(2022-05-14) Aspenwood Family Dinner

Details

Author:	Athena
Summary:	The Aspenwoods (William, Clara, Cressidha, Colson and Mordecai) sit down for a polite dinner to discuss the recent events of Azeroth and the family.
Rating:	T for Teen

Chain: Morson

+ Show additional content warnings

romance, romantic touching, kissing, vaguely implied intimacy

05/14/2022

In the Aspenwood Stormwind townhouse, in Mordecai and Colson’s upstairs bedroom.

Colson stands, relaxed, his arms crossed loosely across his chest, a faint smile on his face. He's wearing a white, short-sleeved semi-formal shirt, with gold embroidered accents, a cobalt blue and gold belt, and azure pants tucked into blue leather boots.

Mordecai stares into the walk-in closet. He has been standing there for at least a minute now.

Colson, as usual, doesn't seem to be in any hurry. There's no sense of impatience to him, as he watches Mordecai watch the closet for inspiration.

Mordecai might just be stuck. He's not even sorting through clothes, he's just… standing there.

Colson tilts his head slightly. "Are you looking for something in particular?" Colson's voice is soft, but there's a note of confusion in it.

"Hm?" Mordecai glances back. "Colson, what time is it?"

Colson shifts and takes his pocket watch out of his pocket, and gives the time.

Mordecai nods and turns back to the closet. He seems to have been shaken out of his paralysis, though, because he finally steps inside and begins to sort through his clothes. "What do I wear?"

Colson smiles a little wider. "Anything you'd like. Whatever you would be comfor — " Colson pauses and rephrases, “As comfortable as possible in.”

"Armor," Mordecai says in a way that may or may not be a joke, and pulls the closet door shut.

Colson looks down at his hands, as he recrosses his arms, and stands patiently.

"I'll just be a minute. Sorry."

"Of course," Colson says, loud enough to carry. "There is no rush. They will not start without us."

Mordecai changes outfits at least twice in the next couple minutes. Finally, he cracks the closet door open and peeks out at Colson.

Colson isn't even fidgeting. He's just standing there, looking down slightly, as though thinking. At the sound of the door, he looks up, and smiles at Mordecai.

Mordecai stares out through the crack in the door. "Um. How do I… how do I know if it's good enough."

"Hm?" Colson raises his brows a little, in question. The smile goes a little softer. "As long as you are happy with it, it is good enough. You're the one wearing it. That is all that matters."

Mordecai does not look convinced. He sighs, opens the door, and steps out, running a hand through his hair. His hair, which was moderately neatly combed a minute ago, is now less so. He's wearing a long sleeved white and brown button up shirt with gold accents, dark gray pants with an elegant pattern, and dark brown, soft leather boots.

Colson makes a happy sound, as he uncrosses his arms to hold out a hand to Mordecai. "You look wonderful."

"Oh." Mordecai shuts the door behind him and takes Colson's hand, looking shy already. "Well."

Colson takes a good moment to appreciate the outfit, his eyes traveling slowly up and down, and his smile growing, before he tears his attention away, with some effort. He brings Mordecai's hand up for a brief kiss. "I think we should head down. If I start kissing you now, we will definitely be late," Colson says, his voice light, but there is a very familiar look in his eyes as he intentionally directs his attention to the door.

Mordecai flushes and goes, "I, I mean." He looks at the door. He looks at Colson. He looks at the door. He looks at Colson again. "Just one?"

Colson holds his attention on the door for two (2) more seconds, and that's about as good as it gets, before he turns in place, reaching for Mordecai, hand already going for the hair, as he leans in for a kiss.

Mordecai leans into it, an arm going around Colson's waist to pull him closer. It's fine. They're not late yet. It's totally fine.

Colson makes a soft sound, and deepens what should have been a brief kiss. He may be starting to walk in the direction of the door, except it's more like the wall next to the door.

Mordecai allows himself to be moved, but when his back hits the wall, he makes a soft noise and pulls back a little. He doesn't let Colson go, though. "We. You said. They'd wait."

Colson makes an affirmative sound at that, and places a kiss on Mordecai's jaw. "Yes. We…should not keep them waiting," Colson says, in a very distracted tone, as he brushes a hand against the buttons of Mordecai's shirt. He exhales slowly, and places his head gently on Mordecai's shoulder. "I just need…a moment." Colson closes his eyes, and moves his hand to Mordecai's waist, in a light, dancing-polite touch.

Mordecai swallows hard. "I… yes." He very carefully lets Colson go entirely, placing both of his hands flat against the wall, and takes a deep breath. "I'm nervous about this dinner but I think it's in my best interest to get over it and attend anyway."

Colson nods, and straightens, opening his eyes, and clearing his throat. He offers his hand again, in the usual way. "Yes. And I…all appearances at the moment of reluctance aside, I am looking forward to this." His lips curl in half-smile.

Mordecai says, "I'm looking forward to it being over," looking at Colson intently, and then he squeezes his eyes shut and mutters, "Dinner. Dinner with other people. Dinner with other people." He takes Colson's hand.

Colson squeezes it gently once, as he moves to open the door, and head downstairs. He does shut the door behind them, to prevent Oswald from his shenanigans.

Mordecai follows Colson down, pausing briefly at one of the mirrors by the stairs to try and make his hair less chaotic.

Colson enters the dining room and smiles gently at Cress.

Lord William Aspenwood is seated at the head of the table, opposite Cressidha. On his left hand side is his wife, Clara. Everyone is well-dressed, but Clara Aspenwood particularly so. She just always looks like that.

Mordecai squeezes Colson's hand twice as they enter.

Colson is looking at his parents, still smiling faintly, but at the squeeze, he glances at Mordecai. Colson leads them to the other side of the table, for Mordecai to sit near Cress. This is usually Colson's seat. He draws the chair for Mordecai, and moves to take the other.

Mordecai mumbles a greeting and sits down.

Colson doesn't sit yet, once Mordecai is in. He walks over to give William a brief hug.

"Colson, Mordecai," William says warmly. He returns the hug, smiling at his son.

"Father. You're looking well," Colson says. He steps around to repeat the hug for Clara, adding a brief kiss to her cheek. "Mother. It is good to see you."

Clara smiles very subtly at Colson. "And you. It's lovely to have you all in one place again."

"We'll be back in Outland tomorrow, Mother," Cressidha says, her tone only a little apologetic.

Colson returns the expression, and moves to take his seat gracefully, glancing over at Cress. The moment Colson sits, Rhinehart appears at the doorway with a silver and bronze cart with dishes on it.

Mordecai looks at the table.

"Yes. The Company has intentions for tomorrow," Colson says. He sounds less apologetic, but his voice is warm.

"Oh, yes, my children off saving the world," Clara says in what for her qualifies as a fond and approving tone.

Rhinehart moves to the table, and begins serving. Each dish has been portioned exactly the same regardless of the individual, and placed in front of them, starting with William and ending with Mordecai. Dinner is: a fresh, spring asparagus soup paired with a dark, nutty bread. A rump roast with carrots, onions, and potatoes. And a light gnocchi with a sage butter.

Colson looks down at Clara's comment, a very faint smile on his face, with just a hint of color to his cheeks. He places his napkin in his lap to cover it, ducking his head.

"This looks delicious," William tells Rhinehart with an approving nod and a friendly smile.

Rhinehart inclines his head. "Thank you, sir. I will inform Ms. Fisher you said so," Rhinehart says, his voice as unobtrusive as the rest of him, as he waits to be dismissed by William.

William looks around the table briefly, then nods to Rhinehart. "Thank you, Rhinehart. That will be all for now."

Rhinehart nods, and leaves, his footsteps completely silent as he goes. He shuts the door behind him, to prevent certain CRIMINALS from entering and causing trouble.

"I'm glad you three could join us," William tells his children and son-in-law. He eats his food with excellent table manners.

Colson starts in on his meal as soon as is correct, and he looks over at William. "As am I. Are you staying for long this time? Or are you still working on the new land?"

"I've been taking extra security measures with hiring new staff and workers, but we won't be planting until next spring." William looks at Cressidha.

Cressidha smiles a little sheepishly. "I do prefer you alive, Father."

Colson makes a sound of agreement, his expression shuttering slightly, as he pauses while he eats. "It is worth the delay, to ensure your safety." He looks over at Clara. "Both of your safety."

Mordecai drops his fork, which makes a quiet little sound as it hits the plate. He quickly picks it up.

Colson glances at Mordecai, briefly, as though trying not to draw attention to him.

"It is," Clara agrees.

"We'll be prepared next year," William says, looking between the twins. "It wouldn't have been right to rush you just to catch one more planting season."

Clara eats her meal with almost inhumanly perfect precision and decorum.

Colson smiles, a faint flush on his cheeks. "Yes, well. I can quite honestly say that I am very content with the outcome of the delay." Colson's table manners are impeccable.

Cressidha smiles fondly. "I do appreciate your patience, Father. This worked out much better in the end." She nods in Colson and Mordecai's direction.

"I can tell!" William just radiates good-natured friendliness. He actually makes facial expressions, and most of them are cheerful. "I wish you'd said something sooner."

Mordecai mumbles something that Colson can probably catch as 'I couldn't'. It's definitely too quiet for the Aspenwood parents on the far side of the table to hear.

Colson looks to his father, and there's a hint of an expression on his face, as he shakes his head slightly, a plea in his eyes to not pursue it. Out loud, he says, "Yes, well. If I had been more honest with myself, I would have. But, I did not consider things enough. It was to my fortune that neither Cressidha nor Mordecai were in any hurry."

"Do speak up, dear," Clara tells Mordecai.

Mordecai looks at his plate. He has eaten most of his gnocchi and hasn't touched anything else yet. "Um. I." He looks up at Clara.

Colson turns his head to look at Mordecai, a soft, encouraging smile more in his eyes than moving his lips.

Clara's facial expressions are very reminiscent of Colson's, and in that moment the resemblance between the mother and her son is incredibly strong. She has that same encouraging, patient expression.

"I… saw you in the audience," Mordecai says, after a moment. "At the trial."

"Front row seats," William agrees. "We wanted to support our family." He gestures to the Colson-and-Mordecai side of the table.

Clara simply nods.

Colson's right hand is holding a utensil. He looks as though he's seriously considering setting it down, but he doesn't. He takes another, very small bite of dinner, as he continues to watch Mordecai.

"Thank you." Mordecai seems to be doing all right, actually. "I appreciate it. It meant a lot to me to have you all there."

Colson's lips move in a smile, as he eats a little more. He's eating much slower than Mordecai is likely used to seeing.

"Of course we were," Cressidha says. She looks at Mordecai, waiting for him to look back.

"Where else would we be?" Colson asks, his voice warm and soft. Colson's smile grows as he and Cress speak at the same time, and he directs his attention to his soup.

Mordecai ducks his head. "Well, I expected you, of course," he says to Colson. "But not…" He looks up at Cressidha.

"We're family." Cressidha gives him a that-should-be-obvious look and resumes eating her dinner.

Colson breaks off a piece of bread, a happy expression on his face. "Indeed." He looks over at Mordecai. "All of us."

Mordecai smiles down at his plate.

Colson looks up at Clara. "I trust things have settled well enough in the House? Thank you, again, for seeing to the…" Colson breaks off, making a slight expression. "News spreading."

Clara nods. "Even the newest and most interesting gossip does not remain so for long."

Colson drops his eyes, and nods, slowly, as he takes another bite, and finishes chewing fully before he speaks again. "Yes. Have you been able to return your attention to the war efforts once more? Have you been able to discuss the latest news out of the north, or are you still waiting for the proper moment?"

Clara pauses, giving the question its due. "I believe we are resuming talks, yes. There is still quite a bit of discussion to be had on the allocation of resources, and what we must do to ensure the Alliance is supported."

Colson makes a sound of agreement, and he glances at Mordecai. "I…may be headed once more to the north, soon. If they sound out the call for paladins."

"That'd be quite a horn," William says, his voice clearly joking, as he sips some Cress water.

Mordecai stops eating.

"The news is not…good. The more I have asked of it, the less I like what I hear. Neither the Dawn nor the…other interested parties, seem to have enough resources to contend with the threat," Colson says. "I am hopeful though, that Cobalt Company will lend its strength, and that perhaps, we may see some others join the fight."

"No one ever has enough resources to contend with anything," Cressidha says, like it's an old complaint. Which it is.

"Yes, well. We always find a way, in the end," William says, his voice almost jovial. "We're tough. Resilient. Sturdy. Basically leather boots in the back of a closet," he adds with a wink to Mordecai.

Mordecai doesn't catch it. He's studying his food like he's thinking very hard about something.

Colson chuckles at the joke, but his expression is still a little grave. "I do not think they will ask it, the call for paladins specifically, not this time. They do not seem to think more individuals will turn the tide. Indeed, mages may be the answer to the problem."

Clara makes the Classic Aspenwood 'Hm.' sound and continues to eat, very properly, at the exact correct speed.

"Well." Cressidha shrugs. "Sometimes we are. It's a bit beyond my focus at the moment."

"Has there been any change with the Kirin Tor, or Dalaran?" Colson asks Clara, his voice suggesting that he's expecting a negation.

"That is still a very delicate situation," Clara says, carefully. She meets Colson's eyes for a moment. "I do not think they will move quickly enough to assist, not at this rate."

Cressidha leans to her left and whispers, "Mordecai."

Mordecai doesn't seem to notice.

Colson opens his mouth to say something in return, and closes it, his head turning with alertness, but not alarm to look at Mordecai. He takes a moment to look at Mordecai's face, and then says, his voice soft, "Mordecai?"

Mordecai doesn't seem to hear Colson, either.

Cressidha looks at Colson and shrugs.

Both Clara and William look over at Mordecai, following Colson's words, and then glance at each other.

Colson looks mildly concerned, as he sets his fork down, and reaches out a hand to touch Mordecai's arm. "Mordecai?" he says a little louder.

Mordecai blinks. "Hm?" He looks at Colson and smiles faintly at him. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Colson's expression melts into relief at the smile, and he shakes his head slightly. "Nothing you do not already know about," Colson says. "Are you finished with your meal?" Colson asks it gently, his hand still on Mordecai's arm.

Clara continues eating. William has slowed down, as he supposedly looks at his food. It's clear he's watching his son out of his peripheral vision. He looks as though he's considering something.

Mordecai looks at his food, most of which is still there. "I… no, I can finish it." He looks at his soup, which he hasn't touched at all.

Colson smiles faintly. "You do not need to finish it, if you would rather not. As long as you have eaten what you wished to eat, and are satisfied."

"Here, here," William agrees, his tone friendly. "Unless you're saving room for dessert, which I can't argue with at all. I'm pretty sure we've got a pie coming. That might be me hoping we have pie coming."

Mordecai looks at Colson. He looks at the Aspenwood parents. He looks down at his food, quietly sets the soup off to the side a little, and resumes eating the rest of it.

"It should be blueberry," Clara says, her voice crisply enunciated. "They are in season, now."

William looks over at Clara with a bright, happy sort of smile, as though she's said something funny or endearing.

"Colson, are you actually going to eat pie with us for once in your life?" Cressidha asks.

Colson clears his throat faintly.

Clara looks, to most of the table at least, slightly confused. She turns her attention to her son, raising her brows in the exact same way Colson does.

William gives his son a side-eyed sort of look. "Colson?"

Cressidha smiles and sits back in her chair. Her job here is done.

Colson sets his fork down, and takes a deep breath. "Yes. I will have some of the pie. I…have found that I do, in fact, rather enjoy sweets. I am particularly fond of Mordecai's, but I will be glad to try some of Ms. Fisher's."

There is a brief flash of surprise on Clara's face. "Oh. Of course," she says, adapting to this information quickly, and easily.

Cressidha turns to her parents. "Mordecai brought us a whole assortment of baked goods right before we went through the Dark Portal."

William laughs, a bright sort of happy sound that resembles Colson's quite a bit, though it goes on much longer than Colson's usually do. "Oh, wooed him with sweets! That's a clever lad. You know, he gave them up when he was just a little boy. This tall." William gestures to the side of the table for what would be a close approximation for a 4 or 5 year old.

Clara makes a polite affirming sort of sound.

Mordecai flushes and sets his utensils down. "Have you ever had pineapple upside-down cake?" he asks William.

Colson smiles, looking over at Mordecai.

"Upside-down?" Cressidha looks like she's trying to figure that one out.

William brushes a hand up to his face, rubbing at his chin for a moment. "I don't think so, son. I can't be sure I've never had a Right Side Up Pineapple cake either, but I assume they'd tell you the side before they serve it to you."

Clara's expression flickers in the barest hint of a smile, more in her eyes than her lips, as though William has said something amusing.

"It's, the toppings go at the bottom of the pan," he explains to Cressidha. "So when you take it out of the pan, you can just…" Mordecai sets his utensils down and gestures to mime flipping over a pan.

"Oh, how interesting," Clara says, and although it might sound only polite to Mordecai, the others can tell she means it genuinely.

William leans forward. "So, you don't put this one on top of the pineapple directly then?"

Colson chuckles.

Mordecai actually laughs at that. "No, um. Sliced pineapple goes on the bottom of the pan."

William looks pleased as punch, which as has been established is very pleased, at the laugh, and he nods sagely. "Well, I'd be glad to give it a try."

Mordecai nods.

Colson smiles as he looks over at Mordecai. "I would very much enjoy learning it, as well. The skethyl berry cake was fascinating to watch, but I admit I have a preference for being part of it now."

"Skethyl berry?" Clara asks, politely, as she sets her utensils at the exact correct placement to indicate she is done eating.

"They're native to Draenor. Um." Mordecai shrugs. "The flavor is… similar, sort of."

"Fascinating," Clara says, her voice even and neutral, but genuine.

"They're purple," Colson adds.

"Oh!" William says, as he chuckles, and sets his own utensils down in the correct placement. "Well, now, see, I have to try it. There's never enough purple food."

Cressidha sets her utensils down correctly and covers her mouth to hide a smile.

The moment after William finishes speaking, Rhinehart opens the door to the dining room, as if summoned. He moves the cart to the side, and begins collecting the plates.

Colson sets his utensils down, to indicate he's done.

Mordecai still has some food remaining on his plate. He looks at Colson for a cue to follow and sets his utensils down as well.

"We were just speaking of dessert, Rhinehart. Do we have pie? Did I wish that into being?" William says, his tone jovial.

"Blueberry, sir," Rhinehart says. William makes a triumphant noise.

"When do I learn how to wish pie into being, Father?" Cressidha asks. She sips her water.

"That wasn't on your curriculum with Ms. Granville?" William asks, his voice faux-surprised. "Oh, no. We have made a terrible error. Clara, quick. Recall the teacher."

Clara takes a sip of water. "I do not believe that is part of the standard curriculum, Wiliam."

"I'm afraid all she taught me was muffins, and rather plain ones at that." Cressidha shakes her head.

William looks absolutely devastated. "Oh, no! Muffins? Plain muffins?"

Colson chuckles, deep in his throat. "Cressidha has improved rather quite a bit on her own. The sweet rolls in particular are delicious."

Rhinehart finishes clearing the table, and moves the plates out of the room. He is gone for several minutes.

Cressidha smiles proudly.

Mordecai rests a hand on the table fairly close to Colson's place setting.

Colson moves his hand within reach of Mordecai's, his knuckles brushing Mordecai's gently.

Rhinehart enters once more with a silver tray, with five small plates, each one with an exactly correct portion of blueberry pie. Rhinehart serves in the correct order, starting with William and ending at Mordecai. The pie has a flaky crust, and a well done lattice cover. It has clearly been blind baked, as the bottom crust is visibly still firm, where the juices of the berries have not ruined the pastry. It is, however, very sweet.

Mordecai examines his slice of pie and nods in approval. He glances at William, waiting for a cue to start eating.

William looks especially pleased, as though this is exactly what he was hoping for, and sets in with gusto.

Clara looks neutral about the pie, and eats with an exact politeness, taking only a few bites before she sets her fork down appropriately.

Cressidha eats her entire slice at a very steady pace.

Colson eats some of his, and there's a brief expression on his face, where Cressidha can tell that Colson does not like it nearly as much as he was hoping to. He takes a few more bites, and drinks some water, and leaves about half the serving.

Mordecai takes a bite and nods. He leans over to Colson and asks quietly, "Do you like blueberries?"

Colson looks over at Mordecai and there's a faint smile on his face. "I am not sure. I have only had a few, from time to time. Perhaps? These are…very sweet," he replies, his voice not particularly quiet or loud.

"Well?" William asks Mordecai, his face open and pleasant. "How does Ms. Fisher's attempts hold up to a fellow baker? I admit, I'm rather fond of this one. Sweet and tart."

Clara drinks her water politely. If she has strong feelings on the pie, or if she was simply full from dinner, it's absolutely impossible to tell from her expression.

"I like it," Mordecai says, decisively. "Good crust. Not too dry. She knows what she's doing."

Clara makes that faint smile at Mordecai, while William gives Mordecai a big grin. "I'm glad to hear it. Nice to have some confirmation. She's self taught, you know. Love of the trade, that one."

Colson leans back, his posture as perfect as ever, as he sets his hand on the table near Mordecai's left hand, his body language relaxed.

Mordecai is probably going to be the last one still eating at this rate.

"When did we bring her on, Clara? Was that year 17?" William pauses, and then looks over at Colson, who sits with a mild expression on his face. William makes a slight sound. "Ah, no. Had to have been after…so, year 18 then, or thereabouts."

"Just so, dear," Clara confirms. "Year 18, in the early summer."

William nods, and stretches out his leg. He's eaten his pie to the absolute boundaries of polite manners, scraping the last bits off his plate. He did not lick the plate. He did stop before that. He looks over at Clara's portion with puppy eyes.

"Colson, if you're not going to finish that…" Cressidha looks at what's left of his slice of pie. "Actually, I'm full. Save it for me?"

"Of course," Colson says.

Clara sets the rest of her pie over at William's setting, where he sets into it with gusto. She smiles faintly at Cressidha.

William makes short work of his second pie slice, with zero shame.

Mordecai, the minute he finishes his pie, says quietly, "May I be excused?"

William makes sounds of agreement, waving a hand, because mouth full of food.

Clara nods genteely at Mordecai. "Of course. Thank you so much for joining us, Mordecai."

Mordecai gets to his feet, pushing in his chair. "Thank you."

Colson stands a moment later. "If you will excuse me," he says, by what is clearly habit as he moves to a stand.

Rhinehart steps forward as Colson goes to pick up the plate. "I shall see to it, sir."

"Thank you, Rhinehart," Colson says, as he steps away from his chair gracefully, moving to stand by Mordecai, a hand out in offer.

Mordecai takes Colson's hand and moves towards the door they entered by.

Colson smiles gently at Cress, and nods once more to his parents with a "Good evening," as he walks with Mordecai to the door.

Cressidha leans forward, towards her parents, and just as Mordecai and Colson are leaving, Cressidha says in a proud voice, "I made both their shirts."

Clara turns to Cress with one of the faint Aspenwood smiles. "Oh, very well done. They are rather adorable, aren't they?"

Mordecai goes for the stairs immediately.

Colson follows along easily, clearly happy to be towed.

Mordecai glances in the direction of the kitchen as he's climbing the stairs, but doesn't stop walking. Upstairs, lounging on a little side table, there are Eyes in the Dark.

Colson doesn't even glance in Oswald's direction. He's looking at Mordecai with a soft expression. Eyes in the Dark is just Normal. It's fine.

Mordecai freezes at the top of the stairs. He squints, nudges Colson, and points with his free hand.

Colson comes alert, instantly, and there's a slight shift in his aura, as he looks into the shadows. He relaxes once he realizes he's looking at Oswald, and not, for example, a gnome rogue with a fondness for startling paladins. "Good evening, Oswald," Colson says, politely, as though Oswald is a person and not a cat.

Mordecai exhales slowly. Just the cat. It's fine. He heads down the hall into their room and opens the door.

Colson steps forward into the room, doing that same slight sweep he has been doing ever since several weeks ago, as he focuses briefly on the shadows in the room.

Mordecai closes the door behind them and heads over to the window. Rather than shut the curtains completely, Mordecai actually opens the window a few inches and leans towards it, breathing in fresh air.

Colson glances over, and his brows raise slightly. "Are you well? I hope it was not…" He trails off, looking at his hands. "Was it alright?"

"I think so? Did I do all right?"

Colson walks around the bed, moving in closer to Mordecai, a smile already tugging at his lips. "You were wonderful, as always," Colson says. "My parents are both very fond of you."

"You really think so? You're sure?" Mordecai does not sound at all convinced of this.

Colson smiles a little wider, and reaches out a hand to brush against Mordecai's cheek. "Yes. I am absolutely sure. They both adore you. I admit, some of that may be only because I am so well pleased by you, but they each like you as you are as well."

Mordecai shuts the window and pulls the curtains closed before turning to Colson. "I couldn't finish everything."

Colson makes a slight sound of agreement. "There was quite a lot," Colson says easily. He looks at Mordecai with soft eyes. "Did you enjoy what you had, at least?"

Mordecai nods. "Yes, um." He turns to Colson. "Are dinners usually like that?"

Colson blinks a little, and nods. "When my parents are in town, yes, often. Sometimes if they have guests it does get more formal, but we are always aware of when that will be. It is always arranged well ahead of time."

"They're so nice."

Colson smiles wider, and his expression is very gentle as he looks at Mordecai. "Yes. They are," Colson agrees, and he steps forward, moving a hand out to cup Mordecai's face. "And they are yours, now. All that I have, yours. Socks and parents alike."

"I – " Mordecai stares at Colson. "I love you." He rests a hand over Colson's.

Colson makes a happy sort of sound. "I love you," he says easily, his eyes going back and forth between Mordecai's. "I think," he says slowly, as he steps forward, tilting his head to one side. "I would very much like to try a blueberry pie of your making, before I decide to write that one off entirely." Colson's voice is absolutely serious, even though his eyes are amused and warm.

"We can make one," Mordecai agrees immediately. "Whatever you want."

Colson grins, but there's another look in his eyes at the words, as he closes the gap between them even more. "There was a time when hearing you say that would have worried me," Colson admits. "But, now…" He blinks slowly, the grin fading as he looks at Mordecai's face. "It simply makes me happy."

Mordecai looks like he has questions, but Colson is within kissing distance, so he goes for that first.

Colson sighs happily, as he presses in forward for a sweet, slow sort of kiss, as though the actual dessert he'd wanted was this all along, one hand moving into Mordecai's hair.

Mordecai brings both arms up to hold Colson close. "What do you mean, worried you?" he asks at some point in the near future, having managed to hold on to the question.

Colson makes a faint 'hm?' sound, and it takes him several seconds to recall what the words are referring to. "Oh. Before. It was…the first way you ever gave me permission," Colson says, and glances back over his shoulder in the room, where their first kiss was. "You said that I may kiss you, whenever I wanted. And I worried that despite all my attempts to say what I meant, that you were possibly considering it a duty, or that…as someone who is quiet, that you did not dare speak up to say what you might want." Colson looks back at Mordecai, his eyes soft. "But you were. You have been telling me what you wanted all that time, since Honor Hold, and ever since. You want to know what you can do for me, because that -is- part of what -you- want."

Mordecai exhales in a way that's close to a laugh. "How long did it take you to realize that?"

"The first time you told me about your dreams," Colson says, his voice going a little lower, as he brushes his hand across Mordecai's cheek. "And then said, 'whatever you want,' to me, then. I understood what you meant. What you had been trying to say."

"Oh. Well. You're right." Mordecai kisses Colson's cheek and then pulls back enough to look in his eyes. "Anything else you've been… trying to interpret? I, I do try to be clear. When I can."

Colson looks down at Mordecai's collar bone for a moment, and then looks up again. "Sometimes, you go quiet, and I…cannot always tell why. If it's…because you are thinking of something, or…if it is worse." Colson brushes his thumb gently across Mordecai's jaw. "Like, earlier, at dinner."

"Earlier… ah." Mordecai clears his throat. "I-I mean. Sometimes I get caught on a thought, or a memory, or-or a daydream." He blushes faintly. "Sometimes it is worse, you're right."

Colson nods slightly. "Yes. I…cannot tell the difference between them, yet. Not until you speak or look at me after, one way or the other. Do you know what it was, this time?"

"You can always snap me out of it, if you're worried, and ask. Um. Daydream. This time."

"I did not want to draw more attention to it, at the table, like before, with the picnic. I intended to ask, when there was a moment." Colson smiles faintly, and the gentle touch on Mordecai's cheek slows down. "May I ask what type of daydream?"

Mordecai looks flustered, and he closes his eyes rather than turn his head away. "You said you might be headed north if they put out a call for paladins. I, I imagined that you might take me with you."

Colson's hand stills on Mordecai's face, and there's a brief moment before the motion starts again. "Of course I would. I…where else would I ever wish you to be?" Colson asks, and there's an intensity to his voice. "I have had enough of being parted from those I love to last me a lifetime."

Mordecai opens his eyes at that. "Ah. Yes, well. It wasn't a realistic daydream, it was a… Colson and Mordecai storm the citadel by themselves, prevail against all odds, lots of dramatic battle scenes."

Colson nods seriously, his eyes bright with playful amusement. "Very daring of us. Who needs a thousand paladins, when they have us. Did I get a cape, at least?" Colson asks, a smile in his voice through the deadpan delivery.

"Of course you had a cape." Mordecai clears his throat. "Sorry, it was just, they'd stopped talking to me for the moment. I-I didn't mean to be rude."

Colson shakes his head slightly. "It is quite alright. Truly, I think the only thing that made anyone pay attention is that we do not know such things very well. If we had said something upset you," Colson says, his voice soft.

"I'm not used to…" Mordecai shrugs. "Being part of the conversation. At mealtimes."

There's a flash of something on Colson's face that is cold, something that ripples through the playful happiness of his expression before Colson smooths it out into a neutral expression. "Ah. Do you prefer it? To be quiet during eating? Or did you enjoy it?" Colson asks, his voice in that Do you want to see a volcano? tone.

"Thinking," Mordecai says, and shuts his eyes.

Colson makes a happy sound in his throat, as he moves his hand off Mordecai's face, to place it gently on Mordecai's shoulder, waiting.

Mordecai takes about a minute before he opens his eyes again. "If it's a larger group, I think I prefer being quiet, but I like that I'm given the option to speak if I do want to contribute to a conversation. And if it's just us, I'm always happy to talk to you, if you'd like, but I don't mind eating in silence either."

Colson nods. "I used to be very talkative at meals. In the army, I…stopped that. I am content enough either way, myself. I am always happy to speak to you, if you wish it, and it does please me to hear you speak your thoughts, but I do not mind being with you in silence for a meal, either. I like to be with you, in any way."

Mordecai nods. "Me too."

Colson smiles a little wider, and he brushes his hand down Mordecai's shirt, as his fingers seek out the top button. "I am glad. Now. I do believe I have exercised as much restraint as I am able to, and I have very much been looking forward to the dessert," Colson says, his voice low.

Mordecai blinks. His expression reads, very clearly, 'But we already had dessert?' There's a beat of silence and then it clicks. "Oh. Yes, um. Good… restraint." That comes out so awkwardly that it's going to be added to the list of lines that anxiety plays back when Mordecai's trying to sleep, probably. In an attempt to recover, Mordecai threads both hands into Colson's hair and pulls him in for a kiss.

Colson makes a happy humming sound, and goes very willingly, one arm moving around Mordecai's waist to help pull the cinnamon roll toward the bed.