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[swordboning]

...you've reached Archer. Leave a message and if it's suitable, I'll get back to you.

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[swordboning]

[You know what? He's not going to question it.]

What would you like me to do with this?

[codere]

[ Drying her hair. ] Was it... salvageable?

[swordboning]

I made it from scratch. I thought you might appreciate it.

[codere]

From scratch?

[ Both of them? ] You went through all of that for me?

[swordboning]

I thought we had hit the point where you'd understand that me doing things for you should be considered commonplace.

[codere]

Yeah, but... [ But what?

She can't bring herself to say it. ]

[swordboning]

Don't worry about it. If there's something you want, you just need to ask.

[So nice, so nice.]

So what did you want to do with this? Otherwise, I'm just going to serve it for dinner.

[codere]

I, I was going to give it to someone. That's why I was trying to bake it for myself.

[ This is the most embarrassing thing to admit. Ever. ] It isn't that I like them, but no person should suffer as they are so I thought if they had their favorite dish they'd be a bit more cheerful.

[swordboning]

I wouldn't care if you liked them or not.

[He really wouldn't. But brb packing this up.]

You can pretend you made it, I don't mind.

[codere]

I won't take credit for your hard work. [ Fretting a bit as she watches him. ]

I'll just say I had it professionally prepared just for them. Anyway, why wouldn't you care if I liked them? I'm supposed to like you so you should be the only one I like.

[swordboning]

Would you prefer I be the jealous type? No, no matter if you like someone, I know you'll always like me more.

[Holding out a container for her to take.]

[codere]

I'll always like you the best. [ She clarifies while haughtily grabbing at it. ]

Because you're mine, okay? It's important to me that you know this.

[swordboning]

I understand that fairly well now. Try not to get yourself hurt while you're out and don't randomly cold-clock someone either.

[codere]

I only did that because you were hurt. It isn't as if I go around assaulting people at random.

[ Holding it close to her chest. ] I have to finish a few more things. What about... the cupcakes? Are they in here as well?

I also need a set of kunai.

[swordboning]

I didn't realize you needed either of those.

[But he did say she only had to ask so back to work!]

I'll need about forty more minutes. Do you have that time to spare?

[codere]

I do. I'd like to decorate them myself after with green frosting and black icing.

[ Which means he's stuck with her. ] I can put this... in the microwave to keep it warm?

[swordboning]

[He'd say oven but he's about to use that.]

That's good enough. I'll work on the frosting too. Would you like extra to just lick?

[Because it's Rin and her junk food.]

[codere]

Tch-! Don't tempt me when I should remain focused on my task, Archer.

I, I could set one aside for when I've finished. [ Since she's pretty sure Lee won't have her come in and eat with him. ]

[swordboning]

What's so tempting about it, unless you lack the self restraint to only take one spoonful.

[Just saying.

Still, getting to work on the batter.]

[codere]

[ He knows that she does, but she's not saying so out loud. Rude, forcing her to acknowledge her weaknesses when it comes to food. Rin lingers in the kitchen, watching him with more interest than usual as if to determine how much fun he might be having. Coming home from work and cleaning up a kitchen only to cook for someone else right after seems a bit cruel even for her. ]

Do I push you too hard, Archer?

[swordboning]

No.

[A simple answer as he's stirring this stuff. Just stirring. Stirring...

He finally adds on to it.]

I find this relaxing. The fact that I can do it for you is good enough. If anything, it's the other way around.

[codere]

... I don't push you hard enough?
You're the one pushing me too hard?

Which one is it? [ Rin asks quietly, unsure. ]

[swordboning]

I worry that I'm pushing you too hard. How many changes have you had to make because of me?

[codere]

It's flattering really. I've grown so used to not being able to take care of myself that having someone around to nag at me to do just that is nice.

If it gets to be too much, I'll just tell you to shut up.

[swordboning]

I'll accept that as long as you don't worry about me in return.

[Seems like a fair deal?]