chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

[ ...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.

[ KAZUMA, PLEASE, THEY ARE ALSO GETTING NAKED. Maybe in another 17 years, she would feel ready for that, and even then.....???? Who knows. For a moment, she remains frozen. His words linger in her ear and the feeling of his touch remains within her hair until she reaches up to rub at the spot.

Once he disappears from sight, she turns to look down at her remaining companion. ]

I think I've gone mad, my learned friend.

[ Only explanation. Susato pats Fang's head, leaving her hand there for the inevitable nuzzles as she strokes her softly. ]

. . . Don't let anyone in, okay?

[ With a sigh of anticipation, she saunters vaguely after him as she always has, disappearing down the hall with the glow of her candle. ]

[Fang lets out a few clicks, understanding the command and doing so without much of a fuss. Kazuma owe hers some playtime later, that's for sure.

Susato could probably hear the sound of water running as the wooden bath is getting filled. He's lit up a few more candles inside the bathroom so there at least some visibility. A smile was playing across his face, seemingly happy about something.]

You can use the shower room first. [Speaking as he sees an approaching ball of candlelight.]

[ He left the door ajar. Susato gently pushes it open with her free hand on her way in, still unable to say anything. The sound of running water echoes the walls, and then she sees his face by the candlelight, through the steam.

She places her candle with the rest of them. At some point on the journey over, she'd gotten a towel for herself, too. She drapes it onto the towel bar next to his, all the while staring at him. She still is, when she places a hand on the shower room door. ]

You are smiling. [ He's been doing that more lately. She thinks. ]

Hm? [He glances curiously in her direction. Honestly, he wouldn't have even noticed unless she brought it up.]

...I suppose I am. [The smell of hinoki wood fills the room. A calming citrusy aroma almost.] Am I keeping you from proceeding...? [He ask in jest.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject