It’s such a blessing to have close friends!

After your recent trip to Fontaine, you came back with quite the obsession. Something about the way the people there dressed had stuck with you. And meeting up with your dear friends, Navia and Chiori had only worsened it; the two had practically tackled you into the world of fabrics. Chiori had walked you through her boutique and her prowess in tailoring was evident. Sharp enough to cut daylight.

So naturally, you returned home with luggage that weighed twice as much as when you left!

Aino received adorable fabrics for her tiny automatons, Lady Moonchanter Lauma got antler decorations. And for your Lightkeeper dearest, the one who always waited for you to come home, received an ushanka.

Flins didn’t complain about the sudden explosion of “just-in-case” accessories filling the shelves. If anything, it made him a touch quietly pleased. If your clutter was here, you were here. And he had missed you far more than he cared to say aloud.

So when you sighed dreamily one evening about wishing you had stayed just a little longer in Fontaine, he absolutely did not panic. Not externally, at least.

“How about…they send everything you want to you instead?” he suggested, placing his hand gently over yours to stop you from placing yet another trinket on the already overfilled shelf. His voice was casual whilst his eyes absolutely were not.

(For him only. Shh. No one tell.)

And so the parcels began to arrive.

The newest was from Navia, though clearly hand curated with Miss Clorinde’s input. (Are they dating or something? Always together…) The package was beautifully wrapped you almost didn’t want to undo it.

And you sort of wish you didn’t. Because inside were a lot of cosmetics . A lot lot of cosmetics.

Apparently they couldn’t decide on shades!

For you!! We couldn’t choose a favorite, and they’re awfully beautiful, just like you! So we picked them all. Enjoy, mon amour! ♡ Her note read.

Unfortunately, every lipstick looked nearly identical, but if there is one thing you will not compromise on, it is undertone accuracy.

Thus began the smudge testing. The back of your hand. Wipe. Palm. Wipe again. Then again. And again. And…ugh…

Until you acquired a volunteer!

You knew you had struck gold in partners the moment Flins silently took the lipstick from your hand, sat down on the floor in front of you, and tilted his head back like a patient cat awaiting grooming.

“Just use me,” he smiled.

So there you were, swatching rosy tints onto his cheeks, his jaw, the corner of his mouth, his eyes half-lidded in relaxed acceptance, trusting you entirely.

“Mm. This one feels funny,” he murmured, squinting at one tube with visible suspicion. He gave it exactly one second of consideration before he tossed it over his shoulder.

“This one instead?” He held up another shade.