[ The way Ayaka mentions someone being deemed a hero... He sighs. He stands with her on the topic. The man that Sephiroth once was may have been a hero. An instrument of war. But from Zack's account? There was more to him than just being Shinra's ace. Another conversation for another time. When Ayaka speaks of wishing to see what it's like someday?
His hand remains upon Ayaka's still, and then, without even taking time to think about it, he says, ]
[ It was only just a day or so ago that they talked about being together, at the end of all this. When Cloud finishes what he has to do, he would come back for her, and she would wait for him. More plans for the future, no matter how long it may take, feeds into her optimism, and it puts a smile on her face. ]
I'd like that.
[ She looks at their hands, smiling even more. Repeating in her head what she just said— "I'd like that", she begins to imagine what her future would be like... ]
I hope that one day, I would be able to see other nations. Outside of here too, of course.
If they can figure out how to pull us outta time loops across worlds, we can figure out how to get to each other.
[ With one hand in hers still, he carefully takes his teacup in hand as he raises it for a sip. ]
If you got your duties... [ He'd thought of this before. Even if he doesn't know the logistics behind it. It's fun to dream. Let her dream. It's her birthday. ] Consider it official Shirasagi Himegimi business. Like an...
[ ... shit, what's the weird? He blinks, staring into his cup for a moment before it hits him. ]
[ Her beau continues to be silly. Using her free hand, she covers her mouth when she laughs. ]
The Shirasagi Himegimi is not a political title, Cloud! [ Perhaps this is only funny to her. Though she imagines Ayato would find it amusing, too. ] But the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan would make a good ambassador.
[ Political or not! Cloud playfully retorts back. When she hints at needing a bodyguard, a light smirk tugs on the corner of his lip before he softly 'hmph's. ]
[ She catches him by surprise in turn. Cloud's sense of humor was relatively dry, but...she's really come into her own once she understood. Hiding behind his cup for a moment, the look in his eyes is more challenging, particles of mako floating off his body in the same fashion her sakura petals float over her head. ]
Lemme think...
[ He takes a longer drink of his tea before setting it down one more time. ]
[ That's when Ayaka fails, worried that Cloud is even thinking about it when she was just being playful! Does it mean he was serious about the Mora? Not that Ayaka cares how much she has to pay, mind, but— ]
[ Seeing her expression drop, he blinks at her before he realizes what's happening. And he lets out a soft little chuckle for it as both hands are now free when he faces her at his side. ]
We're still kidding.
[ But he's still smiling all the same. Her reaction just now was really cute, and since they still have some time before the clock strikes midnight and her birthday passes? He's going to give her another present. He'll take part of his 'payment' now when he leans forward to take another kiss from her. ]
[ They were...? Her brows furrow and she frets, tilting her head to the side as she looks at him. She doesn't even know what to say, but... she's honestly a little embarrassed that she didn't know.
Cloud is still smiling, though, so that makes things a little better. Even better when he leans in to kiss her, because it is quite a surprise! It's enough to tell her that it's okay.
They can go back to joking around, right...? ]
Then... was that my payment? [ The kiss he took from her! ]
[ She doesn't get it. At first! And she lets out a barely audible "oh!" when she finally understands. No need for more words. She's going to be the one to get on her knees now to crawl over to where he is, placing a chaste kiss on his lips first, followed by another, and another, when she finally opens her mouth a little more to kiss him in proper. And if Cloud doesn't do anything? She's going to keep going.
Kisses from the Shirasagi Himegimi are supposed to be priceless, but Ayaka fully intends to keep Cloud all to herself. To the point where no one else can have his time because she's paid for all of it for years to come. ]
[ He's literally seconds away from apologizing when she lets out that oh-so-soft "oh!" and she has her little eureka moment. Cloud really couldn't put it into words, but the way she came to the revelation that he was still joking, the innocent look on her face? It makes his heart race a little more as he stares back at her. But then she's just staring back at him now. And he suddenly feels very tense.
Then she gets on her knees and crawls over to him. As she gets closer, he can smell the softest scent of sakura, looking down at her but leaving himself wide open for attack when she plants a chase little kiss on his lips. His eyes are wide upon the first one. Then she quickly gives him another. And another.
And by the time she finally opens her mouth to kiss him proper, he's closed his eyes and surrendered, his arm resting upon her shoulder as he leans on his hand for support so he doesn't go toppling over. It's true. Kisses from the Shirasagi Himegimi are supposed to be priceless. But as he's come to find out about himself, especially when it came to matters of the heart, his reservations stripped away and his filters gone?
He was a greedy, greedy merc. And he'd treasure every single 'priceless' kiss she gives him as he lets out a soft hum in his throat. She tastes like tea, warm and wet as his lips part and he returns her kisses in kind. He's damn near tempted to forget where they are and pull her into his lap out here at the table when his eyes open, half-lids as they briefly flick to the corner of the room. To the shrine.
His own family shrine that, like Ayaka's in her home, they did such a good job of practicing being 'private' for. He draws back, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze as his face is positively flush red. His heart's racing. They'd meant to finish their tea and wagashi. He was going to walk her home. But... ]
[ Ayaka was more than prepared to continue paying Cloud for his service and protection, but she stops when he pulls away. She hasn't realised it yet— how they're downstairs, just right by the shrine of Cloud's mother. Of course she knows where they are, but she's completely forgotten how she'd prefer not to be this intimate in front of family. How they'd kept it that way in the Kamisato Estate.
She hasn't realised it yet either when Cloud asks her to stay. Her focus is there on the question immediately. She's asked something she's wanted to ask deep down, because the truth is that she doesn't want this day to end without Cloud by her side. Just like on the blond's birthday, they went against what seemed. . . proper and fitting for a lady of the Kamisato Clan.
Who she is when she is with Cloud is just Ayaka, though. A girl who's always wanted to love and to be loved. Here she is now, with her dreams come true. And with the safe and comfortable space Cloud has provided her, she would like to still be Ayaka in his presence. ]
I would like to, [ she responds, but there is a bit of hesitation in her tone. She wishes to be able to hear him say that it's okay to do so, even though he had asked her just now. She wishes for her wants to be validated, because it is then that she would feel safe with a choice that Ayaka has made. ] Would that really be okay with you?
[ He'll validate her every single time. Remind her of her worth every single day. Every single time they talk. There's a good reason why, when she asks him how his day was going, his answer was almost always, "Just got better." And despite himself, he does lean in to take one more kiss from her, this time with his hand sweeping her bangs so he can apply a more affectionate kiss to her forehead. He's almost tempted to just forego drinking the rest of this tea now and just take her upstairs.
It didn't matter whether they were making love, talking, or just holding one another in contentment- Cloud wasn't ready for this day to end just yet. Hopefully Ayato understands. He's a selfish beau, but he's going to take care of her. Just like he said he would. ]
[ When Cloud's hand drops after he kisses her forehead, her own hand is on it right away. She wants to hold his hand, lace her fingers in his because it feels right. It always feels right when she's holding his hand, even from the start, when they were just friends. It's a feeling that could never grow old. ]
Thank you. I always wish to be with you, even when the day ends...
[ She's just as selfish as he is. And perhaps it is going to be a realisation of her brother, at some point. . . that she is truly, madly, and deeply in love with Cloud, that she would set aside her title for him, if push came to shove. Cloud has become just as important as Ayato is. He's home, after all. ]
[ Cloud's not stupid. And he knows that Ayato means well! But he can already imagine Ayato's voice now. And his ^_^ smile. But he returns to his tea all the same. He's still excited to keep kissing her, but now that they've confirmed that she's staying here tonight? Cloud doesn't feel the same desperation and rush as before. Like he needed to make his time with her count before she had to go. They had all night. Even if they spent that night asleep together. It's something he wants, too. ]
Once I've spruced the place up some more, I'll hafta have him over sometime.
[ She slides away from him so she can take out her phone and stand up. She would prefer to talk to Ayato while Cloud can't hear them, for the sake of privacy. Not that she would hide anything from Cloud (or Ayato, for that matter), but she would also like to have a private moment with her brother to thank him for today.
And it doesn't take long! About two minutes after being away, she heads back to where Cloud is seated, finishing the tea in her cup before looking at Cloud. ]
Perhaps when you make your stew, Ayato can be one of the first people to try.
[ Cloud patiently waits for her as she goes to call her brother. He didn't need to be there for every little thing. Especially a private conversation with her brother. They'll wake up in the morning and have her back home in time to get prepared for her teaching job. They even had plans later that night to go help his business. He's already polished off his own cup, nodding with a little, "Hey" when he catches her returning to his side. ]
Doesn't sound like a bad idea. [ A beat. ] You can both try.
[ Cloud gets up as he says so. But before he can think of touching anything... When they first started dating, he was still getting used to just how much she liked doing this sort of thing for other people. But he also couldn't just stand there and do nothing. It may be his house, but that mattered little to him. So he asks, ]
Mind if I help bring some of this in?
[ To the kitchen to clean up! Since Ayaka was spending the night, there was no rush to have to get out or go anywhere unless she suddenly wanted to. They could talk, lay down together, pick up right where they left off with his 'payment'. It didn't matter. As long as Cloud was with her. ]
[ He almost completely forgot about the cup for the shrine! Turning to it, steam no longer rising from the lukewarm teacup, he nods back at Ayaka as he retrieves it carefully and follows her into the kitchen. ]
So how much time d'you need to get ready before you head for school?
[ Leisurely walking, he's about twenty minutes away from the Kamisato Estate. ...he gets there in half the time usually. But regardless, ]
Well, I should like to prepare breakfast for us, and I would also like to prepare something for Ayato...
[ She'll have to make extra here, and bring it to the estate for her brother. It would cost more time if she cooked separately at the estate later on. ]
I shall wake up at 6 in the morning, just as the sun rises. That's two hours before classes begin.
[ Luckily for Ayaka, Cloud's cold storage is respectfully stocked up! And he has ample rice. ...as any Nipponese home should have. Really, if he was lacking on that, there'd be a problem. ]
Wanna call it a night soon, then?
[ That doesn't disappoint him, since he'll be with her as they fall asleep. It's an honest question! ...if they don't just wind up talking in bed, that is. She wouldn't dare show it in front of her students or colleagues, but he doesn't want her to feel she's dragging her feet from lack of sleep. ]
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His hand remains upon Ayaka's still, and then, without even taking time to think about it, he says, ]
Maybe I can take you there.
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I'd like that.
[ She looks at their hands, smiling even more. Repeating in her head what she just said— "I'd like that", she begins to imagine what her future would be like... ]
I hope that one day, I would be able to see other nations. Outside of here too, of course.
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If they can figure out how to pull us outta time loops across worlds, we can figure out how to get to each other.
[ With one hand in hers still, he carefully takes his teacup in hand as he raises it for a sip. ]
If you got your duties... [ He'd thought of this before. Even if he doesn't know the logistics behind it. It's fun to dream. Let her dream. It's her birthday. ] Consider it official Shirasagi Himegimi business. Like an...
[ ... shit, what's the weird? He blinks, staring into his cup for a moment before it hits him. ]
ambassador?
[ Sip. ]
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The Shirasagi Himegimi is not a political title, Cloud! [ Perhaps this is only funny to her. Though she imagines Ayato would find it amusing, too. ] But the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan would make a good ambassador.
[ That's still her! ]
Hehe... I would need a bodyguard.
[ Hint hint. ]
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[ Political or not! Cloud playfully retorts back. When she hints at needing a bodyguard, a light smirk tugs on the corner of his lip before he softly 'hmph's. ]
I charge a pretty mora.
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For the first time, she understands!! ]
Oh... Must it be Mora? Won't kisses be a suitable payment?
[ Well, if he can be playful and joke around, then so can she. ]
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Lemme think...
[ He takes a longer drink of his tea before setting it down one more time. ]
I'll do it. If you pay me in advance.
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Ah- I was worried you would deny my offer!
[ Cloud, she's really bad at this... 🥺 ]
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We're still kidding.
[ But he's still smiling all the same. Her reaction just now was really cute, and since they still have some time before the clock strikes midnight and her birthday passes? He's going to give her another present. He'll take part of his 'payment' now when he leans forward to take another kiss from her. ]
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Cloud is still smiling, though, so that makes things a little better. Even better when he leans in to kiss her, because it is quite a surprise! It's enough to tell her that it's okay.
They can go back to joking around, right...? ]
Then... was that my payment? [ The kiss he took from her! ]
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[ Please get it Ayaka please get it Ayaka please get it Ayaka please get it Ayaka- ]
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[ She doesn't get it. At first! And she lets out a barely audible "oh!" when she finally understands. No need for more words. She's going to be the one to get on her knees now to crawl over to where he is, placing a chaste kiss on his lips first, followed by another, and another, when she finally opens her mouth a little more to kiss him in proper. And if Cloud doesn't do anything? She's going to keep going.
Kisses from the Shirasagi Himegimi are supposed to be priceless, but Ayaka fully intends to keep Cloud all to herself. To the point where no one else can have his time because she's paid for all of it for years to come. ]
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[ He's literally seconds away from apologizing when she lets out that oh-so-soft "oh!" and she has her little eureka moment. Cloud really couldn't put it into words, but the way she came to the revelation that he was still joking, the innocent look on her face? It makes his heart race a little more as he stares back at her. But then she's just staring back at him now. And he suddenly feels very tense.
Then she gets on her knees and crawls over to him. As she gets closer, he can smell the softest scent of sakura, looking down at her but leaving himself wide open for attack when she plants a chase little kiss on his lips. His eyes are wide upon the first one. Then she quickly gives him another. And another.
And by the time she finally opens her mouth to kiss him proper, he's closed his eyes and surrendered, his arm resting upon her shoulder as he leans on his hand for support so he doesn't go toppling over. It's true. Kisses from the Shirasagi Himegimi are supposed to be priceless. But as he's come to find out about himself, especially when it came to matters of the heart, his reservations stripped away and his filters gone?
He was a greedy, greedy merc. And he'd treasure every single 'priceless' kiss she gives him as he lets out a soft hum in his throat. She tastes like tea, warm and wet as his lips part and he returns her kisses in kind. He's damn near tempted to forget where they are and pull her into his lap out here at the table when his eyes open, half-lids as they briefly flick to the corner of the room. To the shrine.
His own family shrine that, like Ayaka's in her home, they did such a good job of practicing being 'private' for. He draws back, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze as his face is positively flush red. His heart's racing. They'd meant to finish their tea and wagashi. He was going to walk her home. But... ]
Stay here tonight?
[ He'll keep taking her 'payment' upstairs. ]
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She hasn't realised it yet either when Cloud asks her to stay. Her focus is there on the question immediately. She's asked something she's wanted to ask deep down, because the truth is that she doesn't want this day to end without Cloud by her side. Just like on the blond's birthday, they went against what seemed. . . proper and fitting for a lady of the Kamisato Clan.
Who she is when she is with Cloud is just Ayaka, though. A girl who's always wanted to love and to be loved. Here she is now, with her dreams come true. And with the safe and comfortable space Cloud has provided her, she would like to still be Ayaka in his presence. ]
I would like to, [ she responds, but there is a bit of hesitation in her tone. She wishes to be able to hear him say that it's okay to do so, even though he had asked her just now. She wishes for her wants to be validated, because it is then that she would feel safe with a choice that Ayaka has made. ] Would that really be okay with you?
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[ He'll validate her every single time. Remind her of her worth every single day. Every single time they talk. There's a good reason why, when she asks him how his day was going, his answer was almost always, "Just got better." And despite himself, he does lean in to take one more kiss from her, this time with his hand sweeping her bangs so he can apply a more affectionate kiss to her forehead. He's almost tempted to just forego drinking the rest of this tea now and just take her upstairs.
It didn't matter whether they were making love, talking, or just holding one another in contentment- Cloud wasn't ready for this day to end just yet. Hopefully Ayato understands. He's a selfish beau, but he's going to take care of her. Just like he said he would. ]
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Thank you. I always wish to be with you, even when the day ends...
[ She's just as selfish as he is. And perhaps it is going to be a realisation of her brother, at some point. . . that she is truly, madly, and deeply in love with Cloud, that she would set aside her title for him, if push came to shove. Cloud has become just as important as Ayato is. He's home, after all. ]
Hehe... I'll give Ayato a call.
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[ Cloud's not stupid. And he knows that Ayato means well! But he can already imagine Ayato's voice now. And his ^_^ smile. But he returns to his tea all the same. He's still excited to keep kissing her, but now that they've confirmed that she's staying here tonight? Cloud doesn't feel the same desperation and rush as before. Like he needed to make his time with her count before she had to go. They had all night. Even if they spent that night asleep together. It's something he wants, too. ]
Once I've spruced the place up some more, I'll hafta have him over sometime.
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And it doesn't take long! About two minutes after being away, she heads back to where Cloud is seated, finishing the tea in her cup before looking at Cloud. ]
Perhaps when you make your stew, Ayato can be one of the first people to try.
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Doesn't sound like a bad idea. [ A beat. ] You can both try.
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After nodding and showing her excitement for it, she decides to start cleaning up, if Cloud is amenable to it. ]
Would you like more tea, or shall I clean up?
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[ Cloud gets up as he says so. But before he can think of touching anything... When they first started dating, he was still getting used to just how much she liked doing this sort of thing for other people. But he also couldn't just stand there and do nothing. It may be his house, but that mattered little to him. So he asks, ]
Mind if I help bring some of this in?
[ To the kitchen to clean up! Since Ayaka was spending the night, there was no rush to have to get out or go anywhere unless she suddenly wanted to. They could talk, lay down together, pick up right where they left off with his 'payment'. It didn't matter. As long as Cloud was with her. ]
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[ He can help if he wants! But Ayaka will still do the dishes. ]
I'll bring these to the kitchen. If you would be so kind to get the cup from your mother?
[ Then everything'll be cleaned before they retire for the night! Ayaka gets up already so she can put everything back on the tray. ]
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[ He almost completely forgot about the cup for the shrine! Turning to it, steam no longer rising from the lukewarm teacup, he nods back at Ayaka as he retrieves it carefully and follows her into the kitchen. ]
So how much time d'you need to get ready before you head for school?
[ Leisurely walking, he's about twenty minutes away from the Kamisato Estate. ...he gets there in half the time usually. But regardless, ]
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[ She'll have to make extra here, and bring it to the estate for her brother. It would cost more time if she cooked separately at the estate later on. ]
I shall wake up at 6 in the morning, just as the sun rises. That's two hours before classes begin.
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Wanna call it a night soon, then?
[ That doesn't disappoint him, since he'll be with her as they fall asleep. It's an honest question! ...if they don't just wind up talking in bed, that is. She wouldn't dare show it in front of her students or colleagues, but he doesn't want her to feel she's dragging her feet from lack of sleep. ]
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