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[pinkblinded]

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[pinkblinded]

He laughed and then moved over so he could sit next to Henry instead. Taking both his hands this time, he smiled at him. "My fiance."

[inthewood]

Henry smiled, too, but it was a soft smile full of warmth and adoration. "Jisu." He squeezed Gaura's hands and leaned in to steal a gentle kiss. Color rose to his cheeks and he felt like he might burst from happiness. "I love you so much."

[pinkblinded]

Hearing his real name was so special. It made his heart beat so fast. Giving those hands a squeeze back, he smiled so warmly that his eyes were sparkling. "I love you too. Let's eat. The rest of the night is ours. I think we should do something to celebrate."

[inthewood]

"Let's go out for ice cream after dinner," he suggested. It was a nice evening and they could take a stroll while eating a sweet treat. "Unless you have something in mind, of course!"

[pinkblinded]

"I didn't!" He's honestly been planning on just figuring out something on the fly. This? It was the perfect suggestion. Grabbing his dish, he moved it to where he was seated since that was his new spot. "Ice cream while we do our nightly walk is perfect."

[inthewood]

"That sounds perfect." Then again, he thought anything done with Gaura was perfect. Even just sitting here sharing a meal. It was all so... blissful. Even though his smile couldn't be wiped away, he managed to tear his eyes from his fiance -- ah, that was wonderful! -- and look at his plate.

"What have you made for us tonight?"

[pinkblinded]

"Braised short ribs with vegetables. And if you'd like to try having them spicy then I brought over some seasoning you can add."

His were already covered in it. But he always put the spices in a bowl for Henry to add as he liked when it wasn't something like a soup or stew. That way it was easier for Henry to get used to how spicy some dishes could actually be since he wasn't used to it.

"The vegetables are all from the garden as usual."

[inthewood]

"Ah," he sighed, reaching for the bowl to add a little bit of the spice to his meat. "You spoil me, my dear."

[pinkblinded]

Gaura always loved how Henry was getting himself more and more used to the spice. He smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek before finally having his first bite of the meat in his dish.

"I like spoiling you. It makes me really happy to cook for you."

[inthewood]

Well! It was incredibly thoughtful of Gaura to put the spice on the side so Henry's poor English palate wasn't overwhelmed. He was careful not to apply too much at first, knowing he could add more if he wanted to. After a few bites, he did just that. Just a little more, but still more.

"I feel like I should do more around the house." After all, he's responsible for most of the mess in it.

[pinkblinded]

"You have your studies to do. I don't mind."

He really didn't either. It kept him busy. Little things to pick up here and there, food to make, a garden to care for... Honestly just a household to take care of and someone to love and care for as well. It was everything he'd ever wanted in life. Certainly he hadn't expected to find it here but he was grateful that he had.

"I love hearing about all the stuff you write and read about."

[inthewood]

"There are so many fascinating stories here! And the ayakashi are interesting, too!" It made Henry wonder where the line between myth and reality lay in this world. It was much more defined in his own.

He looked down at his plate, adding a little more spice before taking another bite. He really lucked out falling for someone who not only enjoyed taking care of the household but was good at it! When he looked over at Gaura again, his expression was nothing short of curious.

"Jisu, will you tell me some stories from your home?"

[pinkblinded]

"Oh. I mean, if you like. I'm not sure if I have any interesting stories like you do. I always lived a very normal life. Even when I ran away from home."

Gaura thought about it a bit, humming softly. "Maybe I could tell you about the time that I got to play music in the subway in New York..."

[inthewood]

"What's 'the subway?'"

[pinkblinded]

"You know the trains here? There are tunnels that go underground and the trains will run there instead. That's a subway." It was the best way to describe it really.

[inthewood]

"Oohhh~ That sounds amazing!" Henry's whole face lit up imagining it. How splendid underground trains would be!

[pinkblinded]

Gaura laughed a little bit then nodded. "This story isn't about the trains though. Just something that happened on the platform where you'd board the train."

[inthewood]

Henry was already hooked. He leaned his chin in his hand and stared at Gaura expectantly. "Please tell me the rest."

[pinkblinded]

He laughed softly at that. Even without being able to see that expression he knew that Henry was so interested. "Often you'll find performers on these platforms. They dance or sing or play instruments or any number of things for a little money. It's always an amazing sight to behold because they are always so talented. Enough so that you wonder how they're not on a stage before hundreds somewhere."

He sighed as he remembered them. "When I lived in New York I always loved to stop to watch them. It didn't matter what they were doing. I just wanted to watch and give any money that I could."

[inthewood]

He hung on Gaura's every word, mind conjuring up images of buskers on some underground train platform. He's sure his mental image wasn't accurate at all, but still, he was trying to imagine it.

"Mmhmm."

[pinkblinded]

"The day I ran away, I was going to take the subway to get somewhere fast. While I was waiting I saw someone come down and set up. They were playing the violin and the music was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard. Wandering over, I listened for so long they finally waved me close."

Gaura smiled at the fond memory. It might have been born from something painful but it was one of those most precious memories he had in his life.

[inthewood]

Henry's listening attentively. There must be a reason Gaura is sharing this memory with him. It must be something fond, he hopes. Yes, it must be! He can tell from Gaura's smile.

"And then?"

[pinkblinded]

"It was magical really. They taught me how to play. For hours they showed me how to play and encouraged me to keep trying, cheering me when they realized how quickly I pick up instruments and songs. I got play and forget about all of my worries for a time. People crowded around us to listen and gave the musician so much money."

He sighed happily, smiling to himself at the memory. It had definitely given him so much hope. "When we finished I was wandering away to figure out what to do now. They stopped me and handed me all the money they had from that performance. They told me that I was lost right now but I'd find my way so I should take the money and find my path. And then they left."

Gaura smiled over at Henry. "New York is expensive so the money didn't last long. But it gave me the chance to believe I could survive in the world on my own."

[inthewood]

Henry exhaled, the sound clearly awed. (Note to self: get Gaura a violin to play). "That sounds amazing," he mused. Gaura mentioned being able to play instruments before, but Henry hadn't realized he was some sort of prodigy with them. To be able to play the violin well in a matter of hours? Amazing!

And seeing Gaura so happy at the memory? It made Henry's heart swell. Happiness suited him. And Henry was once again reminded how lucky he'd been to be able to be a party of Gaura's present happiness.

[pinkblinded]

"Sometimes when I get the chance I like to collect instruments to learn to play them. I have a flute that I got early on here. Music is always comforting to me and I think of that memory whenever I play or sing."

Gaura laughed softly and looked over at Henry. He knew it wasn't anything like from a fairy tale but it had felt like it for him at the time. "I wish I could remember who they were sometimes but I've accepted I never will. But they gave me the hope I needed when I lost it."