[He smiles back at Laurent gratefully. He doesn't know whether the other man understands that it's what he needs -- to keep the shop keeper from just standing there watching him the whole time.
It does end up taking him some time, moving from keyboard to keyboard as he tests them out, playing a little bit here and there, testing both the keyboard and, after a moment's thought, pedal response. Laurent does a good job of keeping the other man preoccupied while he wanders around, for that matter, and again Faolan wonders how on earth he is to thank him for any of it.
At last he finds himself settled back at the keyboard he pointed out to him before. Not that the others did not have their merits, but he can't help but feel as though the overall of this one is the best choice he can make.
Turning in his seat once more he offers Laurent a smile.]
I think... I've settled on this one then. If that's alright? [Not as portable as he had originally thought, but still smaller than a full upright. And he's certainly not complaining himself.]
[ Laurent turns from chatting with the shopkeeper and smiles, taking another sip of his tea as he walks over. ]
So Simon knows what he's talking about after all?
[ The man, who is presumably Simon, laughs brightly. ]
Of course. I can arrange a delivery. Would you like it today?
[ Laurent thinks about that, face scrunching a little as he considers it. He'd rather have the time to explore and buy some cake and not have to move everything around already, but it is Faolan's present and his decision. ]
What do you think?
[ He prompts instead, turning to Faolan and offering a smile. If he wants it now, then of course they will have to arrange the delivery for today. ]
[Simon. The shopkeeper. Faolan offers him another smile before glancing at Laurent and shaking his head. Truth be told, while he would love to be able to use the keyboard as soon as possible, this is a day to spend with Laurent. And he would like to take advantage of that as much as he can before it is over and they have to return to their regular schedule of Laurent's classes and him following the younger man as his shadow, his bodyguard, rather than... Well, whatever Laurent is offering him today.]
That won't be necessary. We need to make the room for it first, and I do believe that we have plans for the day already. Perhaps later this week...?
[If that would suit Laurent -- after all, he's the one who's technically paying for all of this.]
[Faolan shakes his head in response to Laurent's question, before glancing aside at Simon.]
Not really, no. Just -- to make certain it's the full stand set we're arranging to have delivered. With the bench and pedals and everything.
[Not that he couldn't just use any regular chair, but the bench was designed specifically with that keyboard in mind. He glances to Laurent again, hoping that's alright. He knows the more he asks for the higher the price, and even if it doesn't truly matter to Laurent's budget, it does matter to him. He could never hope to spend so much on another person as a gift himself, not even being paid as well as he is now, not without ample time for planning ahead.]
[ Laurent lofts an eyebrow in a way that teasingly suggests this might be demanding, then turns back to Simon who slides around to a till -- still chatting to Laurent as he sets down a card and watches the man ring it up. There's a little bit of back and forth, then Laurent is folding up a receipt with his card and putting away his wallet again.
He glances over his shoulder at Faolan again, smiles and paces over to him. ]
[Faolan ducks his head slightly in response to the look that Laurent gives him. He realizes that it had sounded a little... But Laurent had offered to get him what he wanted. He'd been offering this whole time, so he knows that Laurent doesn't really mind. ...does he?
He waits awkwardly while Laurent pays for the lot of it, sticking his hands in his pockets and hanging back by the keyboards themselves before Laurent walks back over to join him.]
I'd like that. Though I hope I'm not taking advantage.
[ So Laurent can't really claim anything in the way of taking advantage. ]
Better get moving before I change my mind.
[ As if he would. Laurent walks backward a few steps before turning and pushing open the door -- flashing the shopkeeper a last smile before standing aside to hold it open for Faolan. ]
[He doesn't need to be told twice, stepping forward after Laurent to walk through the open door and out of the music store. Turning back to the other man once he's done so.
Laurent has bought him a keyboard. A good keyboard. An expensive keyboard. And all he can do in that moment is smile at him, a little bit shocked by the whole event really.]
Will... We be walking or taking the car to the bakery then?
[Faolan retorts. He was mainly wanting to know how much privacy he'd get in the immediate future, and how much he'd have to wait for until they returned home. Apparently there'd be more waiting for now. Which is fine. Faolan sticks his own hands in his pockets and moves forward to fall into step beside the younger man.]
You're doing perfectly well so far. I just don't know what else there is to ask for. Or that I should, for that matter. You've already arranged for... More than I could have even hoped for, Laurent, really.
[Faolan's fingers tighten against Laurent's in his pocket, turning his head towards the younger man as they walk, feeling rather ridiculous for the flush he knows is spreading across his face as his smile widens at the touch.
And then he nearly trips over himself at the unexpected compliment and smile from Laurent to follow. A little hesitant, a little shy, but so very endearing. He squeezes Laurent's hand in his pocket as they walk, glancing down in front of them as though he can't have heard right before looking back to Laurent to find that same self-conscious look on his face.]
I'm glad you think so. I seem to do quite a lot of it when I'm with you.
Do you? I must not be working you hard enough. I'll endeavour to change that.
[ They round a corner and Laurent slows, turns sideways and leans back against the wall of a nearby building for a moment. A small scattering of people walk back and forth, but it's still not quite lunch time. Children old enough are still in class, or people at work.
[Faolan slows to a stop as Laurent halts by the simple fact that Laurent's hand is still in his pocket and he has no intention of pulling free any time soon. He gives the other man something of a bemused smile as Laurent leans back to study him, before ducking his head at the question. It is rather direct, and it will take him a moment to collect himself in order to reply equally as honestly.]
I am. [He says, quirking his lips at the ground as he realizes the statement is in fact true, before he glances back up at Laurent again.] I am. [He repeats again.] I know that... It probably doesn't seem so, sometimes, given. The way that I am. But I... More so than I have been in a long time, yes. I am happy.
[ Laurent pulls his hand from Faolan's pocket, fingers still tangled with the other man's, and draws his hand toward him -- cradles it with both of his own and brushes his lips gently against Faolan's knuckles. ]
Then I'm glad.
[ That Faolan is happy. That he's judged this correctly. ]
[Faolan's insides are doing funny little fluttering things within him as he stands there and gazes at the younger man and offers him a funny little smile to match. As though he cannot quite believe how lucky he has found himself to be, for in truth he can't.]
A whole day together.
[He muses aloud, the words part of an unfinished thought but Laurent can probably figure out where it's coming from.]
[A healthy flush spreads across Faolan's face as he allows Laurent to tug him forward down the walk. A night, Laurent had said, and Faolan isn't certain how to interpret it. He isn't certain there's any other way to interpret it, other than the obvious, given that smile. He tightens his hand around Laurent's as they walk and decides the best course of action is simply to walk together for now. He can question it later. In the meanwhile, he will enjoy every moment of this that he can.]
Laurent leads Faolan along the road to a patisserie, with light, fluffy cakes that are neatly decorated in various styles. The have a cake they are holding for him, but they also sell slices too. Laurent fusses over if they should taste it first to be sure he (he being Faolan, of course) likes it, fusses over if they should try a few to be sure -- eventually asks for a single slice for them (and a toasted sandwich to share) along with some tea and coffee.
The cake is fine, of course, and eventually relents on the issue of trying others in an endless cake testing cycle. They tie the box up with a ribbon and place it in a large bag, and Laurent pays while getting Faolan to call for the car so he isn't lingering at the till.
Then Laurent is carrying out the cake, setting it in the boot and climbing into the back of the car with Faolan. They stop for wine on the way, then one Laurent is sure Faolan wants nothing else ask the driver to take them home.
Laurent leans into Faolan's side, half flicking through his phone as he waits for the care to come to a halt. ]
[The more Laurent fusses over him, the more endearing Faolan finds the younger man's behavior. Insisting that they buy a piece of the cake to taste to make certain that he likes it before they buy the cake itself, Faolan smiles but agrees to go along with it. It makes sense, really. When he starts to fuss about whether Faolan might like other flavors instead is where he puts his foot down to draw the line. It's fine. More than fine. And if he tries all these cakes now then he'll not be able to stomach any later either.
That same attitude continues throughout the day, of course. As they stop for wine, as they continue home from there and Laurent insists on asking him if there is anything else he wants to stop for before they do so. He smiles to himself, watching out the window as they drive, glancing over to Laurent and watching over his shoulder as he flicks through his phone. He thinks about moving his arm around Laurent's shoulders to hold him closer, thinks about leaning in to press a kiss to the exposed line of his neck as the younger man holds his head down to look at his phone. But he holds himself back for now. Hesitant for the simple fact that he's not certain whether he's truly allowed to take such liberties or not.
He lets Laurent out of the car as they arrive, fetching the wine and cake out of the back and insisting he help carry it back up to the apartment after they do. Only just having eaten lunch, there's still half the day left yet, and certainly a good few hours still before they really should be cracking open this wine. He hesitates uncertainly as he sets their purchases down on the kitchen counter. What now...?]
Laurent has to pull some things out first, move the shelves around to make sure there is one high enough with enough space, then once it's safely slid in he carefully puts everything back and closes it.
Then Laurent is shrugging off his coat, hanging it up, toeing off his shoes and flopping down onto the chaise lounge in the living room. He stretches out a little then sighs in satisfaction, studying Faolan. ]
If there is something else you'd like to do, let me know. Do you think you'd want to watch a movie? I'm sure I could rent something for later.
[Laurent does seem to enjoy that chaise so, Faolan thinks to himself, as he shrugs out of his own jacket and boots to set them aside near the door then pads across to where the other man has settled himself in the living room.
Settling himself down in the nearest chair, he offers a little shrug.]
We could, if you like. I haven't really sat down to watch anything like that in ages. I don't really...
[He offers Laurent a little sheepish smile, lacing his hands in his lap and glancing down at them before back up at Laurent.] When I get time off, I usually don't have company to spend it with. It does make quite the difference.
[ Why not? Laurent would. Laurent has no qualms about doing things alone in general, even if 'alone' these days often requires some degree of accompaniment at least to loom around him.
Still, he'd happily rent something just to sit and watch it on his own. He'd probably go to a cinema alone if he could, only that someone would be required to come along regardless so he wouldn't be alone now. ]
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[ Make yourself comfortable.
Pushing to his feet again Laurent trails a hand along Faolan's shoulder before gripping his tea again and stepping away. ]
Just call me back if you need anything.
[ And with that he paces over to the shop keeper and engages him in conversation. ]
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It does end up taking him some time, moving from keyboard to keyboard as he tests them out, playing a little bit here and there, testing both the keyboard and, after a moment's thought, pedal response. Laurent does a good job of keeping the other man preoccupied while he wanders around, for that matter, and again Faolan wonders how on earth he is to thank him for any of it.
At last he finds himself settled back at the keyboard he pointed out to him before. Not that the others did not have their merits, but he can't help but feel as though the overall of this one is the best choice he can make.
Turning in his seat once more he offers Laurent a smile.]
I think... I've settled on this one then. If that's alright? [Not as portable as he had originally thought, but still smaller than a full upright. And he's certainly not complaining himself.]
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So Simon knows what he's talking about after all?
[ The man, who is presumably Simon, laughs brightly. ]
Of course. I can arrange a delivery. Would you like it today?
[ Laurent thinks about that, face scrunching a little as he considers it. He'd rather have the time to explore and buy some cake and not have to move everything around already, but it is Faolan's present and his decision. ]
What do you think?
[ He prompts instead, turning to Faolan and offering a smile. If he wants it now, then of course they will have to arrange the delivery for today. ]
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That won't be necessary. We need to make the room for it first, and I do believe that we have plans for the day already. Perhaps later this week...?
[If that would suit Laurent -- after all, he's the one who's technically paying for all of this.]
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[ The man nods, and Laurent offers him a smile before lofting an eyebrow at Faolan. ]
Then that might work. Is there anything else you'd like to ask or shall I just pay for this?
[ Thought they can always come back or ring up he supposes. He starts digging out his wallet regardless. ]
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Not really, no. Just -- to make certain it's the full stand set we're arranging to have delivered. With the bench and pedals and everything.
[Not that he couldn't just use any regular chair, but the bench was designed specifically with that keyboard in mind. He glances to Laurent again, hoping that's alright. He knows the more he asks for the higher the price, and even if it doesn't truly matter to Laurent's budget, it does matter to him. He could never hope to spend so much on another person as a gift himself, not even being paid as well as he is now, not without ample time for planning ahead.]
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He glances over his shoulder at Faolan again, smiles and paces over to him. ]
Well? Shall we go decide on a cake?
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He waits awkwardly while Laurent pays for the lot of it, sticking his hands in his pockets and hanging back by the keyboards themselves before Laurent walks back over to join him.]
I'd like that. Though I hope I'm not taking advantage.
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[ So Laurent can't really claim anything in the way of taking advantage. ]
Better get moving before I change my mind.
[ As if he would. Laurent walks backward a few steps before turning and pushing open the door -- flashing the shopkeeper a last smile before standing aside to hold it open for Faolan. ]
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Laurent has bought him a keyboard. A good keyboard. An expensive keyboard. And all he can do in that moment is smile at him, a little bit shocked by the whole event really.]
Will... We be walking or taking the car to the bakery then?
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[ He shoves his hands into his pockets against the cold, smiles back at Faolan before starting to move in the right direction. ]
If there's anything else you'd like, make sure you tell me. I don't normally do this sort of thing.
[ Laurent is making this up as he goes. So far, at least, it seems to be going well. ]
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[Faolan retorts. He was mainly wanting to know how much privacy he'd get in the immediate future, and how much he'd have to wait for until they returned home. Apparently there'd be more waiting for now. Which is fine. Faolan sticks his own hands in his pockets and moves forward to fall into step beside the younger man.]
You're doing perfectly well so far. I just don't know what else there is to ask for. Or that I should, for that matter. You've already arranged for... More than I could have even hoped for, Laurent, really.
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[ He pulls a hand out of his pocket and sneaks it out toward Faolan, slips it into his pocket so he can tangle their fingers together. ]
Happiness is a good look on you. You... have a handsome smile.
[ Laurent flickers a smile of his own, one that radiates self-consciousness, then drops his eyes a little to the ground as he continues to walk. ]
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And then he nearly trips over himself at the unexpected compliment and smile from Laurent to follow. A little hesitant, a little shy, but so very endearing. He squeezes Laurent's hand in his pocket as they walk, glancing down in front of them as though he can't have heard right before looking back to Laurent to find that same self-conscious look on his face.]
I'm glad you think so. I seem to do quite a lot of it when I'm with you.
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[ They round a corner and Laurent slows, turns sideways and leans back against the wall of a nearby building for a moment. A small scattering of people walk back and forth, but it's still not quite lunch time. Children old enough are still in class, or people at work.
Laurent studies Faolan a moment in thought. ]
You're happy, then?
[ He wants to be sure. ]
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I am. [He says, quirking his lips at the ground as he realizes the statement is in fact true, before he glances back up at Laurent again.] I am. [He repeats again.] I know that... It probably doesn't seem so, sometimes, given. The way that I am. But I... More so than I have been in a long time, yes. I am happy.
[Here with you.]
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Then I'm glad.
[ That Faolan is happy. That he's judged this correctly. ]
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A whole day together.
[He muses aloud, the words part of an unfinished thought but Laurent can probably figure out where it's coming from.]
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[ Laurent gives a more sly, teasing smile and turns to begin walking -- drawing Faolan along by his hand. ]
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Yes. Right. Cake.
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Laurent leads Faolan along the road to a patisserie, with light, fluffy cakes that are neatly decorated in various styles. The have a cake they are holding for him, but they also sell slices too. Laurent fusses over if they should taste it first to be sure he (he being Faolan, of course) likes it, fusses over if they should try a few to be sure -- eventually asks for a single slice for them (and a toasted sandwich to share) along with some tea and coffee.
The cake is fine, of course, and eventually relents on the issue of trying others in an endless cake testing cycle. They tie the box up with a ribbon and place it in a large bag, and Laurent pays while getting Faolan to call for the car so he isn't lingering at the till.
Then Laurent is carrying out the cake, setting it in the boot and climbing into the back of the car with Faolan. They stop for wine on the way, then one Laurent is sure Faolan wants nothing else ask the driver to take them home.
Laurent leans into Faolan's side, half flicking through his phone as he waits for the care to come to a halt. ]
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That same attitude continues throughout the day, of course. As they stop for wine, as they continue home from there and Laurent insists on asking him if there is anything else he wants to stop for before they do so. He smiles to himself, watching out the window as they drive, glancing over to Laurent and watching over his shoulder as he flicks through his phone. He thinks about moving his arm around Laurent's shoulders to hold him closer, thinks about leaning in to press a kiss to the exposed line of his neck as the younger man holds his head down to look at his phone. But he holds himself back for now. Hesitant for the simple fact that he's not certain whether he's truly allowed to take such liberties or not.
He lets Laurent out of the car as they arrive, fetching the wine and cake out of the back and insisting he help carry it back up to the apartment after they do. Only just having eaten lunch, there's still half the day left yet, and certainly a good few hours still before they really should be cracking open this wine. He hesitates uncertainly as he sets their purchases down on the kitchen counter. What now...?]
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Laurent has to pull some things out first, move the shelves around to make sure there is one high enough with enough space, then once it's safely slid in he carefully puts everything back and closes it.
Then Laurent is shrugging off his coat, hanging it up, toeing off his shoes and flopping down onto the chaise lounge in the living room. He stretches out a little then sighs in satisfaction, studying Faolan. ]
If there is something else you'd like to do, let me know. Do you think you'd want to watch a movie? I'm sure I could rent something for later.
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Settling himself down in the nearest chair, he offers a little shrug.]
We could, if you like. I haven't really sat down to watch anything like that in ages. I don't really...
[He offers Laurent a little sheepish smile, lacing his hands in his lap and glancing down at them before back up at Laurent.] When I get time off, I usually don't have company to spend it with. It does make quite the difference.
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[ Why not? Laurent would. Laurent has no qualms about doing things alone in general, even if 'alone' these days often requires some degree of accompaniment at least to loom around him.
Still, he'd happily rent something just to sit and watch it on his own. He'd probably go to a cinema alone if he could, only that someone would be required to come along regardless so he wouldn't be alone now. ]
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