whenyouneedme | INBOX

[What. No. Kyoko, please.

Kai dropped down a bit, clapping his hands on her shoulders.]

Hey, we'll figure it out. C'mon. Maybe we can just do the sign thing and leave it around back or something.

[ Still cursing herself for getting this so! wrong!, Kyoko moped for another moment, but then met Kaito's eyes with a nod. ]

It's risky, but that's probably for the best. A tree like that shouldn't be inside anyway, I would think.

Yeah... probably.

[He gave her shoulders a pat, then lifted his hand to give her hair a warm ruffle.]

I'm sure it'll be fine. We can both drop by and check up on it.

[ There was a pitiful look up from under his hand. ]

Really... thank you for helping me. I don't know how I would have handled this by myself.

[ There would probably be a tree wrapped in a tarp in their yard by this point. ]

Any time. I'm sure you woulda figured something out though.

[Even if it was just a tarp.]

C'mon, let's check the back.

[ There was another nod, and then Kyoko took Kaito's hand as she returned to her feet. Time to take a quick jaunt around the house! Wow that sure was just a boring empty backyard huh. Whirling back around, she pulled Kaito along with her again. Let's get that tree! ]

Bringing it back again on his birthday without him noticing might be kinda tough too... Jeez, I really do know how to choose the hardest path.

[Here we go...! ... There they go! Kai let her lead him around, humming a bit as they headed back towards the tree.]

You are always looking for a project. This fits right in. D'you think he'd believe a delivery excuse this year even if it really was one?

[ There was a tiny, pouty huff at that remark--she didn't mean for this to be such a project, okay!!--but she moved on quickly in the name of planning the project she had actually gotten them into. ]

You mean we should just take him here with us to pick it up? That might work--I don't think we can surprise him just with a celebration anymore anyway. Whoever has to share the sidecar with the tree on the way home might kinda have a hard time, though...

[ Hm, hm! Many things to consider as she stooped to pick up this tree yet again. ]

Hmm... That, or I can just come get it at some point. Oh no, looks like I got an order. Oh no. Guess I gotta gooo.

[Just like this tree, outta this sidecar! Kai shifted around to get a better grip, making sure they were good before nodding back towards the house.]

Ready?

Ohh! You could even make a show out of it, being sorry to leave on his birthday, and so on-- [ hup, off they go with a tree in their arms ] --though he still might not fall for that.

[Heave ho.] Maybe not. S'not a bad thing though, I think. Sure it's fun to surprise him, but...

Mmmm. I think it's a good thing if we can't 100% surprise him anymore, cuz of course we're gonna treat him. Means we made it normal, right?

... Mm. [ Kyoko sent him a soft little smile from around the tree's slender trunk. ] I don't know how many more years it'll take to make him look forward to it, but if he's getting used to it, we can only call that good progress, huh?

Yeah. [He met her smile with a small one of his own.] Looking forward to it's probably a real lofty goal, but at least enjoying it when it's around is real good too.

Right! Little by little, let's turn it into a day he can be happy about.

Mnn. Step one, hide a tree.

[Around the corner of the house they went. Over here in this corner seemed pretty good??]

[ That corner did seem pretty good, as far as tree hiding places went. Let them silently agree upon this then, and sidle over there to plop the tree down. Thank you robots and/or Rawna for providing the pot to keep it in until planting time. ]

Step one, complete! Step two--oh! Maybe I should water it before we go, actualy??

[Very cool of you, Someone. Kai crouched down to peer at the tree's base, thoughtfully giving the dirt a poke as if he knew what he was looking for. He did not know what he was looking for.]

That's probably a good idea?

[ There was a pause. ]

... It's probably a good idea.

[ Probably. Time to turn around and jog into her old house, to return a moment later with a saucepan full of water. ]

Step two, don't let the tree die.

[Kai meanwhile was making sure their new friend would end up getting enough sunshine here in its hiding place. He chuckled a little as she came back.]

We have a very robust action plan going.

[ Crouching down to give the tree a good drink, Kyoko sighed. ]

Really... I thought I was getting better about not following my whims when it comes to gifts, but I ended up creating a whole situation anyway.

[Here came another fond ruffle of hair, missy.]

And we got it under control. I'm sure he's gonna love it.

[ Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't resist the hair ruffle. ]

No... I just mean, I'm really glad you're with me right now.

[He wasn't expecting that to be so sweet.]

'Course.

[His hand left her hair just long enough for him to squat next to her and bump her shoulder with his.]

'M glad you asked me to help.

[ He bumped, and she rocked on her heels to lean against him. ]

Because you're a good boy.

[ That taken care of, she hopped upright, and after a moment's consideration, set the saucepan down next to the tree. It would surely be needed again. ]

Anyway! Since this is done, I guess we'd better decide what to make, too.

[ Here was a hand up for, Kai. ]

[What don't just say things like that with no warning geeze. Double whammy no fair.]

Well that part should be easy right?

[He took her hand to pop himself back up. There will be no discussion over whether or not his cheeks were pinker.]

Unless you were thinkin' something new.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject