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The usual quiet suitcase was filled with chatter from the residents who were talking in the living room. Some were excited, and some were nervous.
Click was quietly floating towards the living room when he noticed the unusual amount of residents that were present, 'Was there something important today?...'
Click silently thought to himself while looking around before spotting the timekeeper and her companion talking to each other.
He quietly floated towards them, Sonetto was the first one to notice him before greeting him with a formal tone, “We meet again, Click.” Vertin turned her head around to meet the man’s gaze before nodding, acknowledging the man’s presence.
Click nodded back, silent for a few seconds before asking, “Is there…something happening today?..”
“Oh? You don't know? Tomorrow is gonna be Valentine's”, Sonetto said cheerfully while Click was quiet, spacing out while silently thinking about her answer.
“Why are people so...worked up on it?” Click said slightly confused. During his time when he was alive in the military, he was always focused on his work, so he never bothered even celebrating the holidays.
So seeing people being excited for a small holiday is quite surprising for him, “Wait…isn't Valentine's celebrated among lovers?” He asked them both slightly confused.
Sonetto was about to answer before being interrupted by Vertin, “Yes, but for those who don't have a significant other, they can give chocolates to their companions.” Sonetto replied, “Me, Vertin and a few others are going to exchange chocolates! Wanna join?”
Click thought about it for a few seconds, on one hand, it felt like a waste of time buying chocolates when he could use the money to buy more films. But on the other hand, he could try celebrating a holiday for a change.
“...Okay..” Click said with a quiet tone. “Great! Now we have 6 people in our plan..” Sonetto excitedly answered before looking at Click, giving him more instructions about the plan. “We’re gonna be meeting and exchanging our chocolates tomorrow evening, you also won’t know who else will be participating.”
Click nodded along to Sonetto’s instructions before giving her a firm nod, “Okay, I understand..” “Excellent!.” Soenetto replied before noticing Vertin leaving and following her out, Sonetto stopped at her tracks before turning around and firmly saying
“You also need to make the chocolates yourself.”
“..ah okay.” ah he’s kinda screwed..
He silently floated to his room, the chatter from the other residents slowly fading away before entering his room. He quietly closed the door before thinking about the Valentine's plan sonetto explained to him, He has never bothered cooking a meal since he passed away because he didn't really need to satisfy his hunger, but maybe he can re-learn baking again!
In the next 3 hours…
With no vague experience in the kitchen…
…
He might need to ask Vertin for help..
Click placed most of his camera equipment on his desk, so it doesn't feel too crowded when he bakes chocolates later in the kitchen. He vaguely remembered there being a communal kitchen around in the suitcase though none of the residents ever really used it, ‘Perfect..’ He thought to himself
He changed into something more casual, wearing sweatpants and a loose white shirt that was given by Toothfairy when she noticed his lack of clothing choices in his closet, that’s only filled with his uniforms.
After leaving his room, he tries to find the kitchen. He doesn't really remember where it is, but the suitcase isn't that big. So the first thing he checked was the main room, the living room. When he entered the living room, it was surprisingly empty, he looked around the living room before noticing in the far corner, a door he never bothered entering.
‘Could that be it?..’ He thought to himself before floating towards the unknown door. Just for privacy measures, if this was a resident's room, he quietly knocked on the door.
It was silent for a few seconds before he heard a quiet, “you may enter.” He wasn't sure now whether this was the kitchen, but he was already given permission to enter, and it would be a little disrespectful to just leave, so he gently opened the door and went inside.
So turns out, his guess was right. His gaze fell on the polished and tidy kitchen, shelves filled with bottles of spices and fresh ingredients, before noticing the person who allowed him to enter.
Vertin was sitting near the kitchen island, a cup of tea in her hands, quietly sipping her tea before placing it on top of the kitchen island and saying, “I'm surprised you remember that there’s a kitchen here..”
Click was quiet, didn't bother replying back before asking her, “Miss Vertin?” Vertin hummed in acknowledgement, waiting for him to continue his question
Click floated towards her, standing near the kitchen island before looking at her, “I need help with that Valentine's exchange you planned for tomorrow,” Click quietly muttered before Vertin nodded and said,
“I'm assuming you don't know how to bake?” Click shook his head before quietly saying, “I remember cooking when I was alive…but it has been a while since I cooked a meal..let alone bake something..”
Vertin hummed in acknowledgement, “Thankfully I bought extra ingredients for my chocolates “ Vertin muttered before pointing at a cabinet thats placed on the far left of the kitchen,
“you may use them for your chocolates and i'll guide you step by step” Click nodded and gave her a small smile of gratitude, “Thank you Timekeeper..”
Vertin replied back, “It's my pleasure, now c’mon let's start baking before it turns night, Wear an apron so your clothes don't get dirty” Click nodded to her statement, noticing a black apron hung on the wall near the door.
He floated towards the apron, grabbed it and wore it, tying the strings behind him before finding the cabinet she pointed to, opened the door to find the ingredients. He noticed that there were bags of icing powder, cocoa powder, and also milk powder.
“Are these really the ingredients for chocolate?” Click quietly said while grabbing one bag of each and placing them on top of the kitchen island near Vertin. Vertin took a sip of tea and replied back, “Not necessarily, but it works as a good substitute. Go grab a pot and fill ⅔ of it with water and let it boil.”
Click followed along with her command, grabbing a pot he found near the kitchen drying rack, ‘Vertin must have used this..’ He thought to himself while filling it with water, gently placing it on top of the stove and turning the stove on at medium heat.
“Alright, grab 1 cup of the icing powder, ½ cup of cocoa powder and milk powder. Then use a strainer to sift the powder, just use the one I used that's on top of the kitchen drying rack.”
Click grabbed the strainer and a bowl to place below the strainer. He measured exactly 1 cup of icing powder and carefully sifted it on top of the bowl.
“Is there..a reason why I need to do this?” Click asked Vertin. Vertin took a sip of her tea and replied back, “So there's no clumps of powder present.” Click nodded towards her statement before grabbing the ½ cups of cocoa powder and gently swifting it.
The atmosphere was quiet but also peaceful, even though both Vertin and Click didn't really exchange small talk that often during their cooking session, they both admittedly enjoyed each other's presence.
After Click was done swifting the dry ingredients, Click looked at Vertin waiting for her next instruction. Vertin was spacing out when she noticed in the corner of her eye that Click was looking at her patiently. “Stir the ingredients carefully then grab a heatproof bowl and pour ⅔ cup of coconut oil. Place the bowl on top of the pot-”
“Not the one with the powder Click..”
“Oh..”
Click carefully grabbed the bowl with the dry ingredients, placing it near Vertin before grabbing a bowl that's drying in the Kitchen drying rack and the bottle of coconut oil that's conveniently placed near the drying rack. He followed her instructions and placed the bowl that's filled with coconut oil gently on top of the boiling pot.
“Now slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and carefully mix it.” Click grabbed a spatula that's drying in the drying rack and followed along through her instructions. After a few minutes, the bowl that's on top of the pot is filled with a mixture of what actually looks like melted chocolate.
“What do I do now, Miss Vertin?” Click asked her while carefully mixing the mixture thoroughly. “Grab some of those chocolate molds I bought and carefully pour the chocolate mixture into them, then cool it down in the freezer,” Vertin said, now standing near Click, watching his every move with a hint of fascination.
Click nodded, following through with her instructions and carefully pouring and placing the 3 chocolate molds into the freezer. After closing the freezer door, Click turned his head around to meet Vertin's gaze. Click clasped and rubbed his hands together nervously before muttering, “Did I do well?”
“You were amazing Click! Is this really your first time baking?” Vertin answered back cheerfully. Click let out a relieved sigh, chuckling and replying back “I guess my cooking skills still haven't faded after all these years...”
“Well then, my job here is done.” Vertin said while placing the empty test cup in the sink, “Please wash all the utensils used!”
Click nodded before muttering, “Thank you Vertin…For helping me, “It's my pleasure, If you want to make more then feel free to do so, but don't overwork yourself” Vertin said while leaving, closing the kitchen door behind her.
Click was now left to his own thoughts, He decided to clean up all of the bowls and kitchen equipment he used while waiting for the chocolates to freeze. After half an hour, he opened the freezer door, brought out the chocolates and cut them into even boxes.
He decided to grab one piece, tasting it to see if it needed more adjustments. ‘It's quite bitter..’ He thought to himself.
“I think it’ll be fine..” He reassured himself while placing the chocolates evenly and equally in a mini see-through treat bag, finishing it off with tying a red ribbon around it, sealing its entrance
Click felt proud of himself, seeing his finished product before thinking about adding a postcard tied around the ribbon strings so it doesn't feel too empty, “What should I write…” He said to himself before getting an idea and started working.
Valentine's went by super fast, and it was now evening where the exchange was supposed to happen. The first to arrive was Blonney, who had already given chocolates to Sonetto and Vertin, now waiting for the other participants.
Horropedia walked into the living room before noticing Blonney and greeting her, “Hey there Blonney!” Blonney met Horrorpedia’s gaze before greeting him back.
“Hey Joshua, You here for that Valentine's exchange Vertin planned?-” Blonney asked Horropedia, her question being cut off after seeing Horropedia whipping out a small chocolate box In Front of her.
“Why of course !” Horropedia confidently answered back. Blonney grabbed the chocolate box given to her before opening it, taking a small bite.
“…”
“Is this store bought?”
“Yeah it's store bought…”
They both stared at each other in silence. Blonney sighed in frustration before muttering back, “Be thankful I'm not gonna tell Vertin this.” Blonney grabbed a chocolate box from her back pocket, giving it to him before muttering, “Happy Valentine's, Joshua.” Horrorpedia nodded back, chuckling before replying back, “Happy valentines to you too!”
Blonney chuckled back in amusement before leaving the living room, seemingly to find the other participants. Horropedia crossed his arms and leaned against the living room wall, waiting for the other participants to exchange his chocolates before noticing Click quietly entering the living room.
Horropedia quietly dismissed Click’s presence, not bothering to ask him about Valentine's Day because Click doesn't seem to be a guy who celebrates holidays before his thoughts were cut off by a forced cough by the ghost who is now floating in front of him.
“Hey there Click, need something-” Horropedia’s statement was cut off when Click handed him a treat bag, filled with chocolate. Horropedia’s thoughts came to a halt when he noticed the chocolates,
his eyes darting from the chocolates and to Click’s gaze back to back. He felt his face burning up before coughing to cut off the sudden awkwardness,
“A-aeh.. Thank yo-ou Click!” Horropedia quickly stammered out while grabbing the chocolates Click gave, their hands slightly touching which made Horropedia’s mind race even more.
Click silently gazed at Horropedia’s face, slightly worried that Horropedia didn't like his chocolate, but he couldn't really tell from his expression. Horropedia’s face was extremely red, His eyes darting and looking at everything except him. Click slightly tilted his head in confusion, wondering if he had done something wrong before noticing Vertin and Sonetto entering the living room.
Click waved Horropedia goodbye, “Happy Valentine's day Horropedia.." He quietly muttered before floating towards Vertin and Sonetto and greeting them.
Horropedia’s eyes followed Click’s every move before noticing him giving chocolates to both of them. ‘Ah..He’s also in this exchange..’ He thought to himself, slightly disappointed before letting out a quiet sigh and raising the chocolates given to him towards his gaze. He noticed a postcard tied to the ribbon before flipping it and seeing what was written.
The postcard had a drawing of what seemed like a chibi Click bowing down and a text beside him that wrote, ‘This is my first attempt at making chocolate, sorry if it tastes bitter’
Horropedia chuckled in amusement, admiring the well-made postcard before opening the treat bag and tasting one of the chocolates Click made. “It is quite bitter..” Horropedia muttered to himself,
‘But perfect in its own way..’ He thought to himself, a smile succumbing to his face. He left the living room, a new feeling of admiration and fondness forming for the photographer.
…
“I didn't make enough chocolates for Click.”
Horropedia muttered to himself as he immediately stopped his tracks, ‘OH FUCK I DIDNT MAKE ENOUGH’ he thought to himself, his thoughts swirling around in a panic as He rushed back to the living room, wanting to talk to Click before noticing Click was no longer in the living room but Vertin was still present.
Horropedia rushed towards Vertin and stammered out, “DOYOUKNOWWHERECLICKWENT?!” Vertin, who was passively looking back at him, muttered out “He went back to his room to rest.”
Horropedia groaned in disappointment, his hand scratching his head in frustration before muttering, “Why didn't you tell me Click was in this exchange..”
Vertin was just blankly staring at him before replying, “I did inform you. You were rambling about your Horror-theories when I told you yesterday.”
Horropedia stared blankly at Vertin as a few seconds passed, “Oh yeah you did.” Horropedia muttered to himself, as he just groaned at his own obliviousness and stupidity.
Vertin looked at Horropedia in boredom before muttering out, “If you want…you can give back more chocolates to Click on White day.” Horropedia immediately stopped his groaning, he turned his gaze to meet Vertin before muttering, “What the fuck is White day??”
Vertin palmed her forehead before muttering, “It's a Japanese thing, where people who receive chocolates can return the favor by giving them chocolate or any white presents.” She gave Horropedia a pat on his back and quietly said,
“You have a whole month to prepare it, make sure you do it right.” She quietly left the Living room, leaving Horropedia to his own thoughts. Horropedia wasn't really sure why Vertin said like it's an important mission he can't fail but he will try his best to make an ever-lasting impression on Click when White day comes.
Horropedia immediately ran back to his room, planning his grand plan. The days gradually passed by with Horropedia observing Click to see what his interests and hobbies were,
A very obvious interest that Horropedia knows is that Click enjoys Photography so he’ll definitely buy more films or maybe camera-cleaning equipment or tools But a less-known Interest that Horropedia noticed is that Click had a fondness with Vinyl records, specifically from the 1940’s.
Though Horropedia’s constant observation wasn't that well-hidden. Click has also noticed whenever he walks in or out of the Living room, or any room in general other than his Bedroom and bathroom,
Horropedia was following Click like a lost puppy so much so that Click even asked Horropedia’s close friend, Blonney, whether he was okay or not in which Blonney shrugged her shoulders, also doesnt know why he acts like that.
As the constant observation continued day by day, Horropedia became more excited and nervous about his plan, but it's already too late to back down, so he decided to go all in.
After a whole month passed since Valentine's Day, it was finally white day. Click was peacefully sleeping in his room before being woken up by a sudden bang outside and a very distinct “Oh fuck” was heard, like someone fell out of a window. His window…
He slowly sat up from his bed and sure enough, the window beside his bed was slightly open. He stretched his limbs out and left the comfort of his bed.
He closed the window and started to look around his room to see whether they had stolen or taken anything of value before noticing a small present on his worktable.
‘How strange..’ Click thought to himself before floating towards the gift and carefully opening it, He was surprised with the contents of said present,
it was filled with extra films, some bottles of lens cleanser, Q-tips and also what seemed to be microfibre cloths folded. Click noticed a note beside where the present was before lifting the note to meet his gaze.
“Some things for your camera, There's more gifts on the way :)”
-H.
There are no more traces of who the person that left the present was other than the signature written on the note. He silently thought to himself, wondering who this person was, though he already had a hunch about who
“Horropedia..” Click muttered to himself while changing out of his sleepwear into his usual military uniform, he often wore. Click looked at the gift that he left on his work table once more before leaving his room, and yet another surprise was right in front of his doorstep.
Click looked down before noticing another present, bigger than the one left in his room. He carefully took the lid off before noticing that the present was filled to the brim with vinyl records.
Click's eyes slightly sparkled with excitement and his mouth was slightly open. The vinyl records that were in the present box were vintage, so it must take a lot of time and money to collect them all. He then noticed that there was a note taped below the lid of the present which read,
“I told you that there's more where that came from :D”
-H.
Click silently looked at the note before cracking a smile on his face, chuckling in amusement before lifting the gift into his arms and bringing it to his room so he can listen to it later.
He left his room again, entering the living room and in the corner of his eye, he saw Horropedia stumbling out, rushing and running to somewhere. Click chuckled and prepared himself for what was about to come next.
And sure enough the gifts were coming in a continuous pattern, whenever he went into a room, a present was there right in front of him. Click wasn't sure why Horropedia continued gifting him but it made something inside him feel warm and happy.
Hours went by, the gifting continued, but when he left the living room, wanting to rest in his room, he noticed a note taped in front of his door.
“Meet me here at ### ##### ## # “
Click silently looked at the note, wondering why Horropedia decided to meet up at those coordinates, though Click still followed along with Horropedia’s request and left the suitcase to find the coordinates.
After a few minutes of twists and turns, he noticed an absent forest in front of him. Click tilted his head in confusion, wondering if he was at the right place. 'Maybe I went the wrong way..’ He thought to himself, as he was about to turn and leave, a pair of hands suddenly wrapped around his waist, and chuckling came from the person behind him while shaking him.
“You made it! You actually made it!!”
Click turned around to meet Horropedia’s gaze, Horropedia looked extremely excited, a big grin was present on his face before noticing Click staring at him,
They both silently looked at each other before Horropedia’s face started to turn red and stammered out a quick apology while unwrapping his hands, giving them both space between each other.
Click straighten out his uniform, fixing any wrinkles present before his gaze fell on Horropedia. Horropedia was fidgeting his hands, adjusting his clothes and fixing his hair. Click silently stared at Horropedia before quietly asking, “Are you okay? You seem..nervous”
Horropedia stood still at his place, awkwardly chuckling at himself while rubbing his neck. “N-Never been Better!” He quickly stammered out. Click suspiciously nodded,
he was about to ask a follow-up question before he was cut off by Horropedia grabbing his hand and leading him into the forest.
While Horropedia was leading them both to somewhere, Click was silently looking at their joined hands before slowly intertwining them, Click was sheepishly smiling at their hands. Horropedia immediately stopped at his tracks and turned his head around to see their intertwined hands.
Horropedia’s mouth was slightly agape, blush covered his face before meeting Click’s gaze. Click, who was still smiling, tilted his head in a playful way, “Something wrong, Horropedia?”
Horropedia tried to come up with a full sentence but all his attempts were futile as he continued stuttering his speech.
Click silently looked at him in amusement, quietly chuckling and playfully said, “Want me to let go?” Click slowly separated his hand before Horropedia quickly clasped both of their hands together tightly,
Click was slightly surprised by Horroepdia’s sudden action, Click’s playful grin slightly faltered. Click wanted to see Horropedia’s face but Horropedia turned his head back then quietly stuttered out, “L-lets hurry up”
Click nodded to Horropedia’s order and followed his lead. Click silently enjoyed their quiet and comfortable walk along the trees and scenery, but Horropedia was internally blushing and nervous.
His thoughts still hadn't moved on from their hands intertwining. Nonetheless, he was grinning uncontrollably, his heart pounding as he continued thinking about it.
When they both reached the destination, Horropedia led, Click noticed a tidily placed picnic near the edge of a cliff with an amazing ocean view, as the sunset was setting, string lights hung around the tree leaves.
While Click was observing the surrounding in awe, Horropedia sat down near the edge of the cliff, his feet dangling before calling Click to sit beside him.
Click carefully sat beside him, bringing his knees towards his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs as they both silently looked at the sunset. After a while, Click wanted to ask the man beside him a question that's been on his mind ever since he received the first gift.
“Why..why are you doing this?..”
Horropedia turned his gaze towards click, his eyes turning back into the sunset before muttering, “I wanted to repay for everything you’ve done for me..” Click stared at Horropedia, slightly confused before questioning him again, “But I didn't do anything?... at least not anything drastic..”
Horropedia continued gazing at the sunset before cracking a small smile and muttered,
“You’ve tolerated my Horror-obssesion ever since we’ve met, ive dragged you into alot of stupid shit and yet you were never mad at me…You’ve always been by my side whenever I needed you the most, even if you didn't know it. In my book, you’ve done a lot for me…and I'm thankful for it..”
Click stared at Horropedia, surprised and slightly flustered by his sudden confession. Click quietly returned his gaze towards the sunset, both enjoying each other’s presence before Click asked a follow-up question.
“Did it hurt when you fell out of my window?”
“Oh for fucks sake..”
Horropedia muttered out in embarrassment as he covered his face with his hands while Click chuckled in amusement. “Yes. It did hurt. I almost gave myself a heart attack when I fell.” Horropedia grumbled out, as he turned his head away from Click’s gaze. “Don't laugh at me. I spent a lot of money and took a lot of time to plan this..” Horropedia stubbornly mumbled.
Silence washed over between the two before Click quietly rested his head against Horropedia’s shoulder, which made Horropedia suddenly froze up.
“Thank you Joshua…for all of this. I really enjoyed it..” Click quietly said while his gaze was fixed on the sunset.
Horropedia turned his head around to meet Click’s gaze, His face blushing from the sudden praise from the man resting before a small smile formed on his face, thankful that he committed to this crazy plan as he fixed his gaze towards the sunset.