Submission (#727) Approved

Staring down the pumpkins that Juniper had gotten for Halloween, Cyro looked over at his little wifey with curiosity and confusion.
“what’re these for?” he asked, pointing a shimmering claw at the orange fruit.
Turning to look from where she was putting up fake cobwebs along the windows, Thistle cocked her head inside Juniper’s visor.
“you mean to tell me you’ve never carved a pumpkin before, Cyro?” she asked, shocked by his question.
“no, I’ve never had the time for it, honestly.” Cyro replied, looking down at the jack-o-lantern pumpkin spice candle sitting on the table in front of him.
“okay now we HAVE to carve pumpkins together!” Juniper said brightly, shuffling out into the kitchen to grab the carving tools they’d need.
Staring down at the big pumpkins, Cyro heaved a sigh, Miyuki snorted inside his visor.
“relax Cyro, it’s just carving a pumpkin, what’s the worst that can happen?” Miyuki said through the telepathy link.
Grumbling, Cyro looked around at the little cabin he’d come to call his second home, seeing the many Halloween decorations he supposed she thought were spooky. Bats hanging from the ceiling, cobwebs from the windows and door, signs that said “BEWARE” on the door and caution tape. And pumpkins, she seemed to have an obsession with pumpkins. He’d sent Haima off to have fun for the day, though he was sure he’d gone to visit the little rose terra who ran their favorite café.
He watched as juniper set the tools down on the table, and leaned into her when she sat down beside him and nuzzled her visor against his.
“okay so!” she started, gently taking his much larger hand in hers to squeeze gently.
“when carving a pumpkin, first you need to hollow it out! We do this by cutting it open and removing alllll the seeds and innards so its easier to carve!” she chirped happily, removing her hand from his to begin showing him what to do with the large knife she’d brought and two large spoons.
He nodded, following her lead as they cut open the pumpkins and began getting all the guts out.
Once they’d finished, now covered in seeds and pumpkin guts, Cyro turned to see Juniper didn’t have a single bit on her and grumbled.
Giggling, she then grabbed the carving tools.
“what would you like to make, Cyro? You can make anything you want!” she chirped.
He turned to look down at her. “an owl.” He said softly and she stilled.
“really?” she asked softly, and Cyro saw Thistle preen under his decision.
“yes. Now show me how to work these tools.” He demanded, twirling the knife he hand with expertise that should be concerning, unless you knew his occupation.
Once she showed him how to use them, they sat in companionable silence, the sound of the tools scraping away at the skin of the pumpkins the only sound aside from the crackling fire place of Juniper’s cabin.
Finishing the last details, Cyro set his tools down and turned to look at Juniper.
She looked over at him and turned her pumpkin, Cyro purred when he saw she’d carved Miyuki on the front of the pumpkin.
He turned his and showed his little love what he’d done.
“oh wow!! For your first time carving you did amazing!!” she beamed and he then grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, making her squeak and flail.
A chuckle rumbled through the dragon’s chest. “thank you, little owlet.” He cooed, nuzzling his visor against her head.
“what for?”
“showing me what I’ve missed.”