[Relationship] The Rosenhof Residence

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I am given options, and time to find ze mezods or zings zat do and do not work for me. And now I can do what I wish, at my own pace. Zis level of freedom is... a dream come true.

"You have done well, Matou." She was getting better at not just heaping praise and thanks upon Basil. Maybe too good?

[Basil Benson]

Basil moved in closer and for a moment it seemed like he was going to initiate something again, right here in the kitchen.

Instead he laid a kiss on her 'forehead'.

"Anything for you, Kitten." He explained, using the very first pet name he'd ever given her.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette beamed at the token of affection, finishing off her honey-water, already starting to look a little less parched.

"Perhaps once we finish unloading ze car, we could order in? I will break-in ze kitchen properly soon... but not tonight, I do not zink."

[Basil Benson]

"Too interested in breaking in the bed it seems.

What would you like to eat Madame?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Are you complaining?" Colette asked with a tilted head, leaning against the kitchen counter with Basil's shirt draped over her. The more she drank, the higher it rode on her.

"Surprise me. It does not have to be fancy... but it should be delicious."

[Basil Benson]

"Never, Madame.

I think I have a place in mind." He states. "My phone is in my trousers. " He adds, smirking. "I'll put them on, put in an order, and start unloading your things if it suits."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"Zat sounds perfect. We do not want to make a poor first impression wiz ze neighbours after all." That, and Colette was a little selective about who she shared her beloved's n'kedness with.

[Basil Benson]

Basil had that little smile on that most people couldn't place, but Colette knew meant he was thinking about something he wasn't saying.

"Right, to work then." He stated, getting up to go find his trousers.

And pants probably.

[Basil Benson]

The rest of Friday, all of Saturday, and mostly all of Sunday was spent enjoying the pleasure of one another's company. Basil had taken Colette to the grocery to stock up the kitchen for the week, and she managed to get him to cave and buy a few things for himself just so she didn't worry he was going to starve to death on his own while she was gone.

He even acted like a normal human being and let his girlfriend cook him dinner on Sunday night without acting like she was going too far out of her way.

Basil only ate half of what he was provided but acted like he was full, sighing for relief as he pushed away a bit from the table.

"What was this again?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette was getting a little more confident going out in public, having Basil to hang off of when she was feeling a little overwhelmed helped her feel safe. Eventually she might be able to do some shopping by herself but for now she was content with the less social options available to her, including sending Basil out. While the woman tended to extravagant in her sweets and desserts, her main meals tended to be a little more mundane - if such a thing was possible for the French.

"Coq au vin, and 'mash'." Her attempt at a British pronunciation of the potato dish was a little more on the Elvis Presley side than the posh side. "A perfect test for ze, how you say... mijoteuse. Which I zink it did razer well." Her complexion was darker than normal, thanks in part to the wine she was sipping. Between cooking and eating, she was in danger of getting used to using a bottle or more a day.

[Basil Benson]

For his part, Basil wasn't exactly helping the alcohol budget, but tonight he was sober, because he had a task he had to fulfill.

"Well, it was delicious." He stated, standing up to collect their dirty dishes, he added-

"I'll wash up as per the agreement... You should go and make sure you have everything you need packed up for the week."

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette fidgeted in her seat, the smile from the compliment fading a bit.

"Mmm, what if... I am not feeling well. Perhaps I should call in sick tomorrow."

[Basil Benson]

"Do you want my honest answer Madame Rosenhof?" He asked hesitantly.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I may not always like an honest answer, but I always want one."

[Basil Benson]

"I believe that at best they will check your dorm to see if you're actually ill and at worst they will rifle through your student file to see if you are listed as having a constitution that allows for bacterial or viral infections Madame.

Then they will use what ever evidence they collect against you, potentially to expel you."

Didn't seem like he was going to hold anything back now that he had no fear of reprisal beyond potential dismissal himself.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette slumped in her chair, already looking defeated.

"I know zat you are right, but I still would prefer to simply commute to class every day. Zis is so much more... pleasant."

[Basil Benson]

Basil leant back in his seat, folding his arms over his chest. His fingers played inside the collar of his shirt, probably tapping his clavicle as he did when he was in deep thought.

Then he smiled in smug satisfaction, as if he knew something she didn't.

"Come Madame, if you don't allow a stallion to rest, the quality of his work is going to drop." Basil explained, using an analogy she seemed fond of.

"And then you might have to take him out back and shoot him. No one wants that."

Ah, there's that dark humour.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette's cheeks flushed slightly before she began to giggle, snapped out of the funk that she had allowed herself to fall into.

"Oh, I am not zat bad, am I? Zough I suppose zat if I absent, zen every little change will be a new surprise, no? Zen I can properly appreciate when somezing is painted, or how your treasures are arranged on your shelves."

[Basil Benson]

Standing again now that he knew she was cheered as well as she could be, Basil passed by Colette and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"You're an insatiable minx who's lucky I have no ability to say no to when she offers a shag.

That's true though. If you become familiar, this place won't be as exciting to visit.

And you might be expected to clean up or something." Basil gasped in mock surprise.

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I could be much messier." Colette said flatly, though whether that was in relation to her cooking or her love-making she left up to Basil's interpretation. It was subtle, but the teasing was there.

"But you are right. In ze grand scheme of zings, zis is a relatively minor annoyance. Having to continue somezing I would have been content to do ozerwise had zings been different is far from a tragedy."

[Basil Benson]

"Promises, promises."

"Go pack your necessary items Madame. I'll handle this."

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette got up from the table, with Basil's assistance in pulling her chair back, and used the opportunity to give the taller boy a little peck on the chin. There was the temptation to tell him thank you, that he had made her happy, that he was doing well... but she was learning to be a little more subtle with her tokens of approval. It was difficult, given how easily excitable she was, but her eyes and her smile could say a lot. She brushed her fingers over the back of his hand as she turned and headed toward the stairs, to go up and pack the necessities she'd need back at the school, and decide what she'd be able to leave at home.

Home. The word played in her mind. Home had always been the loft apartment she shared with her parents. Small, cozy, modest... safe. How quickly she was beginning to think of this as her home. Maybe someday she could invite her parents to come and visit? Oh, what would they think of this whole arrangement? Such were the thoughts going through her mind as she packed her smaller suitcase.

[Basil Benson]

Having finished up the manual labour he had long ago agreed to be the one responsible for, in about a half an hours time, Basil would announce himself by calling up the stairs as he ascended.

"I'm done Madame, are you ready?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette had her suitcase all packed up, the girl looking over the bedroom quietly before turning to look back at Basil.

"Mmm, I suppose zat I am."

[Basil Benson]

Picking up on the sad vocal tone Colette had, Basil moved closer.

"You know I'm only encouraging you because it's what is best for you, right?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette let out a little sigh. "I know Basil. And I know zat I will not be gone for long, and zat we will not be apart for much time. I have become spoiled."

[Basil Benson]

"Wanting to live in comfort isn't spoiled." Basil assured. "That's what everyone wants, in their own way."

He entered without invitation, and came to put his hands on her shoulders lightly.

"Someday, we'll never have to part. Unless you want to, of course."

[Colette Rosenhof]

"I do not wish to zink about a time when I want to leave you." She had enough involuntary negative thoughts, she didn't need to incorporate unnecessary ones. Colette let out a contented sigh and leaned back into Basil's touch.

"Mmm, alright, let us go. Before I zink about zis too much and become emotional."

[Basil Benson]

Basil grabbed her bag for her, and lead her off to the car.

He wouldn't speak much on the ride over to the institute. Truth be told, he didn't want this either. It took every ounce of his willpower not to simply turn the car around and go home without comment, pausing only where he was legally required to by lights and stop signs.

But in the end, he did the proper thing, and took Colette all the way to the parking area.

"Should I bring up your bag?" He asked solemnly, uncertain if it would be easier for her that way or not.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette wasn't her normally bubbly self, but she wasn't a weepy mess either. For her this was a necessary but unpleasant task that one did reluctantly. There was no sense in complaining, that wouldn't help matters any and would only serve to make Basil upset.

"I would like zat, yes."

[Basil Benson]

Basil did as requested, but he was obviously reluctant as well. He didn't want to leave her here anymore than she wanted to stay really.

When they made it to her room he set the bag down near her bed gingerly, awkwardly looking around.

"Well... I guess this is it..."

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette turned without a word and wrapped her arms around Basil, closing her eyes as she snuggled in. It was like one of them was leaving for a year-long sea voyage, when in reality they'd be seeing each other at lunch the next day.

[Basil Benson]

Unfortunately, Colette was dating a drama queen and so tomorrow seemed like never to him as well.

He leant into her hold for what seemed like no time at all, though was actually somewhere around thirty seconds, before pulling away.

"I'll see you tomorrow... alright?"

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette nodded her head. "Yes. Perhaps we can have lunch togezer? Or a coffee at ze least. We will meet for supper some evening zis week, yes?"

[Basil Benson]

"If you wish it, I'll eat sub-standard cafeteria food all week."

Ever the romantic.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette stifled a little giggle. "You may bring a sack lunch, if you prefer."

[Basil Benson]

"No.

My cooking is worse." He observed at her amusement. After a moment he finally pulled away and began to retreat from the room, frowning.

"I..."He paused his thought, seeming uncertain about something.

[Colette Rosenhof]

Colette was having trouble hiding her laughter. "You can stop by Waitrose along ze way and get yourself some sandwiches. Ze very British kind." Colette had... opinions about British cooking.

Colette stretched her arm out, literally, to press her fingers to Basil's lips. "You will text me when you get home, yes? Perhaps what you have to say will be easier zere?"

[Basil Benson]

Basil twiddled his fingers anxiously, bringing the balled mess of digits up his his clavicle, his arms pressed against his chest. He was thinking about something, obviously. But he didn't dare say whatever it was now. Her finger would remain perched on his lips through his nervous display, until he finally took a step back and nodded.

"Good day then." He stated, retreating without further ado.

[Colette Rosenhof]

From the feeling on his lips Basil might almost think that those fingers had kissed his, oh right shapeshifter shenanigans. The woman gave him a little wave as he departed after he'd spent time thinking over what he was too nervous to say. During the ride home his phone would vibrate with a text from her, but it wouldn't be until he got back home and checked that he'd see the picture she'd sent him; a little something to help get him through the week.

<3 u