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Cloud...

[ Her breath shakes and she stops in her tracks.

Not once has Cloud given Ayaka any reason to doubt his affections for her, but Ayaka herself often doubts herself and if she is truly the right person to be by Cloud's side. He is amazing, he truly is, and he's someone she looks up to. Everyday that she gets to be with him and to still be his girlfriend is a blessing. It's as she said before— he has made her dream come true. He's her dream come true.

Ayaka does not cry, but she does tear up a little. And she is doing her absolute best not to let her emotions get the best of her.

Cloud isn't the only one tempted to kiss the other in the middle of the street. Ayaka is tempted as well. The only difference is that she gives in to the temptation, throwing herself at her beau as she wraps both arms around his neck as she kisses him. It's late. There's barely anyone around.

Even if there were though, after Cloud telling her that? She still wouldn't be able to stop herself. She loves him far too much and she never wishes to hurt him ever again. If she could give him everything, she would, but knowing that she can't? Then she has to love him ten times as much as she used to. It's what he deserves. ]

[ Funny how in the waiting room before stepping on stage for their first impromptu audition together, Cloud had once thought that characters falling in love too fast was unrealistic. How he figured these things needed to take time to truly mature. It just...sounded like the rational thing to say at the time, if he was asked to give an opinion as a former member of SOLDIER. Yet in that very same breath, he was the one who couldn't take his eyes off her after they celebrated landing their parts. Every little step of the tea ceremony, all the way to racing her to the station and catching her out of her veil of frost. Just as their characters did...

Just as he would continue to do to this very day. If Ayaka couldn't give everything of herself to him, than it was up to Cloud to make every single moment they have together count. Because if even if a thread of her remembers him in the depths of her heart should they ever have to say goodbye, than it's all she'll need until he finally comes back to her. At the end of everything. Past the very Edge of Creation itself. Ayaka was his star he wouldn't stop wishing for.

She stops in her tracks, and at first, the line of Cloud's brow lifts with concern, as tears well in her eyes amidst the chill of the night. Even now, she was so beautiful...and it's a damn shame he wasn't quick enough to act on letting his finger trail her cheekbone to catch whatever dared to fall. Nothing did. And nothing was stopping Ayaka from throwing herself at him, his heart leaping in his chest as he instinctively wraps his arms around her waist.

Their lips meet in an instant, and his hold on her tightens before he lets himself surrender to her all over again. In the middle of this street, nary a soul to watch or be close enough to perceive them. He only wants his eyes on her... This is exactly what he meant. How lucky he was to have a girl like her. How he got the chance to love her every single day. And he won't stop. He won't stop loving her more, giving her ten times the affection to ensure that he kept that place in her heart.

Wait for him, Kamisato Ayaka. For if you two part, and he becomes a dream again... He'll wash upon those shores of Inazuma and come back to her, and make her dream come true again. He pours everything back into the kiss she's giving him, and though he doesn't cry either, when he draws back enough to finally breath...

His own breath shakes in turn, his forehead pressed against hers as he hugs her close. ]

I love you.

[ Another kiss. ]

[ It doesn't matter where they are or who can see them. She is shy, yes, but she's also come to realise the lengths Cloud would go just to be with her. They are far greater than she could have ever imagined. That he still loves her despite everything that happened the past few months, perhaps loves her even more, is not something she takes lightly.

If Cloud would brave everything just to be with her in the end, she too has to step up. So it's okay if they're outside, it's okay if others will know. It is more than she could ever dare show. She has to think outside the box if she finds herself trapped due to the limitations she feels from her responsibility to her nation and to her brother.

She kisses him back when he tells her that he loves her, and it's as if the cold breeze in the area has gone completely. It's started to feel warm, as if spring was here even though it's eternally winter in this area. It makes no sense, but it still feels right regardless.

It is difficult to pull away from him, but she does so, anyway. Her hands remain on him, especially as she doesn't move too far from him, either. ]

Would you let me kiss you more when we are home?

[ He'll be much more comfortable there. ]

Edited 2024-01-19 06:52 (UTC)

[ As he breathes deep, the chill of eternal winter surrounding them feels like it's converted to the arrival of spring. A warmth that doesn't swelter like summer, but keeps them wrapped in a state of bliss not unlike the soothing fall of sakura petals. They weren't even dating at the time, yet he can't help but smell cherry blossoms, finding himself taken back to watching the great sakura tree as petals danced along the breeze.

A breeze he can feel envelope them both as they kiss, an outpouring of emotions as the cold winds of Frostreign can no longer reach them. Instead, the two Spring wielders are shielded by gentle, warmer winds of the east brushing them. And when it feels as if he couldn't be soaring any higher, he slowly comes back down to Earth with Ayaka in tow, pulling away shortly after she does. His arms remain slipped around her waist, not content in pulling away if she wasn't going to.

And yet... ]

Mm. [ Her comfort is his. ] Not gonna wanna let you go when we're home.

🌸 🌸 🌸
Back in Sunwaning . . .
🌸 🌸 🌸

[ The start contrast in temperatures between Frostreign and Sunwaning almost feels like night and day once they've taken the teleporter back. Their only saving grace is the fact that it's well past nightfall on their end of this world too. The entire time back, he keeps Ayaka close, hand in hand or being her support pillar when she decides to use his arm like it was a pole grip. But the relief he feels when they finally hit that familiar stretch of street before they arrive at the estate is enough to send a rush of warmth throughout his body. And his arm flexes a little in her hold in response to that. ]

Mochi's prolly gonna hear us.

I'm sure she would be very happy to see us back home.

[ In the same way that she is soooo happy whenever Cloud arrives home after a day out!!

The walk home has allowed some of Ayaka's energy to die down, so she's not a giggling and giddy mess anymore. It doesn't make her too tired to show Cloud some affection though, so if he would allow her once they're inside? Then of course she would kiss him lots. ]

Would you like me to prepare tea once we're inside? Or would you like to retire to bed already?

[ It was pretty chilly in Coldreach, after all! Not so much in Sunwaning. If Cloud had some to drink though, when Ayaka won't be too surprised if he doesn't want some tea and would just want to reset already. Still, the option is there! It is something that they have almost every evening, after all. ]

[ The crisp night air did a good job in clearing his own head some...only for the warmth of Sunwaning to help bring some of that bubbly sensation back. If he's giddy, he's doing one helluva job in suppressing it on the surface. And when they do make it inside, Mochi being tended to upon greeting or no, Cloud wasn't going to pull back on his own promise. How he didn't want to let her go tonight. ]

Can we have some tea?

[ He's tired, but that also doesn't mean that he'd be easy to knock out for a good long rest either. With tea? That's energy; more energy that he can pour into kissing her and telling her everything she deserves to hear. He's aware of how much looser his tongue's become tonight, but it only means that Ayaka receives a deeper truth so much easier. And when they wake up the next morning, he's going to regret not a damn thing. ]

Never get tired of watching and having what you make.

Alright.

[ ^_^!! She is more than happy to prepare tea for him!! Mochi gets a pat on the head too once they're greeted, but with a purpose in mind now that they are home, she does not stay with the cute little doggy for too long. ]

Would sencha be okay?

[ It is easier to make! And it feels like a good kind of tea to end the night with. But if he wants matcha, then of course, she will prepare matcha instead. ]

[ (๑˘︶˘๑)! Cloud will give the abundantly fluffy Mochi a rub behind one of her ears. But now that the two of them were home, it seemed the little doggy was content. Meaning... ]

Was just thinking sencha. Nice and easy.

[ Before she can even think about slipping away to start it, they did say that as soon as they got home...

Cloud takes her hand in his, giving it a squeeze as if to tell her to 'wait a sec' as he leans in to give her another kiss. A light yet lingering one, a gentle sweep before he draws back so he can follow her.

There.

First one of the night at home. ]

[ She did ask if he wanted her to make some tea, but she's of the same mind. They're already home and behind closed doors. It's just Mochi here... Surely she wouldn't tell Ayato about how Ayaka gets on the tip of her toes to kiss Cloud again, would she?

Mochi watches with excitement, wagging her cute and fluffy tail, as Ayaka wraps her arms around her beau. How she puts just enough weight on her hand as she slides it up Cloud's chest before doing so, making sure he feels her hand on there to get him think about her touching him without his clothes in the way. Of course, she doesn't think too much of it, but she sure is very happy to see two of her humans home now!

She gives him a kiss right back, though it doesn't seem like she wants to pull away at all. Not when she opens her mouth and asks for access, to taste him properly when she couldn't have him all day while they were out and away. Mochi barks though, and starts going around in circles before rushing into the kitchen. It's enough to startle Ayaka, as if someone just poured cold water on her. ]

Ah... My apologies, Mochi.

[ ... Guess Mochi wants tea too?? She doesn't know. But she looks at Cloud, a bit disappointed that they got interrupted, before she follows the cloud of a dog into the kitchen. May as well brew some tea and get it over with. ):

For the first time in history, Ayaka is sad about having to make tea... ]

[ Kisses, tea, more kisses, the unspoken promise of being able to hold her and caress her in a way that sends that shiver down her spine. Cloud was already beginning to lose track of the order of things, and all they had were tea and kisses to handle. This wasn't good. Everything was blending and melding together...and yet the one piece of clarity that's held fast and true was Ayaka. The constant. The center of everything to him. Tonight? Even more.

Even if the clock were to strike past midnight, he would still start the waking minutes of a new day loving her. Just like he told her he was so lucky to do.

In one fleeting moment, Mochi falls away into obscurity in his thoughts when Ayaka's hand slides up his chest, urging a softened sigh from his lips. There's no tremble, only warmth that tempts upon heat just from one caress alone. He can feel it— he can imagine it. His pec beneath her slender touch tenses, and his hand slips away from hers just in time so she can wrap her arms around him. Oh, of the same mind indeed... His shirt almost starts feeling itchy knowing that she was only a layer away from him. Just as the feeling of his strong, large hand was so far away over the layers of her own outfit. How the weight of his hand splaying along the small of her back could be even better if he was touching her skin directly.

She doesn't pull away this time...and he's okay with that. He's okay with chasing her, his lips parting and the first soft yet heated breath leaving him as he's about to take and taste— ]

[ BORF ]

Uh...?

[ Cold water, an ice bath, Kamisato Art - Hyouka. All effective tools in dispelling the fantasy they'd sunken into. Now it feels like they're coming up for air, when he was happier being breathless because of her. But he wets his lips, trying to get a hold of himself when he pays attention to the look on Ayaka's face. The disappointment that washes over her...

That washes over him, when she pulls away to follow the fluffiest ~~cockblocker~~ dog.

He's left behind. Standing in the middle of the hallway as he looks to the hand that was on her back earlier, pressing and eager to draw her flush to his body. ]

...

[ Tightens into a fist. ]

Aw. [ Cloud doesn't go "Awwww", you get one "w". ] Mochi.

[ Cloud's now in the kitchen, with a purpose. He hopes that Ayaka hadn't already started making the tea because he was only maybe twenty seconds behind them. And he makes a direct beeline for the fluffy, happiest dog before... ]

C'mere.

[ Bending down at the hip, his hands reach and massage through her thick, furry head, rubbing behind her ears. That's it. Take all the attention you want. He's glad you're here to welcome the two of them home. That's a good dog. Fluffy dog. Happy dog. ]

Good doggy, waiting on us. Whose the best? [ Half a beat- ] That you?

[ Yes she is. Yes she i—

Okay attention time is over. ]

[ Cloud immediately slides over to Ayaka right beside them, grabbing her by the curve of her hip if she hadn't already turned around to face them already before he, surprisingly carefully? ]

Teatime tomorrow.

[ He lifts her up off the ground with ease in one arm, leaning against him while his arm braces her by her backside. And while he doesn't quite unceremoniously just haul her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes...he's taking over from here.

Slowly walking backwards, his free hand is raised, open palm and pushing at the air between him and Mochi. ]

Stay. [ Again. ] Staay...

[ Cloud is certainly very successful in getting Mochi's attention. She jumps and barks and starts wagging her tail until she gets some headpats. She's very, very excited to play with them!! Even Ayato has been away all day, so she was very lonely. It's not like Ringo and Kiran wanted to play :(!! So she wants to play with the humans now.

She's barking still and running around Cloud now in hopes of getting more playtime, but... oh? What is he doing? That's Ayaka! She's making their tea! ]

Eek!

[ She had just filled the pot with some water, but she quickly drops it back on the counter when Cloud lifts her up. Thank god it didn't break! She's got no idea what he's even thinking, so the way she says his name next is more wary and curious. ]

Cloud?

[ She can't quite see what is going on, but it feels like there's something exciting going on??? Exciting and scary at the same time. Cloud would never put her in harm's way though, so whatever is happening, it should be okay, right? She'll just... cling onto him right now... ]

[ See, any more sober and he might have just tugged her by her hand while saying their goodbyes to Mochi. Any other circumstance where both their hearts weren't just fluttering while they floated away together kissing, Cloud might have just taken the tea and waited. Any other time where Ayaka didn't look disappointed that she had to stop, he wouldn't be taking the reins like this.

She squeaks, and Cloud is extra careful and considerate of her despite the way he's carrying her. The pot is dropped back down, and they're both very lucky it didn't break. Otherwise, that spell they were under would have been gone completely tonight. Instead, it looks like he caught her just in time before she could get anything significant started.

"Cloud?" ]

All good. Just changed my mind.

[ Or more specifically, he was getting the two of them back on course. Still pushing against an invisible wall, he's mindful not to go hoisting Ayaka too high up that she'd end up banging her head on something.

One bump on the noggin was enough tonight. ]

Stay...

[ And that's when Cloud makes a break for it, turning around and carefully padding down the hallway from the kitchen until he reaches the nearest sliding door. Since they've turned around, Ayaka would be able to see that all the excitement that was going on while she was getting literally hauled off? ... Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except for maybe a fluffy white dog that may or may not still be following them. Sliding open the door to Ayaka's bedroom, he squats a little to prevent her from banging anything when they step through. He's quick to pull the door back shut behind them, lights on.

Listen. He likes Mochi. She's a good dog. But he loves Ayaka. And she's a good girl. She takes precedence. And extra care— the very same extra care he takes in carrying her over to her pristinely made bed. If he can dote on her, he'd best make up for lost time for the times that he didn't. ]

Goin' down.

[ Starting with letting her slide down the front of his body in his hold before he carefully takes her down onto the bed, not stopping until her back hits the cushy mattress, and her beau atop her with his hand having slid to the curve of her hip. His forearm braces him overtop her head, cheeks flush hotter now that the mini adrenalin burst had worn off, bright mako eyes settled on hers.

///

This was more direct of you, Cloud! No Daikou to fuel his thoughts. No viscous spring waters to set that fire in his belly. ]

[ She can see Mochi chase after them, tongue out and with so much life in her eyes. Kiran seems to take a peek at what is going on, but doesn't engage with anyone, merely mewing as a soft little greeting.

Ayaka gives the kitty a wave! And this seems to excite Mochi some more. Oh no... ]

Oh dear.

[ She is sorry for not helping, Cloud... he might have to start running if he doesn't want Mochi to catch up!

There's something funny about it all though. The urgency of wanting to be together and trying to escape from a dog who just wants playtime gets her to laugh, especially when it's Cloud of all people who wants that alone time more. He wouldn't be doing all this if not for that! So she cheers for him in secret, yet encourages the fluffy puppy by waving at her too. By the time Cloud opens the door to some room (she doesn't know where they are anymore JAHDJAKD), she's giggling, and she lets out a squeal when he sets her down on the mattress. ]

You truly are so silly.

[ She's still laughing, one hand covering her mouth while the other stays on his arm. By the time she calms down, Cloud's cheeks are so flush, and she can see him looking at her with those bright eyes of his. They're so beautiful, just like he is, and just like his soul.

Was it worth it, Cloud? Mochi whimpers at the door, and even tries to scratch at it. Ayaka only looks to the side where the door is for a moment, before looking back up at him with a knowing smile. ]

Mochi still wants to play.

[ It's almost like a miniature reenactment of their first "great escape". Only far more wholesome. And way less moaning. And significantly more fur chasing them. By the time Cloud had successfully whisked his girlfriend away from the 'danger', he doesn't realize how much he's smiling right now. He definitely made the right choice here, even if how he would have done it any other time may have been different. Her eyes were so gorgeous— bluish grey yet more pure than any ice.

Captivating.

He tries his best to hold in his own laughter, and before Cloud can get a chance to lean down and kiss her again, he hears the high-pitched whine at her door. Followed by little scratches.

But instead of being annoyed or disappointed that she was still insisting? Cloud moves again, carefully shuffling off of her until he was comfortably lying sideways against her on the bed. His arm drapes over her midsection as he watches the doorway in his peripheral view, catching her looking up at him with a knowing smile just in time. ]

Mochi gets double playtime tomorrow.

[ He kisses her as he says this, short and sweet while still smiling against her lips. Still shooting glances at the door as Mochi seems to stop for one moment...only to let out a lower, disappointed little "wuff..." ]

Shhh...

[ Pretend you're not in here, you two. SFDLJKA ]

[ Cloud!!! That sad little "wuff" is contagious!!! Ayaka looks pretty sad that she can't attend to Mochi too, but if she gets double playtime from him tomorrow, then it sort of makes up for it?

Ayaka was about to say something when he makes soft "shh" noises. Being who she is, she nods obediently, but is somehow unable to keep her giggles to herself. This feels like... like something a mischievous little kid would be doing! What a childish game to play, but she is having fun anyway.

Cloud can't even kiss her again after that, because she covers her mouth with both her hands so she doesn't make any more noise... they must not be caught by the fluff monster outside!!!! ]

[ When Ayaka's hands fly over her mouth, he hunkers down with her, cuddling in behind her as they keep an eye on the door. And finally, he can't help himself either. Quietly, lips pursed shut, Cloud lets out little "snrk" noises as he fights to laugh. If they were back in Nippon, with their Kizuna bond flourishing, they'd be a pile of blossoms and starlit mako right about now as he whispers, ]

C'mon Mochi.

[ Give it up. They're going to win this time. ... As he peppers the back of her head with a couple kisses. ]

... .... .....

[ "BORF!!" That one was loud. And even catches Cloud off guard as he finds himself reflexively hugging Ayaka a little tighter. Followed by grumbling growls.

Shhh. Shhh.

They've almost won. ]

[ She is giggling even more. Cloud's kisses, even on the back of her head, still tickle her!! She's really doing her best not to laugh too much, but she rolls to face him as she's doing her best. He'd definitely see tears from the corners of her eyes though, all thanks to this situation he's put themselves in.

Oh god, her tummy is gonna hurt from all this laughter.

Mochi scratches at the door some more, and then there's a soft "mew" from outside, too. It must be Kiran, then! Maybe she's come to pick Mochi up... Because there's some pitter patter of paws that are loud at first, but eventually soften until they can no longer hear anything seconds later.

Ayaka's heart is racing. She still has her mouth covered, but she whispers: ]

Are we safe?

[ Her giggles are contagious. His "shh shh shh"s only seem to encourage her even more too, even as she rolls to face him finally. His hand rests against the center of her back, his head resting in his other on the bed as he watches her. He can see the tears in the corners of her eyes, and for once...seeing this actually makes his heart swell further. But he doesn't move to kiss her yet. It's less effective when her hands are over her mouth. Unless he wanted to peck the back of them.

Instead, his eyes are elsewhere, over her head as he listens for the pitter patter of paws and trimmed claws tipping and tapping down the hall.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. His head was throbbing to the beat of his heart. And when he finally remembers to breath again, he looks back into Ayaka's tear-dotted eyes, quietly heaving a sigh of relief. ]

Yup. Think we lost 'em.

[ Why are you two still whispering so quietly then. SLKJFDA ]

[ Ayaka can hear the way Cloud's heart pounds in his chest, too. This is so intense!! And she hopes Mochi had fun playing hide and seek. It might be nice to play an actual game in the future. Nevermind that they're adults... if it's just the three of them, it doesn't seem all that embarrassing!

She sighs too, when Cloud responds. It might be best to keep their voices low for now, in case Mochi is still closeby and hears them. So while Ayaka removes her hands from her mouth, she does continue to speak softly. Softer than she normally does. ]

That was so silly.

[ Just like her beau!! He is so silly. And Ayaka is so amused. It may take some time to come down from this high, if she ever could. For now, she will continue to revel in the mischief she and Cloud have caused. ]

[ It's more intense than hiding from an oversized fluffy white dog had any right to be. But it's so rare that Cloud's own excitement was this palpable. He was twenty-three years old now...yet Ayaka knew that he lost so many years to the experiments done on him and Zack. He had to grow up in the blink of an eye; it was a miracle that he even made it out the other side the way he did, even with Ayaka's guidance through Nibelheim. But...if snickering and huddling in against Ayaka while they 'fear' the big floofy boogeydog like a couple of kids was how they were acting... ]

Sorry for haulin' you like that.

[ Than Cloud didn't want it any other way. Not tonight. Not when this was the happiest he's seen her in a very long time. There was no grand escape from a palace, or a grandiose climb up an ancient tree to find their own spot in a treehouse. They were literally in the comfort of their own home, their imagination taking them places that were fleeting...but it was a halcyon day that he's missed.

Cloud's hand slips up between the two of them, so he can brush one of her chin-length locks up and to the side before tenderly cupping her cheek. ]

[ It was fun! As silly as it was, it was an excitement that she hasn't felt in such a long time. And even though she's a mature adult now, she can appreciate little games like that. ]

Don't be. Hehe. I was surprised, but there was no harm done.

[ They don't really have to speak softly anymore, if Mochi has gone elsewhere. But it feels like they'll keep it up, anyway. Not because they want to be found, but because it just feels more intimate that way. Especially when Ayaka shuffles closer, smiling up at Cloud with his hand on her cheek. ]

Shall we?

[ Kiss now, she means. That's what he wanted too, right? ]

[ Children at heart; it was about knowing when it was the right time to show it. Especially when it came to trusting the right person with that innocence. It's a side of himself he never would have thought he'd experience again. Innocence, bright days- he thought he buried them with the rest of the ashes taken by the flames all those years ago. Yet here he was, worlds away from what he knows, yet he couldn't have felt more at home in the hold of a white heron princess. ]

Mm.

[ He wanted nothing more. ]

Shall...

[ This time, when Cloud kisses her, a tender sweep against her lips, he doesn't pull away. If he does, it's so that he can experience the feeling and the sound of their lips, sending his brain tingling when he breathes against her: ]

I love you.

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1/3

2/3

3/4 i lied

4/4

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