fourteen | oo34 [ voice // action ]

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oo34 [ voice // action ]

[ Today is a big, big day for Xion. Though she'd planned to do ... what she's about to do ... from the start, her original plans had never included the journal. Not on Valentine's Day!

But strangely enough, she seems to have forgotten there's any inherent risk to using the journal today... and since it's such a big day, she wants to be positive she'll catch him. So early in the morning, before school, she'll toss this filter up. ]

( Filtered to Luke | Locked 100% )

Hey, Luke...? Could you meet me outside after school? I have-- um... I wanted to talk to you.

[ She'll leave it at that, and not wait for a reply -- or even look for one later. It's too nerve wracking! Instead she'll fidget herself through her school day, doing something rather unusual for her -- paying exactly zero attention in all of her classes. She's a little too busy playing out in her mind all the ways this can go horribly, terribly wrong.

... and maybe, just maybe, the one way it can go right.

Yes, today is a day Xion will be making repeated and valiant efforts not to blush.

Anyway, after school, true to her word she'll be waiting not far from the entrance to the building, fussing with the bag she's got strung over her shoulder. She keeps reaching into it, to fiddle with something in there... but she doesn't take that something out.

She looks very nervous, and a little flushed. Do feel free to bother her. ]

(ooc; HEY GUYS - EVENT MUSIC! SING ALONG!

ps this post will require sending time and space off a cliff but that is totally okay. will get to backtags slowly, hooray for next two days off! happy valentine's day!!)

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[It. Is. Too. Early. For Luke to be getting messages. Thus, even for Xion, he stares blearily at the journal before he rubs his eyes and waves his hand dismissively as he answers:]

All right, I'll be there.

[And he gets up... only to look at the journal again. He still feels very groggy, but- oh goodness. Oh goodness, Xion wants to meet him! Luke has to smile as he goes to get his clothes for school, and he's already feeling more awake! How long had it been since he's seen her? A couple of days?

Luke will spend the day looking out the window and thinking about her, and probably needing his attention snapped to the lessons again. And in the classes she's in - he can't help but smile if they happen to catch each other's eyes. But for the most part, he just keeps his head down and tries to hide a blush.

All throughout the day, too, Luke has been very careful with whatever's in his backpack. He usually never carries a backpack, since he keeps whatever he needs at the school itself, but today... Today, he has something that he's trying to take care of. That he's doing his best to not ruin, and every now and then one can see him leaning over his seat to open his backpack and make sure whatever's in there is healthy.

Luke will try not to appear too excited when the last class is dismissed. Though he still has to stay behind, just to make sure that whatever he keeps looking at is safe.]

[ Yeah, see, she would have sneaked the occasional glance at him, but only when she was positive he wasn't looking. The waiting was torture! Stupid school.

She made it out the door before he did, if only because she couldn't stand to be cooped up inside for one more moment, especially being unable to talk to him...

So after waiting for a moment or two outside, she'll succumb to her nerves and the desire to know and check the filter she made in the morning. OHGODHEREPLIED oh god, her poor nerves. This is too much. In case- ]

I- I'm already outside, if you're still...

[ trails off. Oh god, she can't do this!! sdlkghadkjs fidget. fidget fidget. ]

[And just a few seconds after she trails off, Luke walks outside, holding his backpack very carefully in one hand while he lifts the other one to wave.]

Xion! Xion, hey!

[Luke really is happy to see her, and for a moment his nerves go away enough for him to move closer to her with a grin. Freedom from school and just getting to be with her are enough to make his entire day.

The only way it could be better is if she likes what he has to offer her. And asldkfjf oh god the thought of that - he looks down at the backpack shifts his hold on the strap he's carrying. Please, pleeease make her happy, pleeeease.]

[ she's tries to help this all day. really, she has. all day! and she was managing it!

... but now a blush overtakes her face, and she doesn't even bother trying to force it back down. she's beaming as much as he is. it's wonderful to see him smile like that, anyway. he always makes her happy...

um. self-consciously shifting her bag, watching the other kids drift away from the building. ] Hey, Luke. How are you? [ she'll tilt her head in the direction of the fountain, indicating he should follow her over there as she starts walking. ]

[Luke understands that gesture, and he'll walk with her - by her side at that, though he keeps the arm holding the backpack still, as if he's trying not to jostle the bag too much.]

I'm good... Great! How about you? [Then again, how can he feel anything but happy right now? She always makes him happy.]

[ she just laughs. ] Glad school is out. I just couldn't focus today. [ .... er. for obvious reasons. in a self-conscious motion she tucks her hair behind her ear. ANYWAY, once they reach the fountain, she'll ... set her bag down on the edge. it's better not to delay this, or she'll lose her nerve completely.

... fidget. bites her lip for good measure. then she takes a deep breath to steady her nerves and gives him a little smile. ]

... you know, I asked you to meet me for a reason.

[Luke couldn't help but laugh quietly at that. Couldn't focus today?]

Ha, I can't focus any day. [It's true, even though the poor boy tries his best. But those classes, especially math and science... they always go way over his head.

Once they reach the fountain, Luke slowly sets his bag on the edge, too, and he edges one of his hands around to unzip it. Just enough so that he can take out whatever's in there, but not enough for the front flap to fall open to reveal what it's hiding.

As he does this, though, he can't help but look at her curiously.]

You wanted to talk to me about something?

[ You know, on any other day she might tease him about that, or even offer her notes. But today is not the day for actually thinking about school. For a moment she looks down again, barely able to contain the mix of excitement and fear and nervous anticipation.

... please, please let him like this ... ]

Well ... you know what day it is, right? I... um, I wanted to...

[ Oh, heck with it. With a rather do or die air about her, she reaches into her bag and pulls out a small box of chocolates. The box is red (and logo-less), and the bow a deep brown. Very shy (and very red), Xion holds the box out to him while ducking her head, slightly. ]

... Happy Valentine's Day? [ her ears are red, she's blushing so hard. ]

... Y-Yeah. I, uh...

[And right as she reaches into her bag, he does, too, and he pulls out a pot containing three blue iris unguicularis, and growing alongside and between them are long blades of grass. Of course, they're in the nicest soil he could find, and they happened to be one of the few winter blooming flowers that he could think of to give to her.

He holds out the pot of flowers to her and ducks his head just as she holds out the chocolates to him, so at first, he doesn't even realize she's holding anything out.]

... These are for you.

[-He says at about the same time she wishes him a happy Valentine's Day. Luke lifts his head up again in confusion and - red box. Small red box. That she's giving to him.

He turns just about as red as the box, and he awkwardly keeps holding on to the pot of flowers, seeing how he's holding it with both hands and now isn't really sure what to do. You'd think he could just swap it to one hand, but that thought hasn't quite occurred to him yet.]

... Xion?

[ ... no way.

Is this really happening? For real? ... How long has she known about her feelings for him? Since early January? A long while... but she kept quiet all this time out of fear. Fear he didn't feel the same way, fear she'd ruin everything if she said anything... fears about Riku.

But that all dissolves now. She doesn't seem to notice his awkward -- she's too stunned. She steps forward and curls the flowerpot into her arms, still holding the chocolates with one hand, not really thinking. She cradles the pot against her chest, still just ... shocked into silence. Briefly she shuts her eyes and takes in the sweet scent of the flowers, almost overwhelmed. They're beautiful. Then she opens her eyes again and stares at him, still floored. ]

... please tell me this means what I think it means. Luke... you-- why did you...?

[ also bro please take the chocolates this position is awk. ]

[Yes, taking the box now, and opening it too. Chocolates... Really good looking ones, too, like the ones that he'd sometimes get while he was still in the manor, back then... Luke almost reaches inside with the intent to eat them already, but he's snapped out of it once Xion speaks again.

Wasn't there some other reason he wanted to give those to her? Besides what he's thinking now? ... No way, how could he think of anything else?

But... What should he say? All this time, he's kept his feelings tightly under lock and key with the fear of ruining their friendship, this remarkable thing that they have... For fear of scaring Xion away, fear of getting himself into something that might hurt him.

Not to mention Guy had said not to rush things, and it honestly wasn't that long ago that he helped him figure out just what he was feeling. A crush? No, Luke has the feeling that this is much more than those silly feelings he'd get around one of the maids sometimes, those feelings that'd make him fidget and blush when Tear would look at him for too long.

He takes in a deep breath:]

I... I wanted to make you happy. [Yes, there's that, but come on Luke:] And you... like flowers, right? [... Yes, there's that, but come on Luke:] So...

[... Come on, Luke.]

Um, what do you... think it means? I-It might be that.

[... Closer.]

[ ... it's real.

It's real.

Full to bursting with more emotions than she can begin to even sort out, much less name, she very gently sets the flowers down on the edge of the fountain, between their bags. She wants her arms free.

Once they are, she'll close some of the distance between them, hands settling lightly on his arms -- though they flutter a bit, unsteady, like she isn't sure where she wants to put them. It's a little reminiscent of that day on the bridge...

It's not a comparison she minds.

Her eyes search her face for a breathless, endless moment, as she makes the snap decision whether or not to tell him everything. He got her flowers on Valentine's Day -- beautiful, sweet blue flowers, more perfect than she could have dreamed of. How does he keep doing that? Giving her, being, exactly what she wants?

There's something that compels her on -- something she can't name. Had she intended to do it exactly like this all along? ... does it matter? ]

Luke, I ... I like you. [ the words come out in a rush. ] ... as more than a friend.

[Luke keeps the chocolate in one hand, as if he's not really sure what to do with them now that Xion's close, but with the other, he covers one of her hands - and, just like her, it hovers a bit over her hand before it rests there. He's a little unsure, still, but... this is happening now. There's no backing out of this, no turning back - why would he want to?

There's a soft intake at her words - She... really? She likes him? Like that? The same way that he... But suddenly, things are made clear: The blushing, the singing, the chocolates. Was he really that oblivious to it all?

... Yes. Yes, he was, and he's such an idiot. Guy would be laughing right now if he saw him - why the hell is he thinking about Guy? Luke stares for a moment longer... then lets out a soft, relieved laugh, at his own stupidity and just... over all of this.]

Heh heh... I'm pathetic. I didn't even realize... [... Luke you are not answering her question - man up already.] I... [And in a rush:] I like you too. In... that way.

[ She shuts her eyes when she hears the words, her smile soft. Strangely, she isn't really blushing anymore, though that's likely to change within the next moment. It's really just...

It's warm and it's real. This isn't some daydream or half-imagined hope. This is really happening to her and...

Xion opens her eyes, letting out a slow breath. Then she slips into his arms and loosely curls her arms around his neck. In a murmur: ]

You're not pathetic. You're...

[ mine.

Well, she doesn't think of it in exactly that fashion. But the sentiment is true enough.

She hardly knows where to begin. What does she say? Do? She doesn't even care if anyone sees now. She's past caring. So far past. ]

I... [ she starts to laugh. ] You know, this is why I couldn't focus today!

[Luke still isn't sure what to do with the chocolates, but that doesn't matter right now; Once Xion holds him around the neck, Luke brings his arms up just lightly, still a little unsure, not of his own feelings or if this is right or wrong, but if he's able to do this right.

... But this isn't supposed to be hard. Isn't that what this kind of thing is about? Just doing what you think is right, even if it might be wrong, and going from there? Besides, this is what Luke has been wanting to do for a long time.

He raises his arms fully to hold her; his free hand finding its way to her hair, and the other arm just holding her loosely by the shoulder blades. Is this okay - No, he shouldn't be asking himself that. It's okay.]

Heh... I kind of noticed. But I didn't think that was why!

[ She's been held in his arms before -- of course. They've had so many emotional moments it's only natural. But this ... this feels different. Shockingly so. Her chest is tight and full and light and the feeling is dizzying, like she might just fall over if he wasn't holding her the way he is.

Xion laughs against his neck, unable to bring herself to look at him just yet. ]

I could barely meet your eyes! I was trying so hard all day not to blush... I felt like I'd give it away! You know... [ more softly ] I've known I liked you for a while now. I'm just ... I'm glad. I'm really, really glad you feel the same way. I was a little scared you wouldn't... [ nnngh. cling.

ps bro just. stick the chocolates in your pocket or something, that's gotta be kinda awkward. ]

A while?

[Well now, that makes him blush a little. He shuts his eyes and attempts to hide it by pressing his cheek against her hair - that is not the way you hide a blush, Luke. But even with the heat in his cheeks, he still can't stop that big smile from coming across his face. This is really happening. It's real.]

You know... I have, too. So I guess we don't have to be scared anymore!

[Well, that's not entirely true. This kind of thing is still scary, but it's not nearly as daunting as Luke originally thought. He feels like he can take whatever's coming his way now.

Also, the chocolates are fine where they are. Rather, he'll set them aside later, when he realizes that he does, in fact, have pockets. Right now he's just... caught up in this light, blissful and almost nerve-wracking feeling to even remember.]

[ She knows that, too. The scariest things are yet to come. With that thought in mind she shifts slightly so she can actually look at him, though makes no move to leave his arms. She brings one of her hands back so she can lightly touch his face, her smile very soft, the tiniest bit anxious.

... at least, for a moment. Just looking at him relaxes her fears, soothing away the worry. For now, at least. For now. It's difficult to feel anything other than ... warm. Just... very warm.

What she wants to do is kiss him on the cheek, but ... that might be a little forward. Gosh, so scandalous, these Replicas. Instead she takes his free hand, pressing it to her cheek with a contented little him very briefly shutting her eyes. ... then an idea occurs to her, and she opens them back up, smiling in a way that is a tiny bit mischievous. ]

... does this mean I can get you to sing for me again?

[Oh my gosh, were you going to kiss his cheek, how scandalous. But what she does next is just as good, and he almost lifts up his other hand to press it against her other cheek but - oh, right, chocolates. Well. Then he'll lean his head forward - hesitate, and... lean his forehead against hers, and shuts his eyes with a smile.

This is... nice. There's still just a bit of fear, but right now... this is nice. Really nice... And Luke hadn't really expected it to be like this.

... And then she says that, and his eyes snap open, then narrow in a mock glare.]

What? No way! Jeez, pretty soon I'm gonna think you only like me for my voice.

[That is totally not true, but the fact that he said that out loud, "you like me", makes another blush rise up. She likes him.]

[ what is he -- agh! agh! what is he doing, with the .... with the leaning. when he looks at her he might see that she's really spectacularly red and looks a little dazed. with the leaning and the forehead touchy...

ahem. she gives her head a little shake, then grins anew. ]

Maybe I do! It's all part of my ... um, plan. [ a giggle. ] Not even one little song?

[ she does. very much, Luke fon Fabre. she's gonna let his hand down, though still entwine her fingers with his -- and smile a little more genuinely. ]

Come on, let's get out of the cold.

[He nods his agreement, and - aaah, hand holding, and it means so much more now. Luke can't help letting the mock glare fade away and to smile instead as he finally pockets the chocolates to free his arm up and take the backpack he brought with him. Once Xion takes the flowers and her bag, Luke begins to walk, swinging their entwined hands lightly between them. He's heading to his house, because... even with Natalia gone, it's still one of the places where Luke feels the most comfortable.

And now that they're walking, Luke tilts his head to keep up their light, playful banter, though he can't bring himself to glare again.]

Oh, sure, first you'll get me to do one little song, but what about after that?

[ oh Luke, with the hand swinging. But it makes her smile quite a bit, so she rolls with it. It's fun! Th flowers are once again safely ensconced against her body, held by her other arm, so there's no danger of those getting jostled around. Though when Luke makes that comment, her smile broadens, and she bumps her shoulder lightly against him. ]

I dunno, maybe a whole opera? I know you could do it, too! You just don't want to. [ sticks her tongue out at him. ]

An opera? Please; I'm not going to wear some fancy tight outfit and make glass shatter around me!

[He leans toward her, enough to bump her shoulder with just a little more force than she did to him, and sticks his tongue back out at her like a mature teenager. Honestly, he likes operas well enough, but jeez, they're over dramatic. And are a little too into it.

But even with that, Luke still grins and even chuckles lightly. This is... fun. Really fun! And nice, and warm, and... there's really no other way to describe it.]

[ ........... Luke in some fancy tight outfit ....................

omg she just. starts. to laugh. she cannot help it! brb, dissolving into giggles for years and years. she'll just lean against him a little now as they walk, giving his hand a squeeze. ]

Is that what people in operas wear? I didn't know! I only heard about them recently... Still, if you won't sing, I'll have to do enough singing for the both of us, you know.

[ she's quite serious. glancing up at him with a ... totally ... serious face ... okay, that face isn't very serious. in fact it's full of affection and ... well. she can't really help how utterly taken she is with him, and it shows. ]

[Well, all that Luke's really seen were pictures, though he's heard them sing from the fonograph by his bedside. Still, that was enough to give him a good idea of what goes on during an opera, and it's not impressive at all.

When Xion looks up at him with that look on her face... He blushes, just slightly, but still smiles back with that same amount of affection, then shakes his head and tips his head back with a grin. He's shut his eyes, but he trusts Xion to lead him properly.]

Actually, I wouldn't really mind that.

Edited 2011-02-14 10:22 (UTC)

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