[ＸＩＶ] Xion (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fourteen) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
lucetilogs2011-02-23 06:31 pm
fourteen) wrote in lucetilogs2011-02-23 06:31 pm
Entry tags:
now she's here, suddenly I know / if she's here, it's crystal clear / I'm where I'm meant to go
Who: ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cakeblocked and poppetry
What: The truth.
When: Starting just before sunset of the 21st.
Where: First at house 5, then That One Bridge.
Summary: This has been a long time in coming. Two shy, stupid, utterly oblivious Replicas finally get their shit together and talk. (Also Kukki and I write each other a series of small novels.)
Rating: PG. (This will probably be the most Disney thing to ever Disney in the history of Disney-fied things.)
Xion's first feeling after the experiment had been ... fear. Lingering, terrible fear that none of it was real, despite all the reasoning and arguments and gentle proddings to the contrary. Of course, she'd told Luke she didn't care, that none of it mattered, that she'd make it real...
And those words were true. But even so... even so... it would have been a blow to learn. All those memories... fake? Different? How could they be? It would have hurt so much...
But on waking early that morning, Xion had realized something, after the fear had faded and she'd had some time to sort through everything she remembered. All of it... was the same. Everything. The way she felt when Luke gave her her own little Christmas. The tightness in her chest when Sanji had asked her, very frankly, You really like him, don't you?
Her plan... to tell him her feelings on Valentine's Day. The letter she'd written... in case of the experiment!
She'd leaped out of bed like someone had electrified her, torn between elation and a driving sense of urgency. It was true! It was all true, all real!
And thus she'd come up with a plan. She had several people to speak with, after all -- Ven, poor Ven, Sokka and Fenimore... and Tsuzuki. Xion found herself endlessly, almost stupidly grateful he'd made that silly entry with the socks, giving her the idea to try and circumvent the experiment. Writing out her feelings for Luke in that letter... had made her blush like crazy, but it had felt so, so good to finally admit it, even if he wasn't going to see it just yet. And the idea had worked like a charm, too -- doing exactly what she hoped. Just sitting there in that box, waiting -- for the moment when the experiment would be over, and whatever had happened -- whatever had gone right or wrong -- she could tell Luke the truth, with proof that predated any Malnosso manipulation.
Honestly, she'd have to bake Tsuzuki cookies for this.
Thankfully he'd responded in a timely manner, too -- it'd still been morning when she'd been able to retrieve the letter and beat a hasty retreat back home, to think (and talk to her friends, too). But also ... to decide what to do. Though she knew the words by heart, she read and reread the letter she'd written, her blush slowly fading as the true significance of her words sank in. This was real... in her hands was tangible proof of her feelings. And that meant ... well. She had to talk to him, didn't she?
So it was that she ended up in front of house 5 a few hours later, fidgeting with nervousness, twisting and untwisting her fingers together. It was already well into the afternoon, almost evening, but it had taken all of those hours of reading and thinking and thinking some more to even work up the courage to leave the house again, much less actually walk over to his. After all... just like before, she didn't know for certain if Luke returned her feelings. Even if he'd said ... he'd said ...
Let's... Let's work together to make it real, okay?
B-But that could have been the experiment... right? Yet somehow... she couldn't get the feeling of hope out of her heart. Anxious hope, but hope nonetheless. This just had to be real... They'd practically sworn to each other. Promised, no matter what happened, to make what they had real, to make it work. She had to believe this would happen. After all... as it had turned out, she'd really meant it when she said she didn't want to just be his friend anymore. If he didn't want... if he didn't feel-- she'd take anything he'd give her, of course. Anything! But if he really didn't love her back, it'd ...
Well. She'd cross that bridge when she came to it, if she absolutely must, as much as it would hurt.
There was no turning back now. Moving up to the door, Xion took a deep, steadying breath and raised her hand to knock.
cakeblocked and poppetryWhat: The truth.
When: Starting just before sunset of the 21st.
Where: First at house 5, then That One Bridge.
Summary: This has been a long time in coming. Two shy, stupid, utterly oblivious Replicas finally get their shit together and talk. (Also Kukki and I write each other a series of small novels.)
Rating: PG. (This will probably be the most Disney thing to ever Disney in the history of Disney-fied things.)
Xion's first feeling after the experiment had been ... fear. Lingering, terrible fear that none of it was real, despite all the reasoning and arguments and gentle proddings to the contrary. Of course, she'd told Luke she didn't care, that none of it mattered, that she'd make it real...
And those words were true. But even so... even so... it would have been a blow to learn. All those memories... fake? Different? How could they be? It would have hurt so much...
But on waking early that morning, Xion had realized something, after the fear had faded and she'd had some time to sort through everything she remembered. All of it... was the same. Everything. The way she felt when Luke gave her her own little Christmas. The tightness in her chest when Sanji had asked her, very frankly, You really like him, don't you?
Her plan... to tell him her feelings on Valentine's Day. The letter she'd written... in case of the experiment!
She'd leaped out of bed like someone had electrified her, torn between elation and a driving sense of urgency. It was true! It was all true, all real!
And thus she'd come up with a plan. She had several people to speak with, after all -- Ven, poor Ven, Sokka and Fenimore... and Tsuzuki. Xion found herself endlessly, almost stupidly grateful he'd made that silly entry with the socks, giving her the idea to try and circumvent the experiment. Writing out her feelings for Luke in that letter... had made her blush like crazy, but it had felt so, so good to finally admit it, even if he wasn't going to see it just yet. And the idea had worked like a charm, too -- doing exactly what she hoped. Just sitting there in that box, waiting -- for the moment when the experiment would be over, and whatever had happened -- whatever had gone right or wrong -- she could tell Luke the truth, with proof that predated any Malnosso manipulation.
Honestly, she'd have to bake Tsuzuki cookies for this.
Thankfully he'd responded in a timely manner, too -- it'd still been morning when she'd been able to retrieve the letter and beat a hasty retreat back home, to think (and talk to her friends, too). But also ... to decide what to do. Though she knew the words by heart, she read and reread the letter she'd written, her blush slowly fading as the true significance of her words sank in. This was real... in her hands was tangible proof of her feelings. And that meant ... well. She had to talk to him, didn't she?
So it was that she ended up in front of house 5 a few hours later, fidgeting with nervousness, twisting and untwisting her fingers together. It was already well into the afternoon, almost evening, but it had taken all of those hours of reading and thinking and thinking some more to even work up the courage to leave the house again, much less actually walk over to his. After all... just like before, she didn't know for certain if Luke returned her feelings. Even if he'd said ... he'd said ...
Let's... Let's work together to make it real, okay?
B-But that could have been the experiment... right? Yet somehow... she couldn't get the feeling of hope out of her heart. Anxious hope, but hope nonetheless. This just had to be real... They'd practically sworn to each other. Promised, no matter what happened, to make what they had real, to make it work. She had to believe this would happen. After all... as it had turned out, she'd really meant it when she said she didn't want to just be his friend anymore. If he didn't want... if he didn't feel-- she'd take anything he'd give her, of course. Anything! But if he really didn't love her back, it'd ...
Well. She'd cross that bridge when she came to it, if she absolutely must, as much as it would hurt.
There was no turning back now. Moving up to the door, Xion took a deep, steadying breath and raised her hand to knock.
no subject
And when she speaks to him, he gave her his attention once more. She studied him, just as he did to her - how could she be so calm? Luke was absolutely nervous, though one could only tell by the worried crease in his brow and how he held the book close to his side. It's possible that his voice might have closed up entirely - Luke wasn't sure what to say or what to do. Thankfully, Xion helped him out by giving him the letter.
A letter that he had to read multiple times. The first time he had stopped right at the "I love you", then read it again. His eyes slowly widened, his cheeks started to turn red, and his mouth gaped open a little.
She... loved him? Really, truly? The same way that he did for her? Luke's first thought was to deny it, but there it was, written for him and made plain as day. So everything... her singing, her blushing, everything... he wasn't just thinking too much about it during the experiment?
The shock of it nearly made him drop his journal, and he let out a startled noise and grabbed at it, catching it by the spine. He couldn't lose it - couldn't. And now that his train of thought was broken, now that he had the letter in one hand and the book in the other, held at his sides rather awkwardly, he snaps his gaze from the book to her. It takes him a bit of work, some opening and closing his mouth, but then he finally speaks up.
"You... You wrote this? For me...?"
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And flailed. And nearly dropped everything. And stared. And gaped. And opened and closed his mouth like a fish.
It was purely out of nerves that Xion started to laugh, though the sound died quickly. God, she couldn't really tell if she was coming or going right now.
"Yeah. I think ... back on the sixth. But ... I've actually known how I felt for a long time now. At least since January... when Sanji was a woman." God, she was-- with a blink, Xion lifted her hands to her cheeks, and groaned. She was red -- so red, so stupidly red -- and she knew it. God, this was painful. Flustered and painfully shy, she looked down at her feet for a long moment, hands still pressed to her face, then looked up at him uncertainly through her eyelashes.
"What did you... um." God, how could she just -- ask? It was so-- what if he didn't-- Come on, Xion, get a grip! "You... had something you wanted to tell me too, didn't you?" Even if it was a rejection... even if he'd figured out how she felt a long time ago, or the experiment had made it obvious, and he was just going to let her down gently with that (adorable) sheepish smile of his while he rubbed the back of his neck and looked apologetic and--
Don't think that way. Don't. Xion lowered her hands to clasp them over her chest, instead, but now found she couldn't quite meet his eyes.
1/2 goddamn 8|
And she spoke, asked him what he wanted to tell her... What did he- Ah. That's right, he wanted to tell her... What she told him. But how does he- Luke didn't even know the first thing about-
Then, Xion clasped her hands and looked away. Luke's fear - he wasn't even sure why it was still there - continued to hammer at his chest, but... he wanted to make her happy again. And if she... loved him, then maybe this would do it.
"I was... Xion, I..." Luke managed to stutter out, but that was all. His throat was betraying him again, and he turned his head away and frowned to himself. Come on, Luke, spit it out.
But... Maybe he didn't have to. In his line of sight was his journal, the very thing he was going to use to show her how he felt. If she could give him a letter, then he could give her one, too. Sort of. It'd be so much easier than trying to say it, anyway.
While he kept the letter tucked between his fingers, he lifted the journal to flip through pages - he missed the mark a couple of times out of his own nervousness, a sort of elated nervousness now that his own fear was starting to melt away. Come on, come on- no, not the mushy mess of the Valentine's entries- ah, there. Luke rested his fingertips against the page for a few seconds, then held out the journal to Xion with a small, yet growing smile.
"Just... read this." And the journal read:
2/2
But I guess that isn't really important. It isn't my birthday, anyway... The important day comes up tomorrow. Valentine's Day... We've never had a holiday like that in Auldrant, and I'm kind of glad for it. I don't think I've ever been this nervous before! I already talked about how Guy made me realize... and I'm still not really sure how I'm going to do this.
I spent all day today trying to find something like a field of flowers. It was getting dark by the time I got back, and I still didn't find anything. I was kind of disappointed... It would've been great to lead her there and have her close her eyes because it's a surprise... Like that one story! It only occurred to me after I got back that a lot of flowers've already died out. That was pretty stupid of me, huh?
I still wanted to find something to give her. Maybe I can't tell her how I feel yet... but I still wanted to show that I care for her. I stopped by the flower shop to see if there was anything I could get her, though a lot of the things were cut... I don't really want to give that. Cut flowers die after a while, you know? I want to give her something that lasts for a long time... Wouldn't she like that?
Then I found three iris unguicularis. Right when I saw them, I knew they'd be the ones I'd give to her! They last all winter, and you don't really need to take care of them very much... They'd be perfect! And they're blue, too, like her eyes... Best of all, they're in a pot! They won't die out, like the roses and the tulips. Maybe... Maybe now if she's sad, or just wants to see something besides the snow, she can look outside and see the flowers there. Flowers that can last even in the cold... Maybe she'll be happy when she sees them.
That's all I really want out of this. I want her to be happy... That's why I can't say anything yet. I don't want her to feel awkward or obligated or anything.
... That isn't all of it, though. What I'm feeling isn't like what I felt with Sylvia, or with Tear. It's a lot more than that. I've never felt like this with anyone else... I've never had anything like this before. If I ruined it just because of these feelings I have... I don't know what I'd do.
Someday, I'll tell her how I feel. Maybe she can accept it. Maybe she'd even...
But I probably shouldn't hope for it. So I'll write it here, just to remind me what I need to say later.
I
lovereally likekind ofI don't knowlove her... Xion. This isn't just a crush, it's...... Man, now I can't stop blushing. I should just stop here.
no subject
And when she really settled in to read it.... she initially didn't know how to make sense of it. Why was she reading this? But then came the field of flowers... and the first mention of "her." Just seeing the word made her chest clench so tightly it was actually a little painful, a rush of emotions so intense she had to move a little, shift her stance and her grip on the journal. He couldn't mean... it couldn't be... maybe it was someone else and this was his gentle way of letting her down...?
Okay, that line of reasoning didn't even really make sense. So Xion read on, and of course-- of course--
Reached the irises. The irises he'd given her.
Much like Luke just a moment prior, Xion nearly dropped the journal in her shock, actually exclaiming aloud.
"You... I... the flowers! You--?" No, no, Xion, keep reading! Finish the stupid thing before you start asking questions! Unbelievably flustered, she shook her head and resumed reading, much quicker this time around. Of course, by now, there wasn't much left... except those words. I love her... Xion.
Slowly, Xion closed the journal, for a moment just ... lost for words. Throughout the entire reading, amazement had crept across her expression, faint at first, becoming stronger as she approached those critical words. Now she looked stunned, dazed, like someone had punched her right in the face. Just as slowly -- slower -- she slid her eyes back up to his, barely daring to hope. But ... she'd really read that. That was real. He ... he ...
Luke loved her. Just like she loved him.
In a sudden, reflexive motion Xion hugged the journal to her chest, her shock breaking apart to make way for joy. It lit her expression from behind with such warmth that for a moment she actually looked a little different. The glow of love, after all, is a powerful thing. With a breath, she gathered herself up -- as if for an outburst, or an exclamation -- then asked:
"You ... don't know how to pronounce February?"
Oh, god. After that she just couldn't hold it together, and broke down in hysterical, ecstatic giggles. He loved her! He loved her, he loved her!
no subject
Except he didn't, because that would just look silly and Xion would probably laugh at him. Instead, he shoved his hands into his coat pockets and gripped them into fists to hide his excitement until she was done.
And she did. And she was shocked, just like him when he first read her letter, which was still gripped in his hand and sticking out of his pocket. And she looked so... happy. Luke had never seen her look that happy before, and to know that he was the one that made it happen...
It made something warm rise up in his chest.
He took in a deep breath and leaned forward a bit, just to try and gather up his nerves and says the words for himself, when-
...
She had to bring that up?
Luke was on such an emotional high that he reacted quite brilliantly to that: He choked on his words, loosened and clenched his hands again, widened his eyes... Then blushed furiously, this time out of embarrassment, and shrugged his shoulders while he looked away; Still, he didn't look too annoyed. He was too elated to feel that way, even over her teasing him (again)!
"I-Yeah, so? We don't have that month in Auldrant! How was I supposed to know how to say it?!" He stammered in an effort to defend himself, and he just hoped Xion wouldn't ask him how he'd been pronouncing it.
no subject
With a shriek from her, the two went down in a great heaping tangle of limbs and bodies and things, while Xion continued to laugh all the while. It was like she couldn't stop. She knew there were a lot of words for this feeling -- happiness, joy, elation, glee, bliss -- but none of them felt quite right, none of them quite put a name to the bubbling, singing warmth suffusing her whole body. So she simply lay there on top of him, on that bridge of so many memories, and laughed until she cried.
She honestly could not remember ever feeling this good in her entire life.
When finally she was able to regain her breath, she gave a great big sigh and folded her arms on his chest before resting her chin on them, seemingly at peace. Right now, she couldn't've cared less who walked by or saw or made a comment or anything. Who cared? Truly? She'd just confessed to the boy she loved, and he loved her too. Nothing, nothing, could have brought this mood down. Nothing.
"It was real." She unfolded one of her arms, to reach up and touch his face, then his hair. "All along, it was real. But I guess... it really didn't matter." After briefly toying with a lock of that bright red hair, Xion returned her fingers to his face, to stroke them lightly over his cheek. "... I love you."
no subject
For a moment, Luke just laid there with wide eyes as he tried to figure out why the sky was suddenly right in front of his face while his wings twitched and ached from the hard fall. But after realizing what Xion done, and once he paid attention enough to realize that she was laughing, but not at him. No, she was just... happy. And at that moment, it didn't matter that his wings ached or that they both looked ridiculous; Luke wrapped his arms around her and laughed with her. They must've looked so silly, wrapped up like this and laughing and blushing while draped over the bridge, but it didn't matter. They were here, and they loved each other, and that was all that mattered.
When they both calmed down, and Xion touched his face and hair, and said... that, Luke responded with a somewhat helpless smile and a deeper redness in his cheeks. It felt... nice, being touched like this, and hearing... that. Still, he couldn't get over those words - they held so much weight that it was hard to get them out of his throat. He opened his mouth, was silent for a second, then said in return, "... Yeah. I... love you too." Again, it was said in a rush, just like the first time he said it to her. Quickly, he moved on to something else, "I didn't tell you, but... That week was the happiest I've ever been." He chuckled slightly, "I guess we've got a lot to look forward to!"
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It was nice, like that.
Of course, when he spoke the words back to her -- the weight of them hit her right in the chest, making her the littlest bit dizzy, and she had to bury her face in his chest to hide her giddiness. It was all strange and new and unnameable and... with Riku, there had been something almost like this, sometimes. Almost. But it had never quite been ... like this.
"You know, I..." Oh, gosh. How could she say it? I think you're one of the best things that's ever happened to me. She told him she loved him, why couldn't those words--? But it was a little too much... for now. She'd tell him, someday. "... me too." And with a soft smile and one last brush of his cheek, she carefully got up off of him, the moved to retrieve their fallen things. With that done, she turned to face him, journal and letter clutched in her arms, and ... smiled, a warm, wide, brand new thing. And her words -- "So, what now?" -- held a quiet promise of all those things to come, all the things to look forward to.
Of course... there was one thing she hadn't gotten to do all week. It had been on her mind... especially that day beneath the tree. But without any of that oh-so-helpful fruit in her system, she wasn't even really brave enough to think about it, much less suggest it or do something really brazen like actually go for it. So instead she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear and waited on him.
no subject
With a long sigh, he sat up, then stretched his lips and scowled a little when his wings started flapping out of his control. That was something he still never got the hang of; he never liked for his wings to be touched - in fact, he'd only let Guy do it when he couldn't reach a spot that needed to be cleaned. When they were bothered, they'd shake and flutter, and it took some control to get them to calm the hell down.
When he was able to do that, he sighed, then looked at Xion as he stood and moved to be beside her, closer than he usually would. Now that she was here, Luke wanted to do so many things - hug her, hold her hand... k-kiss-NO, he couldn't do that! Just... do things together. But what?
... What had Guy told him? ... Oh. Oh, that's right. When the thought occurred to Luke, he ducked his head just a little and glanced at her, as if he was about to offer something that made him feel slightly awkward.
"Now? Um, well... Maybe we should... go on a date?"
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... later. She'd pet his wings later. Now was probably not the time to reach out and start petting his wings... no matter how ... terribly tempting ... it was ...
...
Right, so with that, Xion took a step even closer and reached up, around his arm, to very gently brush at some of the feathers... though she continued to look at his face. And when he asked that question, with that look...
She couldn't help but grin. Gosh, they were close now. She wanted to reach out, in some other way than just ... touching his wing ... but could not quite bring herself to be so brave as that. With a sigh, Xion lowered her hand and beamed at him.
"I'd like that."
However... there was one thing. Xion looked out to the west, toward the still-setting sun. It was nearly down by now... sunset always went too quick, here. It made her miss Twilight Town, sometimes. (A lot of the time.) Regardless, night was going to fall soon. Where could they go? She looked back up at him with innocent thoughtfulness. "But where should we go?"
no subject
It felt nice to Luke, but not to the wings. After a few brushes of his wing, it started to flutter again, the other one moving in turn. Maybe someday they'd relax and let Xion be one of the Chosen Few, but for right now... No, not even the girl could get close to them.
But Luke didn't have the heart to acknowledge them, because Xion just accepted his offer, and that made him beam in turn. She... She said yes! They could go on a date! ... Except Luke still wasn't entirely sure what a date was, but it didn't sound too hard.
And with Xion looking towards the sun like that...
Night time was near, but the sun still filtered through the trees and splashed them with dying colors. Xion still looked happy, and with those colors shining on her...
Luke leaned forward, intending to surprise her with a kiss on her cheek-
And then she turned to look up at him and ask the question.
... Oh dear Yulia and Score and everything else that people on Auldrant swear by Xion was so close to his face right now. And a part of his mind told him that if he leaned forward just a couple of inches more, he'd... he'd...
The thought made him panic a little, and instead of doing what his mind was nudging him to do, he leaned to the side to go for his intended target: a kiss on the cheek. It seemed quick, like a peck more than a kiss, and he blushed and looked off to the side towards the river as he pulled back and just registered what she asked him.
"I... I don't know, maybe... uh... G-Good Spirits? Wait, no, uh..."
no subject
It was almost ... comical. She felt the thud of her heart against her chest, felt it in her throat and fingertips and in the pit of her stomach, too. Normally it wasn't ... so overstated ... even around him. Sure, sometimes she'd feel like maybe ... it was a little harder to breathe ...
But the sudden thump thump momentarily took her breath away, and her eyes were so, so wide as he pressed his lips to her cheek. However briefly! And then he was standing straight, looking away and blushing... always blushing. It looked so cute on him. And it was because of her. Because of this... this thing that they suddenly had. And he'd just... their faces had been so close.
Immediately, Xion's cheeks flamed a bright red as she looked at him, but the color faded almost as quickly. It was all she could do to simply ... look at him. Stare, really. Perhaps it was the light, the reds and golds and oranges washing over them as the sun gave one last great gasp of light. Perhaps it was the setting itself, the bridge over the water, the idyllic view. Perhaps it was the cold surrounding them, in such stark contrast to the warmth in her chest. Perhaps it was the look on his face, in his eyes...
It wasn't that Xion really understood physical attractiveness. Sure, as an abstract concept, it kind of made sense, but it was not a thing she could really pretend to understand or even pay attention to. It had never much mattered to her, really. After all, she'd been "raised" without such societal standards of attractiveness. So it wasn't that she saw Luke as, say, "cute." Or even handsome, if she'd really had a grasp of the idea. Not that he was bad looking... it simply wouldn't've mattered to her either way.
But in this moment ... something about this moment ... in a way that had nothing to do with any physical standards, Xion found him strangely beautiful.
"Luke."
Her smile was warm, tiny and calm, as she leaned up on her tiptoes, lifting a hand to lightly touch -- hold -- his cheek.
Then she leaned in close, and shut her eyes, and kissed him gently, gently, on the lips.
Perhaps she could be so brave, after all.
Never mind |D
It was all Luke could say at that point, really, as Xion held his cheek and stood on her toes. He knew what was coming, and panic settled again - he'd never been kissed before! Not like this! Sure, he'd give kisses on the cheek to his mother but... that was it! Not this!
Those thoughts made him lean his head back just a little, because this was very new and honestly kind of scary. But she made it anyway, and his eyes went wide while his cheeks flamed up even more and his body froze in place. This was... completely different from kisses on the cheek. There was a soft, tingling pressure against his lips which made warmth travel through his body, making him feel a little light-headed. For a moment he couldn't even breathe, couldn't even move, as if the world had shifted and he was just trying to stay balanced until it stopped.
There... wasn't much else that he could do thanks to that.
.................................... /judges quietly...
Well.
This was a little distressing, wasn't it... the fact that he wasn't responding. She felt more than saw Luke freeze up, what with her eyes closed, and though she lingered for a moment... she couldn't help but blink and pull away when she felt no real response. Had she startled him that badly? ... maybe ... he didn't like it?
Abruptly shamefaced and deeply embarrassed, Xion took a step back, lifting her free hand to rub the back of her neck, looking anywhere but at him. In her other arm she shifted his journal and the letter, a nervous gesture.
"S-Sorry. I just... I don't know what I was..."
B|
He liked it. Luke stared ahead, barely even hearing Xion as he raised a hand towards his lips, though he didn't touch them... He glanced down at his hand, and he wondered... What had he been so afraid of? That was...
With that same hand, he reached forward to hold Xion's cheek, just as she did to him, and he followed it a second later. Though he hesitated at first, if only because he wasn't sure if he was doing this right, he still completed the journey and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle, if just slightly awkward, kiss.
Yeah. He really should listen when his mind nudges him to do things next time.
ps you should tag me back on the draft post. B|
It was the only coherent thought in Xion's mind after he caught back up to her, captured her face in the same way and ... and kissed her. It was a little like stars. Something -- something shining and bright, fizzing beneath her skin and making her feel.... making her feel like....
Like not only was everything okay -- but everything was wonderful. Beautiful. Perfect.
Xion leaned right up into that kiss, practically melted into it, and simply sighed, quietly.
I guess we've got a lot to look forward to!
As Xion finally broke the kiss, eyes fluttering open as a tiny, secret smile crossed her face, she couldn't help but think about those words ... and how prophetic they were already turning out to be. They were going to have a future together... hopefully a long, happy one. (With lots of kisses just like that.)
Happy? 8|
Then he remembered how he reacted when she first kissed him. How she reacted... Luke was feeling a little too giddy to feel too bad about it, but he still chuckled quietly, helplessly, and ducked his head to break the eye contact.
"... Sorry about that. I never..."
After those words, however, he lifted his head again, a serious expression on his face as he reached out to take her hands. He wanted to let Xion understand... so that maybe that wouldn't happen again. "Xion, I... I might make a lot of mistakes. I've never done this before..."
mmhmm. :3
Well. He sort of took care of that, by reaching out... even if the look on his face was a little worrisome. She curled her hands in his grip, holding his hands in turn, eyes searching his face. But then he said those words ... and her own eyebrows drew up in a look of some concern.
"Luke... it's okay." I have. But she didn't want to think about that right now. "I might too. But ... we're in this together, right? We'll figure something out."
... that didn't sound right. Xion pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes in thought for a moment. Mistakes... mistakes meant hurt. Pain. Maybe even fear, worry.... but she loved Luke. Even if they got things wrong...
It was only belatedly she realized she'd said those two things aloud. I love you. Even if we get things wrong... Surprised by her own admission, Xion blinked and bit her lip, then continued. "... that's okay. Everyone makes mistakes, right?" She tried to swallow the note of uncertainty. "But ... we'll make them together, and get through them together. Okay?"
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"Okay."
Not every relationship was happy all the time. Luke knew that just from watching Guy and Asch, knowing that they were happy together, but also seeing Asch storm off for time alone (he was even in his head for one of those times), or the two of them being tense around each other... For that matter, how did last week go for them? Luke would have to ask later. Right now, he pushed that thought aside to focus on Xion.
"We'll work together. Then nothing will stop us, right?"
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"Remember what we were saying last week, about corny lines? ... that was pretty corny."
There was a mischievous, teasing look in her eye as she said it -- and slipped her arms around his neck, pressing close to him with a content, happy sigh. "But you're right, corny or not. I'm ... I'm really excited. About the future." The one we're gonna share. But she didn't say that -- just grinned against him. Her wings, though -- they fluttered and flapped, stretching and moving and doing all the dancing for joy that she herself was not.
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And then she hugged him. See now, that wasn't fair, cutting off his defending himself like that. But he still mock scowled, then sighed and rested a hand on top of her head while he looked up at the sky. And at her words, he couldn't help but let the scowl fade in favor of a smile. He was excited, too... Especially since this was his first time ever doing something like this. He knew that Xion had been in a relationship before, but... he would do his best to let her be happy and not let it end like theirs did.
"... Yeah. Heh, and to think we were so scared before all this!" Luke remarked with a light chuckle; oh yes, he had been terrified. And if he was that scared, he's pretty sure Xion felt that way, too. But now...
Now, Luke lightly ruffled her hair as he looked down and offered, "Hey, why don't we go to Seventh Heaven? I don't know if there's anyone there this late at night, but..."
Well, Luke kind of preferred it that way. No customers looking at them, no Sanji to make him nervous and self-aware... Maybe he could even show her what he's learned with the piano.
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Oh what, why so hair ruffling. Xion let out a tiny, undignified squawk, bringing one of her hands back to flatten her hair. In return she stuck her tongue out at him, patting her hair back down at the same time. By the time she got it mostly tamed, he'd made his suggestion, and she had a moment to consider it in thought as she slipped her arm back around his neck.
"It's not that late..." Once more, Xion glanced out to the west. The sun had finally set, and though the world was falling into twilight.... she thought the restaurant would probably still be open. "... but that sounds like a good idea. It'd make a nice, um... first date." The blush was pretty obvious in her voice, if not on her face -- since she was burying that in his chest. At least for a moment, until she managed to look up and smile shyly.
"... but before we go ... can I ask you something?"
She had to. She just had to. It had been on her mind the entire last week... ever since she'd heard his voice. Ever since she'd put her whole heart into singing for him...
"... could you sing for me?"
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Gaaah he had to blush. Well. At least she had her face in his chest so that she couldn't see his own, though he lifted his head just in case.
But then she looked up at him and...
...
"... Sing?" Right there? Right now? With Xion staring at him so expectantly and - and where everyone could hear?
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"I-- I'd just... love to hear your voice, that's all."
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There was probably a whine in that tone of his. His hand fell away from her hair so that he could hang his arms and look just as exasperated as possible, though with how over the top it was... well, considering how emotional Luke is, it's hard to tell whether he's serious or not.
"I don't like singing." And there lay the entire reason behind why he was always so quiet and reluctant while he'd sing. Luke always enjoyed hearing songs and music, but definitely not singing it. He wasn't sure why, it was just... He felt like all eyes would be on him and judging him, and it didn't help that he'd be absolutely embarrassed by the end of it by anyone who listened to him...
But still... The way she was looking at him, and Luke felt those puppy dog eyes staring at him even while he looked up at the sky. It was really hard to say no to those eyes, especially when it was something like singing, even if he didn't like doing it.
So, while he stared at the sky, Luke pursed his lips, then started to hum. It was nothing really comprehensible at first, just a few notes to warm up a bit. And to think of a song. Just the right one for her to hear...
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Xion didn't have time to say anything further. Because then he started to sing, and it just arrested the breath in her chest. His voice was gorgeous, there was no getting around that. And he didn't like to sing?! Somehow, one way or another, Xion would have to cure him of that.
But the very least she could do was complete her thought. Maybe it'd change his mind...
"... it's beautiful. How could you not like it...?"
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"B-Because of stuff like that..." He muttered. And it was the truth: while some praise was practically eaten up by Luke in the past, compliments that were so... deep and genuine would just embarrass him and make him not want it anymore. After so long, it'd sound... fake. And they weren't, he knew it, but he'd just get tired of hearing it. Couldn't he do a mediocre job at it just once? Apparently not.
He leaned against the railing and continued on; "And... I guess I just don't like the way it feels. I want to listen to it, not listen to myself. It hurts my throat, too... It's just annoying when I do it.
"But I guess if you like it..."
That didn't mean he'd suddenly change his mind about singing. It's a viewpoint he held on to for years, one that even crossed over from the way Asch was wired. Neither of them particularly liked singing despite being good at it.
But if she liked it... He'd do it, since she asked. He ducked his head and hummed a few bars, still trying to pick out a song. There were a lot to choose from, yet some weren't even suited for singing, and some just... weren't enough. Not for her. Not for this moment.
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But as she listened to him, watched him turn away, she sighed and moved to stand beside him at the railing, reaching a hand up to card her fingers through his hair from the back. The last thing she wanted was to make him do something he genuinely didn't like. Whatever the reason... it didn't matter. She wouldn't force him. Knowing he was singing when he didn't even want to... when it actually hurt his throat? It wouldn't sound as sweet, somehow.
For a moment more in silence she moved her fingers through his hair, listening to him hum, before she shook her head. "Luke... don't. It's okay. Of course I like it, but... I like it more when you're happy. If you don't want to sing... you don't have to."
She gave his hair an affectionate ruffle before leaning both arms on the railing, leaning forward so she could glance up at his face and smile crookedly. "I'll sing for you. After all... I do like it."
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Come to think of it, it was one of the few times he'd seen his mother and father truly together like that. Other times, they'd seem so... distant. Supporting each other, but at an arm's length. He glanced at Xion, who was saying something, and he couldn't help but wonder if they'd be like that in the future...
He desperately hoped they wouldn't. No, not just hoped; he wouldn't let that happen.
And really... he could handle singing, if it was just for her, if he didn't have to do it too much. Maybe, anyway... He certainly could now, as he looked away from her crooked smile and her offer and answered it with that very same song from his memory, the one that his father and mother shared a rare, affectionate moment to. One that he hoped would stay with him and Xion for... for however long they decided to be together.