at penny.[break][break]

"okay. i'm ready. wanna do it together on three?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"Guilty as charged," she sighed, smiling, arm slowly curling around Cian's shoulders.
[break][break]
As for wishes, Penelope had already had one in mind. It came to her the moment she inscribed the lettering and small crystablooms onto the cake.
[break][break]
"Yeah, sounds good."
[break][break]
Leaning forward, she puckered her lips into an o-shape, ready to give the lit candles a soft blow.
[break][break]
"1..."
[break][break]
Her eyes shut close.
[break][break]
"2..."
[break][break]
Thin fingers wrapped around his other shoulder,
[break][break]
"3...!"
[break][break]
A soft puff of air blew from her lips, flicking off half the candles, and leaving the rest for Cian.
[break][break]
Her wish...? A secret.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


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

he blows, opening his eyes again moments after. gods, he hopes his wish comes true.[break][break]

the flames of the candles go out, locking in their wishes for the year. naturally, his curiosity gets the better of him.[break][break]

"what'd you wish for?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"I don't know if i can tell you."
[break][break]

Penelope's eyes fluttered open and she straightened out her back.
[break][break]

"Isn't there a rule where, like, if you tell someone what you wished for then it's not going to come true? I can't risk that."
[break][break]
Her hands gave his shoulder one last loving squeeze before letting go, allowing her to move around Cian and begin cutting the cake. She carved out two identical slices. After the ramen, she wasn't all that hungry, but she figured, whatever she didn't finish Cian could have.
[break][break]
"Unless you're willing to. But, if that's the case, i wanna hear yours first."
[break][break]
She made sure to give Cian the slice with the fucked up blue crystabloom. The one and only attempt she made at creating icing art.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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

fucked up crystabloom or otherwise, cian appreciates the slice all the same because she had gotten it for him.[break][break]

"you know me, babe. i always like a little risk."[break][break]

he takes his slice of cake but doesn't start just yet. he idly spins the fork in his hands.[break][break]

"mine's pretty lame, actually, so don't laugh."[break][break]

he laughs first, just to get it out of the way. there's something sincere in the way he says what he says next that makes him seem almost innocent. almost.[break][break]

"i wished for us to be living together by the end of next year."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

"Oh wow."
[break][break]
Light-hearted chuckles faded into a wide, uncontrollable smile and pink pinched her cheeks.
[break][break]
God, he's so cute...
[break][break]
Placing down her plate, she slipped back behind his chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, nuzzling her head between the crook of his neck.
[break][break]
"I love you so so much."
[break][break]
After a short squeeze, she slowly lifted her head back up, resting her forehead against their back of his.
[break][break]
"I just...wished to be able to spend more time with you. Like this."


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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

her arms drape over his shoulders and he reaches a hand up instinctively to hold her. his head tilts back for a moment to kiss her cheek, appreciating the gesture entirely.[break][break]

"and i love you so so much."[break][break]

content with life, he exhales.[break][break]

"why do you think i wanna move in with you? eventually, i mean. unless?"

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

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

Unless?
[Break][break]
The word thrummed in the back of her head, repeating endlessly. Was he serious? And, if he was, would it even be a good idea?
[Break][break]
"...I wouldn't mind it," she murmured into his hair. She knew, deep down, it was pure impulse driving her response. There was a plethora of reasons of wait. To laugh off the suggestion. But, with their impeding doom just around the corner, even the craziest ideas became alluring.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


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