Chapter Text
Naturally, it is necessary to get your essentials before starting the week rather than rushing in the week for groceries, at least that’s what Veritas has been telling Sunday from the day they started living together until — the day they got married, which now serves its purpose as a reminder in the shape of little post-it note on the fridge. The pair found themselves at the mall they usually stop by, the air conditioning greeted them after the sun's heat that accompanied them on the way in as the mall was bustling like always, the sounds of talking, music, and movements surrounded them with an almost booming sensation.
Sunday was the first to step in front of them, pushing forward the shopping cart as his eyes laid upon his partner, who was more busy checking over their grocery list jolted down in his notebook. He couldn’t help but smile slightly at the sight before speaking up. “Are you ready to move? We’ll start with the groceries first, as always hm?” the halovian stated which drew the attention of the man beside him, who glanced over with a nod, “Of course, you can move along, I’ll be following closely.” Once everything was confirmed, Sunday simply pushed the cart forward as they began walking along toward their first destination, ensuring that he wasn’t crashing into people with the cart while Veritas closely lingered behind him.
His eyes begin to look around curiously, whether it is to catch anything new in the mall or perhaps, a small pop-up store recently opened — it was just a way to keep himself focused on his surroundings, which helped him spot something new that piqued his interest. The once closed-off store labeled ‘under construction’ finally received a new look, a storefront with an intricate design that he found cute, it’s charming! More importantly, there’s something that drew him in beside the design; which was the fact it displayed such cute little plushies.
The sight immediately quirked a smile on Sunday’s face as his eyes lightened up immediately at the sight, his wings flapped slightly in excitement whenever he was met with it, but who wouldn’t do the same?
Veritas didn’t notice at first, how his partner almost lit up like a star upon seeing the store considering he is more focused on ensuring that their essentials run went well without interruption, after that he’ll happily welcome any kind of distractions if it is initiated by Sunday. Although there wasn’t a need to worry or fuss over it, for the couple it was a simple routine they’ve repeated over and over again each week, each month so it undoubtedly helped with the process; while also quickening it up.
But if there’s one thing that the scholar has noticed throughout it is the way Sunday’s eyes always wander to a specific store each time they walk past it, no matter the distance or height, the subtle change of direction as his attention is directed somewhere else, even if momentarily… it was too obvious. If it was a mere glance once then he wouldn’t pay it any mind but the way he was pretty much ogling it like a predator preying on his first meal, he couldn’t help but find it amusing. Yet, the scholar remained quiet despite his observation, not wanting to point it out as Veritas didn’t want to assume anything even if he could practically read his mind, their shopping was almost complete and he would simply inquire about it later.
Time never waits for the people considering how an hour or two quickly came and went without a hitch, which also indicated that the couple was finally done with their shopping for the evening as Veritas pushed along the shopping cart filled with the essentials they bought while Sunday tagged along beside him, exchanging small talks amongst one another before it came to a stop once the halovian’s attention drawn towards the store once more, causing Veritas to stop moving with the cart as he blinked seeing the sight. He couldn’t put a finger on what he truly felt when he was foreseeing this situation right now but perhaps, a hint of adoration fluttered in his heart as he cleared his throat; causing Sunday to turn his way with a puzzled look.
A moment of silence carried between them before the scholar spoke up, “If you like, we could check it out — you were practically preying on it, it was hard to ignore.” as Veritas pointed it out, he gently nudged his partner towards the entrance with his hand resting on his back, all the while Sunday couldn’t help but smile sheepishly, hiding his embarrassment behind his wings as it crept up and covered his face, “If I could defend myself on this case, I wasn’t preying on it; the display was simply too adorable to not spare a glance, is it not?” he retorted, earning a chuckle from Veritas.
“Even a predator isn’t this outward obvious during their hunt, I don’t know how you could mess it up,” Veritas stated, causing the halovian to almost scoff at his statement.
“You’re a tease, maybe you should wait outside while I browse to spare me from your words.”
Amidst their playful bantering with one another, they stepped inside as the pair took in their surroundings, to be surrounded by a sea of plushies was admittedly endearing for Veritas but he also could understand the ‘hype’ behind such items for his partner to be lulled in like a dog seeing a treat laid out for it, at least he likes to think he does. “Jellycat, isn’t that the name of the brand? I’ll admit, it isn’t what I expected when I heard such a name. ” Veritas muttered loud enough for Sunday to hear, his hand reaching out as he picked up one of the many plushies on display, admiring its handiwork and the care put into it — for something that the youths would enjoy, he can’t help but admit even he begins to grow fond of it, just a little bit. “They’re quite the eye-catcher, aren’t they? Look at this one, it’s a duckling.” Sunday pointed out, a glint of endearment in his eyes.
Picking up the plush toy in his hand as he brought it up to Veritas’s point of view, he looked upon it as he couldn’t help but raise a brow at the sight, there was something about it that he couldn’t put a finger on it, yet, the halovian read him like a book. “You like it, I could tell by the look in your eyes.” Sunday chirped, seeing how his partner tensed up slightly at the observation before quickly shaking his head. “Nonsense, they’re just toys for the youth… although, they’re endearing that I could see.” Turning away from Sunday, his eyes continued to check out the variety before them, taking in their attention to detail as he picked up a plush toy that was meant to mirror that of a robin.
It fits nicely in the palm of his hand, causing a subtle smile to be plastered across the scholar’s face as he held it up next to Sunday’s face, gauging his reaction whilst the halovian could stand there in a moment of confusion, before simply shaking his head in mild amusement. “Is there a resemblance? I don’t think I could see any.” He quips, hiding his face with his wings to deter any more comparison between him and the toy in mock offense before speaking up.
“Then, I could say that the duckling fits you without any complaints, the score is settled as it’s a tie between us, wouldn’t you say?”
“You and that duckling, what kind of detail does it share with me that it fits my image? Care to explain, Sunday?”
“If I could explain, a simple look between you and the duckling tells me one thing, aren’t you both cute? Though, perhaps another adjective might be more suitable for you than cute.”
The faint red creeps up across his cheeks as Veritas simply shakes his head in defeat, something so simple already got him wrapped up like a present but he can’t deny it, the ducking is cute – more than cute, it’s adorable, and he’s completely given in. No wonder Sunday was so intrigued by these plush toys from a mere glance, he chalked it up to the halovian finding the plush toys endearing because they simply are; even if you’re a hardened criminal, you could see the potential and hype behind it!
“I’ll admit, I think I can see why you were eyeing them every time we walk past the store… they’re just, I don’t think I could even put it into words,” Veritas stated with an almost resigned tone causing his partner to smile at the sight, he reached over as his hand rescued the little robin that Veritas was almost squeezing it in his grip, “Then let’s get them, we’ve already finished our run for today and we have credits to indulge in a little spending from time to time, don’t we?” His words caused the scholar to narrow his gaze at him, as if thinking of an answer that would suffice to deny this spending but really, buying plush toys because you think it’s cute isn’t a good reason to get them… otherwise, you could do that for anything you deemed cute by standards.
But the second he met his gaze, how there was a plight of pleading tinted in Sunday’s expression caused his walls to be broken down in an instant, how terribly smitten he was for the halovian before him, no amount of reasoning can pull him back to reality as he sighed, “Fine, but this will be the end of this, only these two and none more, understood?” Veritas stated firmly, putting his foot down on the decision all while Sunday stood there, simply amused by how persistent he was to make this count; but he believed that this wouldn’t be the last time for them.
Sunday stroll along with him towards the cash register to check out, “Don’t worry, I’ve understood each word uttered like it’s a poem written out for me.” He lightly teased causing a mere scoff to escape his partner’s mouth but there wasn’t any heat behind it, simply he was entertained by the whole ordeal. Handing one of the plush toys, the robin for Veritas to hold in his hand, his hand engulfing it in his grip as he can’t help but smile, “What are we going to do with these anyhow, this one is small… I am afraid it will be lost in due time.” He stated matter-of-fact, twisting his wrist to take a closer look at it before it practically leaped out of his grip — causing both Veritas and Sunday to be startled followed by fits of chuckles from the couple, with the scholar looking away sheepishly as he scooped it back from the floor.
“I swear, I was holding it that it leaves no room for it to do such things,” Veritas quickly raised his defense which made Sunday laugh, his wings flapping slightly as he gave him an almost teasing look, “Perhaps It was offended by your words, it may be small and meek but it has the spirits to strive, you know.” He insisted.
“That’s nonsense, why would leaping to your doom be seen as anything but foolish?” Veritas retorted, his face scrunched up at the absurdity of their little conversation becoming while they resumed waiting in line, “I mean, it’s not like it can spread its wings and fly, it doesn’t have the qualities to fly but doesn’t mean it can’t try?”
“This is a stuffed toy of a robin, Sunday.” Cue the scholar slowly raising the adorable robin in his hand, even if it can’t say anything in this situation to defend Sunday, it seemed determined!
“Perhaps you have lost the charms of indulging in your imagination, Veritas— I’m wounded by your loss.”
“I don’t think I have lost anything, more importantly, I think you’ve lost the plot instead.”
The two exchanged a look with one another for a moment before losing themselves in laughter, albeit toned down as they reminded themselves that they were in public and not nestled away in the private comfort of their home. It didn’t take long for the couple to leave with their purchase, with Sunday peering into the bag with a smile that could light up this whole mall as Veritas was simply amused by the sight, perhaps if he could see this often; he wouldn’t mind indulging the halovian once in awhile.
“What are we going to do with these anyways, genuinely besides it being left on the shelves to be admired, that’s it.” The scholar raised a question, pushing along their shopping cart while Sunday pondered for a moment, pulling out one of the plush toys, more specifically the duckling as he held it in one arm, “There’s no need for reasons, if we like it then I think that’s good enough.”
“It reminds me of you, at least I could have a piece of you whenever you’re away… and you could do the same with the robin, isn’t it nice?” Sunday mused, stepping closer beside his partner, feeling the warmth that radiated from him as Veritas hummed.
The scholar remained silent for a moment before speaking up, closing the gap between them as he wrapped an arm around the halovian’s shoulder, squeezing him slightly with a sigh.
“To have a reminder of one another?... It’s something I will welcome with open arms, countless things that remind me of you, I’m not one to turn away another if it’s you.”
“Such a charmer, aren’t you?”
“If it makes you smile, I’m glad to entertain.”