mistsplitter | 🌸 seasons inbox

Seafood?

[ That's better. FDJSKLA ]

Really? Why's that?

[ He has no idea about Fugu. But it seems to make her feel uneasy. Bad experience? A bad batch once? ~~You have a bad batch once, Cloud, it's the last bad batch you'll ever have.~~ As she hugs him a little tighter, he places one of his hands over hers. Almost like a comforting gesture as they coast to a red light and stop for a moment. ]

Fugu is a type of poisonous fish. Only chefs who have undergone strict and rigorous training are permitted to serve these in restaurants.

They normally have a license that they are allowed to serve fugu, because of this.

[ So the ones in restaurants are safe! Ayaka is just scared of it, regardless. ]

I like the ones we normally order best.

[ But she may also be biased... ]

Why wouldja even wanna risk that?

[ ... Old Cloud? The one that thought he was in SOLDIER? Might have said something about how sometimes when it came to eating what you could for survival, you couldn't be picky. That sounded like something cool to say about what to do when rations were low, right?

But no. That just sounds...well. Dumb. To him. But he's filtering himself so he doesn't sound like he's insulting the chefs that trained to serve it. He shakes his head anyway. ]

Think I'll stick to salmon. Got a hunch it being way safer makes it taste better anyway.

[ Because you aren't having an anxiety attack while taking a bite of fugu. ]

There is a sense of pride the trained and licensed chefs have. Of course, being able to eat food crafted by such an artisan would also be an amazing experience.

[ Something worth bragging about! Ayaka was never the type to do that, anyway. So she's fine in her safe corner. And if Cloud feels the same way? Then great! She wouldn't have any objections if he wanted to try fugu, though. ]

Then let's order a lot of salmon sashimi and unagi nigiri tonight.

[ They're gonna spoil themselves!! OuO!! ]

Hehe. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Edited 2023-10-27 05:50 (UTC)

Be that as it may...

[ Cloud smiles, carefully revving the engine before they begin to move again. He coasts at around the speed limit so that they don't have to yell to hear one another, only stepping on it when they hit any kind of street with an incline. ]

Think I'll just put fugu in the maybe pile.

[ "Hehe. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it." ]

You and me both.

🏵️🏵️🏵️

[ The amount of salmon and unagi nigiri that was presented to the young couple could have been considered staggering. It was a proper sitdown Japanese-inspired restaurant. As for their booth? It was quaint and comfortable, complete with closed sliding doors and comfortably cushions they may sit down at. But he wasn't going to sit the opposite side of her this time. They'd take everything side by side.

Even if Cloud would look across the table once, as if he was expecting there to be somebody else there...

He's quick to dismiss any concerns, however. This was Ayaka's biggest day. Start to finish, he was going to do twice the lifting now. ~~Watch him, Zack.~~ ]

[ Cloud only let himself have a couple small cups of sake by the end of their birthday dine-in, seeing as he still needed to safely take the birthday girl home. The ride back was different now, the sun completely set and the road illuminated by street lamps on their way back home. It was uneventful, and yet...that didn't mean there was anything wrong with that, either. For all the trials and tribulations they'd be expected to endure, both together and apart, Cloud was coming to cherish these days all the more.

By the time they coast home, the moon hangs on high, and the breeze is cooler without teetering into shuddering territory either. Loosing a sigh of relief seeing their home, he relaxes as he kills the engine of the scooter. ]

Safe and sound.

[ Once they're back home, it feels as though Cloud has given Ayaka yet one more memory to hold and cherish so deeply, and the day isn't even over! She hops off the scooter and waits for him so that they can enter the house together, eager to greet her parents and Cloud's mother, and tell them about the day she's had. ]

Shall I make us some tea?

[ There's still some things missing with this day, of course. ~~Cloud has yet to give her his present~~Ayaka still hasn't had the chance to give Cloud what she prepared for him today! The dinner was lovely, and she did have some tea there, but she refused dessert in hopes of having it at home instead. ]

I still owe you something, my love.

Yeah, tea sounds good right about now.

[ The tea at the restaurant was nice enough, but nothing quite compared to what Ayaka made from the heart. Speaking of something that came from the heart... ]

Really? What's that?

[ Because Cloud intended to end the night on a high note with his own little gift. It took him some time to track down, but...

In its little box in the house, he thinks that it was something worth saving for. ]

Then I'll make some. But I'd like to give you a present first, if that's okay.

[ She's so excited to give it to him!! They once talked about it over text— about how she was learning how to sew from Thoma. He'll receive the fruits of her labour today! ]

Apart from the mochi, I also made something that I hope you can take with you on your travels.

[ Into the house they go! She'll have to go to her room and get the present for Cloud, so if he doesn't mind that she gets the present first, then she'll excuse herself and head up. ]

[ To that, Cloud can't help but huff a gentle sigh, squeezing her hand as they make their way up. ]

Usually it's the other way around... [ What with who received the gifts, but, judging by the smile on his face as he adds on to that, her beau~~nny~~ doesn't mind. Not one bit. ] I'll never say no.

[ Besides, ]

I've got yours waiting in my room.

[ So Cloud will wait for her to go first, giving him his gift. Before she can retreat though, as they're finally within the comfort and privacy of their own home, he's quick to steal away a quick yet sweeter kiss. All before telling her with an excited hush to his voice,

"Gogogo."

Cloud will wait for her in the living room! ...or, well, he'll go ahead and wash his hands first before heading back for the living room. ]

[ Off she goes then! Up she goes to her bedroom to get a her presents for Cloud: a Book of Bonds, a chocobo charm (which he can clip on his clothes! Or something...), and a box of mochi containing one sakura mochi and one black sesame mochi. All her presents for him are in a blue paper bag, so it's quite heavy! Slipped in between the charm and notebooks and the box of mochi is an envelope.

Her letter for him! Though this time, it is on her birthday where she gives him a letter. One that might be quite a read, and be might want to sit down for this one... ]

I'm so excited to give these to you! [ It's already evening, but it seems as if she still has so much energy now that they're home.

And so, she hands the bag over. There's a gold ribbon that ties it together, but it's easy to untie and open! ]

Thank you for today, Cloud.

[ He watches her go, loosing a sigh of relief as he cleans himself up. By the time Ayaka returns, she'll find him in the living room, not bothering to sit down yet until he's back with her. His brows lift as he spots the rather large blue paper bag in her hands. She really went all out for this year, it seems like. Whose birthday was it really? ]

You didn't-

[ And yet he couldn't dare bring himself to finish that sentence. How she didn't have to go to such lengths for him on her birthday. He had to make sure she knew how valuable his own gift was to her when she was finished giving him everything. As he takes the bag, lifting it up and down a couple times to get a feel of the weight, he smiles as he extends his free hand for her to take. ]

C'mon.

[ They can sit down at the table before they have tea or anything. He'll open everything for her right now. ]

Feels like I should be saying that to you.

[ As he opens the bag with a single tug of the gold ribbon, he pulls out the Book of Bonds first, eyes widening as he thinks he recognizes this from his previous perusals. ]

This is...

[ ... ]

Mm?

[ Setting the book down temporarily...it's the envelope that catches his eye. Usually one reads the card or letter first before opening any of the other pieces of the gift. ]

....

[ Popping it open, Cloud can't help the smile that graces his lips as he mouths the words of her letter, on occasion a breath of his voice coming out as he reads. ]

Pink petals dance free... A fleeting vision of love...

[ He thinks of the words she said to him the night he first confessed that he loved her... Every day. Every birthday. And how Cloud wished to echo this very sentiment for her birthdays in turn. To give her birthdays she deserved now that she could spread her wings and fly more freely. The adoration in his voice as he breathes the words, ]

Eternal in heart...

[ He reads the rest, doing his best to keep his composure despite the faint tremble in his breathing towards the end. Ever since he became more true to himself, he found his emotions being less buried. Especially when he was just with Ayaka. His guard was almost entirely gone. But he manages to rear himself in at the end, sighing through his nose as he holds the letter in both hands like it was the most precious part of this entire ensemble of her gift for him. And when he looks to Ayaka by his side... ]

Edited 2023-11-13 09:21 (UTC)

[ He thought he'd have something more clever to say. Like how he was gonna put a ring on her finger someday. But as he watches her, keeps his eyes on her, his heart swells as he's reminded of what he's been given since leaving the world of Gaia behind. This new path he never knew existed for himself. ]

Thank you.

[ From the depths of his heart. ]

[ It is her birthday, Cloud! It remains her special day! But she only chooses to celebrate it by thanking the people around her, making sure they know just how much they are loved. She would not be able to have such a happy birthday if not for them, after all. ]

I should be the one saying that to you.

[ But she already did. Countless of times, even. In the letter, with the presents, before she gave the bag to him... Her gratitude is endless though. Ayaka could keep saying it over and over, as well as professing her love for Cloud. He has given her so much, after all. It would take an entire lifetime to give it all back. ]

Would you like to have the mochi over tea?

[ It's fresh! So probably best to eat it before it starts growing stale. ]

Mochi sounds good to me.

[ By the time the tea was prepared, they'd risk it not being as fresh as it could be! And if they wake up for any reason, having some tea at a later time of night never hurt! But as he sets the letter down on the table, Cloud has to even the playing field here. It is her birthday. ]

First,

[ Reaching over, he places his hand atop one of hers, giving it a gentle squeeze as he prepares to get back to his feet. ]

Wait here. I wanna get your present.

[ He'll only be a minute! Mochi can wait one minute, right? ~~The food. Not the dog.~~ The excitement in his voice almost harkens back to his younger days, when he would work together with Zack... ]

I'll be in the kitchen, then.

[ Ayaka doesn't think Cloud would be away for long, but it's best to get started and have the water boiling by the time he gets back! She gives him a smile, her hand almost unwilling to let go of his when he gets up. It'll only be for a moment, but after today and everything they've shared together, she didn't really want to let go.

It'll be a minute or two longer before the water's ready, but Cloud will find Ayaka already preparing their tea cups and the matcha powder once he's back down. ]

[ Cloud, having gathered both her jeweled gift and the letter he'd already written out for her and sent out, took a moment to collect himself. A deep breath in...a deep breath out. And when he opens his eyes next, passing his full-length mirror and looking at himself holding her gift, he clutches the box a little tighter.

He has to believe in it...believe that this is right for her. That she'll like it. Don't compare to others. What he sought out was from his heart. It was different from before.

Right. He's got this. ]

[ A couple minutes later, and he returns down to the sound of cups being set as Ayaka busies herself. Soon enough, there would be the familiar yet oh-so-subtle aroma of matcha once it's been poured as well. ]

Heya.

[ Holding both the letter in an envelope, with a cursively written Kamisato Ayaka on the front, he sighs through his nose before joining her side once more. Once they're settled and sitting, Cloud will wait for Ayaka to pour the tea first. He's holding the small box in one hand, and the envelope in the other. ]

[ Ayaka would understand Cloud's nervousness, if he told her about it. After all, it always makes her feel nervous whenever she gives something to Cloud! She always hopes that he'd like what she has prepared for him, what she got for him. When he has given her the world already, she can't quite give back anything remotely equal to it, but she's going to do her best to try.

It's why he gets a kiss on the cheek once he's back. It hasn't even been ten minutes, but he deserves a greeting once again. And if he asked what that was for? It was because she missed him while he was away. ]

Please be careful. It's rather hot.

[ Once the powder's been mixed with the water, she serves it to Cloud. It's just the right blend of thickness that he likes, which ought to make for a great dessert along with the mochi. ]

[ His cheeks are dusted a soft pink when Ayaka plants a kiss on his cheek, something that's met with a warm smile and hum of contentment from her beau as they take a seat together. ]

Think I'll let it sit for a minute.

[ Because before he can enjoy the mochi she'd gifted him and the green tea, he still has something for her. Something that he'll hold out now...

Both her letter and the little wrapped box. ]

Happy Birthday, Ayaka.

Ah! The one you sent me! Thank you, my love.

[ Ayaka isn't surprised anymore, and there's no need to feign it either. She takes both, a bright smile on her face when she places the gifts on her lap. ]

May I open the box now?

[ As Cloud reaches for his warm cup, he holds it in his hands on the tabletop as he nods with an affirming "Mm." ]

Go for it.

[ As she works on opening it, he can't keep quiet for long (nerves. dfshjk) as he slightly rocks back and forth in his seat. ]

I, uh...thought it'd look good with some of your new outfits.

[ Oh! Then it must be something she can wear, then... It gets her excited, unwrapping and unboxing the present with deft and nimble fingers. She'd hate to ruin the packaging, simple or elaborate as it may be. She'd want to keep it, too.

Ayaka tries to dress up nicely for Cloud, whenever they go out. Not that Ayaka's fashion sense is lacking, but she does try to wear things that she thinks would catch Cloud's attention more. Seeing what's inside the box sends her heart aflutter, and she almost wants to ask Cloud to go out with her again just so he can see her wear it on yet another date. Alas, it's already gotten late and they've already gone on their date! There's always tomorrow or the days that come after that, but she almost doesn't want to wait. ]

Won't you put it on me now?

[ Doesn't matter if she's wearing a necklace now. She sets the box back down on her lap so she can unhook the clasp of what she has on and remove it. She wants to wear what Cloud gave her, the very thought of it already making her breath shaky from nervousness and giddiness. ]

Here...

[ She even holds her hair up so he can easily put it around her neck! ]

[ Just like that, it's like a weight was lifted from Cloud's conscience, seeing the way Ayaka reacts to his gift, the rose-tinted shade of gold and the sturdy yet beautifully thin chain something that would hang from her slender fingers. A camelia blossoming with a pure diamond center. It doesn't hold any adaptability with magics as it is, but it doesn't need to in his eyes. ...then again, it's kind of hard to stuff a piece of Materia in there. Talk about impractical. ]

Mm?

[ He carefully raises his teacup to his lips, taking a moment to enjoy the scent of matcha as the rising steam fills his nose, before he takes a careful sip for how hot it was. When Cloud sets it back down, he nods as she unhooks the clasp so he can take it and set it on. This wouldn't take long. He's...gotten pretty good at this sort of thing, especially since his time in Nippon with her. ]

Can't wait to see.

[ And sure enough, as he carefully leans in, almost to the point where any closer he'd have kissed her, his vivid blue eyes are intently focused on her neck, brow knitted in a light furrow as he wants to get this right the first time. Taking his index finger and pulling back on the clasp that opens it up to the other end of the chain, and... ]

Bingo.

[ His hands, still warm from holding the tea, let go of the necklace and smooth down the sides of her neck, to her shoulders as he leans back slightly to get a better look. And when he sees it hanging from her neck, his smile softens before looking into her eyes. ]

[ The chain, for how thin it is, is cold on her neck and sends a shiver down her spine. Despite her excitement, Ayaka actually has a more mild expression on her face. Calm, serene, at ease. There is really nothing more she could ever want from Cloud, but his presents, everything he does for her, is far beyond what she could ever ask for. It truly fills her heart with immense glee that he cares for her in this way. That she can wear something and show it to others and tell them that it was a present from her beau, the love of her life.

When Cloud looks at her after the necklace has been locked, one of her hands reaches for the pendant and she tries to look at it with a tender smile on her face. She needn't ask how she looks, because she would wear this necklace with pride regardless if she's just in her pyjamas or if she's wearing something that even covers her neck. In fact, she might even buy more clothes that would go well with the accessory, and not the other way around! ]

My heart is beating so fast right now, hehe.

[ A deep breath, and she lets go of the pendant so she can move a little closer in her seat and give Cloud a thank you kiss. Her hands find purchase on his shoulders, and she stays close even after their lips part. ]

Thank you, my love. I don't think I would ever want to take this off now.

[ Just as he would always carry the omamori she blessed him with, the pendant was something that he hoped she would wear with pride as well. Whenever she liked or whenever the mood struck her. If anyone ever asks him what he's thinking about if he ever is seen with the charm she gave him? It's always going to be about her. About how it keeps him safe. Reminds him of the one person he can't imagine living without. ]

[ When Ayaka moves a little closer, purchase on his shoulders even after the kiss she gives him slips away, Cloud shuffles slightly so he can get more comfortable too. If it weren't for where they were, he'd have pulled the smaller Kamisato into his lap by now. ...but, this is also an improvement? Sweet kisses in front of their parents' shrines? afdslkj Baby steps. His arms settle around her waist as he keeps her close with him. ]

Good thing you make everything look good on you. [ His heart? Beating twice as fast as he leans in to give her back a 'you're welcome' kiss of his own. When he parts, ] Remember what you told me on my first birthday together?

[ That's the most you'll get out of her while you're in the living room, Strife.

/////u After their conversation yesterday... it's fine to kiss in the midst of your parents' shrines!!! ]

Which one?

[ She told him a lot of things then!! She tells him a lot of things even up to now... ]

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