A Cup of Kindness That We Share With Another (Voltron Holiday Party Log)

[heartofalioness]

Who: The Pony Attack on Voltron House and YOU! Seriously, if you have Voltron CR, you're invited!
Where: Pony Attack on Voltron House, Four Island
When: Around December 10
Summary: The Voltrons have a human/Altean holiday party at their house, come on by!
Rating: PG to PG-13, will warn as necessary


After last year’s party turned out to be a smash hit, of course they’re hosting again. Invitations would’ve been sent out a few weeks beforehand, including offers to pay for Ubirds or personally ferry people to Four Island and plenty of guest rooms to sleep in, since they know it’s a long way to travel for a single party.

When people arrive, the spacious beach house is decked out with lights, mostly in shades of blue, and the interior beckons people to come out of the brisk and damp sub-tropic air, warm and bright and spacious (which it needs to be with the possible crowds), soft and cheery Poké-holiday music winding through the rooms. Occasionally you might catch Allura’s Primarina Celina quietly hum along, but only until she notices someone’s listening in.

Now that Hunk is here this year, the spread is amazing. Rich and spicy Kanto style curry, a milder vegetarian curry, or a Samoan chicken coconut curry to go over rice, mushroom and kabocha gratin, chop suey, skewers featuring coconut shrimp and pineapple or miso-glazed roasted veggies, musubi shaped to look like Pokéballs, mini quiches in savory and sweet flavors, among many other treats. The dessert section includes but is certainly not limited to a wide variety of Christmas cookies, fruit pieces dipped in chocolate and crushed sandwich cookies Hunk has dubbed meow chow, an adorable little Christmas cake, at least three different pies including a spectacular apple, and fa’ausi: a sweet, caramelized coconut bread pudding. Shiro is once again on drink duty, and the liquid refreshments feature mugs of coffee and hot chocolate, slow cookers of mulled wine and apple juice, and the return of the bright blue Grogory Day punch. And of course plenty of Pokémon treats to go around. And if guests want to contribute to the feast, they’re more than welcome!

(Also, Shiro’s Gallade Blue has taken up his idol’s sword and planted mistletoe here and there around the house. Do with this what you will.)

So come, eat, drink, mingle with old friends and make some new ones! And enjoy the night, no matter which holiday you’ve come to celebrate!

Comments

[chickenchoicejudy]

[No, betrayal by BOTH parents! There's a lot of dramatic sighing and whining and gesturing, but they're both quick to scurry off and look for other people who will give them attention for being The Cutest Ever.

Ryan laughs at both of them and takes the spot directly next to Min along the wall, as if he's belonged there this whole time.]

I meeeeean, they're not here now? We could totally get you something to eat, if you want.

[Together this time, instead of Ryan grabbing him a plate and bringing it back. He's been around the crowd a lot and has had a lot of fun, but he wants time with Min too.]

Or we can just hang too. Your call.

[He's a lot happier these days to take cues from Min, to wait for him and do what will make him comfortable in social situations. Even if they just stay here and chat, that's fine by Ryan.]

[outofsynth]

[Min tries to maintain a stern look, but is barely able to hold it together long enough for them to give up and start to scamper off. His laughter is definitely heard by them, which earns him a frown from Ry before the two of them disappear to cause trouble somewhere else.]

Nah. I'm happy here. I can always go and grab something later.

[It's not as though there hadn't been plenty of it. He shifts almost imperceptibly so their shoulders touch, turning his head so he can look at Ryan.]

You looked like you were having fun. I think Ry would have wished he'd gone with you if he wasn't so busy trying to out-eat Min-un.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan doesn't pull away, but the shoulder touch is impossible not to notice. It can't be intentional, never, but he treasures little gestures like this that he can share with Min and no one else. It would be weird if it was someone else.

(It would be weirder if Min knew how happy it makes him to just lean against a wall with him with their shoulders just barely touching, but that's fine because he never has to know that part.)]

It's a great party! It's still weird to think about how many people got pulled here like us, but it's kinda cool to stick a bunch of us all together? And I got to meet a bunch of people I'd only seen on the Pokégear before now!

[Those things are cool as hell, but it's just not the same as talking to someone face to face.]

I should've taken him! Then maybe you could have actually eaten. Plus he might have liked it more than Min-un - he insisted on coming along, but he got kinda overwhelmed by the end.

[Not that you'd know it looking at him running around with Ry.]

Seems like hanging out in the Introvert Corner helped?

[outofsynth]

[It's definitely intentional and Min-Gi figures that much is obvious. But it's fine. It's a friendly gesture and it doesn't matter if Ryan doesn't know it means so much more to Min than it does him. It's actually better he doesn't.]

It's nice not to be the only ones, right?

[There had been other passengers somewhere on the train, but who knew where. Maybe when they'd been on the train there hadn't even been anyone else. Either way, it's nice to have other people around them who are also originally from other worlds.]

I'll eat in a bit. I told you, I'm happy here. Besides, they were having fun.

[Still are having fun. Min suspects that Min-un might need to recharge his social batteries again in a while, but for now he's happy.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

Totally. It makes everything way more normal, and everyone's been pretty cool.

[Not that Kez wasn't the coolest person they've ever met, but it's nice to have other people around, especially since they're not here because they're messing up their lives or whatever.

That being said, he's never been opposed to being alone with Min. It feels like they're alone now, in their own little corner away from everything else. Ryan laughs and gently bumps Min's shoulder.]

Okay, okay! Just making sure. I'm glad you're happy.

[Honestly Min would be doing the same if he thought Ryan hadn't eaten - especially since he has a history of losing his appetite when things are wrong, or even just because he flat out forgot to make time for it.

But Min's happy and he's happy and it makes the room that much warmer.]

[outofsynth]

Yeah, most people are pretty cool. It makes a nice change not having everyone hate us without even knowing us.

[He loves Kez, he really does, but she had not made life of the train easy for them.

His smile widens as Ryan's shoulder jostles his own, switching his mug to his other hand so he doesn't risk spillage]

I am happy. I'm always happy when I'm with you.

[With their situations reversed he would be a lot pushier in getting Ryan something to eat, but he's enjoying the privacy of their corner. He does feel like they're alone, and he maybe forgets himself a little in the moment.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

Wild how we're not like, running for our lives all the time, right? We didn't even have to sneak into this party!

[It's a joke that only the two of them can understand, memories they can finally look back on and laugh at, at least a little.

Min's words are soft and kind, and the sincerity spreads a blush across Ryan's face. The room's gone from warm to burning hot all of a sudden, and he knows exactly why.]

Y-Yeah?

[He tries to cover the stammer by acting cool, like it didn't happen. He casually tucks a loose strand of hair behind his ear, as if his hand can distract from the pink mess of emotion on his face.

But...he looks happy. Unmistakably happy.]

Me too. ...I'm always happy with you.

[outofsynth]

Didn't even have to get changed in the middle of it.

[Which he is still traumatised by, by the way. But at least it's something they can laugh at now even if he hopes they parties they'll go to in future will be more like this one.

He doesn't know what response he expected to that, but no matter how Ryan replied there was never going to be any way Min-Gi knew how to respond to it. The genuine happiness and soft pink of his cheeks has him looking away to scan the room for their now out of sight Pokémon. He's not actually concerned about where they are, but their absence gives him one less excuse to look away from Ryan so he stares down at his mug instead. That tea sure is fascinating all of a sudden...]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[That was probably the least traumatic part of that party, but Ryan won't judge right now.

The moment hangs pleasantly in the air for a moment, cozy and comfortable and nice...but then, it halts. A cue is missed, and suddenly the quiet only calls attention to what isn't happening. Doubt creeps in.

Did Ryan overstep? Did he push too hard and make Min uncomfortable? He's been a little too candid in his reactions here, giving away something that's supposed to stay silent and unspoken. He clears his throat and takes a small step to the side, to give Min some space.]

So, uh. ...Tea's good, right? Shiro's bartending, and he seemed like he knew what he was doing sooo I let him pick. Dealer's choice.

[Oh god, he's babbling. He's babbling and none of this matters at all f u c k. It's just desperation to fill in the awkward with like, anything.]

He made me double hot chocolate with like, a billion marshmallows.

[outofsynth]

[Min sinks into himself as Ryan steps away, trying to accept the slight distance for what it is instead of the gulf it feels like. Things had felt so easy a moment ago. Too easy, maybe. This world feels so different from their own it had been easy to forget where they come from. Easy to think for a second that maybe things could be different for him too.

He's not sure what's going on in Ryan's head, but he knows him well enough to be able to tell he's changing the subject. It's nice of him, but it still hurts. Like even Ryan can tell that whatever their little moment was it was wrong.]

Yeah. The tea's good.

[The babbling is helpful though. Shiro's creation for Ryan is enough to get him to look back up again in disgust.]

Grody. Please tell me you didn't drink that.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[It wasn't wrong at first. It just became wrong gradually, as he worried about pushing Min into something he did not necessarily want. He probably just meant it as friends. He's always happy when he's with him, as friends, platonically. That's probably what Min meant, and he had to go and make it weird and uncomfortable.

The change in subject works though, and Ryan grins at the look on Min's face.]

Pfft. Of course I did! It was super good. Like a melted chocolate bar, but with way too many marshmallows!

[This is what happens when you leave Ryan unsupervised, Min.]

[outofsynth]

Gross, man.

[He even says there were too many marshmallows. How can he possibly have enjoyed that?]

I can't believe you talked him into that. You didn't hurl, right?

[He's never going to be able to face Shiro again if he did.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

Nah. I mean, he told me there was ginger ale just in case, buuuut I didn't need it.

[Shiro is kind and good like that.]

I mean, he offered the double hot chocolate and it only made sense to suggest doubling the marshmallows too, right?

[In other words, this was 100% Ryan's fault.]

[outofsynth]

I bet you'll need it later.

[Min might need some just considering downing that concoction. He shudders, taking a soothingly unsweet sip of tea in the absence of ginger ale.

On the plus side his distraction has worked well. The conversation is starting to feel normal again.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan wiggles his eyebrows.]

How much you wanna bet~?

[outofsynth]

[Oh, it is on. Min-Gi smirks, casting his eyes around for suitable betting materials. Of course now he catches sight of Ry and Min-un, loaded up with more snacks from somewhere. It's probably Ry's fault, but he can't rule out Min-un's sneakiness entirely. He should tell them off, but...

He has a more fun idea.

Fun for him, who will absolutely be the one who wins this bet.]

If you get sick, you have to look after those two tomorrow. [He nods towards the pair, in case he hasn't noticed them yet.] If you don't, I have to deal with them.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan matches him grin for grin and holds out a hand to shake to seal the deal.]

Done. You're so gonna have your hands full with those two tomorrow, dude.

[Because he is absolutely not losing this bet. No way in hell.]

[outofsynth]

[Min grasps his outstretched hand firmly, sealing one poor loser's fate.]

Whatever, man. Hope you're ready to get up nice and early.

[He keeps his eyes locked on Ryan's, searching him for any sign of early weakness.]

Ready to hit the buffet table again? I think I'm feeling hungry after all. And I bet you're about ready for dessert, right?

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Unfortunately for Min-Gi, Ryan has an excellent poker face - especially when he has the chance to turn it back on Min.]

We'll get there, we'll get there. No need to rush!

[Get it, Min?? That's the thing Ryan usually does! Look at how disciplined he can be. He is going to crush this bet. ]

Besides, you're the one who's barely had dinner. Let's go get you a new plate - since, you know. You said you're hungry now.

[And with that, Ryan is tugging Min over to the food.]

[outofsynth]

[There's something unpleasant about Min-Gi's smile under the surface, but he lets himself be led, pausing a moment to put his mug somewhere it will hopefully not be knocked over or get in anyone's way.]

But you've already eaten dinner. I'd hate to make you wait for me just because I haven't had mine yet.

[He takes two plates once they reach the food tables, handing one to Ryan and not so gently nudging him towards the dessert options.]

Go ahead. Pick out whatever you like while I decide what I want for dinner.

[chickenchoicejudy]

Buuut if I wait we can have dessert together. Besides, I don't mind. It's all still there.

[It's not like its going to suddenly run out and then he'll never try the amazing dessert ever. ...Right? Probably???

So instead, Ryan turns back around as soon as Min isn't nudging him anymore and heads right back over, plate empty, peering over Min's shoulder while he makes decisions.]

The veggie skewers are super good, man.

[outofsynth]

[Min tries not to let Ryan see his face, but he can probably see his irritation in the squareness of his shoulders. There's a tenseness to him as he picks out a few options, though limits himself more than he might if he weren't currently trying to encourage crimes against Ryan's stomach.]

What if they run out of what you want? I don't mind if you at least want to take a look.

[Notably, he hasn't been able to resist skewers. And just a little of one of the other curry options. The one Ryan had brought back earlier had been so good.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Min-Gi does have a point...Ryan peeks back over at the dessert table, as though everything on it might instantly vanish. With Min-un and Ry around, it's a real possibility.]

I...guess it wouldn't hurt to take a peek...

[Before vanishing though he shamelessly reaches over, grabs the tongs, and puts one of the pokéball musubi on Min's plate.]

I'll be right back.

[outofsynth]

[Min doesn't complain. The goal is to get Ryan over to the dessert table, not deprive himself of food.

Although... it would be better if he could supervise and maybe encourage him. That's not exactly unusual behaviour for Min anyway when it comes to making sure Ryan's eating properly, but this time his motivations are far less altruistic.

He follows Ryan closely despite his assurance he'd be right back.]

It all looks so good.

[Which he would have said regardless, but it actually is hard to decide what sweet options look most tempting.

Or will later, when he's actually had chance to eat dinner.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan raises an eyebrow when Min decides to tag along, or rather when Min decides to micromanage him in order to try and win a bet.]

Yeah, whoever made all this really knocked it out of the park.

[He's only grabbed one thing so far - the fa'ausi, naturally, because it's the only thing he doesn't recognize and thus it has the greatest potential for him to miss out on it forever if he doesn't try it now.]

What are you thinking about getting?

[It's an innocent enough question, but he has an ulterior motive - if Min gets something he can always try and get Min to let him try some instead of taking a whole serving for himself.]