video post | decking the halls

[flowrite]

[The video starts shaky--it's Fai holding his cellphone as steady as he can, aimed at himself as he's walking backwards in front of a large, beautiful house. There's a ladder braced against the front of the house and it looks like there's another man on top of the ladder, stringing Christmas lights. For those who haven't seen him recently, Fai is wearing an eyepatch over his left eye.]



Ah, hi everyone! [Fai is grinning and waving at the screen. If you've never met him before, he speaks with a faint but noticeable French accent.] Long time no see! I just wanted to let my friends know I'm still alive, and--well, as you can see, I've been a little busy!

[He shifts the video to focus on the house.]

This is my new place! Pretty great, huh? [The video pans over to the man on top of the ladder. People who know Iwai will find that jacket and hat remarkably familiar~!] Oh look, and there's my cute boyfriend! I'd have him wave too but I don't want him to fall off that ladder~

[The video focuses back on Fai again, still grinning.]

So if anyone's looking for me at the old apartment, I've nearly got all of my stuff moved out and I'll be here from now on! You should all come visit!

Comments

[geckoman]

[Sitting down he takes his hat off and runs his fingers through that short, short hair.]

You know how to make tamago?

[It's not hard to make but it can be tricky. He knows that.]

[flowrite]

I do!

[He turns to one of the cabinets to start gathering what he needs.]

I don't like fish, and I've dated a few Japanese guys. I had to find something else that I could eat when we went out, and I ended up really liking tamago!

[There's a pan and a few basic ingredients on the counter now, and Fai turns toward Iwai briefly before heading to the fridge.]

I may have a small thing for Japanese guys~

[Dammit, a wink would be really handy right about now.]

[geckoman]

There's lots out there that doesn't have fish in it for Japanese food. I'll make you a meal sometime.

[For now he's content to just watch Fai cook for him. Fai really does look so at home in the kitchen...]

Yeah? You dated a lot of us then?

[His smile says he's not jealous and just teasing Fai.]

[flowrite]

Oh, I know. Koutarou makes me food every once in a while when he's over. I definitely won't turn down Foxy-chan in the kitchen though~!

[And... yeah, he probably should have realized that he was running at the mouth when he mentioned TO HIS BOYFRIEND that he loved dating a certain kind of guy. Fai's heart skips a beat for a moment before he catches that smile, and then he relaxes. A little.]

Ah, a few. I dated a Japanese artist for a while, back when I was dancing--he's on Retrospec, you might end up seeing him around. I was the one who ended that one though, that one's... very, very over.

[Just... so it's clear.]

[geckoman]

Japanese artist? I think I met one at your friend's party. Weird guy. If that's him you upgraded.

[He gives a shrug because, again, he's not jealous. He knows he's with Fai now and that Fai is with him. Iwai really isn't the type to have insecurities about things like that.]

Does he talk like he's an old guy about the gayeties of life and crap like that?

[flowrite]

[Oh god have Iwai and Kasen met already? The thought of it makes Fai pause, until he realizes that they must not have talked about him or Iwai wouldn't be asking....

And yeah, he feels bad but he laughs out loud at that last part.]

That's him! He's very... elegant. I was still in college--the first time--and I was kind of starstruck. And amazed that someone like that could be interested in someone like me. We ended up... not being very good for each other.

[geckoman]

Well I did say you upgraded.

[He offers him a smile. Again, not jealous. The guy had his chance and he blew it. Now he'll have to go find someone else.]

Least he got one thing right with you. You are definitely worth having someone interested in you.

[flowrite]

[Fai leaves the ingredients on the counter where he's been preparing them and crosses over to where Iwai's sitting, and kisses him on the cheek with a warm smile.]

I definitely upgraded.

[And even though they've been seeing each other for a couple months now, Fai still blushes. He lifts his hands to gently hold Iwai's jaw with his scarred fingers and leans forward to rest his forehead against Iwai's.]

You should be careful, saying things like that. A few more times and I might start to believe it.

[geckoman]

[He catches his wrist so that way he can press a kiss to his hand. Another to those scarred fingers.]

Then I'll keep saying it, Fai.

[Because he definitely believes in it and if he can get Fai to believe in it too? Even better.]

[flowrite]

[He watches Iwai kiss his hands with that same impossibly fond look on his face that he's been getting more and more often lately, then carefully pulls his wrist away so he can throw his arms around Iwai's neck and cuddle in close for a minute.]

Smooth talker.

[It's kind of mumbled against Iwai's neck, given how Fai's sort of melted against him.]

[geckoman]

[He kisses his hair then even ruffles it a bit before giving his ass a pat.]

I'm just saying what I see as true.

[And besides, Fai's someone pretty damn special. He deserves that kind of talk.]

So should I go into the other room for you making food? Looks like I'm a big distraction right now.

[He's just teasing him. He definitely doesn't mind this.]

[flowrite]

Oh!

[Okay so... maybe Fai kinda sorta forgot what he was working on. Just a little. Thankfully nothing's on the stove yet so no harm done. With his arms still around Iwai, Fai pulls back and grins, still blushing.]

No, you can stay! You're a big distraction but you're my favorite distraction~

[One more quick kiss and then Fai pulls away to go work on lunch again. He sets some rice to cooking and then starts on the egg mixture.]

So what are you going to cook for me when it's your turn?

[geckoman]

Guess you'll have to wait and find out, huh.

[He gives a little smirk but no way is he saying more than that. Fai's just going to have to wait and find out later.]

You'll like it though.

[flowrite]

Tease!

[Fai doesn't look particularly upset by this. Since he's grinning and all.]

Maybe we could make a date of it?

[geckoman]

If we're making a date of it then you'll either have to come to my place or make sure the kids have plans for the night.

[Because he doesn't think that bedroom is currently soundproof.]

[flowrite]

Ah, that's a good point.

[Fai's not... exactly thinking soundproofing, but it wouldn't be much of a date with three teenagers running around in the background. Especially if the two of them start getting handsy. Which... they are prone to do. Ahem.]

It might be easier to do your place than to coordinate keeping three kids busy... if you...? Would you mind?

[geckoman]

Mind if it was at my place? Nah.

[He doesn't mind at all. He's even left some of the homey touches Fai out in there during one of his previous visits.]

Just let the kids know you'll be at my place for a night and we'll have our date.

[flowrite]

Great!

[So yeah, guess who's beaming like a dork as he continues to make lunch. The whole thing only takes about twenty minutes and then Fai bundles all of the ingredients together into cute little rolls. He's obviously made tamago a time or two--he even has the nori on hand. When it's all done he splits it into two portions and presents Iwai with a plate, complete with a little sprig of parsley as a garnish.]

Ta-da~!

[geckoman]

Thanks.

[Getting up, he goes to wash his hands so they'll be clean enough for eating after the outdoor work. Then it's back over and he actually picks up a piece with his fingers to put into his mouth.]

Hey. That's good.

[Someone's been studying how to do the sushi rice and tamago the right way.]

[flowrite]

Oh ye of little faith~ I told you this was my favorite!

[Fai pours a glass of water for each of them, then slides his own plate onto the counter next to Iwai and rounds the end of the counter to take the barstool next to his boyfriend.]

There are still a lot of Japanese dishes I've never made though, so you might have to give me lessons! And tell me what your favorite is so I can learn how to make it!

[geckoman]

[He swallows his food and has a drink of water...]

Sukiyaki.

[Yep. That's his favorite.]

[flowrite]

[Fai just blinks.]

Isn't that a disco song?

[geckoman]

...It's food.

[Disco song? What? Look at the confusion on his face.]

[flowrite]

It's a song!

[Fai bites his lip, brow furrowing in concentration for a moment as he tries to remember, then he starts to hum the tune to Sukiyaki. It sounds remarkably like the tune to Ue o Muite Arukou, one of the best-selling singles ever and something Iwai might recognize...?]

[geckoman]

[With him only humming it, it sure does sound like what Iwai knows. And he stares at Fai.]

You're humming Ue o Muite Arukou.