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[ Well, now it's her turn to look at him as if he can't see her. She felt brave, a moment ago, but now she might be shaking a little bit. She's faced criminals, both accused and true, stood in court, and she can't remember the last time she'd been afraid like this.

When she thought she might lose him, maybe. That night...

But before she can take herself back there, she feels that gentle pull, and she topples forward. Her gasp is cut short. Her eyes are wide, and her entire body is stiff. Her eyes might have started to water. She actually can't tell. But she melts, suddenly not shaking quite so much.

She's... She's safe. ]

[What has he done to ever truly deserve her after everything, he does not know. But no matter how he feels, he still wants to be loved, and to be able to love another.

Taking a deep breath, he gives himself moment to regain his composure. He leans close to her ear and whispers.] I am yours.

[ Susato might have started shaking again. She doesn't know, either. Goosebumps run down her spine, and the hairs at the back of her neck stand at attention, as do the ones all along both her arms. She has to bite her lip to keep it from quivering—

Had she heard right?

She eases off Kazuma slightly, trying to meet his eyes, but she has to wipe at her own before she can actually see.

She cracks a very tired smile after everything. What can she possibly say to that? Nothing, she decides.

Curse all the formalities, t he doubts that are no longer there, the fear. Fingers grip at him hungrily and she pulls him in for a kiss on the lips, unapologetic and cathartic. In his hand, the yellow lily starts to glow. ]

[He keeps his eyes on her while she's trying to look at him. There was a moment where neither of them seem like they knew what to do next, but then Susato came forward and their lips soon meet. Ah. He suppose this was only the natural response.

Rather than recoil from her actions, he returns the favor in kind. The hand not holding onto the lily, runs up along her neck as gets right into the kiss. Warm, unfamiliar, yet he didn't want it to stop. He felt lighter than air, lips and body pressing against hers. Truly sharing an unbreakable bond with another.

Though the kiss cannot last, as he'll eventually need to stop to get a bit of air, licking his lips. Had he had a little more forewarning, it probably would have gone on for longer. But as a first...it was nice. His face is still pressed against hers regardless, wanting to touch her soft skin, maybe wanting a second go now that he's gotten a feel of it.]

[ Susato also needs to breathe. Even though she wound up initiating it, she feels equally unprepared, panting as her forehead remains pressed against his. It was the only way to ensure she wouldn't back out: act quickly, act decisively. And now that it's done, she also feels lighter, like they are floating on her cloud again.

Still hasn't noticed the lily, but her hairpin sure lights up to the point of sparkling. She smiles, knowing that she was able to reach him, pull him out of the darkness where he'd trapped himself, at least in part.

She still doesn't have the words. She just closes her eyes, feeling satisfied, and then she'll open them again, staring at him just because she can. He is hers. But she is his, too. ]

[All these indications from the hairpin and the flower, she's clearly happy. Even the lantern set beside them seems brighter than usual. A smile plays on his face as he runs his hand through her hair. What a rush of feelings, like they've just done something impossible.]

Do you wish to continue...? [He whispers and already leaning toward her lips again.] Or...perhaps we should wait until we have some more privacy. [Her room, his room, actually the guest room? Who cares, just a room.]

[ She glances at the lily at last, finally catching its glow out of the corner of her eye. Perhaps it is not so unusual, with the flowerworks show still going on above them and the glowing petals falling like confetti, but it is pretty telling. She notices him leaning in closer, and the way she sees it, there isn't really a choice, even though he gave her one.

Of course she'll lean up and kiss him again, even if it is just a teasing peck on his lips. ]

I, um... I just want you to be happy.

[What was that little tease? A sly grin on his face as he tickles her nose with his. For his happiness huh...only for his sake?

He lifts the hand with the now glowing lily. Is that how it's suppose to work...? Glowing when he's feeling happy. He closes his eyes, thoughts about whether it is earned or not wander in the back of his mind. He takes Susato's hand with the other, so they're grasping the lily together.] Only as long as you're happy.

[ She's already happy, knowing that he isn't an ocean away. She has shown it, too, and she thinks he knows, but this is beyond some shallow, fleeting interpretation of happiness. What she wants is for him to be able to forgive himself, and see himself the way she does. Doesn't feel like he's there yet, but at the very least, this weekend felt like a step in the right direction.

A soft sigh as she admires the lily, and the way they hold it together. ]

It looks even more brilliant than it did when she gave it to me. So bright, almost like the moon. But I suppose I don't need the moon to express how I feel anymore.

...Maybe... I never did.

Heh, no. You've already made your intentions clear even before now. [Even as he smiles, it felt like there was some sadness behind it. His eyes revealing a somber look. His fingers gentle rubs against hers.]

I've had these feelings as well, but...I don't know if I have any right to act on it. [Even now, he hasn't told her those three simple words. His voice apologetic, because he cannot bring himself to say it yet.]

[ She lets the words sink in, pausing before meeting his apologetic eyes with bright ones. ] ...That's not why I brought it up.

[ She isn't looking for an apology, though maybe she was just imagining that look in his eyes, that sadness in his voice. ]

Besides... haven't you already? [ Or did she imagine him kissing her back, too? Knowing Songerein though, she's best off not manifesting such a thought. Either way, she seems to touch her forehead against his again, as if to gently pushing him to hold his head high. ] Do you regret it?

[...He did, technically. Responding to his own desperation to be with someone he truly cares for and loves. Even if he hasn't said it, his actions already said more than enough. Does he have regrets? A much more confident smile forms on his face, a hand placed around her waist to keep her close.]

Not at all.

[ There's a visible relaxing of Susato's shoulders. She may have let out a sigh out of relief, though she never really doubted him as far as those three words went. She scoots a little closer to him, idly (and gently) flicking the lily's petals with her fingers as she snuggled, eventually resting her head on his lap. ]

. . . Me either. [ No more regrets, no more half-measures. ] Though I do wonder what happens with us now.

[ She'll continue being loyal and faithful and all. She is his and he is hers; but she has never been what you would call a "girlfriend" before... ]

[As if Kazuma knows either.] Well...we can just take our time and figure things out. [He waits and watches her get comfortable resting her head on his lap. A hand resting on her head.]

To start, I suppose I should take this as an invitation for me to stay over more often. [He already had that invitation, but details.] Although...you can also come visit and stay with me. It's not as crowded and we'd be alone. [Too...explore this.]

[ Kazuma knows everything, obviously, even when he doesn't.

She is still for a moment, but then her head nuzzles against his hand, as the only indication that she even heard him. Her fingers slow to a stop. Enough playing with the lily, she decides, and she quietly turns so that she's staring up at him against the sky, backlit by the soaring petals that look like shooting stars. ]

I would like that. [ She reaches up to push some hair that had fallen onto his face, and her hand might have lingered there. ] You already had that invitation. Twice over, in fact. But... it is nice that it goes both ways.

[ As if she didn't have that invitation, too. ]

Yes, well... I have my reasons. ["His room" is still technically a guest room, isn't it? In reality, he just prefers having the privacy of his own home. He's sure she understands, however difficult he may be at times.

His fingers gently brushes over what tears lingered near her eyes. The sound of flowerworks going off starts to become less frequent as the night continues.]

Would you like to stay at my place tonight then...? [He has been staying over at the Mikotoba's the last two festival days.]

[ He is a grown-ass man. He doesn't need much more reason than that, surely. Susato had respected that, back home, and... eventually, she came to respect that in Songerein, even if it felt like it took a while.

Kazuma probably feels the warmth coming from her face. It feels like a given, but if there is any doubt, she gives him a nod. ]

Y, Yes. I would love the... the change of scenery. [ Among other things. ] I will tell father that I won't be—

[ home.

Oh, gods. Yujin. Just... file that under 'The Many Things Susato Stopped Thinking About Three Days Ago.' How does she even begin to broach the topic with her father? ]

[Ah. Right, that's a thing they need to be thinking about.] . . .I'm sure he will not mind. The both of you had invited me into your home after all. [Nevermind that it's just the two of them.]

Or would it better I stay over again and we talk to him in the morning?

Edited 2022-05-11 04:35 (UTC)

[ Susato is suddenly shaking her head. ]

No, I can... I can stay. I meant— I was more thinking about the...

[ ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE HER DEMONSTRATE ]

..... [Oh. Oh. He chuckles, almost sheepishly that she couldn't outright say it. Is he also blushing a little?]

Couldn't telling him that we kissed wait for another time? [SURELY FATHER WILL NOT MIND WAITING A NIGHT.]

[ Definitely blushing. She might have considered burying her face into his shirt just then. Sure sounded like a good idea anyway, but somehow despite (or maybe because of?) his chuckling, she manages to smile. She can't seem to stop looking at him, though she's apparently trying. ]

I don't like secrets, but you make a compelling argument.

[ Her hand trails along his face and passes his lips before she'll allow it to fall back down to her side. For all that's been decided, she won't make the effort to contact Yujin until later. Sorry, papa. ]

[He grabs a hold her hand before it fully slips back to her side. He lifts it back to his lips to feel the warmth of her skin. He then proceeds to kiss the back of her hand.]

...It's not a secret if you plan to tell them eventually. [Does he speak from experience? Probably.

The night sky stops lighting up as the last of the flowerworks go off. There's the shuffling of footsteps as a few start to leave to enjoy what's left of the festival. He hums quietly as he continues to hold her hand.] Is there anything you still like to do, or shall we be on our way as well? [Or they can just stay here too. He's not in a rush.]

[ She could so easily call him out here. Is that really what he tells himself? Would he really have come clean about his time in the Index, and about Hyde, if she hadn't figured it out first? "Eventually"?

She doesn't think so... but as much as she hates that, it's something that she's begrudgingly come to accept.

She stares at him knowingly, but decides to leave it at that. It's especially hard to hold such things against him while he is kissing her hand, so she continues to melt, enjoying the tingling sensation his lips create against her skin. ]

Let's... [ A hum of indecision, but also of pleasure. ] Let everyone else leave first. That's alright, isn't it?

[Well, it was information he didn't feel was needed to be discussed. And he did end up telling her once she worked it out. There's a difference! Upon hearing her suggestion, he nods.]

All right then. [They end up laying together to stargaze for a bit before the area fully clears out. While holding hands, they make their way out of the festival grounds and back towards his home. The Harvest had been kept closed during the festival. No point keeping it open when everyone wants to see what the festival had to offer. So they'll be greeted by the quiet, saved for Fang, sleeping on the porch of his home.

Upon reaching the steps, without saying a word, Kazuma will grab Susato and scoop her up bridal style and carry her up the stairs. A sly grin forms on his face.] I hope you don't mind.

[ Susato is admiring the sleeping Fang, the best guard dragon ever, but only for a less than a minute before she is suddenly catching air. There is a sharp gasp and a squeal may have escaped her lips before she's able to clamp them shut, not wanting to disturb Fang.

For some seconds more, she leaves her hand there over her mouth, with the other still carrying their things, wrapped in the blanket once again; but just like before, she finds her arms snaking over his shoulders and around his neck for balance and comfort. ]

. . . [ Just going to give him a nice stare in response to that grin of his, smile tugging at her lips despite the fluster. He definitely did that on purpose. ] Being treated as a princess for just a little longer? No... of course I don't.

[ A pause, and she adds, ]

Keep doing it and I may forget how to walk completely.

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