[ in spite of himself, he seems a bit pleased by the text response back. he puts his phone back down, likely getting flecks of paint on it in the process as he may have just been painting for days prior before this exchange of messages. still, what artist wouldn't when inspiration finally hits?
it's why, it's easy for him to rinse his hands and then lay down on the couch, waiting for caleb to arrive. when caleb does come, he'll find that rafayel has his shirt unbuttoned and he is reclined with a book on his face. the book seems to be about planes and skyhaven.
on the bright side, there's no hint of cilantro out, but there might be the clear scent of it in the air mixed with acrylic paint. ]
[ man of his word, caleb arrives to the studio with grocery bags in toll. he is immediately hit by the pungent smell of cilantro in the air and, luckily unseen by rafayel, his nose wrinkles up in protest. he better get a deserving reward for dealing with this?????
spotting rafayel pretty quickly, he walks over to him, leaning down to pluck the book off of his face. he holds it up, examining the cover and reading the title out loud, an amused smile curving his lips. ] Is someone taking an interest in my career? [ he glances down at the little merman. ]
[ wow? why is he paying the cilantro tax when he technically got rid of it?
that said, maybe the reward is the connections made along the way, even in the form of rafayel clearly taking an interest in caleb's life. when the book it taken off of him, he reaches for it unsteadily as if trying to take it from caleb's grip. only, he's an inch too late before he reads the cover. ] Psh, you wish. Whatever you're thinking if probably an exaggeration. No, it definitely is.
It's just for some light inspiration. [ but, something about the way his gaze sets off to anywhere but caleb's face is probably telling enough. but, he clears his throat before holding his hand out.
[ judging by caleb's tone, he doesn't think he believes him at all.
hence, he's quick to purse his lips. while he would have put on a bigger spectacle of his mild displeasure, it seems caleb settles his mood in just a few gestures. he feels the man's hands over his and he settles himself upright with his help. the mention of the "groceries" also gets him to perk up. ]
I think the last person who dared to open the fridge door was Thomas. [ he's kidding, it's not that bad in there. ] If there is a second adventurer I trust to reorganize the fridge, it's you. [ he says while giving caleb's hand a firm squeeze. ]
If you're ready for the surprise, doesn't that actually mean you're not ready at all? Shouldn't I try to make it a little more unexpected for you? [ throw mister colonel off his game and all. ]
Putting me to work already? [ as soon as rafayel is up off the couch, caleb pulls him towards the kitchen. ] I remember agreeing to cook you dinner, but I'm preeetty sure I never said that I would reorganize your fridge too.
[ do you take him for a sucker, raf? the answer is ye bc lbr he's going to end up reorganizing his fridge we all know this already ]
Fine, fine. [ he sets the grocery bags on top of a counter, before reclining back against its edge, their fingers still intertwined. ] If you really want to make it more unexpected for me, then I can wait. [ he should get a head start on cooking and besides, he apparently has an additional task now. ]
I should get rewarded for my patience though, shouldn't I?
[ yes, he 100% does take caleb as the kind of sucker who would clean and reorganize his fridge... just like how he knows thomas will inevitably fold when he finds out tomorrow that the art piece for the exhibition still hasn't been completed yet.
but, who says he can't find inspiration between then and now. much like who says he can't provide caleb with the right amount of motivation. there's a small hum as rafayel pretends to consider his words. ] Odd, I thought I heard the fridge cleaner talking to me for a second.
[ not him calling him fridge cleaner... ]
A surprise and a reward? Man, and I thought the beta fish we picked up the other day was greediest fish I knew. [ but, despite this he does give his fingers a light squeeze as he comes in closer. just enough to place a small kiss on the side of his jaw. so light in fact that it's probably easy enough to miss. ]
𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯 🫧
maaaybe about this much bigger
even your arms wont be able to carry it easily
no subject
alright you win I'll come over even at the risk of being ambushed by cilantro.
is this action now
it's why, it's easy for him to rinse his hands and then lay down on the couch, waiting for caleb to arrive. when caleb does come, he'll find that rafayel has his shirt unbuttoned and he is reclined with a book on his face. the book seems to be about planes and skyhaven.
on the bright side, there's no hint of cilantro out, but there might be the clear scent of it in the air mixed with acrylic paint. ]
no subject
spotting rafayel pretty quickly, he walks over to him, leaning down to pluck the book off of his face. he holds it up, examining the cover and reading the title out loud, an amused smile curving his lips. ] Is someone taking an interest in my career? [ he glances down at the little merman. ]
How cute.
no subject
that said, maybe the reward is the connections made along the way, even in the form of rafayel clearly taking an interest in caleb's life. when the book it taken off of him, he reaches for it unsteadily as if trying to take it from caleb's grip. only, he's an inch too late before he reads the cover. ] Psh, you wish. Whatever you're thinking if probably an exaggeration. No, it definitely is.
It's just for some light inspiration. [ but, something about the way his gaze sets off to anywhere but caleb's face is probably telling enough. but, he clears his throat before holding his hand out.
help him up. ]
no subject
[ he doesn't believe him, but he is going to let it slide since he's acting so cutie. ;)
with a low chuckle, caleb grasps rafayel's outstretched hand, helping him up from the couch like the pretty princess that he is. ]
I got the grocery. [ he jostles the bags at his side. ] Let me put these in the kitchen first and then I'm ready for my big surprise.
no subject
hence, he's quick to purse his lips. while he would have put on a bigger spectacle of his mild displeasure, it seems caleb settles his mood in just a few gestures. he feels the man's hands over his and he settles himself upright with his help. the mention of the "groceries" also gets him to perk up. ]
I think the last person who dared to open the fridge door was Thomas. [ he's kidding, it's not that bad in there. ] If there is a second adventurer I trust to reorganize the fridge, it's you. [ he says while giving caleb's hand a firm squeeze. ]
If you're ready for the surprise, doesn't that actually mean you're not ready at all? Shouldn't I try to make it a little more unexpected for you? [ throw mister colonel off his game and all. ]
no subject
[ do you take him for a sucker, raf?
the answer is ye bc lbr he's going to end up reorganizing his fridge we all know this already]Fine, fine. [ he sets the grocery bags on top of a counter, before reclining back against its edge, their fingers still intertwined. ] If you really want to make it more unexpected for me, then I can wait. [ he should get a head start on cooking and besides, he apparently has an additional task now. ]
I should get rewarded for my patience though, shouldn't I?
no subject
but, who says he can't find inspiration between then and now. much like who says he can't provide caleb with the right amount of motivation. there's a small hum as rafayel pretends to consider his words. ] Odd, I thought I heard the fridge cleaner talking to me for a second.
[ not him calling him fridge cleaner... ]
A surprise and a reward? Man, and I thought the beta fish we picked up the other day was greediest fish I knew. [ but, despite this he does give his fingers a light squeeze as he comes in closer. just enough to place a small kiss on the side of his jaw. so light in fact that it's probably easy enough to miss. ]
So? Still feeling like it's not enough?