icarusalsoflew | 003. and in every raindrop... // open post.

[ Laughing a bit at that. That smile of his comes around much easier now. ]

"Too much" is pretty relative, don't you think?

[ He's... going to try to leave it at that. He has a lot of feelings on the matter, okay? ]

[ And he won't press. Not yet. He'd like to think that you'll eventually open up to him. You have, before. He just needs to be patient. ]

It is. [ Smoothing the back of his fingers over your cheek now. ] But we'll figure it out.

[ A beat. ]

I'd like to think that the Hounds are a lot tougher than most people think.

You are. I'll give you all that.

[ A beat, and then, a little lighter: ]

And sometimes, it's precisely because you're a tough lot that you can be such a headache.

[ One he'll ride through any day, but he doesn't need to incriminate himself any further with you, does he? ]

[ No, you don't. And that makes him smile faintly just before he leans in to press his lips to yours; palm cupping your cheek with the hesitant sort of gentleness that he usually defaults to when he feels the need to touch you with utmost care. ]

I love you.

[ He knows that he says that often, and sometimes, when words fail him, he does so because they are a truth he can't deny and he hopes that the way he says it articulates best what he isn't capable of wording right.

He's said enough as they simple mean: that his heart beats a particular rhythm only for you. Or as a reassurance that you are loved, and even to encompass everything that he loves about you -- as a friend, as someone he respects and admires and looks up to; as his first in so many things -- and now as someone he plans to fight to spend every last second of this life with.

His other hand is taking yours now -- the one with that ring on your finger no less. ]

[ And every single time you do that, he ends up watching you and realizing that he is looking at what will be a good amount of his life for this cycle: you, how he feels for you, and the promise you've made, just as he has made his own promise to you. It won't be too long, especially when he stops and considers just how many more cycles he still has to go, but - as you put it - at least you would have both had each other.

He never forgets anything, and you will, without a doubt, your relationship with him will stand out for him above and beyond anyone and anything else. ]

I can't believe that I'm actually saying this, but... we should probably figure out what our plans are.

[ You know. For the wedding, and other things. ]

[ That's a hand smoothing up the length of your arm and up to where his fingers can tangle a little around the strands of your long hair.

You'll probably catch the musing look in his eyes. He won't say anything yet, about how he really likes this look on you. Truth be told, he'd like to, but things have been so unsteady here in Arcadia for you that he isn't quite sure how you'll take it.

Eyes flicking up to yours though: ] Only if you're up for it.

[ His words are gentle, patient. You have time. It's not much in the grand scheme of things, but it's something you both have if neither of you fixate on just how short it'll be in comparison to the more long-lived of your common friends. ]

And you know me. [ Have that particular smile that only ever comes out for you. ] I'm a simple guy, Hikaru. Whatever you want, I want.

[ Lifting an eyebrow at that, and then, light and teasing: ]

Be careful about making promises like that. [ Turning his palm up after giving your hand a squeeze, and reaching out to skim his fingers through the hair just around your earlobe. ] I might just ask for some pretty crazy things.

[ Are you sure you're prepared for that? Are you sure??? ]

[ And because he's so earnest and so utterly gone on you: ]

As long as you don't ask me to ever leave you, I think I'm pretty sure that there's nothing you can't ask for that I won't try to give.

[ That sir, is the honest truth of it. ]

[ He's just going to kiss you now, you big dork. Because he's tenacious, however... ]

Seriously, though. You must have some preferences.

[ Yes, this discussion is happening. ]

[ You can't be serious.

You're serious.

Huh. ]

I guess... [ okay, he's a bit at a loss at the moment because ] I guess, I have more questions than preferences right now.

[ That makes sense. Nodding at that, and then - after a moment's thought - shifting about in order to stretch out and set his head on your lap.

Might as well get comfortable. This could take a while. ]

Ask away?

[ There's a momentary flutter in his chest when you do that, and it has everything to do with how that one concrete gesture settles it for him: you're both going to be okay.

Indulge him a bit as he smiles down at you, runs his fingers through your hair and leans down to press his lips to your brow.

Okay, there. ] Well, for one... I suppose I'm wondering what kind of wedding ours'll be.

[ The Fukuzawas are kind of as Japanese as most people come. And for all your worldly experience, Mr. Shinta, they are your family this cycle around. ]

I mean... [ how to put it, hm ] My birth certificate says I'm Catholic, and it kind of occurred to me that I have no idea if you are or aren't but--

[ A helpless look your way now. ]

[ His lips quirk in that tell-tale "I am trying not to laugh or smile any wider than I already am" sort of way. ]

Technically speaking, I could marry us in Church.

[ Because he is kind of a Brother in Violence, yanno. ]

[ He has only one answer to that, and he'll deliver it with a smile that looks just like this: ]

No.

[ Laughs. ]

Just checking. It MIGHT just be easier, though, since I have a strong feeling that we could end up having several people wanting to preside over the ceremony.

[ As things stand, Aidan already dropped some hints earlier... ]

And I suppose it goes without saying that I'd like a Church wedding. We might have to have a Shinto ceremony too, though, and a ceremony down here according to this realm's customs. [ Looking apologetic now. ] We can work the logistics out for all of that.

[ Wait-- ]

What.

[ It's not that he actually minds. It's just that he knows very little about these things and he admittedly didn't think too far after getting you to say "yes".

But then again, that's why he won't mind you elaborating on it, right? ]

So wait, because I don't want to think too hard on a wedding in Arcadia just yet -- but when you say Church wedding and Shinto ceremony... [ a beat ] y-you want two?

[ Just, you know, clarifying here. ]

[ Ehehe. Looking and sounding sheepish at equal turns. ]

It's not that I want a lot of ceremonies. It's more like, it'll kind of have to happen.

[ Your boy being more than just a public figure. He's a bit of a god in some circles, whether he likes it or not. ]

Oh. [ Equally sheepish at that, especially since its dawning on him that, well.

Wolf of Zangyaku. Malice King. Blade King of the Fifth World and a hot enough commodity that the Emperor of Japan once hoped that his daughter -- one of your best friends -- would end up with you. ]

Right.

[ He's going to focus on cradling that hand of yours again, and when he speaks next, his voice has gone soft. ] I'm okay with all of that.

If we... [ How to word this. ] For the Church wedding... I did have a request.

[ You are so cute when you hedge like that.

...Anyway. With mock seriousness: ]

If you're going to ask me to wear a dress for you, young man, save yourself the trouble and reconsider your priorities.

[ Although asking him to turn into a girl for you on your wedding night? That is free game.

Ahem. ]

Edited 2015-01-06 14:55 (UTC)

[ The sound that leaves him does so with very little prompting. ]

Why would I ask you to wear a dress???

[ Is he flustered? Maybe. A little. ~~Y E P, definitely.~~ ]

Come on, Hikaru, you asked me if I wanted anything, and I just wanted to ask if we could hold the ceremony at the Dragon Spires.

[ He did not mean for that to come out in one breath, nor did he expect to feel a little put out by you making fun of him like that. It might have something to do with the fact that he hasn't dealt with feeling curious about you when you do Bladian Things and turn into a girl. Which should he weird. Because if he wanted a girlfriend he would have maybe found a girlfriend okay, but he's with you. ]

Edited 2015-01-07 00:25 (UTC)

[ Laughing in earnest again. This is so much fun. 8D ]

I'd like that, actually. It'll feel kind of like getting married in a place that's home to the both of us.

[ And then, with a Look ~~because you are more flustered than you ought to be, in his opinion~~: ]

I would wear a dress for you, you know. Not when I'm like this, but I think you get what I mean.

[ Testing... ]

[ Why would you--

Why is this even--

Aaand he's looking askance. ]

I love you just the way you are, Hikaru.

[ Sure, curiosities are curiosities -- but he's marrying you for you. ]

[ Hmm.

Reaching up to catch the side of your face and kiss you on the mouth, sweet and low. ]

I know. [ Saying that as he's ghosting his fingers along your jawline. ] The offer still stands, though.

[ It's a pretty concrete manifestation of how he's willing to do just about anything for you, isn't it? ]

[ Th-this is mildly... awkward. UM. He should probably ask you to stop... doing that... with your fingers.

( Breathe, LaRue. )

He'll take your hand gently in his and smooth the pad of his thumb over your palm. He can't lie, he hasn't quite forgotten all the confusing feelings from seeing you go "girl-mode" in New York and later, in South America. But you both have time to explore the more "exotic" things in the bedroom, yeah? And he'll confess, he isn't ready to throw something completely unfamiliar into the mix -- not when there are things you still could explore together.

Cupping your cheek in turn now: ] You're incredible and I love you.

[ He'll let that hand wander further to thread into your hair, and there's a moment when the look in this a little unfocused. ]

I'm beginning to think I have a thing for the way your hair feels between my fingers.

[ You always wear it short. But he likes the way it looks on you like this, too. ]

You have a thing for me in general.

[ And he's perfectly all right with this.

Yes, he's teasing you. Because you're adorable. (And it's also because he's relaxed. You'll note as much yet again, given how you're touching him.) ]

So. Dragon Spires it is. [ Hum. ] You had other questions?

003. and in every raindrop... // open post.

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