#rico would go all out getting a special dinner reservation and roses but forget to invite the person he wants to dine with </3

[sinsisters]

Keep reading for some words from Flint, Lark, and Rico ♥

"Another ball full of couples dancing the minuet... Do you not have a partner? I guess I can join you... Is it normal to feel dizzy before you start dancing?"

"What an aft! Care for some swabbing? ...please don't make me literally swab the deck, I'm shirtless for a reason."

"Your name must be 'hardtack', because I'd love to put you in my mouth, break my molars on your biscuit, dunk you in some tea, and suck you dry. Wait, can I try that again—"

[iamtotallycool]

EOA Ship Appreciation Week Day 5: Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentines Day! No matter how you plan on celebrating it, I hope you know that you are all loved!

This year, the honor of this romantic day went to the ship GABABEL! ft Gabe’s parents.

This was actually a WIP I had collecting dust until I finally had the inspiration to finish it!

Enjoy!

There was a certain expectation that came with Valentine's Day, especially when a couple was celebrating their first one together. And even Gabe knew that helping out at his parent's bakery and making what seemed like hundreds of heart shaped Polvorones Rosas was not one of them.

It's not like either him or Isa were particularly the overly romantic types that usually included things like rose petals and original written songs and fireworks. So pretty much anything Elena and Mateo did. Instead, they preferred to go on hikes, read books together, play chess, and do other simple things like that.

Still, the two of them decided to take advantage of the day and go on a more traditional date by making dinner reservations at a high end restaurant and just enjoy being with each other. Mateo had even let it accidentally slip that Isa had bought herself a new dress when she had been out with Elena, a red dress.

But, he had gotten an urgent message from his mother this morning saying that their new apprentice had called off 'sick' and they were way behind in getting their special Valentine treats ready for what was well known as one of their busiest days of the year.

While Gabe was more than happy to always lend his parents a hand when they were in a bind, he couldn't help but feel annoyed at the apprentice's flimsy excuse, especially when Gabe actually had plans tonight.

Thankfully Isabel, or as now he would be thinking of her as, his wonderful Isa, had been more than understanding when he had rushed into her lab to break the news that he wasn't sure if he could promise about tonight. To take a step further, she even offered to help out as well.

"I already helped Abeula and her staff out yesterday with some specialty chocolate orders," Isa said rather proudly. "So I know my way around a kitchen and have no problem lending an extra hand if your parents need it."

Not only did they not have a problem with it, they were ecstatic to have the extra help, especially from Gabe's girlfriend who they of course knew about, but had never actually been properly introduced to. A horrifying fact Gabe realized later.

The day had been insanely busy as they had expected. And while they had done a bit of baking together in the past, Gabe had been really impressed with how well Isa really knew her stuff and how she was able to keep a calm head and beautiful smile through those stressful couple of hours.

Her performance had even impressed his father so much, that he had asked the two of them if they could stay a little longer to help prepare some of the usual baked goods for tomorrow. And this was from a man where you either did it his way or he would just do it himself.

It ended up being an unexpectedly fun evening, as they all worked on mixing different fillings, taking the time to get to know each other as they munched on a combination of the leftover treats and some meat and cheeses.

Gabe was now though in the empty main kitchen wiping off some chocolate filling off his face that Isa had smeared on him in retaliation when his parent's back were turned. A dirty move on her part, considering that she already had flour on her face when he decided she looked too cute not to have some more flicked onto her.

"Really Gabriel," His mother said as she came into the kitchen with a large bowl of freshly risen dough. "I thought we taught you better than to get your face all messy."

Gabe just rolled his eyes as he easily threw the dirty rag into the laundry basket that was across the room. He already knew he couldn't convince her or really anyone when Isa was the more troublesome one because of her innocent looking face, especially when she did her puppy dog eyes.

His father's boisterous laugh then echoed from the other room.

"You think Papa really likes Isabel?"

"What could he possibly not like about her?" His mother said with an amused look on her face as she began flouring down one of the counter tops. "She's a sweet girl. Not to mention the Crown Princess."

"Well, you know Papa," Gabe sighed as he grabbed some bowls off the high shelf he knew she would need for Pan dulces. "I think he likes to get into a fight with me just because."

His mother just laughed as she took the bowls from him. "And I always tell you, that you and your father are too similar, and that is why you always butt heads."

Gabe smiled as he leaned against the counter, knowing she was right, but also not wanting to fully admit it.

"I just know that both of you complain about how much time I spend at the Castle because of my work and really pushed me meeting a lot of local girls a few years ago," Gabe said. "And if I marry Isa, then I will be living at the Castle full time and will become a Royal as well."

His mother ended up dropping the bag of flour had been holding. Luckily she dropped it onto the counter upright and therefore only created a small white dust cloud.

"You're already thinking of marrying her!?"

Gabe flinched and quickly looked over his shoulder into the other room, "Mama! Please can you keep it--"

 "Oh I really thought this day would never come!" She interrupted and hugged him tightly.

"I'm trying to be serious," Gabe groaned as he managed to at least pull his arms out of her iron grip. "Part of the reason Papa, and even you a little Mama, didn't want me to become a guard was because you wanted me to take over the business, and get married, and start a having the big family you never could and we could all be together."

"It's true that your father and I always talked about wanting to have a big family mijo." His mother finally released him from her grasp as a slightly more somber look came over her. "But, with the heavy taxes and toxic oppression, we weren't even sure if we wanted to even bring a child into the world."

His mother pulled out a spare rag from her apron and began wiping his cheek, no doubt getting a spot he missed. "But you were our little blessing, and we just wanted to make sure that you grew up safe and secure as possible."

"Sorry I made you worry," Gabe said automatically. While he knew deep down at his core that he lived his life with no regrets, it pained him to make his parents worried or disappointed, especially his mom.

"No Gabriel," his mother said as she shook her head. "You turned out to be exactly who you were supposed to be. And your father and I are so proud of you."

His mother then turned back to the counter and moved the bag of flour to the ground, clearly now over her initial shock.

"And to let you know, the reason I wanted to push you to start dating more is because I just didn't want you to forget about making time for love, especially since I know things ended up playing out a little differently for you and Naomi."

She gestured back to the dining room.

"But again, looks like I had nothing to worry about."

It was Gabe's turn now to pull her into a quick and strong hug, feeling so much more at ease.

"So you and Papa are really okay with her becoming part of the family?"

"All we wanted was for you to meet a nice girl, who is hardworking, has strong morals and highly values family," His mother said as she listed the long, but not wholly unreasonable qualities off. "And I say that the generous Princess with a College education that has transformed this Kingdom to be safer place and loves her family above all else, exceeds all our criteria."

His father's voice then cut loudly through the air. "And then the olaball is passed to Rico as he punches it for a GOAL!"

"Oh no, if your father is bringing up Olaball, it means he's getting nervous and can't think of anything else to talk about." His mother gave Gabe's hand one more pat before she released it. "We better go save him."

Gabe agreed with his mother wholeheartedly and followed behind her.

"Let me know when you are thinking about proposing to her." His mother said over her shoulder, thankfully this time in a whisper. "I have a great eye when it comes to rings."

Gabe appreciated his mother's sentiment and knew he would call on her help when the time was right, but he and even Mateo both knew how fast the local neighborhood gossip could travel if so much as a peep was mentioned, and he didn't want it blown out of proportion, not just yet.

"I only said that I was thinking of marrying her," He replied, hoping to dissuade her slightly.

However, that was to no avail.

"And I can see in a man's eyes when he's deeply in love," His mother replied matter-of-factly before giving him a small smile as they reached the door frame of the dining room. "After all, it's the same look your father gives me."