middaeg | [closed] and should the sky be filled with fire and smoke

[Zack isn't usually one to buy gifts for people. He feels like he's pretty shit at making those sorts of decisions. But the new shop opening up has a lot of hustle and bustle so he decides to at least check it out. He's not really expecting it to be as fancy as it is. And he's not expecting to see Aqua here either.]

Aqua, hey. Fancy seeing you here.

[He glances up at the strange-looking plant.]

What is it? Some sort of witch charm?

Zack.

[ Aqua feels her heart leap in her chest. The last time she'd seen him was on their date. The memory of it all still felt so vivid to her.

She looks back to the plant, shaking her head. ]

I don't know. ... I'm a little surprised you don't recognize it.

[ He's been here much longer than she has. ]

It could be a plant that's also native to the shopkeeper's world.

[He hasn't seen much mistletoe anywhere and who knows if this sort of plant even exists or not in his own homeworld. Zack peers at it and he can't seem to sense any magic on it? At least for now?]

Yeah, maybe. It seems pretty popular around here, though. I wouldn't be surprised if it was some sort of charm.

[He glances at her and smiles a bit. It's nice to run into her like this.]

[ She smiles at that. ]

From what I know, this is a time for cheer for a lot of the people from another world. This could be a part of that.

[ She doesn't realize that what she had just said had been overheard by someone else. They stop then, glancing at the both of them with a rather quizzical look. ]

You don't know? It's tradition to kiss under the mistletoe if you stand under it with someone else.

[Zack is taken off guard by that and he whirls around to look at the person with an expression.]

What, really? That's what it's about?

[He knew that this place had a lot of quirky traditions but this one? ... It's kind of hilarious. Zack lets out a small laugh and then looks back at Aqua with a small playful smirk.]

Well? What do you say?

[ Aqua's eyes widen at that - her heart jumping in her chest as she feels her face heat up. ]

--I-- Here? [ The words just sort of slip out. Look, how could she not be at least a little nervous?

She isn't saying no at all, though. ]

Sure, it's a tradition, right?

[He's ready to smooch. If she really wants to, that is. Zack's smirking.]

... You're right.

[ And... she really wants to - mistletoe or not. ]

Alright. Let's do it.

[Don't notice how that wolf tail of his starts to swish swish swish ...]

Just one kiss.

[He lifts a finger as if he's counting it before he steps closer. His finger catches her chin and he smiles softer.]

[ For a moment, Aqua finds herself breathless - a hand moving to his shoulder, fingers bunching around fabric as she pushes herself closer to Zack. Their foreheads touch, and Aqua offers a teasing smile.

She can feel herself grow a little more bolder with each passing moment. ]

Just one?

[Wow- It's been a while since he's felt his heart doki like that. It's soft.]

Well... Unless you want more than just one.

[He leans closer, not quiet touching lips to hers yet. But definitely hovering closer to steal one soon. His hands hold and rest on her hips.]

... I'd like that.

[ It's Aqua that closes the distance between them - tilting her head in order to press her lips against his in a soft, gentle kiss. It's just as warm as she remembers, and despite his lips feeling a bit rough against hers - it makes her heart swell.

... Never mind how her wings flap a little in response. ]

[He honestly hadn't been expecting her to close the last of the tiny space between them. But it's a pleasant surprise. One that makes him curl his arms closer around her body to tuck her close, his bangs falling over one cheek as he moves into the kiss. His wings quiver and if he were a witch he's sure that some sort of electric tingle would be rocketing over his arms.

She's warm. With this sweet kindness that makes his heart tick as soon as they kissed. He lingers there, wondering how much of this he's allowed to take. Kissing her softly and more surely than the first time.]

[ She makes a soft sound in surprise when she's pulled closer - but it's a welcome surprise, one that she can't help but want to savor. She pushes herself closer, hand leaving his shoulder to cup his cheek instead. Despite how chilly it is outside, she doesn't feel cold at all.

This isn't the first time they've kissed, but it's no less overwhelming and wonderful than the first time they had done it. But, even with all her inexperience - it doesn't feel daunting or difficult at all. She can't help but wonder if it's because of who she's sharing the kiss with. ]

[It's sort of like all his problems melt away when she presses closer. This little pocket of heat that grows between them until that's all he can hear and feel. His tail is still swishing gently to the pace of his heartbeat.

He's still not quite sure what draws him to her. This beautiful, kind, strong woman that he's barely known for a few months. She says she's met him before, in another life, and he wonders how far that actually goes or if it's deep at all.

He's not sure he deserves such a sweet kiss but he's going to take it without much more regret.

When they part he keeps his nose close, eyes locked down on her and swimming with amused affection.]

Better than that first kiss, I think. But just by a bit.

[ Both her mind and her heart is still racing from the kiss. There's a part of her that already wants to indulge in another, but she also has so much to say. It's strange though - she feels breathless, but they really hadn't been kissing long at all.

She rests her forehead against his, eyes laughing. ]

Just a little.

[ But, more seriously: ]

... Zack, that was amazing

[ She pushes herself away. ]

Can we find some place to talk?

[It's kinda nice how he can bend just enough to press their foreheads together. It's comfortable like the mould of her body belongs right there.

He grins lopsidedly when she speaks and then nods, pulling away enough so they can find a place to do just that.]

Yeah, sure. There's something more I want to talk to you about.

[There's somewhere quiet to sit around somewhere.]

Alright.

[ What could it be about? Could they both want to speak to one another about the same thing.

She walks with him until they find a place to sit, making herself comfortable next to him. ]

Edited 2019-12-21 05:27 (UTC)

[At least it's on a bench in a quiet place were nosy patrons can't bother them or listen in. He'd rather not snap at someone for that today.]

Did you have a good time at the Masquerade?

[Yeah, he'll start with that.]

Edited 2019-12-27 21:41 (UTC)

[ For a moment, her expression shifts - falling a little. Her mind can't help but go back to Vanitas, and well -- how he'd deceived her. However, she offers a soft smile after a moment. ]

Zack, you showed me a wonderful time.

[Zack gives her a curious look. It's hard to miss the way she looks a little down for a second?]

Are you sure?

.... Yes. [ She's not going to lie to him, though. ] I ran into someone who had caused trouble for me and my friends at home.

But, despite that - I'm still glad that I came with you.

Edited 2019-12-30 01:05 (UTC)

[He has to raise an eyebrow at that. He looks at her and frowns slightly.]

If there is someone here who's going to cause trouble for you, you can tell me who it is.

[Protective chimera is proctective--]

Aside from that, have you made any bonds yet?

Thank you, but - I don't think he's going to try to cause any trouble for us here. ... Besides, I've dealt with him before. I will again, if I need to.

[ LOOK... she can totally fight her own battles. ]

Yes. With my friends, though... One of them is temporary - in case her best friend arrives here.

[Doesn't mean he can't still feel protective?! Which will probably only heighten if she agrees to his next few questions.]

Still, I don't like the idea of someone bothering you and yours.

[Zack frowns and looks at her with a somewhat contemplative expression.]

Aqua, I don't know what you want from the two of us. But... whatever is happening with you and me? All I know is I want more of it. Even if that means getting into your trouble.

Edited 2020-01-01 18:07 (UTC)

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