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[Faolan shrugs slightly.]

I'll eat wherever you serve me. Are you eating as well?

[He doesn't seem to have made a lot but then Faolan isn't certain whether the two pieces are both meant for him or if they are to share a breakfast together. It does seem to be rather filling, with all those spices he's included.]

Yes, but you should start before yours gets cold. The frying pan isn't big enough to do everything at once.

[ Moving the two small pieces of French toast onto a plate he sprinkles them with a bit of cheese, dusts off his hands and grabs out some cutlery -- turning to slide it in front of Faolan before moving back to flip the other two pieces into the frying pan. Then he grabs up some Hollandaise sauce, onion chutney, and after a moments consideration some tomato sauce and sets them by Faolan along with salt and pepper. ]

If you don't like it I won't be offended, you can drown it in tomato sauce or just give it back to me.

Thank you. But I wouldn't dream of it. You making breakfast for me like this? It's not like it happens every day. I know better than to take this for granted.

[He picks up his fork and knife and cuts off a piece, taking a tentative bite before glancing up at the younger man curiously as he chews and swallows.]

I've never had french toast in any other way than the usual, but it's delicious. Honestly.

[He reaches for the Hollandaise before adding, wittily:] I should think about having birthdays more often.

Don't push me.

[ He glances over his shoulder, regards Faolan with idle amusement. ]

I might think you're taking advantage of my kind-hearted instincts.

[Faolan flicks a smile at the younger man, before turning his attention back at the food in front of him. Whatever thoughts he might have about Laurent's 'kind-hearted instincts' aside, he does appreciate the gesture, wholeheartedly.]

I wouldn't dream of it. [He replies.]

Good.

[ He turns the two pieces for himself in the pan, begins cutting tomatoes and putting a bit of salad on his own plate. ]

Would you prefer to head to the shops earlier in the day or in the afternoon? I suppose carrying things around wouldn't be ideal if we went in the morning.

[ Is he talking about cake or something else? He still hasn't mentioned the keyboard, after all. ]

[No, Laurent hasn't mentioned the keyboard. He hasn't mentioned it at all after initially offering to purchase it for him, for that matter. Ever since the offer, Faolan's taken it as a fact -- he'd made the offer, it's happening. But he really hasn't mentioned it since, he's not mentioning it now, and Faolan is starting to wonder if perhaps it was something he'd only said in the moment and Faolan had misconstrued.]

Carrying things around...?

You don't want to be carrying around a cake for too long.

[ It's bulky, and most likely better off in the fridge. He turns off the heat finally and slides his french toast onto his plate, sets the frying pan into the sink with a little water and soap and brings over his plate to sit with Faolan. Then, leaning over, he presses a kiss to Faolan's cheek quickly -- a light, yet still deliberate brush of lips. ]

And happy birthday.

[Faolan still isn't quite certain what Laurent is talking about -- if they went to go pick up a cake wouldn't they be bringing it back here anyway? Regardless of what time of day it is? But then Laurent is slipping into the seat beside him and pressing a kiss to his cheek and regardless as to how light it is or how brief, Faolan's stomach does an odd little flip and his face flushes with color.]

I -- thanks. Thank you.

[For all of whatever it is that they've fallen into after the Halloween party, however closer they've become, Faolan still doesn't understand the boundaries of it. Apparently it involves kissing him on the cheek whilst he wishes him a happy birthday, though. He's pretty sure he can live with that.

That is, until he opens his mouth and starts to babble.]

You didn't have to... You know. Breakfast. All of this. For me. Cake. Drinks. [The keyboard, though he's not certain if that's actually a thing or whether he's just fantasized it at this point.] I mean. The idea of it all, I love it, I really do. But you don't have to--...

[He's not used to being quite the center of attention as this, it's new and, while not frightening exactly, definitely will take some getting used to. Even if it's only for the day.]

I know I don't have to.

[ He wanted to, though. Laurent begins cutting himself some food, then realises something and pushes up again to get to his feet -- grabs a bottle of fruit juice out of the fridge and pulls a glass out of the cupboard. ]

If it's too much, we can skip the cake? Or the drinks.

[ Or both, he supposes. ]

[Faolan glances up to him as Laurent stands and crosses to the cupboard again, pressing his lips together as Laurent -- rightly so he supposes -- misunderstands what he's trying to say.]

No, no, I. That's not. I would like -- that is. It's not that, it's just. I just. I'm not used to -- all of this. That's all. But I'd like. To spend the time with you.

[He quirks a hesitant smile across the kitchen at him.] I'd like that very much.

Then I'd stop protesting, if I were you.

[ He takes a sip of his drink as he settles back onto the stool, begins cutting himself some more of his breakfast to eat.

If you want to spend time with him, Faolan, spend time with him instead of trying to tell Laurent not to buy you cake. ]

Edited 2017-11-21 00:01 (UTC)

[Faolan sucks his bottom lip between his teeth to chew on it for a moment before nodding as he turns towards his plate again.]

You'll be hearing no complaints from me.

[Confusion perhaps, as to why he would go through all of this trouble -- but certainly no complaints on the matter. He does appreciate it -- the lot of it -- more than he could say.

Floundering for something to say that isn't further questioning the other man why, he stuffs more french toast into his mouth. It really is quite good.]

You're...taking the day off from school, then? [With all of these things on their schedule, he must be. He doesn't know why it didn't really occur him until now.]

I excused myself from the class I had, yes.

[ Laurent looks up and quirks an eyebrow at Faolan, as if to question his surprise. ]

We wouldn't make it to the shops otherwise, not without being rushed into decisions.

Edited (icon oops) 2017-11-21 18:17 (UTC)

[Faolan knows he probably sounds ridiculous, especially to someone like Laurent who has always had a loving brother there to dote on him, even if he has not always had his parents.

Not that Faolan's parents did not love him as well, of course, it's just that after his own brother's death... Things had changed. And he had left. And now...

Well, now he has Laurent. Laurent, who has made him breakfast, and who is taking the day off to spend time with him. Faolan's heart swells slightly in his chest.]

I suppose not. [He says, quirking a smile at him before turning back to his food again.]

[ That's enough of an acceptance, so Laurent goes back to eating his food. It's more than he'd normally eat in the morning, truth be told, but it is for Faolan and he didn't want to make something for him then leave him to eat alone.

Should he have got him a card, Laurent wonders. He doesn't see the point, himself, it ends up a collection of bits of paper with the same vague message year after year. He isn't eloquent enough to write something meaningful in one. Food and cake and everything else will have to do. He isn't good at expressing himself in words, but surely this is enough to count?

He slides away from the breakfast bar once he's finished, loads the dishwasher and pours himself some more fruit juice. Then, linking his hands together he stretches out. ]

I was thinking of skipping the gym today, but if you'd like to go don't let me stop you. I just think it won't do much to undo the damage cake and french toast will do regardless.

[Faolan glances up at Laurent as he speaks up again, having successfully cleaned his plate and reached for his coffee, quietly sipping at it as he watches Laurent pour himself some more juice. Breakfast had been good. Quiet. A little odd, since he too isn't used to eating so much in the morning, and not sitting down with Laurent to eat it either. But nice. In a good way. Of course, his mind kept coming back to the keyboard no matter how often he tried to tell himself otherwise. Should he bring it up? No, that was being ungrateful. Laurent was doing so much for him already. He'd only mentioned it the once, he didn't technically owe it to him even after that.

He lets out the huff of a laugh, surprised at the mention of the gym, but he shakes his head at the question, leaning back in his seat as he answers.]

I'm not so obsessed with fitness that I can't miss a day here and there. After all. It is my birthday. I think I can be forgiven. [He might regret it if he goes anytime soon anyway, having eaten so well just now.]

Good.

[ Laurent links his hands behind his head again and stretches the opposite direction with a wince. ]

Then I'm going to take a shower and get dressed, and I reccomend you do the same. It doesn't look like rain today but it might be cold.

[ He unlinked his hands and pads to the window, peers out thoughtfully at the sky then at the people below to garage how they're dressed. Hmm. ]

I'll bring a light coat. Meet me back out here when you're ready and we can head down.

[Faolan watches Laurent stretching a little more attentively than perhaps he should, before catching himself and turning his eyes back to the counter in front of him with a careful breath. Shower. Right.]

Sure. [He moves to curl both of his hands around his coffee mug.] Just want to finish this, then I'll get a move on. Go ahead and get a head start, though. I'll try not to take too long.

[He thinks he might need the few moments to process their plans for the day, and to hold himself back from the desire to trail after the younger man into his bedroom to join him for that matter...]

[ Laurent unlinks his fingers again and swings his arms a little before nodding. ]

Suit yourself.

[ Then he gathers up his tea and walks from the kitchen, taking a sip as he makes his way back to his room to shower and get dressed for the day.

About half an hour later he's dressed in a pale blue button-down shirt, some dark jeans and a long coat to keep out the cold. He has his phone out, checking something, and a bag over one shoulder -- but as soon as Faolan appears he's ready to call a car and head down to reception to wait for their driver to pull up outside. ]

I should get you a thermos.

[ He muses idly, considering Faolan's slightly bewildered tired state in the morning. ]

So you can bring coffee with you everywhere.

[ He catches the glint of a car through the glass doors and begins to step forward and out to meet the driver. ]

Maybe we can look for one. One moment --

[ Then Laurent is stepping over to lean through the front passenger window -- showing something to the driver and asking if he can take them there before drawing away to get into the back. ]

[It isn't that Faolan dresses himself more casually than Laurent per se, seeing as once he emerges from his shower and his bedroom he's wearing a pair of jeans and a button-down as well. It's in the way he wears it, and his presentation. Laurent could be wearing the same outfit as he and the younger man would still seem better dressed. Perhaps it's something in the attitude. Perhaps it's the scruff of stubble that Faolan leaves on his face, and the brown leather jacket he slips his way into as he stuffs his keys and wallet into his pockets and ties on his boots. Perhaps it's also something to do with the gun holster he clips onto his belt on the way out the door as well.

A thermos. He supposes it makes sense. Hell, he supposes it's even a good idea, considering. He makes to comment on it only to find Laurent stepping forward to speak to the driver and he shakes his head. No doubt he has a specific cafe in mind. He waits for Laurent to let himself into the car before he climbs through after him and shuts the door.]

It would solve a lot of problems. At least, in starting out the morning.

I might even be able to have a conversation with you.

[ He buckles himself in, leaning slightly into Faolan with a slightly mischievous smile. ]

Something more than grunts and nods. I could get one for myself too, for tea.

[ Hmmm. He considers that a moment as the car pulls away, thinking it over. ]

What do you usually do, for your birthday?

[Faolan gives Laurent half a look of exasperation as he buckles himself in as well, but only half. He can't truly be exasperated with him when their mood is so light, when Laurent is being so kind to him, and when he's sitting so close as he is. He's been sitting close a lot, lately. Like something of the barrier has come down between them, after Faolan's promises during Halloween. He's really not certain what to make of it. What he should be making of it.

He sets the thought aside for now and concentrates on answering the question instead, offering Laurent half a shrug.]

Not much, really. Work, I suppose. Sometimes I had a few drinks with the other guards, if I wasn't on duty. But it wasn't really...

[They weren't birthday drinks. It's not like the other guards knew it was any different a day from any other. They weren't exactly friends, after all, it was just... He shrugs again.]

It's usually the same as any other day. Though my parents call sometimes, I suppose.

If you'd like to call them you're welcome to use the phone in the apartment.

[ So that Laurent is paying the overseas call charge, that is. That way it won't show up on Faolan's mobile bill, even if it is a work phone. ]

Do they have this address?

[ To send something to. If they send things? Laurent isn't sure if Faolan's family is the cards and presents sort. ]

[Faolan raises his eyebrows at that. Call them from the apartment? He supposes he could. Truth be told, he hadn't even considered it. He wonders what kind of a son that makes him out to be, in truth.]

Yeah, maybe I could.

[He turns to glance out the window for a moment at the following question as they drive though. Do they have the address? A more complicated question than Laurent probably assumes it to be.]

They... Might. I don't know, we're not. We only really speak on holidays and birthdays, my parents and I. My sister has the address for the apartment, in case she needs me for anything. They can get it from her if they want to.

[He usually leaves the decision of reaching out up to them, these days.]

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