Halloween is the best day of the year (Open)

[b_a_n_g]

Who: Reaper, Soldier: 76 & anyone at the Wild Harvest
Which: Open Log
Where: Wild Harvest
What: Reaper makes a big public play for Soldier: 76's hand.
Warnings: Reaper being Reaper


The Wild Harvest was set up for the appropriate festivities and because it was Halloween – a favourite of so many – the place was decked out with decorations on the walls, on the edges of tables and on the bar. It was all very festive and the tables had plenty of people dropping in the enjoy a good meal, good company and good atmosphere.

The noise of the Harvest was a swell of people enjoying themselves between chatting and enjoying a meal or a drink. There is spooky music, and if anything, it’s a normal festivity kind of night at the place. Aside from the Halloween decorations, the only thing potentially attention grabbing is that the animals that frequent the place are also in Halloween costumes.

Reaper, who tosses out unruly patrons and makes drinks at the bar, finally left his post when it seemed that the Harvest was full enough and people were mostly settled into their meals. He moved through the spaces between tables to head towards the door where food was being taken out by to patrons by the waiting staff.

He pushed open the door and called back into the kitchen “Hey, you need to come out here to see the new fairy kitten that just came in.”

The familiar old man cook that was well-known around these parts and had been a staple of the place wandered out from the kitchen wiping hands on a towel. Jack wasn’t dressed up as he was all business in the kitchen and keeping everyone well fed and merry on this night. There were a few stains on his uniform from the evening preparation, and he was looking around for this mysterious new kitten he had been informed of.

“Over there,” Reaper stated and instead of waiting for the other old man to make the connection, the pair of them were swept up into black smoke as Reaper teleported them both to stand on the bar. It was one of the highest points in the place, which made certain to give everyone a good view of the pair of them.

Suddenly Reaper, being ever dramatic, reached up and pulled off his mask – a first for a public viewing. That alone created a hush in the room as people nudged each other and stared at his old and burn-scarred face. He even went so far as to push back his hood so there was no denying his white hair, and he was going to use the shock value to both hold the person he was standing on the counter with.

"Jack, since the day that I met you decades ago, I knew there was something special about you. We’ve been through many battles together: fought, bled, and served. You were one of the few people that stood by me even when you had no reason to. You’re an idiot, of course. However, you’re my idiot, and I would literally burn this place down and kill everyone here for you." Reaper didn’t care how many red flags that would generate from that because he was dropping to one knee on the bar and pulling out a small jewelry box, which he flipped open to reveal a ring, which he held up to Jack.

"I want to spend the rest of this cursed life with you, Jack. Will you marry me?"

Of course, not only was this his favourite holiday, but Reaper knew that making a very big public display would pressure Jack to having to say yes. That’s the kind of guy he was. Sweet, right?

Jack stared with wide eyes and mouth slightly ajar. The entire Harvest was silent and also staring, and there were several minutes that passed as the two silver haired old men watched each other. Then, Jack suddenly muttered in disbelief, "Of all of the stunts you have ever pulled…."

Reaper smirked, maintaining his one-knee pose, fully aware of what position he had put Jack in. He waited, aware an answer would eventually come if he held it long enough.

Suddenly, Jack cocked a hand back and punched Reaper square in the face. The other man rocked backwards before his collar was snatched by Jack’s hand to hold him upright.

There was a gasp from several in the room, but honestly, this was all very normal and expected behaviour between them. Of course, it was on full display for the entire Harvest to see as they both were still there on the bar.

"Yes, you giant asshole, I’ll marry you."

Reaper rose with the pull to his collar, and the pair of them were kissing. Even before the kiss had gone for a few seconds, the ring was pulled from the small box and slipped on the appropriate finger before Reaper was dipping Jack backwards dramatically.

Comments

Open to all

[b_a_n_g]

Once they had separated and with pleasure at seeing the chosen ring on Jack’s finger, Reaper slipped his hood back up and his mask back on. He had removed himself from the bar and moved to return to his post of manning the door. There was a distinct lightness to his step that evaporated any of his usual intimidating march.

He leaned against the bar that allowed him to face the door, and instead of growling at people having a good time, he gestured at them to find the few open tables that remained. Yet, he also continually turned his head to watch Jack.

"He doesn’t normally smile that much. Halloween is the best day of the year."

Come and say hi to him!

OTA

[steadypulse]

No one could tell him that Reaper hadn't deserved that punch no matter what his answer to the proposal had been.

All the same, once down from the bar and having made sure it was wiped down clean from being stood on- Jack had gone back to his own tasks. Either back in the kitchen itself when needed, or out front and actually relaxing a bit.

Pretty easy to catch him at the bar or a free table with something to drink a bit of a treat to snack on- or just idly fiddling with that new ring on his finger and gloves well left in a pocket.

[I will match brackets/action tags. ✧♪(´▽｀)]

[mwehehe]

[Look— she thought she was just getting dinner here, not dinner and a show! The punch was definitely a shock, but after that had worn (and quickly), there's a cheer from Futaba's table. That's how a marriage proposal should go if you were obstinate and, well, put on the spot like that.

Once Dad76 is much less crowded, a curry-loving gremlin is making her way over and sitting with him with a grin. A big grin.]

I thought you were just supposed to say yes, not punch someone and then say yes.

[steadypulse]

[Of course there was a chuckle, arms folded so they could rest on the bar.]

Usually you don't- think he's an exception with the way he pulled that stunt with it.

[A little exasperation- but there was still fondness there, corner of his mouth turned up into a faint grin.]

[mwehehe]

Ah, love.

[...she says as if she knows anything about love.]

I feel like I got dinner and a show, just for the price of some curry.

[As she says this, she looks him over. He looks happy, even if a little frustrated— hmm, no, not frustrated but flustered, perhaps?— about a proposal such as that. But happy is the prevailing emotion here, and that, in turn, makes her happy.]

You look happy though, that's good. You deserve it.

[steadypulse]

[Got a chuckle out of him, all the same.]

With how much he likes to be dramatic when he's doing something he feels worth the display and energy? Definitely a show, even if Reaper's the only one that knew it was going to happen.

[That was there some of the exasperation in his tone was coming from, wrapped up in that old but tired sort of fondness for the other man. Really, he didn't much like public stunts like that for a few reasons but... Gabriel was fortunate, at least. The punch could have been a lot harder than it was; he had pulled back.]

I'm still.. surprised. Thanks though, kid. Despite the show, honestly glad you're one of those here to have seen it.

[One of the few.]

Closed to Jack/Soldier: 76

[b_a_n_g]

[The evening had progressed as it did on a party night with people having a good time and friends meeting friends. The Harvest was busy for the dinner hours and then had died down as people moved on to their various house parties or any of the trick-or-treat events that happened to be going on.

During a quiet moment, he appeared behind Jack and gently took the younger man's wrist lightly and tugged him towards the back. Since his public stunt, they hadn't actually discussed what had gone down nor had a moment to themselves. He had, of course, planned it that way so that Jack could be the center of attention and also cool off should the younger man be actually angry with him for a public proposal.

So, he lightly tugged Jack to the younger man's little break room, removing his mask and pushing back his hood once they were out of the public eye (not that it mattered anymore) before turning to Jack and smirking.]

How's your night going, chef?

*★,°*:.☆(￣▽￣)/$:*.°★* 。

[steadypulse]

[For all of it, Jack still moved as Gabriel tugged him along- with a bit of an exasperated look, but it was what it was and there was still that underlining fondness that he couldn't quite bury—]

You are a dramatic asshole- but you're my dramatic asshole, I suppose.

[—Dryly spoken, even as Jack lifted a hand to brush some of that loose hair from Gabriel's face; braid was still doing good at least for the rest of it.]

Decided you wanted to be even more stuck with me, huh?

[-The man who said yes.]

[b_a_n_g]

[Well now, he considered the most dramatic part over, so they could sneak away to the usual privacy that they enjoyed. His face was a touch sore from being punched, but it wasn't as if Jack had been using full strength on him. Besides, the punch was the effect that he had been going for.]

You did say yes, and there's no take-backs as we both know.

[He leaned into his touch and slipped his hands around Jack's waist affectionately.]

We've been together a year now, and it's going well. I didn't see a reason to wait; besides, if your ma knew, she'd cry.

[steadypulse]

No take-backs.

[His palm pressed against Gabriel's cheek, thumb brushing just below the eye as fingers curled at his jaw. The touch gentle, full of unspoken affection.]

She would, and I guess we waited long enough for it.

[Was going well for them, some bump here and there that could just be expected, but they just came right back together and closer for it.]

[b_a_n_g]

I suppose I'll give you a pass to consider it now that you aren't standing on a bar in front of a large group of people.

[He stepped up closer, his bare fingers working their way up the back of Jack's shirt so he could smooth them over that warm skin. His hands were cold at this point in the night, but they would quickly against Jack's warm body.]

Only a little over a year. You and I aren't exactly the shotgun Vegas marriage type.

[They had been working on their relationship over the last year. From surprising Jack with a demand for dating to now surprising a marriage proposal, it was going smashingly. Besides, Jack was so in denial, and he was pleased to make bold moves that were very dramatic.]

[chippedsoul]

[Kazuma was tending to a table, pouring drinks when the spectacle at the bar occurred. What the hell is Reaper doing? If he's about to cause trouble-

Wait, is that Jack? Reaper's taking off his mask? That, managed to grab Kazuma's full attention.

It was in that moment, before the ring even showed up, that Kazuma realized what was happening. The patreons at the table made a noise as he forgets he was pouring drinks for them, the cup now overflowing. Shit, fuck, this was all happening so suddenly.

In reality, he probably should have seen the inevitible. What with those two acting more than just tolerating one another as time passed.] Sorry- [Focus on cleaning up, then deal with, whatever that is at the bar. His feelings are mixed, even if the answer is obvious how he should feel. And really, as long as Jack is happy, he should support his decision. Right...?

He hangs around the entrance to the kitchen area after cleaning up his mess, not particularly grabbing their attention, but also staying nearby for them to notice. Like hell he's going to interrupt them, much as he wants to glare down Reaper. Just focus on prepping another order to be sent out.]

[b_a_n_g]

[Once the big moment was over and they finally parted ways, cleaned the bar counter and mingled a bit with the patrons, Reaper noted Kazuma lurking. He expected the kid was hoping to catch 76 for a 'what the hell' kind of conversation. If anything the kid possibly being uncomfortable was something he would enjoy in his own way.

He walked towards the kitchen entrance, able and willing to put orders out sometimes when he wasn't guarding the door or making the occasional drink. He stopped to regard Kazuma from behind his recently re-affixed mask and made a noise in his throat.]

Enjoy the show, boy?

[chippedsoul]

[No, absolutely not.]

How long had you been working on that? [He also had no idea how to even approach, all of this. Did it have to be Reaper, Jack? Really? Just focus on preparing this dish as a distraction.]

[b_a_n_g]

Approximately two months. People seemed to enjoy it; Jack reacted exactly as I thought he would.

[He might not have been paying attention to everyone in the room because his focus had been on Jack, but he had noted the few important reactions to his little stunt.]

Did I see you overpouring drinks onto patrons?

[chippedsoul]

You're imagining things. [How did he even notice while snogging the old man??]

So, what are you going to do now?

[steadypulse]

Hey, kid.

[He'd taken a few trays of plates back into the kitchen to wash, stepping back out just a few moments after- that visor of his back in place, but that was a long way coming from when he used to keep the entire mask on- and usually happened later on n the evenings.

Give his eyes a little rest, the visor helped there.

Still, didn't take much for him to notice the other lingering.]

Doing okay, Kazuma?

[chippedsoul]

. . .Well, is it possible for someone to feel happy and mad at the same time? [Happy for one, mad at the other? Easy guess who is who.]

I'll be all right. Just as long as he takes good care of you, I have no reason to interfere.

[steadypulse]

It very, very much is possible, yeah. [He'd felt it a few times for various reasons after all.

Still, there was a hand rested there lightly on Kazuma's shoulder.]

Really has been good knowing you've got my back like this. Can understand the feelings, too.

[A brief pause, corner of his mouth twitching.]

Can at least remember I punched him for puling me onto the bar for the whole thing?

[chippedsoul]

[He will give the old man a look when that hand is on his shoulder. That look of, "does it have to be him?" But then, he can't hold back a grin at the mention of the punch.]

Hm, that was the best part. Do me a favor and get another punch in, from me. [Because why not?] However I feel, if you're happy, than I'm happy for you.

For Reaper, a few days before the proposal ig? (troll time)

[locumstudentesquire]

[It's still dark when Ryunosuke goes down to the kitchen at the Harvest. Though he's not typically an early riser, he'd woken with a start at some odd hour of the morning remembering very abruptly that he'd left his journal down there, somehow.

He could have waited to get it later, slept in a bit more... But honestly, now that it's in his head, he's wide awake, so he decides to just go take care of it.

It's as soon as he enters that he realizes there's someone already back in the kitchen. He might typically expect it to be one of the other Harvest employees whome he's more familiar with... But for some reason, this time, he feels oddly on edge. Like he's certain it's a stranger back there.

He calls out tentatively.]

76...? ...Susato-san...?

[He creeps closer, heart pounding nervously against his chest.]

Sorry for the delay. Work ate me!

[b_a_n_g]

[It was the best month of the year and no one could convince him otherwise. It was so good that he often would sneak into the Harvest at early hours in order to force everyone else to endure more decorations. It had to be under the cover of darkness though, unwilling to be caught at it.

So when he heard that someone else was around, Reaper lurked into the shadows and went in search of the person in question. Intruder? Fellow Harvester? The kitchen had all the best nooks and crannies, and it was Jack's domain where he was also just as comfortable.

One of his shadow tentacles snuck out from the shadow to rustle some of the decorations abandoned on the counter. He made a low growling noise, ghosting his way slowly closer through the shadows.]

ITS OK my brain leaked out my ears so. Sorry for the delay in turn!

[locumstudentesquire]

[Ryunosuke gives a sharp start, head whipping to face the rustled decorations. When they don't move again, he starts looking around wildly, trying to place the source of that, uh. Growl??

Oh, he does not like this AT ALL.]

H-hello? [His voice is tremulous, his eyes wide and flitting. One hand automatically reaches for Karuma's hilt, and though he feels a bit silly for jumping that far right off the bat, it does reassure him somewhat to know he has the blade handy.] Is, is someone in here!? B-b-because, there shouldn't be!

<3

[b_a_n_g]

[Oh ho ho, now this was going to be fun. It had been awhile since he had been in the Halloween season and someone could actually scare. Reaper was deeply amused and almost immediately deeply invested.

He crept silently through the shadows of the room, sending tendrils of himself off make soft whispers against cabinets and causing items on the counter to shift. He kept in so he could try to get himself behind the guy.]

...yet you're here. [He purposefully dropped his voice as deep as it would go.]

[locumstudentesquire]

[Another chill runs down Ryunosuke's spine, the deepening voice sounding utterly unearthly to his terrified mind. And yet, he can't help blurting out the protest that springs immediately to mind:]

I work here!

[He sounds extremely indignant, too.]