Romance open post

[maplepancakes]

This is the post for anything romantic with my characters! Love at first sight, confessing feelings, going on dates, whatever. If it is romantic, it goes here.

My muselist is Over here, so just comment with the name of whatever character you want in the header. If I play more than one version of a certain character, be sure to specify which version.

Comments

[circumsutus]

[Really, you need to practice that "admitting that Stein's always right" thing, Shiro. It will make your life much easier.]

If you're opposed, I'll just read them a story and put them to bed. It is your birthday, after all.

[lionson]

Nah, I'm not opposed.

[Noooo he'll never admit to it ever.]

Besides, it's like storytime anyway. You're just acting out the story instead of reading it.

[circumsutus]

Plus, they'll remember it more. It's a good idea to get them in the habit of memorizing things.

[lionson]

I'd love to see them try to quote that particular verse, only to mess it up and say stuff about pillows.

[He's walking back and peeking in on the boys now. They're in their pjs and setting up their beds currently.]

[circumsutus]

You're just jealous that my parents had better ideas for bedtime stories than yours did. [Stein knows all about great bedtime story ideas.

So, Stein's going to start in on the story now, and get the boys to help him act it out. Which, of course, they absolutely love.

Somehow, Stein's actually good with children.]

[lionson]

[He remembers how good Stein was with kids, back when they were younger. Shiro is wondering just where these kid skills came from. Does Stein have some secret kids somewhere or something?

Shiro watches for now, though once the futons are made into walls he'll grin and toss a pillow at them.]

[circumsutus]

[Yukio is the one who complains about that. You can't just toss things at the walls of Jericho! That isn't how this story works.

Stein's expression is nothing but fond as he watches the boys. No, he doesn't have any other children. These two are enough.]

[lionson]

Well then, how does the story work?

[Let's see if Stein's method of storytelling works.

Also Stein is so adorable right now.]

[circumsutus]

[Rin and Yukio promptly begin to tell Shiro-papa the story, complete with walking around the walls one time each day for six days, then walking around (or in Rin's case, running around) the walls seven times on the seventh day.]

"And the priests blew their trumpets." [Explains Yukio.]

"And everybody shouted really loud! [Interrupts Rin.]

And the walls of the city fell down. [Apparently, Stein's words are the cue for both boys to jump and knock the "walls" down.]

[lionson]

[Oh god how did he get such an adorable family

Shiro just watches this all and nods approvingly as he listens.]

You're right, they do remember better when they get to knock things down. We should do this more often.

[circumsutus]

All right, you two, time for bed. [And complaints of "we're not tired" until Stein reminds them that if they don't sleep, they have to help clean the house.

There are probably some mental health professionals who knew Stein as a teenager who would be confused by the unguardedly fond expression on his face as he puts the boys to bed.]

[lionson]

[Let them wonder. Shiro just accepts it as one of those weird miracles that will never get an explanation.

He lets Stein do the tucking in tonight, since it's rare for him to be around. Shiro only steps in to give each boy a kiss on the forehead, and then shut off the light.

He waits until the door is closed and they're well down the hall before speaking to Stein again.]

They adore you. You know that, right?

[circumsutus]

They're just kids, senpai. They don't know any better.

[Yes, he knows. And it's one of the most incredible things that's ever happened to him.]

[lionson]

[He's smiling a little bit at that.]

How long have we known each other, Stein?

[circumsutus]

[Are you prepared to feel old, Shiro?]

Hmmmmm. Twenty-five years?

[lionson]

Twenty-five years. We've known each other for more years than I lived before we met.

[A really long time, basically.]

And you still call me 'senpai,' even though we're pretty much equals in rank at this point.

[Sure, Shiro is the Paladin, but he still counts Stein as his equal, not a lower rank.]

[circumsutus]

[That's actually something Stein has to stop and consider. It had started out as politeness, and then just... stuck.]

Force of habit, I guess.

If you want, I can call you Shiro.

[lionson]

It doesn't have to be everywhere, though it would be nice if you used my name in bed.

[It would be a touch sexier than Stein going 'iyaaan senpai~']

[circumsutus]

... Has this been bothering you for the last twenty years, senpai?

[lionson]

It's not really a bother, just something I noticed.

[circumsutus]

Well, Shiro, I think I can manage that. It might be a hard habit to break, but I'll do my best.

[lionson]

[He can live with this. In fact, he is completely content with how things are going right now.]

Well, if you'll try, then alright.

...we need to do something special for your 40th too.

[It's a few years off, but it'll be there in no time.]

[circumsutus]

Decades from now, surely. [Okay three years is not a decade. But let him feel somewhat young for a while longer.]

Besides, today is your birthday, not mine.

[lionson]

You mean it's not over yet?

[But they have already eaten, and the boys are in bed. It's too late at night to go to the movies.]

Do you have something else planned?

[circumsutus]

[Shiro pls.]

No, of course not. I already drained my savings account buying you cake. [Yes that is exactly what happened. Stein is obviously too poor to buy cake.]

It just seems silly to talk about my birthday right now.