[Gift] Life's a Beach

Aster lets out a sigh of relief as he reclines in the beach chair. After an absolutely exhausting relaxing time on the beach of shell hunting and water balloon pelting Cheri, it was time to unwind properly. The heat of the faux day was starting to cool off, and he had a good few hours before it was time to dress Cheri up like the doll he was. As relaxing as playing dressup was, there was the underlying pressure for perfection that he always pushed upon himself, and for now Aster needed some time away from there.

It was always difficult for the bun to relax, and he admittedly steals a glance through his pink shades to the bun next to him reclining back. Cheri's pretty form looked gorgeous, the slowly evaporating water from the water balloons making his skin sparkle gently. The soft snores escaping him was the only sign to Aster that the bun was asleep. Must have been tuckered out from the water balloon fight. Ah well, beauty sleep never hurt anyone. Aster rolls his shoulders and looks up at the blue of the 'sky'. With the weather slowly trying to cool, he could just barely make out the rocky formations of the underground they actually resided in. It was comforting for him, if anything. The familiar was always nice to have around him; it was probably why he kept Cheri so close at all times. What had started as a hired assistant was turning to something much more.

Aster's chest inflates and deflates as he takes a deep breath, calming down and putting his arms behind his head. How did buns with a sloth vice manage to stay still for so long? He could feel himself getting antsy already, despite having wanted this in the first place. After not even five minutes, Aster lets out a puff of air and stands. He makes sure to not disturb his precious sleeping Cheri, giving a pat to the buns fluffy hair as he decides to try and unwind in a different way. Cheri shifts in his dozing state, wiggling a bit and letting out a happy hum. Aster pauses his departure to make sure the bun doesn't wiggle right off the beach chair. Once his partner is taken care of, Aster finally steps away from the forfront of the beach.

He heads towards the cabana where drinks are easily being served by a handful of other buns serving and mixing sinful beverages. Despite the beach being crowded with active vacationers, it wasn't too busy at the bar seating- most groups having chosen to sit together at tables or benches. There were two unfamiliar buns sitting at the bar, and Aster felt a small ball of anxiety rise in his chest. He was not dressed his best to be meeting new people. He much preferred formal attire, and beach shorts with splotches of damp from the water balloon fight with Cheri, was not particularly his go to look for good impressions. He takes another calming breath before approaching. At least the drink he'd order would help cut his nerves. 

"Good evening." Aster greets, gesturing to the only tall chair left at the bar. "Is this seat taken?" He asks, making sure to use his manners. 

The first bun, covered nearly head to toe in his fullbody swimsuit, turns his head to silently regard Aster. It feels like he's being sized up, and Aster keeps his cool and holds his ground. At least the bun was another Greed bun, so there was hopefully the smallest chance of familiarity. The silent bun glances over to the one next to him who finishes up a sip of his drink. 

"Go for it... Beach hopping solo?" The man hums, giving a slight tilt of his head. Aster takes a seat easily, and shakes his head no. "Of course not, my partner is enjoying themselves in the rays. My name's Aster Isk, publisher and designer of Bun Couture fashion magazine. Pleasure to meet you two." 

The bun speaking nods, as if in approval at the answer. He riases his glass in greeting, as to not have to reach over his mildly intimidating partner. "The name's Trajan. Trajan Montalbán." The name is recognized by Aster, who's brows arch- clearly impressed a shade. Before he can say anything, the previously silent bun speaks up. 

"Rook." Rook introduces simply, but has the courtesy to at least extend a hand. Aster takes it, and gives a business firm handshake to the other. It's returned, and he's fairly certain that his bones were just a squeeze from being crushed. He must have made a face about it, because he can see Trajan's shoulders move in a silent laugh.

"Rook and I are here on vacation... lovely little place, isn't it?" Trajan chats. Aster nods his agreement, pausing briefly to order himself a drink as well. He feels himself relax a bit as the most difficult part of introductions are passed.

"It is, it is. There's a swimsuit competition this evening as well. I also heard there will be a bonfire for s'mores if sweets are your sort of thing." Aster muses in turn, keen on listing activities and such quite easily thanks to natural talent for tabloid writing. "My partner's going to be in the competition."

"Oh, well, congrats to them... I'll have to keep an eye out for them, then. Do I look like a sweets kind of bun to you?" Trajan interrogates lightly, leaning forward and arching a brow critically. Aster feels the pressure build for a moment before Rook speaks up and breaks the tension.

"

I like sweets." Rook hums softly.

"Yes, and you know I do too, but we can't just let strangers know everything about us." Trajan whispers hurriedly to his partner. Aster makes a point to look interested in his drink he received during the whispering, not wishing to be perceived as an eavesdropper. Again, it seemed to be the correct decision to do, as Trajan puts a comforting hand on Rook's back and nods to Aster. "Looks like we'll be staying around for dessert then, hm?"

"A good choice." Aster confirms, nodding and taking a sip of his drink after giving it a stir. The ice clinking inside the cup relaxing a muscle with each noise truly. "If you need any recommendations on places to see or visit while you're on vacation here... I can gladly give you some recommendations." He offers kindly. 

The offer leads to a spiraling conversation between Trajan and Aster, with Rook chiming in here and there but primarily listening. Apparently, the key to relaxing for Aster was a good drink and some socialization. He stops mid sentence however when he sees a familiar pink and black haired bun approaching. He turns to the bartender, quickly informing them that he needs a sex on the beach, stat, on the rocks, with a fancy umbrella as part of the garnish. 

By the time the drink gets pushed to him, one Cheri Blossom has reached the bar, hands on his hips with a playful pout. "Aster! You left me alone to go drink, without me??" He whines, before being promptly cut off by Aster.

"You needed your rest, I was letting you do just that... plus, I'm just keeping my promise to you from earlier." Aster takes the freshly made drink and holds it up. "One sex on the beach, as promised." he hums. It earns an all too excited giggle from the bunny who promptly looks around for an empty seat, finds none, and decides to sit himself happily on Aster's lap. 

"Thank you, dear." Cheri hums, eagerly taking the drink from his partner and taking a sip of it. They give a cheerful wave to the two men that Aster had been talking to. Rook gives a polite wave, and Trajan gives a nod in greeting as well.

"Trajan, Rook, this is my partner I mentioned. Cheri Blossom. Cheri, this is Trajan and Rook." Aster takes care of the introductions easily, a hand resting on Cheri's waist to make sure that he doesn't just slide off of his perch on Aster's lap. 

The conversations only continue and become more energetic with the addition of another bun into the topics, and it's only when Aster's alarm to head back to the hotel to get ready for the swimwear contest did they stop conversing and part ways. It had been an enjoyable experience for both, it seemed, as Cheri had an energized pep in his step and Aster no longer felt the stress of being out and about so much. A win win, really. He'd have to keep an eye out for his new accomplices in the future, as well. 

He doesn't have to keep an eye out long, as he sees the two happily at the bonfire later that night. Both warming up marshmallows over the open flames to make decadent s'mores. Perhaps, vacations weren't as stressful as he had initially thought them to be.