“Soft? Aku is not soft! Touch my arm, you’ll see!”

He slammed his arm down for inspection. 

“…I would ask you what it is you are hoping to accomplish.”

Aku accepted the offering and pulled his tongue back into his mouth. It seemed like the chocolate dissolved in his mouth before it could even reach his throat. 

“Mhhh…” he grumped. “Hmph!” 

He was NOT funny. How dare she. 

The demon heaved a great sigh…

“Unwrap it…” he said. Then he leaned toward her and stuck out his tongue, indicating for her to just dump it on. 

Rumbling low under his breath, Aku sank lower into his seat. His arm was stretched on the throne’s armrest just behind where Lori sat but there was plenty of space that he didn’t crush or bump her.

“…No. Not unless you know something about a certain Doctor Gaster that I do not.”

“Greetings, Lori. Everything is just wonderful.”

But the way he grumbled and slouched and rolled his eyes suggested otherwise.

Years meant nothing to Aku but if you think that would stop him from accepting undeserved well-wishes, think again.

“Thank you, Lori. Happy New Year.”

“No honey, either,” he grumped. “Unless it is in my tea…”

Aku wasn’t sure what the slab was accomplishing yet but it felt kind of nice. It was like a manicure for his horns.

“This isn’t so bad!” 

“…Ohhhhh, I see now.” Yes, suddenly it made sense! Sort of. He’d never used a sharpening slab before but there was a first time for everything. 

Picking it up, he examined it before rubbing it against one of his horns. Was he doing it right? He wasn’t sure but perhaps he’d find out if he kept at it for a bit.

“Mhm. Don’t call me ‘sweetie’,” he grumbled as an afterthought.