A surprise commission from  raidagu that he got for me just, because, really. Or it might have been an anniversary gift (*thinking*), but either way it took me by surprise and stunned me rather thoroughly. The artist has done some art for Kyrie and I before, and I'm honestly only more impressed with how nicely he manages to capture the subjects he works on. Also, though I don't normally have them, I don't mind the back spines at all, haha.

I recently moved house and the lead-up to that slightly disrupted many of my modes of existence, including writing. So I've a backlog, which for those of you who've followed me for a while probably comes as no surprise.
Still! I really like this one. The soft colours and the expression between Kyrie and I make me pretty glad. Also the handholding (shameless debauchery, that) is really nicely done.

Don't forget to check out the artist's upload if you liked this piece.

Kyrie ©
Art ©
Salrith and writing © myself

* * * * *

“You made pancakes?”

“Of course,” Salrith said, waving one arm like it was nothing much. “I woke up early, so I thought I would make some use of the free time.”

Kyrie stared down at the platter of stacked, fluffy pancakes sat on the plate in the middle of the table. An array of condiments had been arranged around it in the shape of a heart.

“Is that a heart, or—”

“It’s a heart, hun,” Salrith said, giving him a gentle elbow. “Because I love you. Which is why I made the pancakes.”

Kyrie smiled, then began shuffling several from one plate to another that Salrith had also helpfully provided.

“What about—”

“Cutlery? I have it right here,” she said, holding up a set with one grasper.

“No, I was going to ask about—”

“Syrup! On the left.”

“Salrith.” Kyrie crossed his arms and looked down at the four-armed creature he had come to live with. “Not even the High Justiciar of Connection interrupts me this much.”

Salrith coughed slightly, her pincers twitching, and she looked off to the side.

“Right. Yes. Sorry about that. You were saying?”

Kyrie rolled his eyes, then reached forward to place his palm on Salrith’s head. Immediately her tail swayed behind her, just a little bit. It was a little like hitting the snooze button on his alarm, except the button made his short and insectoid partner automatically happier.

“What about dessert?” he asked.

Salrith immediately froze, her brow furrowing as several thoughts attempted to compete for space in her head. Unfortunately, this was less like a well-coordinated tournament match for one most-worthy thought, and was much more like a horrifying multi-car collision resulting in the death of every participant. Kyrie could almost see the smaller creature locking up.

“I only made pancakes,” she finally managed to squeak.

Kyrie smiled, then set his plate down. He stepped forwards and laced his white-scaled fingers with one of her graspers, sliding his other hand around Salrith’s back.

“Well then,” he said, peering down at her. Salrith looked up, caught somewhere between nervous and curious. “I’ll just have to have you, instead.”

“O-oh,” Salrith said, suddenly smiling up at him. “Oh, I see. You're being romantic. It’s a good thing we didn’t get dressed yet, huh?”

Kyrie simply grinned.