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Ashveil almost can't believe he called last time a 'date'.
It was basically nothing compared to this. Although, of course, his first outing with Argenti would always have a special place in his heart, but…it seems the crimson-haired man will stop at nothing to go over the top and surpass himself.
The proof? Ashveil is currently being gifted chocolate-shaped roses. Uh, wait, no, he means: rose-shaped chocolate. A bunch. That Argenti bought. Because of…today's date date, he says?
Ashveil hasn't been keeping up with his calendar days, but he's also pretty sure he and the Knight of Beauty don't follow the same one, anyway.
He's not complaining, though.
The sweetness is bad on his teeth, but at least they won't be aching anytime soon.
He just wasn't expecting the literal chocolate flood. (He'd like to clarify that Argenti was, at least, not responsible for this. Though it kind of seems like his style to do so.)
The day starts pretty normally, actually.
Narrator knocks on his freezer, waking him up like he does every morning. His assistant knows to leave him be for two more minutes so he can take a deep breath before facing the warmth and noise of the outside.
(And he absolutely did not trip over the edge like he does every single morning, nope!)
"The detective scrolls away on the Agency's website, despite the uselessness of the endeavour," Mister N narrates. His partner sighs, "…It's not looking good today, Mr.Ashveil."
The detective bites into his cheek, for lack of something to chew. He restrains himself from clicking on the DogDash app calling his name. It's fine. He can go one morning without eating. Probably.
The lack of cases, though…it's not like it's new, but it sure doesn't lessen its disheartening weight on him. He sighs, "N, do you mind if I–"
"–Go back inside your freezer?" Narrator finishes for him, eyes slanted sadly. The monkey gestures helplessly to the refrigerator, as if signaling 'Do what you will'.
The cold nipping at his skin helps distract from the depressing reality that he lives in. No cases to attend to. Nothing to simulate his mind even a little. Wallet cosplaying a desert.
And that goofy (but also surprisingly hardworking) Trailblazer is out today, or so the note hanging in the office said. The furbos confirmed as such earlier, and although Ashveil is loath to trust the cunning little chaos-incarnate reporters, they did seem to worship the ground Stelle walked on, so there's that. He can't tell if it's out of fear or respect, though.
Deep inside his freezer, everything is calm and nothing is real. His hair bristles a little from the frost. There's enough extra space beside him for another body, but that's ridiculous because who would live like this? Other than him, of course.
He can't fall asleep either, because he literally woke up half a system hour ago, though it truly doesn't feel like it.
His teeth ache a little. A little-a lot.
Ashveil looks down to his own hands, wondering if it'd feel better if he drew blood from that darned wrist. It usually helps. (It doesn't always go away, though. It'd be somewhat of a gamble.)
And he's so tired.
He's in half a state of lethargy when there's a sharp rap on the wall of his fridge. He snaps at attention immediately at the urgency in the rhythm; Mister N is rarely so agitated.
"You'll like this text, you one-track minded detective," is all N tells him.
Perplexed, Ashveil reaches for the phone in his assistant's hands. He drops it into the fridge as soon as he reads the name tag on the notification.
Narrator snorts, "What did I say?"
A faint blush comes over his face, but Ashveil refuses to be made fun of for this. His heart pounding in his ears, he rereads the message five more times for it to truly sink in.
Dearest detective, I hope you won't mind the impromptu visit later today? I just remembered the date, and it's one you shouldn't miss. ^w^
He's coming back.
Ashveil blinks at the part about the date, though. Is he missing something? Argenti shouldn't know about his birthday, because that never came up in their texts. And that isn't anytime soon anyway. Is it the crimson-clad man merely being his dramatic self again, or is this another one of his 'all things matter and are beautiful' spiel? Maybe the day isn't important at all.
He catches himself smiling like a fool, despite his spiralling.
Get it together. You're a grown man, aren't you?
"And quite suddenly, he thinks about his age again, and how unsightly it is for him to be giggling like some common schoolgirl."
"Thank you, Mister N, for making me feel so much better." He enunciates every word with a prick of sarcasm.
"Just doing my job," Narrator repeats his line solemnly.
Well, that doesn't mean he can't cut deep while doing his job. Ashveil refrains from saying this though, and merely gives his assistant his first two bananas of the day.
While N happily munches away at them, he debates what to send back. A sticker? Hm, no, too informal, and this is important news. His next instinct is to reply 'Can't wait to see you again' since that's the truth, but he doesn't want to sound that…desperate?
He finally settles for:
Alright, I'll see you soon.
—plus a sticker of himself. He couldn't help it.
"Do you think I should get him something?"
"The poor detective, with his zero dating experience, frets and flails over something he knows he can't do anyway."
"Stop reminding me I'm broke! I know that!"
"I assure you, Mr.Ashveil, I know that as well." Narrator sighs, "I'm fairly certain that Mr.Argenti will be plenty happy if you even remember to show up at the station later."
Oh, right, he should probably ask when he's arriving. He does as much.
No need to worry so much, my beautiful detective. I shall be finding you.
Except…what does that mean? What does that mean??? Argenti even sends a winky face sticker right after, matching his energy.
With a start, Ashveil realizes he's still in his freezer. The edges have started to steam. (And most certainly not because of his exceptionally red face and warm hands.)
He steps out, without tripping this time, and dons his hat before leaving the office.
He can deal with some noise if it means seeing Argenti again.
Okay, maybe he overestimated his capabilities. He ran into a spontaneous case somewhere between Dovebrook and Duomension, solving it exactly under eight minutes before heading to the latter with Mister N hot on his trail.
He wanders the streets, filtering out the noise as best as he can. He tips his hat politely at whoever greets him, Narrator thankfully staying silent and not voicing his very loud and prominent thoughts of 'stop talking to me'.
Around the corner of Yum Yum Alley, he spots a familiar head of matte grey. He's about to step up to the Trailblazer, when the figure next to her registers in his mind, and he freezes.
Cascading hair coloured with the beauty of red roses, gleaming armour that will never look out of place here in Planarcadia, but still holds its own charm. He'd recognize it anywhere.
"–quite the marvelous surprise!" Argenti is saying, "I wasn't expecting to see you here, my dear Trailblazer of Trailblazers."
Ashveil doesn't know what possesses him to eavesdrop at all. He distinctly feels N's eyes burning into his back, but his companion says nothing still.
"Thick on the flattery as ever, huh?" the raccoon-adjacent entity responds, folding her arms against her chest.
Argenti lifts a hand in pledge, "Please, do not mistake my sincere compliments as mere flattery. I mean them all quite so."
"What are you doing here, anyway?" Ashveil can't see the Trailblazer's face, but Stelle's tone suggests that she just raised an eyebrow at the man, despite still facing the menu of the shop they're in front of.
Argenti smiles brilliantly, "Why, to visit another good friend, of course! Perhaps you know him? I believe he's quite the prominent detective."
"Oh, Ashveil? Yeah, I've worked with him a few times already. Pretty interesting guy. Hm, maybe I should get the second option for a change…" Stelle quickly snaps her attention back to Argenti, "Wait, hang on, how do you know him? No offense and all, but you two are like, the last two people in the entire cosmos I expected to know each other."
Argenti laughs, and it scintillates like bells in spring, with that special charm of his.
"It was very happenstance, I assure you. His Beauty is one of a kind, isn't it? I can tell he has a very well-honed sense of justice."
Ashveil holds his breath. He should probably approach them now before it gets any weirder and more uncomfortable. Is his face red? It probably is. Whatever.
"Now this is quite the pair," he comments as he walks up behind Stelle, who whirls around and brightens.
"Damn, speak of the devil!" she punches him on the bicep as soon as he gets closer, "Do you always do that? I've been seeing you everywhere in Planarcadia."
"Only where I'm needed," he quips, "I see I should've expected you to somehow know Mr–" Ashveil double takes when the Knight gives a nodding smile, "–ahem, Argenti."
"'Course, I know everyone," Stelle puffs up, hands on her hips, "And everyone knows the Galactic Baseballer!" is the smug follow-up declaration. She then narrows her eyes between them both.
Ashveil blinks, arms crossing. "What?"
Argenti merely looks politely inquisitive.
Stelle mumbles something he doesn't catch, her face then splitting into a devious grin. "Mmm–nothing, nothing! I'll leave you two to it, then. I heard there's a…" she leans in for dramatic effect, "Special discount at a certain chocolate place today."
Ashveil immediately follows up, "Cherwin's Chocolate Chamber? But why–"
"The detective," Mister N drones from behind, "Without a thought in his head as usual, fails to see the most glaringly, utterly obvious–"
"Alrighty, Mister Narrator, how 'bout you come with me today!" Stelle interrupts cheerily, throwing some random pose, "I can probably get you 10kg of fresh bananas."
"…30kg," Narrator argues, "And no trashcans."
The Trailblazer gasps dramatically at the second demand, but nevertheless—"Deal!" Stelle shakes the assistant-detective's hand, still sporting her shit-eating grin, "I was actually gonna say 20, but 30 is fine too. Can't go broke now, I have a game update tomorrow!"
Seeing the two, extremely distinctive silhouettes heading down the path is incredibly strange.
Ashveil steels his nerves and glances back at Argenti. And of course the man is already staring at him.
"Hello, my beautiful Ashveil," Argenti places a hand to his heart, "We meet again."
Ah. Yeah that's absolutely different in person than seeing it over text.
Ashveil clears his throat, "I've–uh, yes, hi, Argenti."
Then, without waiting for a greeting in return, Argenti bends town and kisses knuckles on his right hand. He flinchingly squeezes the fingers in his grasp. The Knight doesn't wince at all like he did. Only smiles.
His wrist tingles. His stomach lurches. His face burns. His teeth ache. In that order, and all at once.
"Ready to go?" It's a softer question, this time.
"…Yes."
He keeps his hand entwined with Argenti's.
If he accidentally takes two wrong turns to Cherwin's, no he does not. And if he does, then it is absolutely not because he wants to keep holding on to Argenti's hand. The warmth between them is palpable, despite both wearing some form of covering.
Some part of him is yelling one word: selfish. Why would someone like him deserve such gentle, affectionate touch?
But then, he imagines the expression on Argenti's face if the Knight knew those were the thoughts going through his mind. It's been an effective tool against his own self-deprecating.
He hates seeing those gleaming viridian eyes slanted downwards. He has yet to see it in true life. Those sad, reprimanding eyes only exist in his imagination, and he'd like to keep it that way.
When he shakes out of his rapid stream of consciousness, Argenti is regaling him with tales of his travels that he hasn't already done over text. Actually, he does mention some details that Ashveil definitely recalls having already read, but he doesn't mind listening to them again.
He could listen to Argenti's voice for hours. Forever.
"–do believe we've seen this building already, my loveliest detective." Argenti is saying, pointing at the grey brick and neon yellow sign beside them. "Are we perhaps on one of those looping roads? I ran into one earlier, I think. An imagenae helped me out."
"Oh, really? I'm glad it wasn't a malicious one. Those are quite rampant these days, for some reason. I do believe it's because of the Games."
"The full moon?" Argenti adds.
"Yes," Ashveil blinks, "You remembered."
This was once the topic of one of their late-night chats.
"Of course," the Knight says, as if it's the simplest thing ever.
They turn the corner leading to Cherwin’s, and immediately the noise rises several decibels. Ashveil frowns.
“Why in Aha is there such a long line?”
There are two, actually. One shorter than the first one, which stretches all the way from the shop to three blocks away in the other direction. They’re separated by Cherwin’s famous, 100-flavour chocolate fountain, flowing serenely on its three levels.
Argenti laughs at his side, lacing their fingers together (and he doesn’t jolt this time, finally). “Remember what I said about the date, darling?”
He does jolt, however, at the term of endearment. “I, uh, huh?” Very eloquent.
Argenti’s eyes form crescents; “It’s White Day, on the Trailblaze Calendar.”
Ashveil blinks. Oh. Oh. He squeezes the man’s hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. It’s…hard enough following the Arcadian Calendar.”
“And that is perfectly alright, my lovely Ashveil,” Argenti earnestly reassures him, “I’m here, aren’t I?”
Ashveil allows a small smile to creep up his lips. “Yeah…with something planned already, I’m deducing?”
“Oh, quite the skill, Mr.Ashen Detective!” Argenti teases.
Ashveil starts when the Knight leads him past the long line towards the second counter of the shop.
“Wait, we are we going??”
“The pick-up counter,” Argenti replies simply, smile widening “I already have an order ready, of course.”
“Of-of course.”
They arrive at the counter, and the girl behind the window slides it open to talk to them. Her eyes widen when they land on Ashveil first.
“Oh! Mr. Ashveil, sir, hello!” the giddy cashier squeaks, cheeks reddening.
Ashveil mentally bangs his head against the counter. Of course he’d have to deal with—
“Excuse me, miss,” his companion interjects politely, “The order should be under the name ‘Argenti’.”
She looks rather befuddled, gaze sliding down to Argenti. For some reason, her blush deepens and her voice raises by an octave. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I-wait here, I’ll go get it-”
She hurries to the back, and Ashveil nods his thanks. Argenti returns it softly.
Soon, there is a rectangular box presented to him. He takes it, thumbing over the pretty ribbon whose subtle, velvet pink colour matches the box’s lighter one perfectly.
At least it’s not in a heart shape. He probably would’ve combusted then and there.
“Thank you very much,” he sincerely says, shoving it into his coat’s inside pocket, “That probably…cost a lot, right?” Cherwin’s isn’t cheap.
Argenti waves the inquiry away. “Not to worry about that part, my beautiful detective, it is my pleasure to provide.”
He would be lying if he said that his stomach isn’t in knots. He debates his next words carefully just as they pass around the large fountain.
“Would you want to-”
He cuts himself off. There’s a faint, but growing rumbling noise from somewhere. Ashveil warily summons his cane at once, and Argenti at his sides does the same with his polearm.
"Wha–"
The fountain explodes, from below. That means—
"Take cover!" an employee screams.
—it's from the tank.
Molten waterfalls of chocolate start erupting from the asphalt, spouting so high they block out the blue sky and moon hanging between the clouds. Chaos ensues.
”Come on, babe, move-!”
“-our spot in the line!”
“WHAT THE AHA-!”
Without any other ideas, Ashveil releases exactly one gluttonous devourer arm with a flick on the nail on his right wrist and sends it to gulp up the chocolate headed towards populated areas of the street.
A boba shop, flower stall, and antiques sale spread are saved from the chocolate deluge. A group of friends, two smartly dressed women and a harried stack of imagenae are also spared, if only splattered over slightly.
He himself soon gets drenched with a certain flavouring of chocolate—the vanilla tier? Argenti, on the other hand, gets hit by the minty tier. Within the rest of the different aromas, Ashveil can discern a a double chocolate layer, strawberry layer, flower layer, fudge layers, and even triple choco layers. All 100 of them blend together at some point until it’s just plain old chocolate.
And as abruptly as it started, the fountain calms down. The reservoir likely emptied itself entirely, considering Ashveil can see chocolate all the way down the end of the road.
"Well, that was an unexpected twist," Argenti comments brightly, as if it were simply a short period of rain that just hit them.
Ashveil snorts, "I'll say."
"You still have the box?"
"Of course," he nods, tapping the rectangular protrusion over his chest; still safely secured within his—now soiled—coat. Oh by the Aeons, the dry-cleaning isn’t going to be fun… "I'm sure the chocolate storm should not have, uh...ruined the chocolates."
Argenti bursts into small giggles. It's a lovely sound. "Well, the date may not have gone as planned. But you can still enjoy those, at least."
Ashveil chuckles. “Yes, indeed I shall.”
Before he can muster up the courage to finish his previous interrupted question, a wizened voice pips up from behind him. “Excuse me?”
He spins around, looking downwards to see an elderly saleswoman.
“Yes?”
"Come over here, young man," the old lady says, motioning for them both to follow her.
Ashveil sputters a little at the ‘young man’ appellation, and Argenti half-shrugs when he directs a confused gaze at him. They walk with the grey-haired woman towards the flower stall.
Is she the owner?
She reaches for one of the premade bouquets. Before he knows it, there are blue hydrangeas and white roses in his arms—a classic combination.
"There," the elderly saleswoman proudly says, "Free of charge, dearie. Thank you for the help just now."
"Your soul is beautiful, ma'am," Argenti tells her at the same time Ashveil tries pushing back.
"I couldn't possibly–"
"Ep ep!" the lady wags a finger at him, "Not hearing it, mister! Make good use of them, as thanks for saving my poor flowers, as well as my wife’s antiques." She gestures to the right.
The designated woman stands in the window of their joint shop, surveilling their little group carefully, but makes no move to come out.
The flower lady laughs. “Out-introverts everyone around here, she does.”
Ashveil smiles, then looks down at the baby blue and white mix of petals, inhaling the smell. Hm...the roses, he could probably make salad out of, but the hydrangeas...not so sure. He shakes himself. There's a much more obvious option to chose here.
He turns to Argenti, and offers the prettily wrapped bouquet to the Knight, whose face delightedly illuminates.
"You're too kind, my lovely Ashveil."
"Haha, beating the red rose stereotype with this one, then?"
"Red roses are my favourite," he acquiesces, "But every once in a while...something different can pop out very easily. Especially considering who's gifting it." At those words, emerald eyes slide over to his, full of warmth.
And, as with so many things that Argenti does; that is, with no warning whatsoever, Ashveil's cheek gets a small peck.
(In the background, the sound of a flash goes off.)
It takes him an embarrassingly long time to register. He blinks down at the red-haired Knight chuckling at what must be a purely flabbergasted expression painted on his face.
He just—he—huh?
"Woah, what happened here?" a familiar voice comes up from behind them. Stelle and Narrator are back, the former looking around with furrowed eyebrows. The Trailblazer twists her leg at the knee, squinting at the chocolate gathered on her soles. "Dang. What'd I miss?"
Stelle looks towards Ashveil for an answer, but he's still very much unresponsive. The ghost of the kiss lingers over his right cheek, directly horizontal from the corner of his mouth. What the fuck.
That's when Stelle spots the flowers in Argenti's hands.
"Aeons," she emphasizes, cringing, "I did miss some action. Welp, at least I read the vibes just right," she smirks, "Congrats, you two...Did you genuinely break him, Argenti?" (Ashveil is barely registering this conversation.)
The Knight quirks his lips up mischievously. "Perhaps. Had I known, I would've saved the kiss for next time."
"You gave him a kiss?! And this is your second date??!" Stelle exclaims, her overdramatic semi-crashout knocking Ashveil back to reality, "Any kind of kiss is on the third, I thought everybody knew that!"
The detective splutters incoherently.
"I'm sure that's a mere urban legend, my dear friend." Argenti says, also half-melodramatically, "Besides, I just couldn't resist. He gave me such lovely flowers."
"I...You... I...Ugh, Agh...!" Ashveil covers the raging blush overtaking his face with the back of his hand.
"Bleghh," Stelle pulls a face, "I'm gonna puke, this is too sweet,"
"Glad you approve, dear Trailblazer."
"Heh. Glad to be your pair of wings."
Narrator sighs and comes up to Ashveil, pinching his pant hem and snapping it back against his skin. He yelps in response.
“Are you quite done being embarrassing, loverboy?” he drawls, “We came back because there’s a case that has cropped up again. The Trailblazer would like your help.”
Immediately, his sense of duty kicks in. Doesn't mean he can't feel badly about it, though. “Alright, alright,” he slumps slightly.
Argenti tilts his head in question, “Something urgent?”
“Sorta,” Stelle sheepishly rubs her head, “Sorry for the interruption.”
"Far be it from me to keep you from your duties,” Argenti shakes his head, “Besides, we were interrupted already by that…truly delicious explosion.”
“Pfft,” Ashveil huffs, “That’s one way to put it.”
Argenti’s smile blooms, and he hugs the flowers tightly, “Until next time, then, my handsome darling."
Ah-
Amidst Stelle’s peals of laughter, Narrator shamelessly narrates:
“The detective promptly short-circuits in the middle of Duomension City.”
Later that day, Furbobo Gossip column features a particular headline:
Love is in the air, and so are 10 gajillion rose petals!
Posted by: Furbobocom_Official ✓
Location: Duomension City/Dovebrook District
#ArcadiaScoop #ChocolateDisasterOf'99 #NoseBlindnessWarning #SinglePringlesGonnaHateThisOneLOL #MLM
Watch out for your lungs, folks, and take care not to breathe in the VEERRY potent rose scent that's gonna be going around Duomension City! 🌹
Experts are saying that it'll take 7 business days to dissipate completely, and might even leak over to Dovebrook District!This date between famous detective Mr.Ashveil and the Knight of Beauty named Argenti sure went overboard! Watch where you put your feet, people! 👣
And if you spot brown stains everywhere, no, that is not feces! Just chocolate! 🍫
The cleanup crew is on it.
Licking surfaces is absolutely forbidden while they work, with a penalty fine if caught. 😁
Likes: 5249 | Comments: 26 [Sort by: Top]
Cherwin's_Chocolates ✓: A spectacular display of affection! We offer our sincerest apologies for the flooding, though. We've got mechanics fixing the chocolate fountain already.
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planarcalola, replying @Cherwin's_Chocolates: hey does this mean free chocolates as compensation for damage to public property? your prices are lowkey crazy idek how that argenti guy afforded allat TwT
huntXhunt, replying @Cherwin's_Chocolates: How did it even break LMAO IM CRYIGN
Sparxicle ♡ LOLOLOL: Awww too bad I wasn't streaming today! That would've been a blast!
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sparxie-ling02, replying @Sparxicle ♡ LOLOLOL: omg the great sparxie endorses yaoi confirmed??
flintNsticks, replying @sparxie-ling02: Stop projecting your delusions on Sparxicle.
sparxie-ling02, replying @flintNsticks: she won't let u hit lil bro
Say~Cheese~: Adorableee~ That's a match made in heaven right there!
just4girls: they're so cute but did they have to flood the main street with chocolate 😭 how am i gonna get to work normally if it's sealed off
DidUSmileToday: Thank you for spreading cheer and smiles to all.
jxoso: massive L
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QlipothQuivererers, replying @jxoso: ragebait used to be believable
FIFI, replying @jxoso: Tell me, who's the jobless bum commenting this on the most popular news column in planarcadia quick
salmonake: Omg?? Our detective finally getting laid?
nihiluxlover!error404: Who is that knight and why is she so gorgeous??
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pogopoggers, replying @nihiluxlover!error404: lmfao i think u missed the most important tag of the post
XxSilentCrystalxX, replying @nihiluxlover!error404: misgendering on Ahatopia of all places is insane you should be ashamed
slobberdobber: Wow Furbobo posts really fell off
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galaxyrangersW, replying @slobberdobber: just curious, what does 'fell off' mean for you. genuinely.
AshveilsHubby: NOOOOOO MY WIFE (˃̣̣̥ᯅ˂̣̣̥) MY WIFE IS BEING TAKEN FROM RIGHT UNDER MY EYES
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detective1partners♡, replying @AshveilsHubby: im in MOURNINGGGGGG
MadamPearlFootLicker, replying @detective1partners♡: yall delusional asf icl
detective1partners♡, replying @MadamPearlFootLicker: oomf you cant be talking
MadamPearlFootLicker, replying @detective1partners♡: 😛😜🤪
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Lord0fPeace: **** * ***** ** *******
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Furbobocom_Official ✓, replying @Lord0fPeace: We do not tolerate that kind of language here. Mods, get 'em!
SlitherSlayer, replying @Furbobocom_Official ✓: aren't you literally the lead mod of this entire web interface??
dancing17queen, replying @Lord0fPeace: hypocritical ahh username