[Yuri closes the door behind them, leaning his back against it for a moment as he makes a decision: He's going to eat it. All of it. And he's going to pretend it's amazing, because he's a horrible terrible liar and he can't break Flynn's heart over his cooking.
But that admission sure puts the fear of god into him.]
[Flynn's sense of taste is so skewed that oddly, the statement doesn't mean much. It's like Karol said—his food is either good or mind-blowingly horrific, and that yawning gap in between is what usually gets people.
But he went out of his way to make this for Yuri, to remember his birthday even with all the crap he's been through lately, and that's what Yuri cares about, not the rest.]
No, I'm serious. They look perfect.
[Which isn't a lie at all, actually. Flynn's food is always beautiful if nothing else.]
If I didn't know better I might even think you were buttering me up for something.
[He does feel a little better at being told they look perfect. Even if he's not so certain on how these will taste, the aesthetic of it has always been important to him.]
Ha. What would I need to butter you up for? It's your birthday. I think this is the one time of the year you're allowed to accept gifts with no expectations.
[Considering all the new friends Yuri had, he thought Yuri's birthday would be a little bigger when he turned twenty-two. Now it's just the two of them. Not that he minds it, really, but... It'd be nice to have some of Yuri's friends around. They're not really his friends- but he likes them well enough.
He takes a seat at the table, and even though he's been given his own utensils, he's waiting for Yuri to take the first bite.]
[It's not like he has big blowout birthday parties, and friends or not, he wasn't expecting one this year, either. Saving the world, and all.
But now Flynn is looking at him, waiting, and it's the moment of truth. Yuri is good at hiding his trepidation, at least—he slides the curry closer, digs his fork in, and takes a bite.
And it's...
Good?
It's good. Really good, actually. He'd expected immediate suffering, that combo of way too much heat and sickly sweetness that Flynn has somehow mastered with no real depth. But this time he's gotten all the spices just right. The rice is the perfect texture, the meat is tender enough to fall apart.]
I had thought you might spend your birthday with your new friends; Karol, Ca- Raven, Judith and Lady Estellise. Which I'm certain you would have, if you weren't here. You'll just have to settle for me, I suppose.
[He waits and watches with some trepidation, expecting some disappointment with the flavor, but Yuri seems to... enjoy it? That's surprising.]
Oh? Really?
[With his fork, he takes a bit for himself, trying it out.]
Mm. It's nothing special, really. It still seems a little lacking...
In this? Well, there was a type of pepper that Alphen had introduced me to. I couldn't find it again, nor the powder I had used during the cooking tournament. I didn't realize they were the sort to be in short supply, or I would have purchased more... As for the vegetables, I got these at the market instead of foraging for my own.
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But that admission sure puts the fear of god into him.]
What do you mean? They look great.
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[He sighs.]
I didn't want to start from scratch and waste the ingredients. I hope it'll be okay enough. But I understand, if you'd rather not try it.
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But he went out of his way to make this for Yuri, to remember his birthday even with all the crap he's been through lately, and that's what Yuri cares about, not the rest.]
No, I'm serious. They look perfect.
[Which isn't a lie at all, actually. Flynn's food is always beautiful if nothing else.]
If I didn't know better I might even think you were buttering me up for something.
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[He does feel a little better at being told they look perfect. Even if he's not so certain on how these will taste, the aesthetic of it has always been important to him.]
Ha. What would I need to butter you up for? It's your birthday. I think this is the one time of the year you're allowed to accept gifts with no expectations.
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[Clearly Yuri's aversion to compliments extends to gifts, too. He digs out a couple of dishes and utensils for them, then sets them on the table.]
Weird that I'm having a birthday here, huh?
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[Considering all the new friends Yuri had, he thought Yuri's birthday would be a little bigger when he turned twenty-two. Now it's just the two of them. Not that he minds it, really, but... It'd be nice to have some of Yuri's friends around. They're not really his friends- but he likes them well enough.
He takes a seat at the table, and even though he's been given his own utensils, he's waiting for Yuri to take the first bite.]
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[It's not like he has big blowout birthday parties, and friends or not, he wasn't expecting one this year, either. Saving the world, and all.
But now Flynn is looking at him, waiting, and it's the moment of truth. Yuri is good at hiding his trepidation, at least—he slides the curry closer, digs his fork in, and takes a bite.
And it's...
Good?
It's good. Really good, actually. He'd expected immediate suffering, that combo of way too much heat and sickly sweetness that Flynn has somehow mastered with no real depth. But this time he's gotten all the spices just right. The rice is the perfect texture, the meat is tender enough to fall apart.]
Flynn, this is delicious.
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[He waits and watches with some trepidation, expecting some disappointment with the flavor, but Yuri seems to... enjoy it? That's surprising.]
Oh? Really?
[With his fork, he takes a bit for himself, trying it out.]
Mm. It's nothing special, really. It still seems a little lacking...
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What do you think it's lacking? And trust me, this isn't settling.
[Sure, he misses his other friends, but spending time with Flynn is never going to be some sort of disappointment.]
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It's lacking...
[Flynn gestures with his hands, open palms up but otherwise doesn't know how to describe it.]
I don't know. "Oomph!" Or something like that. No extra flavor at all.
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[This is it, the mystery of all mysteries. If only Yuri could see into Flynn's head. Or tastebuds, maybe.]
What'd you leave out?
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Who taught you to forage for the plants here?
[Please say someone taught you...]
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[He isn't trying to kill anyone.]
I think I've been fairly successful in the past, it just seemed to be bad timing on my behalf this time.
[He picks up another spoonful of food but then thinks better of eating it.]
I should really stop, this is meant to be yours.
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[What he means, but isn't quite saying, is that it means more to split a birthday dinner Flynn made. A little sappy. But down to the real mystery—]
Did you like Alphen's food at that competition?
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Of course. He had the best item there, in my opinion. Although Law's burgers were rather good too. I should show you that one, I think you'd like it.
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Flynn, how the hell didn't Alphen's food kill you?
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[Admittedly, it's a frustratingly cute face.]
You cried a little?
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[He did.]
Yes. It's a natural reaction to something so spicy.
[He was full on ugly tears, with snot running.]
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[Hmm. Concerning. Yuri reaches out to pinch Flynn's arm.]
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[He pinches back, retaliatory!]
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[He lets out an offended little huff.]
I was making sure.
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1/3
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