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His voice laced with excitement and fear, scared that Ray might call it too childish and embarrassing. Too odd
scared of the rejection and scared of getting red faced in the middle of it all. The plastic bags in his hands are extremely loud, a noise loud enough to make him regret his decision. He steps in the room with hesitation glued on him
"Ray?”
Ray looks up from his book, intrigued by Norman's hesitant demeanor, curious about the plastic bags and looking way more relaxed than years ago.
Being in the human world is still hard, there are many struggles
"you look like someone tried to eat you”, he knows the joke is of bad taste but Norman has never complained. Why should he stop?
Norman's face flushes a deep shade of red as Ray's teasing remark catches him off guard. Ray and his weird sense of humour.
He knows it's not that embarrassing but without Emma to validate childlike activities he struggles to be confident
"I got you something”
Norman's eyes dart around the room, unable to meet Ray's gaze.
His heart pounds in his chest, worried that Ray will find the gesture too childish.
He will always, always be scared of rejection. Their rejection
He sheepishly talks, "I know you've been stressed lately, so I just wanted to do something fun”
Ray observes the nervous Norman, a gentle smile forming. “What's up with you?”
He knows Norman does it to help yet he's unsure. He doesn't even know what those bright, Full of plastic things are. They're bad for the environment, that's for sure
He places his book to the side, giving Norman his full attention. "what is it?”
Norman's face lights up with a bright smile, swallowing his embarrassment and trying to be eager to explain.
"A blind box. It's a little package that has a surprise toy inside. You don't know what you'll get until you open it”, he gazes down at the colorful drawings on the boxes
“I thought it could be fun for us to open them together and see what kind of toys are inside."
Ray didn't have the opportunity to be childlike for long, giving him something could help him
At least he hopes
He steps closer, extending the bags towards Ray.
"I got a bunch of different ones - some with cute animals, some with little figures. I hope you'll like them”
Norman's expression is hopeful, his eyes shining with excitement. He can't wait to see the joy on Ray's face as they discover the hidden treasures within the blind boxes.
He hopes it'll be joy and not boredom
Ray's eyes narrow, intrigued by the sweet gesture and willing to try something new. he looks at Norman, tilting his head to look at Norman.
“not knowimg what you'll get is odd but fine. Okay, let's open it”
Norman's face lights up with a bright smile as Ray agrees to open the blind boxes together. He hopes Ray will like it
He carefully sets the bags down on the table, then eagerly sits down next to him.
“I can't wait to see what kind of surprises are inside."
Norman rummages through the bags, pulling out a few different blind boxes and handing them to Ray. He tried to pick good ones but without any experience hes skeptical of getting bad ones.
"Here, you can pick whichever one you want to open first. I got a bunch of different themes, so I'm sure you'll find something you like."
watching Ray intently as he examines the colorful packages, Norman reaches over and gives Ray's knee a gentle squeeze, his touch comforting and reassuring.
"I hope you enjoy them, Ray. I just want you to have a little bit of fun, you know?”
having just started to date him and being in such a new environment make his actions clumsy
-
Ray smiles Fondly, sweeter than usual. He tries to be open but it’s hard to come. Norman's excitement making him forget of the many lost opportunities as a child to have fun.
knowing his boyfriend, having Norman of all people being attracted to him is still mind blowing, wants to spend time doing such childish activities makes him feel warm
Ray carefully inspects the blind boxes, intrigued by the variety. these little things are silly
"Let's start with this one," he says, pointing at a box with playful animal illustrations.
Mermaids, astronauts and animals. Odd. Charming, maybe
Norman scoots closer, his shoulder brushing against Ray's as he leans in to get a better look. Oblivious to the faint blush Ray wears
“that one looks fun, I wonder what kind of cute animal is inside." Norman finds himself smiling, curious but attentive of ray's mood. “Wanna open it now?”
Ray reaches for the box, intrigued by the mystery.
"Let's see what's inside, then.."
he carefully opens the bright bag, finding a little booklet.
His curiosity moves to it and he leaves the half open bag. He feels like a toddler with a short attention span.
opening the little pages he observes it carefully, there are all the different kinds of pets.
Seeing Ray's interest piqued by the various pets featured in the booklet, Norman grins happily. He's doing a good job with Ray, at least he hopes
"Oh, that must be a guide to all the different pets you could potentially get.." he hums, glad to have Ray not embarrassed or shy to such activities
Norman leans in closer, his gaze flitting between the booklet and the half-open bag, his heart swelling with joy at the idea of sharing this simple yet special moment with Ray.
”Which one are you hoping to find?”
Ray looks at the different types of animals, silently skimming to see them all. Emma would love all these overly joyed animals, no matter what it is
"this one's cute", Ray places his finger on a grumpy kitten, grey with a green collar. It's the only one that doesn't have a teeth-showing-sunshine grin
He hears a chuckles and a hand reaching out to gently caress his shoulder, Norman and his need to constantly touch him.
"Ooh, that one does look pretty cute, doesn't it? I wonder if that's the one you'll end up getting."
Norman finds himself talking to Ray as if he's one of the younger kids, trying to make him feel better. He got some for Alicia and Jemima
Norman tilts his head, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like you”
He gives Ray's arm a light squeeze, his gaze filled with warmth and tease
"I guess we'll find out soon enough.”
Ray doesn't react, he opens the blind bag with ease. all this plastic is very unnecessary. He looks at the smiley bear, a jar of honey on his lap.
Ray only stays silent, looking at the toy that fits in his palm. A peaceful expression on its face
caressing the soft fur Ray doesn't speak
Norman's eyes widening with delight as a soft, plump bear figure emerges.
“Look at how adorable that is.." Norman exclaims, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"It looks cuddly and sweet, what do you think?"
The joy radiating from him is palpable, his heart overflowing with pure happiness at seeing Ray engage so wholeheartedly in this simple, childlike activity.
Ray admires the bear, feeling comfort in the soft fur, a rare moment of tranquility. "IThe little things are soft..”
Ray reaches out and gently stroke the bear's fur, marveling at how comforting the texture feels. He feels Norman's eyes on him
“I'm glad you like it, Ray. Seeing you enjoy it makes me so happy." Norman's voice is warm and sincere, his eyes shining with affection.
Feeling bold, Norman leans in and places a tender kiss on Ray's cheek, his lips lingering for a moment.
“You deserve all the sweetness in the world, my love.”
Ray gives Norman a playful push, trying to make his embarrassment as subtle as possible. The smile still sits on him. Norman is too sweet and too difficult to reply to
"how about you open the next one?’
Norman's eyes light up at Ray's invitation to open the next blind box. He eagerly reaches for one of the remaining packages
"Oh, look at this one!” Norman exclaims, his voice brimming with delight as he pulls out a small, white figurine. "It's a little astronaut! Isn't it just the cutest thing?"
He holds the figurine up, angling it so Ray can get a better look. He looks like a proud kid trying to show off
unconsciously he seems to be comforting his inner child, too. it happens a lot when he tries to give Ray the comfort he deserves
Ray picks up the astronaut figurine, examining it closely, impressed by the intricate design. "do you like it?", he asks as he flips it over, looking at the paint job
“I've seen some people get some ugly designs but I'm glad I chose the types wisely, I'm not sure about these things yet but yes. I do like it’
Norman gently takes the figurine from Ray's hands, “vibrant colours. I'm so glad you're enjoying this as much as I am."
norman knows he might come off as clingy or smitten but he enjoys it
There's a certain innocent joy that Norman finds in the blind boxes
Ray appreciates Norman's effort to bring lightness into their lives.
Even if it's through toys.
He watches Ray's silent opening, knowing that he doesn't share his excitement as loudly or openly.
A silent reaction is enough for him, admiring his smile, way more easier to come out now, brings him enough joy
his smile falters slightly when he notices the uneven paint job on the left eye, but he picks himself up and rubs both of ray's shoulders in a comforting way.
It's a mermaid, he remembers reading about them ome years ago. The books in grace field are always missed
"Oh, that is a lovely shade of pink!", he knows what works with children, so he does the same to Ray, he keeps his attention to the positive side of the doll
'But it does seem like the painting could have been done a bit better. Still, I think it's quite charming in its own way”
"mhm", Ray hums and puts all three on the table, observing, "childish activities are..". He looks at his knuckles, ignoring Norman presence
he decides to speak truthfully, pushing his pride aside, "fun. they're fun sometimes. thank you, Norman”
"I'm so glad you're having fun, my love”, norman seems to be getting more comfortable day by day, always coming up with new nicknames.
Norman's eyes shine with affection, his voice soft and sincere. "You deserve to feel carefree and content, even if just for a little while.”
Leaning in, Norman places another kiss on his cheek. Not fighting when Ray presses his palm against his jaw to move him. There's a smile on both their faces
“You're so over the top”