chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

[ 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.

[ Fang's outcry doesn't quite help the way Susato's heart seems to drop, nor the dragon's ethereal glow. Susato looks up towards the ceiling, letting out a breath she'd sucked in at the sudden darkness. She's not scared, but she does seem to take comfort in Kazuma's grip regardless. ]

The kind with a lovely scent to them, I hope.

[ Her attempt at a tease in return aside, they might be sorely needed if their lights and other luxuries stay out. ]

They were bound to come in handy. Let's light them together.

You're going to be disappointed. [They're just regular candles. With a whistle, he gets Fang's attention. As she comes over, he gives her head pats.]

Candles. [Fang seems to understand a single word as she moves ahead of them. Like a beacon, she was a guide in the darkness to where Kazuma had stashed away the spare candles.] How has your fire progress been?

[ . . . So that's a no. That's alright. She will just add it to the growing list of things she can spoil him with in the future.

She follows Kazuma and Fang, but rather than answer verbally, she just reaches for one of the (sadly unscented) candles, cupping it in both hands. She finds the wick with the tip of her finger and closes her eyes in concentration.

There are some gentle sparks that fly from the wick and her finger, like one would see coming from a modern-day lighter. Then a flame starts to grow, slowly, and it flickers like a little heartbeat.

She opens her eyes. ]

I do the same with our lanterns at home every night. [ And he likely knows how she tries to incorporate practice into her kitchen duties. ] . . . What about you?

[In the darkness, he waits for a flame to flicker to life from the candle Susato had been holding. He grins, knowing there's been progress from her. Being the show off that he is, just a wave from his hand and the candles beside him flicker with flames.]

Progress, for sure. [In fact, his flames may be too powerful that it causing some of the candles to melt faster.] ...Perhaps a bit much for a few candles. [He'll try to save some of the candles before they're completely melted.]

[ In lieu of actually clapping her hands together, Susato simply squeezes the candle she's holding a little tighter. There's a wide, impressed grin on her face, and for a moment, any embarrassment she had is gone. Only a nostalgic reminder of how much she had looked up to him all these years remained.

A mere wave of his hand. She would get to that point, too. Someday. ]

You should take one with you. [ A candle, that is. ] If you still wish to... [ And she trails off there, maybe feeling some of that embarrassment coming back.

He would never force her to do something she didn't want to. But she never did answer him. ]

[No, she has not. He picks up a candle once he's put out the others, and then turns to look at her.]

Are you sure you'll be alright in the dark? [There's a click from Fang. Excuse you, she has Fang to keep her company at least!]

[ Honestly! She has Fang, and a bunch of candles, which she can totally light herself, by the way. All this helps to keep Susato's spirits up somewhat, at least. She actually manages to laugh, but she realizes too late that some of her composure has slipped again with it. ]

Of course I would. But what about poor Fang?

Hypothetically speaking, wouldn't she be terribly lonely if... if we... I mean, assuming you even meant it, which-- [ Pbbbffbtbt. She pauses, making a noise, and her hands start to move animatedly all on their own. ] well, you said you did, but then the lights happened, so I, I don't even know why I'm bringing it up again, but here I am, just-- just yapping away. Honestly--

[Ah. She's doing it again. He can't help, but find it adorable when she hardly ever loses her composure like this. Just trying to work out her own feelings. Which-]

Is that a yes? [He just cuts right through the flustering and to the point. Fang, is just tapping her tail, shaking her head at these two ridiculous love birds.]

[ Susato stops mid-thought, mouth hung open. Then at his question, she just clamps it shut, burying her face behind a hand that clamped over her mouth, almost in disbelief. Why is this so hard? Does she want this, or not?

Perhaps her hang up is the small part of her that wants it, while the overly rational part of her knowing that she shouldn't. That they were supposed to be taking it slow--whatever that meant. Her nails start to dig into the wax of the candle, which is the only reason she stops squeezing. ]

. . . [ Just say yes. And yet, when she opens her mouth, all that comes out is, ] You are lucky that I love you.

[Man, they're just getting clean. He comes forward, being careful with the candles as he gets close enough to whisper into her ear.] I love you too.

[His free hand, casually runs through strands of her hair as he moves passed her.] I'll prepare the bath then.

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