mistsplitter | 🌸 seasons inbox

[ 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... ]

[ They don't need to relive the tears and the sense of doubt and confusion he felt when his memories weren't fully restored. But it's the words that stuck with him to this very day... Words he wished to live by and give right back to her. ]

I wanna spend every day with you. [ A beat. ] Every day. Every birthday.

My sentiments have not changed.

[ Her beau is just absolutely amazing. There's nothing that Cloud would be able to do to make her change her mind. He's amazing, and it is a privilege to be by his side. ]

I do not think they ever would. Every day, I fall more and more in love with you.

[ And somehow... despite the sheepish smile on her face after saying that? She doesn't want to look away. She means it with all her heart. ]

[ Cloud's hands still remain around her waist as she pours her heart out for him. He's never been the best with his words, but around Ayaka...he likes to think that he's made some progress. That she's made him comfortable enough to want to speak from his heart. And that now that he knew who he really was...that he actually listens to what his heart tells him.

So instead of going for another kiss when she tells him how she falls more and more in love with him every day, he shares in her sheepishness as his cheeks flush a soft red, that smile of his not dissipating as he closes the gap one more time. All so he can take her in a gentle embrace. Her love and affection, her touch and kisses...they're all well and good, but just feeling her warmth by holding her was something just as powerful to him.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he looses a soft sigh of relief. ]

Guess I'll keep giving you reasons to keep falling.

[ Cloud gets Ayaka's arms around him right back. What he says gets her to laugh a little, not because it is funny and she's laughing at him, but it's amusing in its own way. ]

You do not have to try very hard, Cloud. [ It just happens naturally, everyday. No matter what, Ayaka is always happy and complete when Cloud is with her. All he has to do is be with her.

She leans into him, relaxing against him and taking a deep breath and sighing. She could honestly rest like this, but Cloud has tea to drink! She gives his back a pat before gently pulling away. ]

Our tea will get cold soon.

Edited 2023-11-25 16:51 (UTC)

Yeah, well...you're worth it.

[ Trying hard for, that is. The pat on his back is all he needs from Ayaka to start pulling away too. ]

Right.

[ At this stage, it was probably hot but not piping hot anymore. Just the way he liked it now that it was settled. But even still, he can't help looking over to Ayaka, stealing peeks to her necklace from behind his cup of tea and the treasured mochi she created for him as they unwind in full and enjoy the final hours of a very special birthday night.

One he would cherish, and aspire to make even better for the next year. And the next after that.

Every day. Every birthday. ]

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