chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

. . .

[ Breathe, girl. Breathe.

After the initial shock, Susato seems to calm down. At the very least, she is closing her eyes, silently counting to ten, or praying, whichever does the job the quickest. When she opens them again, she can see that glint of red coming from Kazuma's ring. It seems brighter than before, but maybe her eyes are playing tricks on her. ]

. . . It's alright. [ So she broke one glass. At least it wasn't her jar of starfish. But speaking of those, she will quietly navigate the broken shards and start picking up the starfish that have fallen out of his bucket first, as well as the larger glass shards she can find. ] Stay right there. Let me clean this up and I'll bring you a towel.

[ Maybe several. And maybe a shirt. Maybe. ]

[Once the shock has finally passed, he sees the mess properly, hearing Susato saying she'll handle it.]

Just...just get a towel. I can clean this. [It's his fault there's broken glass and starfish everywhere. Even if Susato insist he doesn't do anything, he's already walking off to locate a broom to sweep the floor. Still pondering over what had even happened.] Are you all right, at least? [Sorry for the scare.]

[ Yeah, she should have seen that coming. Her shoulders slump, feeling slightly defeated, but at least she doesn't have to go far. She tosses what starfish she did manage to get back into the bucket, and the shards of glass go into the trash. Near the bathroom around the hall is a closet where she remembers keeping his towels, after folding them. ]

I'm fine. Just startled is all. [ She raises her voice over the rain, growing ever louder against the roof (which is indeed free of holes) and the windows. She saw Kazuma go in the other direction, which makes sense, considering that's where the other closet is where cleaning supplies are kept. ] I didn't even get to ask what you wanted to drink. Hopefully ice water is good enough.

[ For now...? ]

Ice water is fine. [He just wanted something cold to drink, didn't matter what. Unless chicken is somehow involved. Fang comes over, nudging the trashbin closer to him.]

Could you get me another shirt too? The one I was wearing is still on the roof. [Once the mess is properly disposed, he'll grab another glass for Susato. He'll also turn on a few more lights, with the storm outside causing the home to go a little dark.]

[ Susato grabs a towel from the closet, casting a lingering glance before shutting it again. She's already half way back to the kitchen, so she freezes for a moment before changing directions. ]

Alright.

[ So off she goes to rummage his room! Or closet.

It's tempting to be indecisive, but it's not like they're going anywhere in this weather, so she's literally just going to grab the first thing she sees resembling a top. When she rejoins him in the kitchen, she aims the towel in his direction first, hoping to get it to fall over his shoulder. ]

Here, catch.

[Fang decides to follow after Susato as she goes into his room. Susato is now privvy to Kazuma's closet, which is also just as unimpressive as the rest of his home. Man could definitely use a shop for fashion and not just practicality. Nothing but plains clothes and maybe two full outfits to work with.

As Susato calls out to him, he lifts his head, just in time for the towel to hit his face. Well, he caught it with his face.] Thanks. [There's a loud thump, no doubt another big starfish has landed on the roof. He shakes his head, setting aside a glass of water for Susato] All that work, only to have more once this storm passes.

[ Wow, she heard that sarcasm!!! She does wince though when the towel hits his face. He's been hit by worse, though the wince isn't helped by the loud thunk from the roof that follows. ] Sorry.

[ She glances up briefly and decides not to repeat the mistake with his shirt. She will hold it out for him to take.

And then she'll bend down to give Fang some attention, since the poor girl has been following her around. ]

Why don't I go up there next time? So long as nobody expects me to disrobe.

[A small chuckle when he hears that apology.] It's all right. [His face needs a wipe down too after all. When he takes the shirt, he gives Susato a curious glance at her remark.]

What do you mean by that...? [That was unexpected. Hmm, he leans closer to her, still not putting on that shirt.] Does this bother you? [Is he subtly teasing her?]

. . . . . .

[ She is trying to be serious about her offer here. Too bad all she can think about is the first night of Flower Fest. She casually leans back as he leans forward into her space, but only so that she can reach for that glass of water. ]

N, No... [ Of course not. And she'd meant just what she said, nothing more. Enjoy her being lightly flustered though, the blush only worsened in the heat. ]

[Oh, he is enjoying it.] If I may... [At least he ask before pressing a hand against her cheek. Warm from the blushing.]

I won't make you do anything. It's just rather hot outside.

[ I know, she thinks. Susato has no idea how that request was going to finish (if I may what?), but she finds herself leaning into his touch. Her eyes blink almost sleepily, and they slowly close as she speaks. ]

And yet... you have a radiant heat that seems to follow you wherever you go. [ Her fingers tighten around the icy coolness of the glass. ] That doesn't help.

[ She certainly doesn't shy away from it either, though. ]

Hm...I suppose I do. I never notice until someone tells me. [He does notice people hanging around him more often during a cold winter's day though. He caresses her cheek a little longer before letting his hand slide along to the back of her neck. He was persuading her to come closer to him, in a sort of embrace.

Fang watches nearby, tilting her head. They getting all warm and cutesy again? Kazuma meanwhile has no idea where this is coming from. He's just, wistfully following the whims of his feelings instead of using his head.]

[ It's generally not advised to follow the whims of your feelings in a place like Songerein, or... Japan, or Great Britain, or any place, really! Yet Susato finds herself doing the same, setting down the glass to avoid another accident. She closes the distance between them as his hand finds the back of her neck. Her face presses lightly against his chest as she listens to his heartbeat. Her hands snake around him for a hug, and...

Ah. Yes, nothing like the sweet reminder of just how long they'd been at it in the hot sun before the rain set in.

Also, sorry, Fang. ]

Mmm... Have you ever visited the dog park that Eustace built, after it rains? [ Said quietly, only after the shared moment has passed, but there seems to be an affectionate laugh to her words despite everything. ] You're starting to smell rather like a wet corgi at the moment.

[ Again, sorry. (But not that sorry.) ]

Hm...? [He's sort of half listening to her talk while caught in the moment. Did she wanted to visit the dog park?

Oh.]

Ah. [She didn't have to say what she meant. He's already taking a step back and laughing.] My apologies. I shall go remedy that. [But not before he sneaks in a peck on her forehead.] I'll try not to be long.

[ ...Hmm. Come to think of it, she probably doesn't smell that much better. Her only advantage is that she is less wet, and Kazuma was quickly changing that. She looks down self-consciously, and then looks back up just in time to catch his lips on her forehead.

......How is she supposed to react to that? Her cheeks are already pink. She feels vaguely dried up clay figure, but one that's been magically rejuvenated. So she takes a step forward again and stands on her tippytoes to kiss him back. She can't reach his forehead, so his cheek will have to do. ]

I will wait.

Edited (just kidding) 2022-06-10 04:25 (UTC)

[Her movements doesn't go unnoticed. Was she feeling a little self-conscious? Yes, he probably needs to wash up more than her, but...well, ladies first? The hand sitting in the back of her neck, slides down to hold her wrist.]

Can you? [If she really wanted to go freshen up, he won't stop her.]

[ What is that supposed to mean? Some sort of challenge? Her fists clench involuntarily as a tingling sensation runs down her spine, starting at his hand. There's a twitch of a smile, like it tickles. ]

Well, I'm not going home in all that, if that's what you mean. [ As if the skies heard her, there's a loud clap of thunder. She can feel Fang curling around their feet, which gives her pause. ] . . . Besides, I will take longer than you. It makes more sense for you to go first, as lord of the house.

[He laughs.] No, not at all what I meant. [His fingers lace around hers when he finds them.]

Well, as the lord of the house, I also want to be sure my guest are well accommodated for. I can easily wait my turn, unless...hm.

[ That's an ominous, thoughtful hum if she ever heard one. She gives him a chance, but barely a minute passes before she decides he isn't going to finish that thought.

She squeezes his hand. ]

Unless... what?

[That moment's pause was a cross between watching Susato wait with such anticipation, and whether he actually wanted to suggest such a thing. The worst that could happen is she says no, right?

He leans in closer to her, their faces almost meeting. He should just go forward with it.] Instead of one us waiting, we go together.

H, huh?!

[ Together? She leans back, feeling her entire face turn red as her eyes go wide. At first, she has no idea where to look, but eventually her eyes meet his. ]

But that-- I--

[ Words are hard.

Words are so very, very... hard.

But she can feel her heart beating wildly in her chest, and she refuses to overreact. ]

. . . Are you teasing me?

Hehe, just a little. [And he's loving every moment he manages to get her to lose her usual composure.]

But I meant what I asked. [So what's the answer?]

[ Hehe, he says. His face has never been more punchable, yet the smile persists through the heat on her face. ]

I should toss you for that. [ The same voice telling her she can't is probably the same one that stopped him during the flowerworks show. And just look at what's happened since.

. . . She looks down. Fang tilts her head up at her, like "Are you finally going to pay attention to me?" (No--) Then, just as Susato looks back up and seems ready to give her answer, a loud crash of thunder sounds, shaking the windows. The lights around them go completely dark. ]

[She's probably right that this was a tossable offence. But he doesn't get any further say as the lights suddenly go out. Fang lets out a surprised bellow, the feathers on her pulsating light that faintly illuminate the area. Not enough to really see far though.]

...Of course the lights would go out. [His hand is still gripping onto Susato's as he tugs slightly.] I have candles we can use.

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