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Eugene is done with all of their appointments for the day and relaxing at home for a little bit. They're sitting at the table in the kitchen at the moment, enjoying a late lunch. The bowl in front of them has rice, some pickled vegetables and an egg, and they seem to be reading the news on the phone as much as they're actually eating. It's Eugene relaxed and not in a hurry to do anything, at least for the moment.
There's also a box on the counter, waiting suspiciously.
Before letting herself in, Annie knocks on the apartment door once, more to announce herself if Eugene's home than anything. Entering, she glances around as she pauses to take her shoes off, putting them to one side and closing the door. Spotting Eugene, she heads their way with a smile. "Anything interesting on that?"
Eugene looks up at the sound of the knock, and though they're still in their seat when Annie comes in, there's also a smile in the shape of the wispy smoke of their face. Once Annie's shoes are off and she's coming closer the phone and chopsticks get put down and Eugene gets up to meet her part way, where they offer an embrace and a light smooch in greeting. "Only a growing list of reasons why I have patients who come to me just because the world itself is stressing them out beyond their ability to cope. How was your class?"
Annie is more than willing to accept both the embrace and light smooch. "Class was good. Same topic we have been covering for the past week, but it is best to ensure the early stuff is learnt fully. Most of us will need it later, no matter what speciality we choose." She knows better than to ask about Eugene's work; patient confidentiality matters to each of them.
Eugene doesn't pull fully away from the embrace but remains close enough for bodies to touch, their arms around Annie's waist. They only lean back far enough to look Annie in the eyes while they listen. "I imagine a lot of things you'll hear over and until you're absolutely tired of hearing them, which means you've heard them enough times to stick. It has been kind of nice having you stay here, you know, even if I wish the circumstances were different."
"Quite possibly," Annie admits, smiling slightly. "And I am glad to hear that, since I was thinking much the same." Beat. "Though yes, I too wish the circumstances were different." She leans in to kiss them again then.
Eugene returns this kiss, allowing it to be a little longer and more lingering, and they make a contented sound. "You know," they say when their lips part from Annie's. "There's nothing saying we have to go back to the way things were after this is all over. But on the topic of the current state of affairs, I have something for you. Just in case, especially if you have to go into the Hedge."
"I had been considering bringing up that topic, so it is a relief to know we were thinking along the same lines." Annie says, blinking at the second bit. "Really? I do not go past the Hollows very often, but I am sure I will treasure whatever it is you have gotten me."
"Neither do I," Eugene says with an understanding laugh. "I'm far from equipped for dealing with it if I run into a briar wolf, or something." They slip away, but let the touch of one hand linger before they let go completely and move to the box. "I thought about how there might be a time when a patrol wants a healer with them, or some of our fighters might set out to find a battle and the wounded might not have time to be brought home to be healed. I might have to go out with them some time, and wanted to be ready. It made me think I should get you something too, just in case." They pick up the box and offer it out to Annie.
"That makes sense," Annie nods, taking the box and opening it carefully, revealing a pieced brown leather duster that seems almost to be made of treebark with the cragged design naturally set to work within it. Scraps bound together to form something strong and lightweight, with just enough to make it breathable. The hood here is of newer leather than the base as if one were just beginning to branch out from there. Setting the box back down on the counter, she extracts the duster, donning it before turning in place carefully. "How do I look?"
Eugene leans against the counter to watch as Annie opens the package, takes the duster out, and tries it on. Eugene's smile of delight is visible in the shifting of their smoke. "Really damned hot," they say. "Which is true most of the time, but this brings out a whole new side to you."
"Flatterer," Annie teases, but she seems pleased nonetheless, smiling broadly at them. "Did you get yourself anything? Your safety matters as much as mine."
"It's easy to flatter you when you're so flattering," Eugene answers as they step forward to give Annie another kiss. "I did get myself something, too. It's also a duster, but a little lighter, because I'm pretty sure we've established you're stronger than I am." Definite mischief comes with that last bit.
"Oh, yes, everyone is in awe of my strength," Annie deadpans, before returning the kiss, making this one longer yet, as her arms drape over Eugene's shoulders. "We should probably discuss the topic of whether we want to continue living together after this crisis in more detail, though," she admits after the kiss ends. "And what terms we want to be using for each other, when talking about our relationship, too."
Eugene's arms go around Annie's waist as they return the kiss. When lips finally part they let out a long, contented sigh. "We probably should talk about both of those things." They glance over at their lunch, then look over at the couch. "Should we go sit and talk those things over?" they suggest.
"Sounds like a plan," Anne agrees, following Eugene's glances. "Feel free to bring the remains of your meal, Yu Jin. I do not wish for you to go hungry, after all." She releases them, then, moving over to the couch, where she sits with her legs tucked underneath her, mermaid style.
Eugene's breathy laugh comes as they slip away to grab the bowl and their chopsticks, then follow Annie to the couch where the sit down and lean their shoulder against her. "Where to start? I guess by saying that I'd be happy to have you call me whatever you think is right, relationship wise. Partner? Significant other? That one's a little awkward, but I don't mind it. It's just a mouthful. Enbyfriend? What would you like to call me? I'm about as picky about this as I am about pronouns, which is to say not particularly." They eat while they wait for responses.
"Enbyfriend could work," Annie muses, slipping an arm around Eugene. "The analogy to girlfriend is fairly clear, which should help reduce the amount of explanation needed." She glances at them. "I would be more than delighted to be called your girlfriend publicly, by the way."
"Then enbyfriend it is," Eugene says, leaning to rest their head against Annie briefly before they resume eating. "I'd be delighted to call you my girlfriend, so I think that works out pretty easily." They nibble a spicy bit of pickled cucumber before going on. "That was a pretty easy conversation. The other one might be more complicated, if only because it involves more logistical aspects. Do you want to move in with me?"
"I would like to continue living with you, yes." Annie answers. "Would you prefer to keep this apartment, or try and find a new one together? The latter would increase the logistical issues, but also allow us to make it our apartment from the beginning."
Eugene lets out a simultaneous groan and laugh at the suggestion of finding a new apartment. "The idea of moving again after just moving here so recently fills me with some dread, but the thought of doing it with you does relieve a lot of that feeling. I feel like I just finished unpacking, that's all." They take another bite and then lean forward to put their bowl on the coffee table, so that they can sit facing Annie and take her hands. "I see the value of the idea."
"Keep this one initially and revisit the discussion of finding a new one later, then?" Annie rubs her thumb against the back of one of Eugene's hands. "I have little enough in the way of furniture that I would like to keep, which simplifies things. Mostly artwork, to be honest."
"That solution doesn't involve breaking my lease early," Eugene notes, but they sound unworried enough about it that they had probably been planning to just eat the cost involved in that if it came down to it. "We can make room for your artwork. I would proudly display it. Then when the lease is up, we can find a place that suits us both?"
"Sounds like a plan," Annie agrees. "We should probably talk about what we would want in a new place then, too, to save time bringing up ones the other will not be interested in."
"Some day, I would love to get an actual house and be able to have an office with its own entrance at home, instead of leasing office space," Eugene dreams aloud as they shift closer to Annie, let go of one of her hands, and put the arm around her. "I don't care about a big house, though. I just want the space we actually need and will make use of. Something intentional and thoughtful, not something to show off to the neighbors."
"I have not lived in an actual house since, well, Before," Annie admits. "If we are talking about finding one, though, I would like somewhere I can practise my music without annoying the neighbours. Or distracting your clients, since there is no guarantee our schedules will line up."
"I never have," Eugene confesses. "It's a part of why I'd like to. That, and I think it would make it easier for you to practice your music without annoying neighbors, which is an added bonus. I think this means we'd have to find a place where the office and music room can be on opposite sides of the house, and insulate them well."
"That could work," Annie nods. "If it comes to it, I can continue practising in the Hollows, but that is less convenient." She pauses for a moment, then, taking a sip from the water bottle she carries everywhere. "On that note, should we get a shared Hollow, whether one linked to where we are living on this side or accessible from anywhere?"
"Would it be more convenient to practice in one if it was one formed to be exactly the sort of practice space you desire?" Eugene asks, following the line of thought to a possible conclusion. "If we want to anchor a Hollow to a specific place, then a place that isn't likely to change might be a good idea. If we want to make it readily accessed anywhere, then any time would do. It would give us a bit more control over how safe a place it is, too."
"Oh, yes, of course, but I meant that having a practice space where I live is more convenient than having to take my instrument case across town and back." Annie shrugs slightly. "I do not have much practice in Hedgespinning as yet, so I would not be able to contribute fully."
"That I have no doubt about," Eugene agrees. They laugh softly, smoke pulsing to the sound of it. "For the same reason it's convenient not to have to drive across town for work, which doesn't require hauling instruments. Honestly, I don't spend much time in the Hedge outside of established Hollows either, so it might be a learning experience for us both."
"We should probably practise that some more, then. If only so we can contribute equally, if a patrol does want to have a healer along." She pauses for a moment, chewing on her lip in thought. "Are we agreed on trying to find a house, not another apartment, when the lease here expires?"
"I think so," Eugene confirms. "We might have to look further out in the suburbs, but if we don't need a lot of space, probably not too far."
"On the topic of space, how much of a yard would you like to have?"
Eugene thinks about the question before they answer. "Enough to be able to sit outside and read a book or have dinner when the weather is nice?" They hmm. "I don't know that I need a lot of space, but I don't have a strong preference either way."
"That makes sense. I would like to be able to have a garden, but that is something for the future." Annie shrugs slightly. "Apart from the office space, is there anything you would especially like to have?"
"A vegetable garden? Or flowers? Or both?" Eugene asks curiously. "All of those would be a delight. I don't know very much about gardening. I grew up in the city, and never lived somewhere I could have one."
"Both." Annie grins at Eugene, then. "Maybe including some False Starwort, in the flower section."
Eugene laughs delightedly. "Who told you?" they ask. "It was the fox, wasn't it?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny my source's identity," Annie says primly, before leaning in to kiss them.
Eugene leans in to return the kiss with tender affection. "Would you feel like it was weird if I told you that talking about making a life together with you is turning me on?"
Annie blinks at that. "...A little weird, yes, but not in a bad way, I think."
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