[ Another first? Another first! He tugs on her hand when it's time to cross the street. ]
Maybe... S'not exactly safe to handle them directly. [ He hums... ] Well. Can't ask Yoimiya. [ On the account of her not having been pulled to this world. ] We could look into it.
Maybe they got something in the library for that too.
[ The mention of Yoimiya gets her to giggle. He remembers her! Now she wonders how Yoimiya would be like around Cloud... she hopes they would get along. Her best friend in another world, and her best friend from home. . . ]
Let us look for a book on it some time. But... if it's not safe? Then I don't mind if we just watch from afar.
[ They're close to the Kamisato estate now! Just across the street, then they have to climb up the stairs leading to the gate. Ayaka's actually looking forward to eating something since she hasn't had anything all day. ]
[ Hearing Ayaka giggle even gets him perking up some more. That's the kind of spirits he wants to see from her. If she was feeling this way when they left the station, maybe he could have convinced her to have something to eat on the way back. Luckily for them? He still has that plan sitting in the back of his mind for when they get to the estate. ]
Oh I ain't sticking around when they go off.
[ Assuming they have some really big ones, anyway. ]
[ As they make their way up the stairs leading to the front gate, away from the public eye, he squeezes her hand and stops at the top of the stairs with her. ]
Hey. Go on ahead? I'll be there in a couple minutes. Just gotta make a call.
[ He was tempted to steal away a kiss before she left, but as she excuses herself, he simply watches her leave before pulling out his magi-comm. In most cases, it was used for communicating between refugees. But...this time, as he makes a call out, walking through the gates and out towards the garden so he can see if the police's descriptor was indeed correct. ]
... Yes. You guys have someone who can deliver? We're not far.
[ .... ... ...... ]
Cool. You guys have any........
[ He stops. He sees the statue. "... yes? Hello?" ]
[ Right. It should be here in about twenty minutes! Possibly even sooner. Sliding the front door open and removing his boots, he also keeps the Buster Sword at the entrance, leaning up and off to the side before he pads his way down the hall towards the kitchen. He was gone for maybe five minutes before coming inside the estate. ]
Ayaka?
[ He passes the living room, slowing down to offer a little bow to her parents' shrine in the corner before continuing ahead. ]
[ The pot is being left to boil in the kitchen should Cloud pass by to see, the other things needed for tea already prepared. As for Ayaka? She doesn't seem to be around just yet, having gone to her room to get changed into something more comfortable given that she'll just be staying home for the rest of the day.
She comes back out of her room when she hears Cloud, in a hurry because she didn't want to worry him. ]
Ah, I'm sorry! I'm right here.
[ While her hair isn't messy, she's still in the middle of tying the ribbon that usually keeps one side of her hair together. ]
[ Oh! There she is. He thought she would have been in the kitchen, but he must have been outside longer than he thought. That or Ayaka was just that efficient and quick. What he does next should have gone without saying, the blond sighing as he shakes his head as he approaches her. ]
I saw it, by the way.
[ The authorities will be here to remove later tonight. ...or frankly, so help Cloud? He'll literally use his super strength to yeet the dick over the property's wall and out into the street.
Call it ブロークン ディック ストリート (Broken Dick Street) by the time he's done with it and it's busted all over the pavement.
He leans in to place a small kiss on Ayaka's lips. The first one of the day, before he steps back. If he knew a thing or two about how to tie her hair the intricate way she did, he'd have offered to fix it up for her. ]
[ It may have been a small kiss, but it doesn't take away Ayaka's surprise. It flusters her, and she finds herself at a loss for words. Rather than stammer or stutter, she looks away, covering her mouth with a fist.
Cloud has really done a good job in cheering her up. Even if she ends up being flustered in the process. And it is now that she remembers her manners. She says something that she should have said much earlier on. ]
Thank you for coming for me today, Cloud. [ Her hero. ] You really are so amazing.
Bet you woulda done the same thing. [ A beat. ] Not that I plan on getting in that kinda trouble anytime soon.
[ But now that they're in the comfort of her home, and her surprise was on its way? ]
Need a hand bringing anything into the living room?
[ To their usual spot where they drink tea and eat? She can fix up her hair if she wants! If it were her ponytail still needing to be done up, he might have been more helpful there. ]
Oh, yes, please. [ 🥺 He's so good to her. ] The water should be ready by now, I believe. I can prepare the tea. I just need a moment for my hair.
[ They can talk more about the statue later on! Ayaka heads back to her room so she can properly groom herself before heading back out. Since it's just one part of her hair now, it doesn't take over a minute. ]
I actually didn't get to have breakfast today because of what happened. I can make sandwiches for us, if you like, though.
[ Cloud is quick to retrieve the tray, keeping an eye on the boiling pot as well as he sets everything on said tray and returns down the hallway. Meeting Ayaka with a little nod, there's a set of five cups on it. Four for the two of them and her parents, and one extra one for Ayato in the event he returns home while they're visiting. ]
Actually... [ About...the sandwiches. He looks away for a moment, his gaze shifting to her despite glancing to the side. He can't keep it in. He sighs before offering a light smile. ] I suck at secrets.
[ Is his excuse for wanting to spoil her now but, ]
If you can wait...ten-ish more minutes? I ordered some stuff for us.
[ Goodness! Cloud didn't have to O_O!! Even though he's told her what he's done, she doesn't want to know any more than that! She shakes her head quickly, in a bid to interrupt him if he wanted to say more than that. ]
N- No, no need to say the rest. I... I would like it to remain a secret. [ If it was a secret, then it was a surprise, right? ] That is what you intended, wasn't it?
I can wait.
Edited (redundancy) Date: 2022-11-13 08:51 am (UTC)
[ ... He can't help but gently sigh through his nose. Not disappointed! But her reaction does get his heart to race a little more in his chest in turn. This felt like a better end to the day. Even with...that sitting outside her place. He nods, stepping in by her side so they can head out to the living room. They'd hear a knock at the door in a little bit! ]
Actually, that's...the call I was making earlier.
[ So if she wants to wait? She can wait! It's not like they'll be waiting very long as he carefully sets the tray down on the table, sitting seiza in his usual spot as he waits for Ayaka to prepare the tea. Already he's more relaxed than before, the only thing he wished he could change being his uniform since he's still fully geared up. ...he had to look the part if he was gonna intimidate a police station into letting his girlfriend go. fadsjkl ]
You got any idea what the winters are supposed to be like here?
[ So he can prepare, too? Given his body, however, chances were Cloud could go out in his current uniform and be perfectly fine. But...he'd also awkwardly stand out if he did. Don't act tough, Cloud. ]
Mm, if it's anything like Inazuma... then we should be expecting some snow. Just a little bit of it.
[ Which is why she needs the new clothes! And it'd also be nice to celebrate the start of the year in something that's being worn for the first time, too. It makes sense that way!
Sitting down now, she begins making the tea. Rather than ask Cloud if he'd like a thick or thin blend of matcha, she'll go for a thick blend immediately, thinking it's what he'd want. Hopefully it'll go nicely with the food that's on the way! ]
It is a little strange, but... often, during wintertime, I keep having the same dream.
[ She'd be correct! Much like how he liked his alcohol to be harder, he preferred the thicker blend. But as it thins out with new cups poured, it's also refreshing to him. His hands settle in his lap as he settles on his heels, canting his head when she refers to a dream she has. ]
O- Oh, well... it's not as romantic as it sounds. [ Her dream, she means. And she seems a little hesitant to tell him, but looking at him, she figures he wouldn't laugh at her. He never has. So... ]
It is a dream where my mother and father are still with me. Ayato is not as busy, and we're all together for family time.
[ But perhaps, this year? She'll have a different dream. Where she's enjoying moments with her family, and Cloud is there, as he always has been for her. Would her parents accept him, she wonders. . . Her mom probably would, but her father would be a lot stricter.
Hahah... she can't help but laugh softly thinking about that. Though as she's poured the tea for her parents, she gestures for Cloud to take the cups. ]
[ It may not have been romantic or anything, but when she speaks of being with her parents, and Ayato is there too... There's something about it that makes his heart sink a little bit. Maybe it's not so fresh to Ayaka, but for someone he feels so strongly for? It makes him wish that he could return the favor. She'd given him a gift in the form of his late mother's portrait, restored by his memories and her hard work. What he'd give to give her one more day in that dream...
Cloud's mom? Knowing her, she'd adore the white heron princess. Surprised that her boy had caught the heart of a 'maiden' like her? Maybe! But he likes to think that Claudia would have liked her. He...hopes that his dad would too. Even if he didn't know the first thing about him. ]
Of course.
[ He accepts the cups, mindful to place them in front of her mother and father at the shrine as he kneels before them. Whether or not Ayaka overhears or not, he cares little when he softly adds, ]
She's home.
[ Safe and sound. Nodding, he scoots back over to his seat by Ayaka's side, thanking her for his cup as he sets it in his hands for the time being with a little smile. There's a slight pause before he decides... ]
Y'know? Ever since you helped me bring back that photo... I started having dreams of Mom, too.
[ Ayaka will let Cloud have a private moment with her parents when he serves them the tea. In the meantime, she pours herself a cup, letting the sound of tea fill her ears while her beau talks to her mother and father. She doesn't hear what he says, but when she looks at him from where she's seated, she cannot help but feel so very happy.
This is what life is, now. Her parents may not be alive anymore, but she has Ayato. And she has Cloud now, too. Even without Ayaka saying anything, she notices sometimes that Cloud would greet her parents whenever he'd come visit. It's such a little thing, and Cloud probably doesn't even think too much about it, but Ayaka appreciates what he does every time.
Her smile remains even when he turns back and moves to sit next to her again. Calm and content as she can be, she asks him: ]
Yeah... They were mostly about one of the last times I talked to her. When I came home on that mission.
[ Hahah... ]
She kept telling me about what kinda girl I should meet someday. [ At the time, being a teenager, it was embarrassing. But he listened nonetheless, eyes on Ayaka as he brings his cup up to his lips. ] Someone who won't let me get into trouble.
[ She doesn't think Cloud is a troublemaker! Is he...? He doesn't go off fighting Servants, and it's not like he gets chased all over the place by the police for speeding. But... she imagines Cloud's mom would know him better. That puts a small smile on her face. ]
[ Well he did bomb a reactor... And got chased all over the place by Shinra while speeding. When Ayaka asks if she can fulfill that role, he's just finished taking a sip of his tea, satisfied by the deeper flavor with how thick she mixed everything. And as his cup lowers and he turns his head to face her proper, smile still curled on his lips, ]
Already have.
[ But, that being said, ]
And even if I do get in trouble- [ A beat. ] -or you're right there with me,
You'd hafta actively try if you wanted to do that.
[ To her doing her best to be a good girlfriend, he feels like he'd just be repeating himself if he told her she's already succeeding in doing that. He's happy, and he's learned enough in his time here that what she's done for him is more than he could have asked for. It's an incredible turn of events how everything wound up in this world. And he never would have thought he'd be rediscovering himself? But also that the person who actually captivated him and compelled him to keep chasing after her, was worlds apart.
But here they are. Together in her new home, with promises for the future to keep as he leans in. He wasn't planning a kiss, but just to gently tap his head to hers in thanks when— ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-11-12 11:22 pm (UTC)[ Getting her own fireworks and letting it
implodego off, she means. . . huh! ]We'd need to be trained for that sort of thing, won't we?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 12:24 am (UTC)[ Another first? Another first! He tugs on her hand when it's time to cross the street. ]
Maybe... S'not exactly safe to handle them directly. [ He hums... ] Well. Can't ask Yoimiya. [ On the account of her not having been pulled to this world. ] We could look into it.
Maybe they got something in the library for that too.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 12:44 am (UTC)Let us look for a book on it some time. But... if it's not safe? Then I don't mind if we just watch from afar.
[ They're close to the Kamisato estate now! Just across the street, then they have to climb up the stairs leading to the gate. Ayaka's actually looking forward to eating something since she hasn't had anything all day. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 02:24 am (UTC)Oh I ain't sticking around when they go off.
[ Assuming they have some really big ones, anyway. ]
[ As they make their way up the stairs leading to the front gate, away from the public eye, he squeezes her hand and stops at the top of the stairs with her. ]
Hey. Go on ahead? I'll be there in a couple minutes. Just gotta make a call.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 02:32 am (UTC)[ The snacks will take a while longer, but the tea is priority especially since she has a visitor over! ]
Um... you'll find the statue in the garden, if you wanted to see it.
[ Ayaka certainly has no intention of looking at it again. But she will, however, see it from the kitchen. Unfortunate.
Taking a step back, Ayaka bows her head before excusing herself inside. ]
1/2
Date: 2022-11-13 05:33 am (UTC)[ He was tempted to steal away a kiss before she left, but as she excuses herself, he simply watches her leave before pulling out his magi-comm. In most cases, it was used for communicating between refugees. But...this time, as he makes a call out, walking through the gates and out towards the garden so he can see if the police's descriptor was indeed correct. ]
... Yes. You guys have someone who can deliver? We're not far.
[ .... ... ...... ]
Cool. You guys have any........
[ He stops. He sees the statue. "... yes? Hello?" ]
Sigh-
No. Sorry, can I get—
2/2
Date: 2022-11-13 05:37 am (UTC)Ayaka?
[ He passes the living room, slowing down to offer a little bow to her parents' shrine in the corner before continuing ahead. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 05:45 am (UTC)She comes back out of her room when she hears Cloud, in a hurry because she didn't want to worry him. ]
Ah, I'm sorry! I'm right here.
[ While her hair isn't messy, she's still in the middle of tying the ribbon that usually keeps one side of her hair together. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 06:48 am (UTC)I saw it, by the way.
[ The authorities will be here to remove later tonight. ...or frankly, so help Cloud? He'll literally use his super strength to yeet the dick over the property's wall and out into the street.
Call it ブロークン ディック ストリート (Broken Dick Street) by the time he's done with it and it's busted all over the pavement.
He leans in to place a small kiss on Ayaka's lips. The first one of the day, before he steps back. If he knew a thing or two about how to tie her hair the intricate way she did, he'd have offered to fix it up for her. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 07:12 am (UTC)Cloud has really done a good job in cheering her up. Even if she ends up being flustered in the process. And it is now that she remembers her manners. She says something that she should have said much earlier on. ]
Thank you for coming for me today, Cloud. [ Her hero. ] You really are so amazing.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 07:31 am (UTC)[ But now that they're in the comfort of her home, and her surprise was on its way? ]
Need a hand bringing anything into the living room?
[ To their usual spot where they drink tea and eat? She can fix up her hair if she wants!
If it were her ponytail still needing to be done up, he might have been more helpful there.]no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 07:48 am (UTC)[ They can talk more about the statue later on! Ayaka heads back to her room so she can properly groom herself before heading back out. Since it's just one part of her hair now, it doesn't take over a minute. ]
I actually didn't get to have breakfast today because of what happened. I can make sandwiches for us, if you like, though.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 08:31 am (UTC)[ Cloud is quick to retrieve the tray, keeping an eye on the boiling pot as well as he sets everything on said tray and returns down the hallway. Meeting Ayaka with a little nod, there's a set of five cups on it. Four for the two of them and her parents, and one extra one for Ayato in the event he returns home while they're visiting. ]
Actually... [ About...the sandwiches. He looks away for a moment, his gaze shifting to her despite glancing to the side. He can't keep it in. He sighs before offering a light smile. ] I suck at secrets.
[ Is his excuse for wanting to spoil her now but, ]
If you can wait...ten-ish more minutes? I ordered some stuff for us.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 08:46 am (UTC)[ Goodness! Cloud didn't have to O_O!! Even though he's told her what he's done, she doesn't want to know any more than that! She shakes her head quickly, in a bid to interrupt him if he wanted to say more than that. ]
N- No, no need to say the rest. I... I would like it to remain a secret. [ If it was a secret, then it was a surprise, right? ] That is what you intended, wasn't it?
I can wait.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 09:29 am (UTC)[ ... He can't help but gently sigh through his nose. Not disappointed! But her reaction does get his heart to race a little more in his chest in turn. This felt like a better end to the day. Even with...that sitting outside her place. He nods, stepping in by her side so they can head out to the living room. They'd hear a knock at the door in a little bit! ]
Actually, that's...the call I was making earlier.
[ So if she wants to wait? She can wait! It's not like they'll be waiting very long as he carefully sets the tray down on the table, sitting seiza in his usual spot as he waits for Ayaka to prepare the tea. Already he's more relaxed than before, the only thing he wished he could change being his uniform since he's still fully geared up. ...he had to look the part if he was gonna intimidate a police station into letting his girlfriend go. fadsjkl ]
You got any idea what the winters are supposed to be like here?
[ So he can prepare, too? Given his body, however, chances were Cloud could go out in his current uniform and be perfectly fine. But...he'd also awkwardly stand out if he did.
Don't act tough, Cloud.]no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 09:43 am (UTC)[ Which is why she needs the new clothes! And it'd also be nice to celebrate the start of the year in something that's being worn for the first time, too. It makes sense that way!
Sitting down now, she begins making the tea. Rather than ask Cloud if he'd like a thick or thin blend of matcha, she'll go for a thick blend immediately, thinking it's what he'd want. Hopefully it'll go nicely with the food that's on the way! ]
It is a little strange, but... often, during wintertime, I keep having the same dream.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 09:52 am (UTC)[ She'd be correct! Much like how he liked his alcohol to be harder, he preferred the thicker blend. But as it thins out with new cups poured, it's also refreshing to him. His hands settle in his lap as he settles on his heels, canting his head when she refers to a dream she has. ]
Really? What's that?
[ He's all ears. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 10:09 am (UTC)It is a dream where my mother and father are still with me. Ayato is not as busy, and we're all together for family time.
[ But perhaps, this year? She'll have a different dream. Where she's enjoying moments with her family, and Cloud is there, as he always has been for her. Would her parents accept him, she wonders. . . Her mom probably would, but her father would be a lot stricter.
Hahah... she can't help but laugh softly thinking about that. Though as she's poured the tea for her parents, she gestures for Cloud to take the cups. ]
Would you mind serving mother and father?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 11:33 am (UTC)Cloud's mom? Knowing her, she'd adore the white heron princess. Surprised that her boy had caught the heart of a 'maiden' like her? Maybe! But he likes to think that Claudia would have liked her. He...hopes that his dad would too. Even if he didn't know the first thing about him. ]
Of course.
[ He accepts the cups, mindful to place them in front of her mother and father at the shrine as he kneels before them. Whether or not Ayaka overhears or not, he cares little when he softly adds, ]
She's home.
[ Safe and sound. Nodding, he scoots back over to his seat by Ayaka's side, thanking her for his cup as he sets it in his hands for the time being with a little smile. There's a slight pause before he decides... ]
Y'know? Ever since you helped me bring back that photo... I started having dreams of Mom, too.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 01:36 pm (UTC)This is what life is, now. Her parents may not be alive anymore, but she has Ayato. And she has Cloud now, too. Even without Ayaka saying anything, she notices sometimes that Cloud would greet her parents whenever he'd come visit. It's such a little thing, and Cloud probably doesn't even think too much about it, but Ayaka appreciates what he does every time.
Her smile remains even when he turns back and moves to sit next to her again. Calm and content as she can be, she asks him: ]
I hope they are good dreams?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 09:52 pm (UTC)[ Hahah... ]
She kept telling me about what kinda girl I should meet someday. [ At the time, being a teenager, it was embarrassing. But he listened nonetheless, eyes on Ayaka as he brings his cup up to his lips. ] Someone who won't let me get into trouble.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-13 11:35 pm (UTC)Do you think I can fulfill that role?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-14 01:42 am (UTC)Already have.
[ But, that being said, ]
And even if I do get in trouble- [ A beat. ] -or you're right there with me,
We'll make it out.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-14 03:10 am (UTC)I pray that I won't disappoint your mother. And you too, of course.
[ That's the last thing she wants! ]
But... I'm glad to hear it, Cloud. I'll do my very best to be a good girlfriend.
1/2
Date: 2022-11-14 03:25 am (UTC)[ To her doing her best to be a good girlfriend, he feels like he'd just be repeating himself if he told her she's already succeeding in doing that. He's happy, and he's learned enough in his time here that what she's done for him is more than he could have asked for. It's an incredible turn of events how everything wound up in this world. And he never would have thought he'd be rediscovering himself? But also that the person who actually captivated him and compelled him to keep chasing after her, was worlds apart.
But here they are. Together in her new home, with promises for the future to keep as he leans in. He wasn't planning a kiss, but just to gently tap his head to hers in thanks when— ]
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