[Solomon/Karl] sweet countdown

[anakiddwrites]

 Solomon receives a special gift.

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written for 'hey sweeheart' 2026 event @ficwip!

bonus prompt: A bouquet of something
 

Solomon looked up from his book, stretching his arms and checking the clock on the wall. He blinked in surprise seeing it was already past five, realizing the afternoon had passed like a breeze and the crimson twilight was starting to paint the skies beyond the window.

“Oh, my. I lost myself reading... ~” He mused to himself, closing the book and leaning on the couch with a satisfied sigh. His smile widened when he caught a glimpse of the fulgent engagement ring on his finger, a casual reminder he was never truly alone.

Karl should still be holed in his office, lost in his work just like Solomon had been lost in his book. Naturally, nothing to worry about, since it meant he was inspired and having fun writing. Solomon could close his eyes and see him wielding the pen with the same passion and ability he wields his deadly arm, engrossed in creation instead of destruction.

And he was excellent at both, but the unique fire of creation in his eyes filled Solomon’s stomach with a million butterflies every time he was able to witness it.

“Sol…? Are you busy?”

The familiar voice called for Solomon at the best moment, and he opened his eyes to meet a grinning Karl peeking at him from the open door.

“Perfect timing... I just finished a chapter. Even though you know I’m never busy for you.” He winked, beckoning Karl with a smirk on his lips and fire in his green eyes. The fierce image of Karl in his office was still fresh in his mind, so it was a pleasant surprise to have him practically materializing at that exact moment.

“What a charmer you are ~” Karl teased, hopping inside the library in slow steps, obviously hiding something behind his back with both hands. “I lost track of time working on something today, but thankfully I finished it in time.”

“That’s awesome, dear. Can I take a peek? Is it a new collection?” Solomon brightened up, happy to hear his assumption was correct and enjoying seeing Karl looking quite proud of his accomplishments. It was always a lovely sight.

“You can say that...” Karl tilted his head, happy to keep some suspense in the air. “But first, you should close your eyes and show me your hands.”

“Okey... Interesting ~” Solomon raised one eyebrow, intrigued but tagging along with the request. “Surprise me, dear.”

In a moment he felt the weight on his palms, loosely guessing the shape of a bouquet, but keeping his eyes closed until further instructions.

“You can open your eyes now!” The delight in Karl’s voice was almost palpable, allowing Solomon to have a perfect mental image of the fanged smile he knew so well.

And he was indeed surprised when he reopened his eyes.

“This is...”

No doubt it was a bouquet, but its flowers were unusual, to say the least. He counted two dozen perfectly folded yellow paper flowers, each one of them covered in sentences written in black ink. A closer look hinted the lines could only belong to his partner’s new poems.

The moment Solomon figured out the ensemble, his pale cheeks instantly burned a vivid red. Karl was just watching his reaction with a proud smile and bright eyes, standing in front of him with an air of silent excitement.

“Did you... did you do all that... for me?” Solomon knew it was a silly question, but he couldn’t hide his awe and genuine surprise, his wandering eyes catching glimpses of the poems adorning every petal.

“Heh... It’s just a little thing ~” Karl was overjoyed with his delivery, gracefully sitting next to Solomon and whispering in his ear. “I recommend you to unfold and read one per day...”

“.... 24 days from now is... the anniversary of our engagement...” Solomon realized, opening a wide smile and letting out a lovely giggle. “Oh, Karl... You got me... you really did.”

He caressed the bouquet with tenderness, struggling to find the right words to convey his feelings. But there was no need for that when the emotions were all over his face, and Karl reassured him with a soft kiss to his cheek. Solomon giggled more, holding Karl’s hand and giving it a soft squeeze.

“I’ll be honored to read it every day.” He kissed Karl’s knuckles, gazing at the ring on his finger with love and kissing it with devotion. “You’re such a talented man, it amazes me every time.”

“Heh... Well, that’s because I have the best muse I could ask for...” Karl held Solomon’s chin, guiding him to look into his bright eyes and letting the words roll from his tongue like honey. “My charming fiance, my eternal sweetheart.”

The reflection of the twilight turned his brown iris into a hue of pure gold, contrasting beautifully with his dark brown hair and fair skin, a magical view that never failed to make Solomon’s heart skip a beat. And the casual drop of the lovely pet name just hit him harder, almost taking away all of his rational thoughts at once.

“Now, now, who’s the charming one... You are extra sweet today, aren’t you? I like that, I can’t deny it.” Solomon could only giggle in response, feeling his face growing even warmer. He didn’t resist cupping Karl’s cheeks and rubbing their noses together, letting his vibrating purrs express his joy for him.

Karl laughed out loud with no reservations, his expression blooming even brighter and his fangs shining on his large grin. He tilted his head, taking Solomon’s hand to his lips and kissing it without breaking eye contact.

“Well, I’m just overjoyed you liked my gift, and I was able to see your cute surprised face... If you knew how endearing you look when you’re admiring art... Ah, you would understand why I’m so inspired to create with you in mind.”

“It’s your eyes, dear Karl... but if you knew how inspiring you look when you’re creating art, you would understand why I can’t help looking so endeared every time.” Solomon grinned, kissing the tip of Karl’s nose and very pleased with the chance of flirting back. It worked wonders, resulting in an embarrassed Karl looking away from him with a silly smile.

“N-now, now... what are you even talking about, Solomon... There’s nothing special about that...”

“I dare to differ, you know? You’re a force of nature, especially when pouring your heart into something. Be it ripping out someone’s heart or writing a dozen poems to fold into paper flowers.”

“Oh, well. When you put it that way, I understand ~” Karl puffed his chest with pride, flattered and embarrassed at the same time. He couldn’t help feeling a boost of confidence when Solomon praised him like that.

Some would call his characteristic passion stubbornness, obsession even. And perhaps these weren’t wrong descriptors, but Solomon loved and supported his ways wholeheartedly, and that’s all he needed in the end of the day.

“In this case, you can rest assured, because I don’t plan to change at all. I don’t think I’m even able to do so.”

“Please, never do. I appreciate every side of you... Your passion, your intelligence... and every piece of happiness you offer me.” Solomon nestled the bouquet in his hands again, kissing one of the flowers. He smiled at the glimpse of the sentences, spotting the word sweetheart in a petal and letting a sweet sigh escape his chest.

“I can’t wait to read each one of them... And for our anniversary to arrive.” Solomon smirked behind the bouquet, his amused eyes hinting he had something in store for the special date.

“Heh... Say no more. I’ll look forward to it... while I work a little more here and there. My inspiration is still pouring plenty, you know?”

“I can’t wait to know more. Can I see some of it?”

“Weeeeeell...” He tilted his head playfully, throwing a naughty gaze to his fiancé. “You can have a sneak peek, if you want.”

“Well, surprise me...” Solomon whispered, leaning closer to his face and returning his gaze with a wink. He fluttered eyelashes when Karl held his chin again, eyes locked on his while poking his nose.

“Would you close your eyes for me again...?”

Solomon did so with a satisfied hum, welcoming the softness and warmth of Karl’s lips against his own. It was like the delicate touch of real petals, never failing to envelop him in the sheer tenderness that Karl’s heart reserved for him only.

He returned the romantic kiss instantly while carefully placing the bouquet on the end table, keeping it safe and giving them room to use the couch more comfortably together.