Work Text:
"It's Valentine's Day?!" Everyone in the Log Horizon common area seemed shocked by the revelation.
"Yep, that's right!" Tetra said, flashing a peace sign with her tongue out. "The day when hearts soar, and crushes are indulged and given chocolates~" She put a hand over her mouth demurely, sweeping her gaze across everyone present.
Shiroe sighed softly, aware of Void rolling their eyes next to him. Unfortunately, that was enough to grab Tetra's attention.
"Shiroeeeee, I always wondered actually...Kanami was the leader of the Debauchery Tea Party, right?" Tetra's question sounded innocent enough, but Shiroe was already trying to work out where she was going with this. With Tetra, nothing was truly innocent.
"Yes, that's right." He pushed up his glasses.
"I heard that she was veeeery pretty!" Tetra remarked, making dramatic poses as always. "Was she your girlfriend, Shiroe?"
Before Shiroe could even respond to this accusation in any manner other than a sharp inhale of breath, Tetra continued on.
"Kanami was older, and Void is older too, so do you like older partners, Shiroeee??? What a dirty boy! Dirty dirty!"
"Tetra," Void's tail was twitching with undisguised rage, their ears lowered and back, "you have the audacity to speculate about my boyfriend's previous relationships while I'm sitting right here?"
"Oooh? Are you jealous?"
"Kanami and I were not dating," Shiroe interjected, eager to clear the air on that subject, as loathe as he was to bring attention back to himself. Void knew that they were his first romantic partner, but he didn't want them yelling that if they got too flustered, and he certainly didn't want Tetra to continue this line of thought in front of everyone.
"Void is Shiroe's first, Tetra," Naotsugu said with a nasty grin. Shiroe's mouth moved, but he decided not to say anything, already exhausted from this ordeal. Leave it to Naotsugu to say exactly what he didn't want said. "So definitely not."
"Aww, you're no fun! How boring!" Tetra crossed her arms, pouting. "Well, in that case, I'll take another tact! Shiroe!" She pointed at him.
"HUH?!" Shiroe twitched, shocked by the attention being directed at him again . Normally, Naotsugu was Tetra's favorite person to heckle, so what was with today?!
"Are you planning something sweet for Void today, on this oh so important Valentine's Day?" Tetra said, twirling and blowing Void a kiss. Void glared at her.
"Ah...well..." Shiroe felt nervous, making noncommittal noises. He wasn't. He hadn't even realized what day it was, and he suspected Void hadn't either.
"Whether he is or isn't, it's no big deal," Void remarked dryly. Their tail and ears suggested they were still quite annoyed with Tetra, but that was their usual state. Tetra's flamboyant behavior and distinct lack of respect for boundaries set them off very badly. Most of the time, she behaved herself around Void, but the excitement of Valentine's Day appeared to have unwound that habit.
"Oh? Really? So you don't care if he doesn't do anything?" Tetra seemed delighted that Void had taken the bait, to Shiroe's eye. Meanwhile, everyone else was hanging around looking awkward. Everyone knew Void was about to blow up. Tetra probably did too, but that was the opposite of a problem to her.
"That's right," Void stood up from the couch, getting into Tetra's space a bit. "He can do whatever he wants. I'll be happy either way. I'm not some sort of leech , like you."
"Kyaaaa, Void says I'm a leech! How cruel! Wouldn't you want Shiroe to do something for you, if you were dating him, Minori?"
"Huh?" Minori's face went red instantly. "I- but- well, I would expect a b- a boyfriend to do something, but..."
"See see? And you too Akatsu- oh, she's disappeared. I think that just confirms it, really."
Shiroe felt his own cheeks warming. What a weird question to ask. No wonder Minori was flustered. That was surely uncomfortable for her. He was relieved that Akatsuki had skipped taking the bait.
When he looked at Void, he saw nothing but fury in their stance, and all his relief evaporated into thin air. He didn't understand why exactly Void was so mad about this, but it seemed to have crossed some line.
"Tetra-" Shiroe started to say, but was too late.
"Oh? Nothing to say, Void? Teehee!" Tetra giggled, moving as if to press a kiss to Void's cheek. Void stepped back, dodging it, turning pale.
"I'm- I'm going. I have something to do." Their excuse was obviously just an excuse, and they were quick to run off.
Shiroe got up to follow them, and Tetra moved into his way.
"Aw, c'mon strategist, let them cool off on their own. You aren't really going to do nothing, are you?" Tetra put her hands on her hips, pouting at him.
"I truthfully didn't have any plans. Neither of us realized what day it was." He tried to move past her, but thought better of it. She was likely to shamelessly block him with her body, in a way that he was uncomfortable with.
"Oh, come on! You don't really believe they're okay with doing nothing, do you?"
"I do. You don't know Void like I do. They-"
"C'mon, Shiroe, all of us women are the same-"
"Void isn't a woman," Shiroe interrupted, expression hardening. "Don't misgender them again."
"Void is really kind," Minori said, "they really don't hold things like that against anyone, Tetra."
"Okay, I am sorry about that. You're right, I shouldn't group them that way in my head." Tetra shook her head, looking sincerely apologetic for once. "But still! I'm just teasing, there's no reason to get so upset- eh?!"
"My lord, this is your chance!" Akatsuki had appeared, grabbing Tetra from behind and pinning her arms to her side. "Go!"
"I'll help too!" Minori said, grabbing onto to Tetra from the front. Tohya and Rudy stared for a moment, before deciding not to get themselves involved in that. Naotsugu laughed, gently pushing Shiroe.
"Go on, then," he said.
Shiroe smiled, shaking his head. "Thanks. Tetra..." he pushed his glasses up, expression going serious. "Think about what you've done." And then he headed for Void's room, cape swirling behind him.
He could just barely make out Naotsugu saying, "woah, serious scolding Shiroe is pretty scary huh?" followed by a chorus of agreement, and Tetra whining about how unfair it was.
That all faded away as he reached Void's door. He knocked on the door straight away, expression softening. "Void?"
He didn't like seeing them get upset like that. He should have said more, done more to make Tetra stop, but honestly, trying to get her to stop only seemed to encourage her more. At times like this, he wondered if he had made the right choice in letting her join. She was a talented healer, and not unintelligent, but when she decided to make a scene, it was just about impossible to stop her.
When there was no response, Shiroe knocked again. "Void? Are you there?"
The silence continued. Void had given him both verbal and literal access to their room, so he opened the door, looking inside. The room was dark and empty. Void wasn't here.
He toyed with reaching out to them over telepathy, but in the end decided against it. Unfortunately, he needed to head out for Round Table duties, which he knew Void was aware of. He hoped that they had sought comfort with someone else, like Nyanta or maybe Marielle or Henrietta. With a heavy heart, he headed out for his duties.
---
Void had first gone to the roof, but had quickly decided they were too restless for that. They wanted to talk to Nyanta. About what had happened, or about something else, or just anything , really. Nyanta would listen regardless of what they had to say.
They pinged him on telepathy.
" Nya ?" Nyanta greeted them with a meow as always.
"Where, um, are you? I wanted to hang out," Void said, improvising as they realized they didn't have much of a plan.
" I would be delighted to have you join me-ow and Isuzuchi in the kitchen, if you'd like ," Nyanta replied. " Isuzuchi seems enthused by the idea as well, nya."
Isuzu, huh? Void wasn't particularly close with any of their younger cohorts. They were friendly, certainly, but venting with Isuzu there was pretty out of the question, as far as Void was concerned. None of their feelings about Tetra were new, and in some regards venting would only serve to get them worked up, anyway.
"I'll be right there! Thanks Nyanta."
" Mew-our welcome."
They hung up, heading to the kitchen.
"Void! It's good to see you!" Isuzu said, smiling wide as she stirred something in a bowl.
"You too, Isuzu," Void replied. "So this is where you were while everyone else was audience to Tetra's Valentine's Day shenanigans."
Nyanta hummed in response to that, no doubt noticing Void's closed mouth smile.
"That sounds...interesting," Isuzu said, laughing nervously.
"I'm sure it was," Nyanta remarked, with one brow raised, "though it does not surprise me you sought us out instead."
"Mmhm, mmhm. You understand." Void sighed, letting their shoulders slump. Isuzu looked between Void and Nyanta with curiosity, Nyanta only meowing once in response. "Anyway, Isuzu, what are you making?"
"I wanted to make some Valentine's Day sweets for Rudy!" She said, brightening immediately.
"That's sweet," Void replied, expression going soft. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to receive them."
"Thanks..." Isuzu was blushing a bit. "Oh, did you come here hoping to borrow Nyanta's Newlywed's Apron to make something for Shiroe?!" She suddenly looked a bit panicked, as if she'd intruded.
"No, no, though...that's a pretty good idea...not that I'm prepared at all to do something like that." Void waved their hands defensively.
"I can help mew with that," Nyanta interjected. "It looks like Isuzuchi will have some leftover coconia fruit, and I keep our pantry well stocked, nya. Assuming that's fine with you, Isuzuchi."
"Of course!" Isuzu was quick to agree. "I would love to be a part of the Log Horizon power couple's love story!"
"P-power couple- I-I see-" Void's cheeks flushed at that. They were beginning to feel guilty for how they had left without saying goodbye to Shiroe. Sweet treats would hardly make up for it, but it was far better than nothing. "Well, um, thank you both, that's very generous of you. I'll definitely take you up on that."
"Wonderful, nya." Nyanta smiled. "Nyaow then, it's time for the next step, so listen closely Isuzuchi..."
---
With Isuzu heading off to deliver her chocolates, Void and Nyanta were left alone. Void quickly donned the apron, marveling at the cute pink color, before turning to Nyanta expectantly.
"Nyaow then, Voichi, what would you like to cook?"
"...I have no idea what kind of dessert he likes," Void remarked, sighing a bit.
"Quite honyastly," Nyanta said, putting a hand on their shoulder, "if it's made by mew, he's going to be overjoyed."
Void's cheeks warmed at that, and they pouted, but they had no recourse. Nyanta was absolutely right, so long as the food wasn't a total nightmare.
"Well, then...how about dark chocolate, coconia, and strawberry cake?" Void put a hand on their chin thoughtfully.
Nyanta nodded, his own hand on his chin. "Yes, indeed, we should have the ingredients for that. I take it mew have an idea to decorate it already, judging by your expression?"
Void grinned. "I do. I can't help but want to do something artistic."
"As is your right, Painter." Nyanta let out a chuckle. "Nya-ow then, let's get started on your treat for Shiroechi."
---
As it baked, Nyanta fixed them with a look.
"What really happened with Tetra this morning?" He asked, one eye closed as he leaned against the counter.
"Ugh," Void sighed, feeling some of their frustration coming back to them. "She was trying to tease Shiroe, and I got annoyed and stepped in. That always backfires on me, but she was especially ruthless today."
"What was she teasing him about?"
"...honestly, I feel stupid now for how upset I got, but she was trying to insist Shiroe had dated this Kanami person...you know her, right? She was from the Tea Party?" Void finally met Nyanta's gaze with their questions.
"Nya, I do. Such a thing is laughable - that is not the kind of relationship those two had." Nyanta chuckled. "But Voichi, even if it had been the case...would that bother you?"
"No, not normally." Void crossed their arms, sighing again and looking away. "I just didn't like that she was picking on him, when he's insecure about...all of this stuff. And," they met Nyanta's gaze again, ears going flat against their head as their fury returned, "she tried to involve Minori in this conversation. Because-" Void sighed. "Let me back up."
"Nya."
Void explained the situation to Nyanta to the best of their memory, and Nyanta let out a sigh similar to Void's.
"Nya, I see. It was rather cruel to involve Minorichi like that, when she has a crush on Shiroechi. And Akatsukichi as well..." He shook his head.
"I got upset, when she did that, so...I ran off. I didn't even say goodbye to Shiroe before he went off to the Round Table!" They put their head in their hands, groaning. "And on Valentine's Day..."
"I'm sure the only thing Shiroechi was worried about was mew. In fact," Nyanta smiled warmly, "I heard somewhat of a ruckus afterward...I do believe Tetra may have been scolded for at least some of her behavior, nya."
"Well...that's good to know. Still..." Void sighed, leaning over to rest their elbow on the counter, hand on their cheek. "Well, I hope he likes the cake."
"He will, nya. Mew made it, after all."
"With your help!" Void said indignantly, laughing. "You're right though...he's sweet like that..."
"Nya, young love is beautiful."
"...hush."
---
Shiroe had hoped to buy Void a coconia fruit on the way home, so he had something to give them for Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, the fruit had been long sold out by the time he had finished his work. Instead, he sought out a gift that was more pragmatic, the sort of thing that Void would say was 'a very Shiroe gift'. With that safely in his bag, he headed back to Log Horizon.
"Shiroe!" Void was immediately there to greet him as he walked in the door.
"I'm home," he said, smiling warmly.
"Welcome home," they replied. "I, um, made you something."
"Oh!" Shiroe's eyes lit up. "Is that why you're wearing the apron?"
"Mmhm!" Void spun around. "Isn't it cute? What do you think?" As Void saw his soft expression, they grew shy, blushing.
"You're very cute," he said, walking over and pressing a kiss to their forehead.
"Sh-Shiroe..."
He could understand their shyness - he didn't usually display such PDA. But the moment had felt right, and no one else seemed to be around.
He was wrong about that last part.
"So the cute couple is back," Tetra said with a grin, leaning over the second floor railing, "and did actually do something for Valentine's Day, despite protestations."
"It wasn't planned!" Void fired back immediately, while at the same time Shiroe said, "it's none of your business, Tetra."
"Yow, that stings!" Tetra dramatically put her hand on her heart, but there was still a smile on her face. "Well, you two enjoy then." She skipped off, humming to herself.
"That was uncharacteristic of her," Void said flatly, clearly looking annoyed.
"I don't want her to bother you again," Shiroe replied, taking one of their hands in his and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Thanks." Void smiled at him, body visibly relaxing as their ears rose, tail wagging. "And thanks for telling her off just now, too. That was...I appreciated it."
He pressed another kiss to their hair.
"I got something for you too," he mumbled, feeling sheepish. "So, maybe we should go somewhere private?"
"I quite like the idea of that," Void remarked, giggling to themself. "No more interruptions." They stroked the shoulder of his cloak, dusting something off of it. "I'll meet you at yours?"
Shiroe nodded. "Sounds good."
---
"Nyanta, he's here!" Void whisper-yelled in the kitchen. Nyanta was prepping for dinner. They giggled nervously, face warm. "I- I'm gonna give him the cake...I hope he likes it..." They squeezed their eyes shut, flailing in place for a moment.
"He's going to love it," Nyanta reassured them, "there's nyathing to fear, Voichi."
"I know, I know, I just- it's nerve wracking!" Void squealed, dancing a bit in place. "Okay, okay, I...I'm going to carry the cake and definitely not drop it...oh god what if I drop it..."
Nyanta chuckled softly. "Mew won't drop it, Voichi. I have a moment here, let me assist you in bringing it over, nya."
"Thanks, Nyanta. I really might drop it with how nervous I am!"
---
Shiroe was sitting at the desk in his room stock still, elbows on the desk, hands steepled. His mind was racing one thousand miles an hour. Void had cooked him something...that thought made his heart flutter. He would have never imagined that, given how this world worked, and the thought sent his mind spinning on what things might have been like if they were in the old world. Sometimes to come home to a meal already made, sometimes to cook dinner with them despite his abject lack of skill, and even preparing food for them when they had a long day. It all swirled within him.
There was also the matter of his gift - he hoped they liked it. He hoped they didn't feel like it was something he did just to not have Valentine's Day pass uneventfully. He had chosen it with the utmost care, selecting something suitable in both looks and functionality. Even now, several months in to their relationship, he still felt shy and anxious about giving them a gift.
There was a knock at the door, and Shiroe jumped to his feet, eagerly opening it.
"Oh, Chief," he said, blinking in surprise at the sight of Nyanta and Void both. Nyanta carried small plates and silverware in one hand, along with a small folding tray, and Void was carrying...
A small cake.
"Greetings, Shiroechi. I'm just here to help Voichi set up and then I'll be out of your fur, nya." He chuckled warmly.
He stepped inside, unfolding the tray and setting the silverware down. Void set the cake down on the tray as well, glancing shyly at Shiroe before turning to Nyanta.
"Thank you, Nyanta. We'll see you at dinner." They smiled warmly at him.
"It was my pleasure, nya." With that, Nyanta bowed and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.
This left Void and Shiroe alone, with a slightly awkward air. Shiroe stared at the cake with wide eyes. It looked to be chocolate, with strawberries arranged delightfully in the shape of a heart on top.
"Um!" Void suddenly straightened up, cheeks flushed. "Please, sit down, and I'll tell you about the cake."
Shiroe sat on the bed, with the tray in front of him, feeling his own cheeks warm.
"Th-this is..." Void cleared their throat softly. "This is a dark chocolate, coconia, and strawberry cake," they said, gesturing delicately with one hand as they did a small curtsy. "It was made with, um, fresh coconia and strawberry procured this morning, and- and dark chocolate. And, um- I made it. Nyanta helped guide me, but I made it. For you. So."
Shiroe sighed happily, smiling at them. "I didn't expect this at all. Thank you, Void."
Void blushed deeper, smiling. "It's no trouble, I wanted to do something for you so..."
Shiroe patted the spot next to him. Void took the hint, plopping down with a giggle.
"Go on, try it..." They leaned against him shyly.
"Happily," he remarked with a grin, cutting himself a slice. Then, he cut a slice for Void as well, handing them the plate. Void took it with a surprised look, nuzzling his shoulder in response. Shiroe could feel them watching as he put a piece of cake on his fork, bringing it to his mouth and taking it in. The flavors burst in his mouth, and he sighed happily, melting. "It's so good..." he mumbled, immediately shoveling more into his mouth.
"I'm so glad to hear that," Void said, relaxing.
Suddenly, Shiroe went stiff, freezing and opening his mouth. Void looked at him with furrowed brow, confusion beginning to give way to concern as they noticed a slight glow.
"Shiroe? Are...are you okay?"
He looked directly at them, looking like he was in a daze, and said, "I love you, Void."
Void stared. Suddenly, Shiroe seemed to come back to himself, his cheeks flushing darkly. What had just happened ? He'd been eating cake, and then suddenly he was confessing his love to Void-
Oh, fuck, he'd just confessed his love to Void-
"I don't- I- wh- what- I didn't mean to say that-" he flailed for words. What was he supposed to say, having just accidentally said those three all important words to them? It was true - he did love them. But he hadn't been ready to say it.
"I love you, too," Void said, cheeks deeply flushed. Hearing that helped him calm down, even as his cheeks continued to burn and his heart rate only went up. Void loved him.
He sighed softly, ducking his head. "I don't know what came over me...I...I wasn't..." he trailed off.
"Something is...you were glowing, so..." Void was looking thoughtful. One of their hands was moving as they navigated their UI. "Oh...oh my god. I'm so sorry, Shiroe, I had no idea this would happen!" Void put their head in their hands.
"Huh?!" Shiroe wasn't entirely sure what to do, so he wrapped his arms around them. "What's going on?"
"You know about how the, the flavor text has been becoming real?" Void offered him a sheepish smile.
"Yeah...? Oh." He quickly pulled up his UI overlay, navigating to the description of the ingredients in the cake. On a hunch, he selected the coconia fruit. "Ah."
On Valentine's Day, if you feed this fruit to your loved one, you can find out what they truly love!
"I didn't know, I swear, I wasn't trying to force you to confess," Void was looking up at him with a very apologetic expression, and puppy eyes. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Void," he swallowed hard. "I mean, it's...it's true. I do feel that way. But, um..." he looked away, shifting nervously. "Will you wait for me to, to really be ready to say it? Just...just a bit longer."
They were looking at him with all the love in the world as he met their gaze again. They nodded.
"Yes. Happily. For as long as you need." They leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. As they pulled back, they licked their lips, giggling. "Chocolate."
Shiroe snorted softly, picking up his fork again, the plate of cake still resting on his lap. "...do you suppose it'll happen again if I keep eating?" Shiroe asked, frowning down at the cake.
"...probably not? That would be such a pain." Void shook their head with a laugh. "I'll try it too! It seemed like you responded to the question I asked, so ask me anything! Something funny maybe, like- like what my favorite color is!"
"It's purple, Void," Shiroe replied, laughing.
"Well, yes, but- we could know for sure for sure - "
The two of them broke into giggles at the absurdity of the entire situation, laughing and smiling and leaning against each. Finally, they calmed down, sighing happily.
"I asked you if you were okay, basically," Void explained, smiling and looking down at their lap. "And what came out was...that. So...you can ask me if- if I feel the same way, if you want. I mean! I do. But it's only fair."
Shiroe shook his head, smiling. "I don't need to, Void. I trust you."
Void softened visibly before him, smiling. "Shiroe...alright. I trust you too, so you can ask any question you like, alright?"
"Alright."
Void took a bite of cake, immediately brightening at the flavor. "Oh, this is really good!"
Shiroe saw then what must have happened to him. Void went still, eyes glazing over, mouth slightly agape, and a slight glow all over. It was an unnerving sight - he understood why Void's initial reaction had been worry.
He had his question, but he felt almost foolish for asking it.
"Um," he hesitated, but steeled himself with a deep breath. "What do you really want for Valentine's Day?" He felt a bit guilty asking it this way instead of directly to them, but there had really not been anything else he wanted to ask. He knew they would be honest even without the coconia's strange effect, but still...
"You," Void said without hesitation. Their expression softened as they came back to themself. "Oh, Shiroe," they said, reaching out to cup his cheek with one hand. "You look like you might cry."
"Do I?" he mumbled, blinking as he recognized the wetness in his eyes. "Well, if I did, it would be because I'm happy."
Void sighed lovingly. "Me, too." They took their hand back, picking up their fork. "Now! To see if it happens again! NYOMP!" They put a large bite of cake in their mouth. Shiroe couldn't help but snicker. Void was too cute. "It's not happening so far..."
"Guess it's safe." Shiroe had another bite too, humming happily. "Delicious..."
"Can- can I feed you?" Void asked, stumbling over their words.
"...I wouldn't mind that..." Shiroe smiled bashfully in return. "But only if I get to do the same."
"Deal!"
---
By the time they were finished with the cake, Void was feeling so happy and loved they had honestly forgotten that Shiroe had mentioned getting them a gift. The two of them were lying on the bed now, cuddled up with full bellies.
"What if I don't want dinner..." Void grumbled jokingly, rubbing their stomach. "Maybe eating the entire cake wasn't the brightest idea..."
"You'll change your mind in an hour, especially if the Chief cooked up something meaty," Shiroe remarked, smirking faintly at them. He pressed a kiss to their lips.
"That's true...but, ugh, all I want to do is lie here forever."
Shiroe laughed quietly. "Well, you can't do it forever, but the next hour is free, at least."
He sat up, and Void lifted their head with a frown to keep him in their view. He moved to the edge of the bed, rummaging around in his bag.
"Um, whatcha doing, Shiroe?" They asked, sitting up a little bit to better see.
"I'll show you in a minute."
Void hummed to themself thoughtfully. There was something at the back of their mind they couldn't quite recall.
Shiroe pulled something out of the bag and quickly hid it behind his back, flopping down next to them with a big, sheepish grin on his face, cheeks lightly pink.
"Hi," he said, blushing darker under their stare.
"Hi," Void replied. "What's that you got there?"
"Well, um, like I said, I got something for you today." He was fidgeting visibly, and Void felt themself melting.
"Oh," they said softly.
"I hope- I mean, it was short notice, but I tried to pick something you'd like...if you don't, that's- that's okay-"
Void leaned in and kissed him.
"Don't get tangled up in your worries, Shiroe," they whispered. "I trust you."
"Mm," he looked away with a fond smile for just a moment, before meeting their gaze as he brought the box forward. "Here..."
Void took the jewelry box in hand with wonder, brushing the velvety fabric briefly before they opened the box.
"Oh..." They took a shaky breath, staring at it. "This is..." They gently lifted the collar out of the box with one hand.
"Collar of the Beloved," Shiroe said, and Void didn't miss the way his cheeks grew more flushed. "It enhances the bonus of racial traits, for certain races. Fox Tail included. Your magic stat was, of course, already fantastic, but the MP boost in particular will be nothing to scoff at...Void?"
"It's beautiful," they mumbled, staring at it. How could they tell Shiroe that a collar was a significant item in certain sub cultures? They mulled on that as they stared at it. It was clearly real leather, dyed dark in color, with beautiful carved details and the occasional gold accent, matching the gold buckle. There was a spot for them to attach their various accessories, like the cravat they sometimes wore or the golden bell. "I- Shiroe, um..."
"What is it?" He looked momentarily concerned.
"A collar, I mean- it, um, means a lot to me. Maybe more than you might guess." That was probably the best they could do right now. "Would- would you put it on me?"
"S-sure," Shiroe blushed darker again. Maybe they had gotten some of their meaning across, judging by his reaction. "Want me to move the bell to it, t-too?"
Void nodded.
Both of them sat up, and Void pulled their hair up, turning away from Shiroe. He reached around them, carefully and tenderly undoing the collar currently on their neck. Their breath hitched as he took it off, hands brushing their skin slightly.
"Sorry," he mumbled, acknowledging the way they'd shivered.
"N-no, don't be sorry," they murmured back, cheeks hot. "I- I like how this feels."
Shiroe didn't respond, and Void didn't look back at him. They could hear him moving the bell between collars, and their heart was pounding.
"I'm going to- to put it on you, now," Shiroe managed to stammer out. Void almost forgot to breath, but nodded, eager for this moment. Shiroe reached out from behind again, gently tightening the collar.
Before they could mention it, he put his finger between the collar and their neck, ensuring a safe fit. Void nearly choked at the sweet motion. He had been paying a lot of attention to notice them doing that when they got dressed - something about that in particular made them want to cry.
They loved him so, so much. And he loved them, too. It was a lot to process.
"...all done," he said softly. Void turned to face him immediately, eyes watery.
"Thank you, Shiroe!" They threw themself at him, the both of them falling into the bed as their arms wrapped around each other. "Thank you so much!"
"Anything for you, Void," he whispered back, kissing them deeply.
In his own way, Void thought, Shiroe was saying 'I love you' without using the words. They could feel it, and they knew it was true, because of the coconia fruit.
Truth be told, they thought as they closed their eyes, cuddling him, they would have known anyway. He was Shiroe, and he wore his heart on his sleeve, and he loved them.
They couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day.