[ The other bed can have their luggage on it. sflkdaj ]
Makes sense. Culturally, Wutai sounds about as close to Inazuma as it gets.
[ The plates go in the upper shelf. While they could both reach, it's much easier for Cloud with his height. Not that there's much to clean up and put away, with it being just the two of them. ]
Zack and I laughed at each other's hometown names when we first met. We were on a mission in Modeoheim and...we were the only ones used to that kinda terrain. Being country boys and all...
[ Oh!! The story of how Cloud and Zack first met!! She seems to brighten up at the story, so happy to hear little bits and pieces of the story of the two boys. ]
A soft gasp escapes her as she covers her mouth with a hand. That's very surprising, is all! But nothing bad!! Inazuma is filled with nature, but nothing like a jungle!! What an out of this world concept... ]
That's so amazing! Nibelheim is so different compared to the jungle!
[ Ayaka's reaction to Zack living in a village in the jungle catches him by surprise also! Leaning against the kitchen counter on one hand, he relaxes more as she marvels at the landscapes he describes. ]
If things weren't so dicey there, I'd have shown you Midgar. For all the problems Shinra and extracting Mako have caused, the city's a technical marvel like nothing else.
[ Considering how much of the world Cloud still needed to see for himself, some things would be a whole new experience for both of them. ]
Maybe. [ Considering they were finished with the dishes and tidying now, and now that their hands were free...he can use them for more productive purposes. Like slipping them around Ayaka's waist and holding her. Guard completely dropped. No one else to see or know just how deep their bond has become and would continue to go. ] But you're worth the overtime.
[ She wishes she could hug him, but being close to him like this, her beau standing strong before her... she feels content. Instead of an embrace, her arms go up to wrap around his neck. Holding him like this, they could sway from side to side like how a couple would in a slow dance. In this moment in time though that the two share privately, they instead make plans for the future, keeping their words and promises locked just as they do one another. ]
[ And sway they do. Even just subtly, but it's less of a dance and more the hidden desire to cradle her. Not even in his wildest dreams, both home and otherworldly, would he have ever dreamed that somebody could actually hold his heart like this. Captivate him like this. Liberate him like this... Cloud never felt more free than when he was spending his days with Ayaka. These halcyon days... A little piece of heaven the two took solace in together. Even if they weren't to last forever, and there would be bumps in the road leading him back to her, these memories were also the ones that would drive him.
He'd never give up. He'd never stop looking for her. He wouldn't rest until he found Inazuma's shores. Or until he found her again on any shore. Cloud may have a lot to fight for and answer to when he returns to Gaia, but this.
[ A few months ago, on her birthday, they were kidding around about this, too. How Cloud charges a pretty Mora, and she proposed to pay him in kisses, instead. Ayaka's sense of humour still isn't the best, but she's having fun right now, anyway.
She gets up on her tiptoes now and kisses him softly on the lips. One might think this is the start of her payment for the shovel job, but... ]
Won't you just stay inside with me, instead?
[ She won't force him to stay with her if he really does want to clean up the snow... But she will also do whatever she can to make sure he can't concentrate with it if she has to. ]
[ He practically melts on the spot when she kisses him so softly. The question she asks next may as well be a foregone conclusion. Or at the very least, something that he can attend to later. Much later when he has far more important things to be doing right now. Such as taking care of the one girl in his life that he couldn't imagine himself without anymore. She's also already succeeded in making him unable to concentrate.
Long before his 'job' could even begin. There was no forcing it with her. ]
Mm. [ His forehead gently taps against hers, their noses almost brushing when he softly, honestly answers, ] I don't wanna be anywhere else.
[ He kisses her right back. Lingering. Soft. No intent on stopping until they need to breath despite the fact there's no heated passion. Just a desire to stay. ]
[ Ayaka doesn't do it on purposeβ she's just sweet naturally! Just like honey, and being close to her will make you want to stay there with her. Right now, though? She can't help but feel glad that Cloud's acquiescing to her so easily.
She lets out a soft laugh in between kisses, enjoying both their exchange of affection, and how new this is to both of them. ]
Do you promise?
[ That he won't so much as lift a finger to shovel the snow away??? Granted, she doesn't really have any means of entertaining him while he's over. . . She was working before he arrived, after all! ]
[ If Ayaka was sweet as honey, than she's already got him addicted to her. If given the opportunity, he would have gone to do as he said he would. But when she proposes him like this? How could he say anything else beyond 'yes' to her? ]
Promise.
[ Not a single finger is going to touch that shovel right now. Letting his lips sweep hers one more time, he draws back with his arms still settled around her waist. As exciting as it was to just keep kissing her... ]
How much more work you got left to do?
[ Because just because he wasn't going to shovel, didn't mean he was going to find a way to keep himself occupied indoors. Even if it meant just staying by her side, letting himself relax while she worked. A presence. A body. Somebody to be there even if he didn't say anything at all. ]
Actually, I haven't gotten very far with work. I wrote down some ideas for the play, but I don't have a proper story yet.
[ But it's not a bad thing! Since she's not allowed to come back to the school for a few more days, she needs to keep busy! Since it is a story for kids, it needn't be complicated. Ayaka will likely finish it in a day or two, with proper breaks and all. What she has to do for work is just the school play, so once she's done with that, she won't really have much to do...
Maybe she should find a third job, after all? ]
What about you? Is there anything you'd like for me to do?
[ Now who was distracting who? Cloud hardly minds, however. It didn't seem like something really complicated, nor all too time consuming. So if he can serve as a respectful distraction for her while she remains proverbially cooped up at home by order of her work, he meant every word about not wanting to be anywhere else. ]
How 'bout I keep you company if you gotta do more work? [ Whether he gives his two cents or not, he intends to stay indoors with her like he promised. The snow can wait or melt. Whichever one comes first. ] I'll read.
[ She wonders then if he would allow her to share her thoughts about the story so far. His view of the world is different from hers, after all, so it would be nice to hear his thoughts! It is just a play for young children, so it needn't be complicated, but having someone listen to what she has in mind will be a big help, regardless. ]
If I finish the play earlier than expected, perhaps we can work on your business plans together?
[ It has been a work in progress! But Ayaka is also looking forward to seeing Cloud succeed in something he made that's just for him. It does not seem like such a bad idea to her if she gives him a bit of a push. ]
[ All he needs to do his hum in approval, as far as whether or not it'd be alright to simply keep her company. After how much turmoil everyone went through in the past month, Cloud had learned a thing or two about tempering himself. A day or two's rest wasn't going to hurt any of his progress. Not when he was spending that time where it truly mattered.
Leaning in, Cloud plants another kiss on her lips before drawing away, loosening his hold of her so that they can properly wrap up in the kitchen. ]
Deal.
[ When the snow clears away...it'll be an opportune time to actually launch. Most of everything was in place, but he did have some technicalities to go over and finalize with her. Like how he was going to present and launch his work to the public. Ayaka was far more seasoned in that matter. ]
[ When Cloud pulls away, Ayaka can't help but look at him in admiration yet again. He doesn't have to do much to send her heart aflutterβ it just happens naturally when he is near. Does he know, she wonders, how truly happy she feels because of him? It pushes her to do better each day, because she would like to repay his kindness with everything that she can give. ]
Do you want to bring more of your things here, then?
[ She'll go back to fixing the kitchen now that she's been unbound by his spell. It doesn't take very long to keep everything neat and tidy, exiting the kitchen not long after so she can lead the way to her bedroom. Given that it is daytime, the sliding doors are wide open, and the windows are, as well. It is cool, but not chilly! Just right. They can still relax at her desk, with her papers all over, a sign that she really was working before he had arrived. ]
Perhaps I'll have made more progress once you are back. And you can be more comfortable sooner, too.
[ Following Ayaka back to the bedroom, he marvels some at the 'mess' on her desk. Something still far more neat and organized than anything he would have put together. He has a lot to learn from her still. ]
Okay. I'll prolly be back in less than a half-hour.
[ He was spending the night, after all. So perhaps it was for the best that he actually brought a couple extra things with him, too. Another change of clothes, perhaps. Placing hand upon her shoulder, he gives it a faint squeeze before leaning down. One more kiss for the road, even if it's upon her cheek. ]
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mistsplitter) wrote2022-04-20 09:38 pm
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Makes sense. Culturally, Wutai sounds about as close to Inazuma as it gets.
[ The plates go in the upper shelf. While they could both reach, it's much easier for Cloud with his height. Not that there's much to clean up and put away, with it being just the two of them. ]
Zack and I laughed at each other's hometown names when we first met. We were on a mission in Modeoheim and...we were the only ones used to that kinda terrain. Being country boys and all...
no subject
Have you ever been to Zack's hometown?
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[ O_O!!
A soft gasp escapes her as she covers her mouth with a hand. That's very surprising, is all! But nothing bad!! Inazuma is filled with nature, but nothing like a jungle!! What an out of this world concept... ]
That's so amazing! Nibelheim is so different compared to the jungle!
[ So Gongaga must be SOOOOO different!!! ]
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If things weren't so dicey there, I'd have shown you Midgar. For all the problems Shinra and extracting Mako have caused, the city's a technical marvel like nothing else.
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Perhaps there will be an opportunity in the future!
[ Even just talking about it is making her so happy. She gets to travel through his stories and experiences, and she enjoys it a lot. ]
Now you have more places to take me, hehe. Your bodyguard duties will never end at this rate.
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Maybe. [ Considering they were finished with the dishes and tidying now, and now that their hands were free...he can use them for more productive purposes. Like slipping them around Ayaka's waist and holding her. Guard completely dropped. No one else to see or know just how deep their bond has become and would continue to go. ] But you're worth the overtime.
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I still have many more kisses to give.
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[ And sway they do. Even just subtly, but it's less of a dance and more the hidden desire to cradle her. Not even in his wildest dreams, both home and otherworldly, would he have ever dreamed that somebody could actually hold his heart like this. Captivate him like this. Liberate him like this... Cloud never felt more free than when he was spending his days with Ayaka. These halcyon days... A little piece of heaven the two took solace in together. Even if they weren't to last forever, and there would be bumps in the road leading him back to her, these memories were also the ones that would drive him.
He'd never give up. He'd never stop looking for her. He wouldn't rest until he found Inazuma's shores. Or until he found her again on any shore. Cloud may have a lot to fight for and answer to when he returns to Gaia, but this.
All of this. ]
How many for the shovel job?
[ He'll never let go. ]
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She gets up on her tiptoes now and kisses him softly on the lips. One might think this is the start of her payment for the shovel job, but... ]
Won't you just stay inside with me, instead?
[ She won't force him to stay with her if he really does want to clean up the snow... But she will also do whatever she can to make sure he can't concentrate with it if she has to. ]
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Long before his 'job' could even begin. There was no forcing it with her. ]
Mm. [ His forehead gently taps against hers, their noses almost brushing when he softly, honestly answers, ] I don't wanna be anywhere else.
[ He kisses her right back. Lingering. Soft. No intent on stopping until they need to breath despite the fact there's no heated passion. Just a desire to stay. ]
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She lets out a soft laugh in between kisses, enjoying both their exchange of affection, and how new this is to both of them. ]
Do you promise?
[ That he won't so much as lift a finger to shovel the snow away??? Granted, she doesn't really have any means of entertaining him while he's over. . . She was working before he arrived, after all! ]
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Promise.
[ Not a single finger is going to touch that shovel right now. Letting his lips sweep hers one more time, he draws back with his arms still settled around her waist. As exciting as it was to just keep kissing her... ]
How much more work you got left to do?
[ Because just because he wasn't going to shovel, didn't mean he was going to find a way to keep himself occupied indoors. Even if it meant just staying by her side, letting himself relax while she worked. A presence. A body. Somebody to be there even if he didn't say anything at all. ]
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[ But it's not a bad thing! Since she's not allowed to come back to the school for a few more days, she needs to keep busy! Since it is a story for kids, it needn't be complicated. Ayaka will likely finish it in a day or two, with proper breaks and all. What she has to do for work is just the school play, so once she's done with that, she won't really have much to do...
Maybe she should find a third job, after all? ]
What about you? Is there anything you'd like for me to do?
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How 'bout I keep you company if you gotta do more work? [ Whether he gives his two cents or not, he intends to stay indoors with her like he promised. The snow can wait or melt. Whichever one comes first. ] I'll read.
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[ She wonders then if he would allow her to share her thoughts about the story so far. His view of the world is different from hers, after all, so it would be nice to hear his thoughts! It is just a play for young children, so it needn't be complicated, but having someone listen to what she has in mind will be a big help, regardless. ]
If I finish the play earlier than expected, perhaps we can work on your business plans together?
[ It has been a work in progress! But Ayaka is also looking forward to seeing Cloud succeed in something he made that's just for him. It does not seem like such a bad idea to her if she gives him a bit of a push. ]
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Leaning in, Cloud plants another kiss on her lips before drawing away, loosening his hold of her so that they can properly wrap up in the kitchen. ]
Deal.
[ When the snow clears away...it'll be an opportune time to actually launch. Most of everything was in place, but he did have some technicalities to go over and finalize with her. Like how he was going to present and launch his work to the public. Ayaka was far more seasoned in that matter. ]
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Do you want to bring more of your things here, then?
[ She'll go back to fixing the kitchen now that she's been unbound by his spell. It doesn't take very long to keep everything neat and tidy, exiting the kitchen not long after so she can lead the way to her bedroom. Given that it is daytime, the sliding doors are wide open, and the windows are, as well. It is cool, but not chilly! Just right. They can still relax at her desk, with her papers all over, a sign that she really was working before he had arrived. ]
Perhaps I'll have made more progress once you are back. And you can be more comfortable sooner, too.
no subject
[ Following Ayaka back to the bedroom, he marvels some at the 'mess' on her desk. Something still far more neat and organized than anything he would have put together. He has a lot to learn from her still. ]
Okay. I'll prolly be back in less than a half-hour.
[ He was spending the night, after all. So perhaps it was for the best that he actually brought a couple extra things with him, too. Another change of clothes, perhaps. Placing hand upon her shoulder, he gives it a faint squeeze before leaning down. One more kiss for the road, even if it's upon her cheek. ]
Right- see you soon.