nexuses | can't a man have some coffee in peace

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can't a man have some coffee in peace

[The thread that connects him to the supreme primarch's power has unraveled, taking with it his wings. Rent of what makes him an archangel, he's no better than a human with a purpose thrust unto him by a weakened witch. All in all, the whole situation reeks of nonsense.

Indolence won't help his brooding any. Sandalphon tours the city instead, pointedly taking the less populated path. Even then, too many people approach him with their wares and saccharine smiles, and he rebuffs each one with a single-word response. It's not soon enough when he slips into a shop that smells faintly of coffee, hoping for some peace and quiet.

But even here, the employees jump at every person to come around. Sandalphon grits his teeth in reflex annoyance when a rehearsed greeting and a request for an order is thrown his way. He hadn't intended to buy anything. Still, he can't just turn around and leave.]

Fine. Give me coffee.

[That unleashes a whole new can of beans. Regular or decaf? Perhaps a mocha, a latte, or a cappucino? And what about ice?

Does any of this matter? No one makes coffee like Lucifer. It hasn't been more than two hours, and Sandalphon wants to quit Shehui.]

That doesn't matter to me. Make what you want.

[At the very least, the service is quick—too quick. Sandalphon eyes the cup in his grasp with mild suspicion. What's with the lid?]

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[Lucifer is satisfied with his choice, though it's less because of what it says and more just because— he's getting one, too.

And that's such a silly thing. It didn't matter. They didn't need cups that matched, or to treat this like it was some kind of special event, because all of the conditions that made this scenario what it was didn't have anything to do with them. They didn't celebrate holidays or give each other gifts. But...

Hm. Maybe it couldn't hurt— to pretend, just for now.]

A good choice. I look forward to using them with you.

[He sounds content, and that's because he is. It's not just the mugs that make him happy—it's the whole act, being here together, thinking of these mundane things that they didn't need to be doing together. It feels so spectacularly... normal. And it's nice to be able to experience that with him.]

[Nodding, Sandalphon motions for the merchant's attention, then holds up the mug in his hands and gestures to the one in Lucifer's. He feels ridiculous, but rationalizes that he's not doing anything out of the norm for the celebration.]

We'll take these. I'm paying, of course.

[Credits are exchanged, and the merchant provides a small bag with stuffing as a parting gift. Sandalphon drops his mug into the cushioned bag, then looks up at Lucifer, who appears pleased.]

If that's all here, we can move on.

[Lucifer nods in agreement, stepping away from the stall and looking toward Sandalphon, waiting for him to follow.]

That was generous of you. Thank you, Sandalphon.

[Sandalphon's "reason" (more like excuse) for wanting to pick these up in the first place was so practical, but it still felt— meaningful, somehow. Or maybe it just felt that way to him. Or maybe he just wanted it to feel that way.

Lucifer couldn't say he understood it, completely. Feelings were a complicated thing. But he's happy with this outcome nonetheless.

...well, there was still a bit of a problem, though. Namely, that he had not thought of a way to return the favor, because... well, he didn't think he'd need to.]

[The logical thing to say next would be, "You're welcome." Sandalphon trains his sights on the path ahead as he falls into place beside Lucifer, the words sitting on the tip of his tongue. Yet that would be too easy, too simple.]

What's the point of making credits if we don't spend them?

[He spends them, of course. But he doesn't engage in extracurricular activities. Their biggest expense lies in coffee beans. Sandalphon has more credits than with which he knows what to do, and his inadvertent frugality has become a boon tonight.

He won't ever understand the frivolous, whimsical nature of people; but if Lucifer is pleased and experiencing the celebration firsthand, then that'll do.]

Indeed, yet there's no rule that says they must be spent on me.

[It wasn't something Sandalphon had to do, regardless of how Lucifer had felt about it. Even if he'd openly admitted to wanting something, he would not have expected Sandalphon to do anything about it. Maybe it was a small gesture to him, but to Lucifer, it meant a lot. He could count the number of gifts he'd ever received in his life on one hand. The number of gifts he'd received from Sandalphon was even less.]

I would like to do the same for you as well.

[Whoa, bold—]

[Whoa, no—]

You want to make it an exchange?

[Lucifer's the only one on whom it's worth spending these otherwise useless credits. Besides, he's right here; Sandalphon doesn't need or want anything—except he can't say that, lest he become a hypocrite. This is troubling.

In any case, getting put on the spot is more than a little awkward. Surely, Lucifer could have been more subtle in his approach.]

Well, after all, that's how this holiday is normally celebrated. [As he speaks, it's obvious he remains blissfully unaware of how weird it is to just say something like that. Of course. And he will continue in his ignorance, as he explains:] ...more than that, such gestures are a way of conveying one's feelings.

[Is this the honesty you wanted, Sandalphon, because—]

So, it only seems natural, doesn't it?

[Does he have to say it like that? More importantly, it's still much too foreign, hearing that raw honesty from Lucifer. The sudden straightforwardness makes it hard for Sandalphon to devise a response.

It's almost . . . too good to be true. It's nice. Sandalphon just doesn't know how to respond to it, because he's never had to before. (And last time, Lucifer was in no condition for a two-way conversation.) He supposes that Lucifer makes a reasonable argument. Flustered, he gives in.]

Fine. I'll let you pick the stall.

[In order for Lucifer to convey his feelings.]

[Uwah...✨ Sweet, sweet Sandalphon, allowing him to indulge like this. Though, now that they've established that, he has to actually decide on something, and that's the truly difficult part about all of this. He slows his stride as he considers the booths ahead of them. There are so many things that seem like they'd make cute gifts—so many little ornaments and decorations and other little Christmas-y knickknacks—but what kind of thing would Sandalphon like...?

After a moment, he spots a stall carrying various articles of clothing, and, without a word, breaks off from their path to go and check it out.

There are a lot of winter clothes here, some with (fake) Christmas designs and others without. There are also some clothes designed for warmer weather, too. He considers these thoughtfully. Something like this would also be useful, he thinks.]

[They pass one stall after another, their senses bombarded by the lights and decorations. No matter how far they go, the path seems to go on forever. Sandalphon has no way of predicting when they might turn onto a branching section or which wares will catch Lucifer's eyes, and he almost keeps on walking once the fateful pivot happens.

Clothing. Practical, yet overdone like everything else tonight, and options are a plenty. While Lucifer regards them, Sandalphon watches him.

A strange sight, to be sure.]

Lucifer?

[Lucifer is lost in thought, too busy considering the pros and cons of these potential gifts. He had always imagined it would be difficult to decide on things like this, yet actually getting to experience it is another thing entirely.

At first, it almost seems like he hadn't heard Sandalphon, but after a moment, he holds out a white scarf. It's plain and simple, but looks well-made.]

I think this would suit you. What do you think?

[Lucifer is taking this seriously. There's no reason to interrupt, so Sandalphon allows the silence to fill the space between them, when the scarf is proffered in his direction.]

It looks functional. Simple.

[He likes it when things are simple. But he can probably stand to work on his expression, hardened in concentration.]

[That's all the approval Lucifer needs, really. Of course, he doesn't explain why he's suddenly picking up a second scarf, just like the first one, before reaching for his card to pay for them.

Once the exchange is finished, he turns away from the stall and hands one of the scarves to Sandalphon.]

Here.

[Don't worry, Sandalphon, he's not going to make you wear it—]

[A second scarf? So Lucifer intends to match two for two. That makes this more even, less awkward. Good.

Sandalphon accepts the first scarf meant for him. He holds it dumbly in his hands. He's seen plenty of people wearing scarves, but there must be more to putting it on than swinging it around his neck. Should he just hang it around his shoulders to mirror Lucifer's style? That might be too presumptuous—and improper, obvious.

In the end, he just nods.]

Thank you.

[Lucifer nods, too, but... hm. He finds he doesn't feel entirely satisfied yet. On second thought...

He takes the second scarf and places it around Sandalphon's neck. Without asking him. Without warning.

Much better.✨ He seems pleased with himself.]

Hmm. I see I was right. It does suit you rather well.

[✨✨✨]

[💦💦💦

Sandalphon tenses while Lucifer's deft hands loop the scarf around his neck. The fabric sits snugly, blocking out the chilly night air of Shehui. The fact that it's the second scarf, not the first still lying in his hands, leaves Sandalphon stunned for the initial moment.]

Lucifer! . . . Isn't this yours?

[Does not compute.]

I apologize. I just thought that I wanted to see you wearing it. [✨! Really, he'd say he could just give it back later, but then it's pointless for him to keep holding onto the other one. So Lucifer gestures to the other scarf in his hands.] I suppose I could take this one, then, if that's alright with you.

[It had seemed rude to just take it back from him without saying anything, but since Sandalphon was the reason he'd picked them up in the first place, he'll let him decide what to do.]

[He says it so easily . . .

The scarves look the same. There's no sense in holding onto the duplicate, whether it was meant to be one or the other's. So Sandalphon holds out the scarf in his possession.]

Are going to wear it, too?

Of course. [He hadn't intended to, initially, but then again, he... hadn't really intended on any of this. But he takes the scarf when offered and places it around his neck, the same way he'd placed Sandalphon's. There, now they match.✨] Since we took the time to get them, we may as well put them to use.

[It was kind of chilly, too, but nothing worth fussing over. Still, it is kind of nice when he puts the scarf on, so it benefits them in multiple ways.

Yes, he was definitely satisfied now.]

Shall we keep going? Or should we head back now?

[The weight around his neck and shoulders is distinctly foreign; but not unwelcome, even more so if Lucifer approves. Considering that, it'd be a waste to head back now.

(Not that it should make any difference to a pair of archangels.)]

We haven't covered the entire festival. Didn't you want to see it all?

[He smiles a little at that. Sandalphon is so— thoughtful.]

If you've not grown tired of it yet, then certainly. [But he was already pretty content, honestly, so he wouldn't be mad if Sandalphon wanted to head back now. He felt like he'd already gotten to experience some of the most important parts of this holiday.] I'm grateful for your company today, Sandalphon.

[Well, he was always grateful for it, but he's aware of how fortunate he is, to be with Sandalphon here, now. That fate would somehow align in such a way to allow them to be here now.]

[When he asked for honesty, this wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind. Are even humans this forward? Sandalphon almost grimaces. It's not a mark against Lucifer: He's realized over the course of the night that he's not used to their being like . . . this. No. To the contrary, he's aware that he must be feeling elated—cautiously so.

Happiness is so depressingly easy to lose.

None of that now. With a hasty nod, Sandalphon starts back to the main street, suddenly aware of the people crowding the clothes stall.]

I'm not tired. Let's go.

[And Lucifer follows. As usual, he remains oblivious to Sandalphon's true concerns, but being able to give something to him has eased Lucifer's excitement a little bit.

He's content to just walk, really, but as they do, he considers other things. They could try seasonal foods, but that's probably even more pointless than buying gifts and exchanging them, all things considered. Or...]

I believe there's a light display somewhere. Why don't we go see it?

[That seemed like a suitable activity for them.]

[Light display sounds self-explanatory, and taking a break from absorbing the countless wares sounds equally good. At this point, they're all beginning to look the same. Something fresh to look at would benefit them.]

Which way?

[He may get out more than Lucifer, but he wasn't nearly as invested in the festival when they came out, so he doesn't even know of all that's happening. Light display is news to him. Sandalphon wouldn't be able to guess the direction.]

[That is— actually a very good question. He was only familiar with the festival in the sense that he'd heard things about it. He'd listened, in the same way that he used to watch, so he only really had a vague idea of what was going on, but...

Hmm.]

I don't believe we've passed it yet, so it should be up ahead.

[It shouldn't be too hard to spot, though, he thinks, and true enough, it isn't—if they keep going, they'll find a branching path leading off of the main street, decorated in bright lights.]

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