[ It never crossed his mind for a second that he'd want to spent his birthday without her. In truths? Cloud now wants to experience these days with everyone that he cares about if he can. But precious little moments like this? These are the ones that are reserved for a certain someone at his side. ]

You'll blow me away somehow.

[ The last time he was here (upon arrival), he didn't take enough time to sightsee properly. In truth, he was scouting the area to assess it for the future. Paying less mind to the quaint little garden and flourishing paths that would soon come now that it was Spring, now that he's been here a few months, he's committed to this world just as Weiss has. Which meant that as they ventured down the hall, expanding into a more scenic path as they pass the garden, the distant heavy scent of steam reaching his senses, it feels like the first time for him too.

Their room is as he'd hoped it would be. A little more extravagant but not quite as jaw-dropping as their snowy escape to Lystellus before. To him, they'd only really be using this room to get comfortable and rest up. Among other things. But that's not on his mind immediately. Stopping when he feels her tugging on his hand, he blinks when she asks for a quick picture.

They've had a couple here to commemorate the little moments, but it's been harder to find "precious" memories like they'd created on Prismatica. This felt like one of the first big escapes for them in a long while. So hearing her ask for a photo again... ]

Sure thing, birthday girl.

[ She can have anything and everything she wants of him. Cloud pulls out his mobile device, wiping the camera lens just in case before realizing that oh- they don't have anyone to take a picture of them. They can just take a selfie! But then, ]

Hang on a sec.

[ Brow furrowing only for a second, he loosens his grip on his phone, only to let go entirely as it begins floating upright in front of him. Slowly, staying upright and properly aimed at them, Cloud begins lowering his hand. 'Kay. Steady. Easy. Sloooowly...... ]

...

[ Cloud's hand drops to his side, leaving the phone to float a good distance in front of them, ready to take their picture. He can't ask the Chocobo Chick to take the shot. And...does the Arma Gigas even know how to use one of these things? Regardless, it took a little concentration in the beginning, but now using his own Kinetic magic, he's keeping the phone afloat and steady with his mind. It's a little harder to do without using his hands as a means to 'conduct'. But. ]

On three?

[ So strike a pose! He'll tap to get the photo when she's ready. And pray he doesn't screw up and drop it. dafkjh ]

[ When she throws her arms around him, he doesn't look down at her the entire time. Only because he's afraid if he loses focus on the phone, it's just gonna drop out of the air. Frankly? He doesn't care if it breaks. It's "borrowed" at this point as far as he's concerned. But still! The less problems they have, the better. Smiling for the camera as he puts an arm around her shoulders, he gets thrown off when she suddenly shouts out "Three!" ]

Wait three-?

[ Subconsciously, the camera flashes midair, taking the shot as he blinks rapidly at the light. It doesn't blind him- he just got caught off guard. But she didn't mess anything up either. Retrieving the phone, he can relax again now that he's not focusing on pushing buttons with his mind. Showing her the shot with his free hand. It's... ]

... .... Oops.

[ They're in the bottom half of the shot practically. Like, chest to head and that's it and the rest is over them. Cloud didn't have the camera angled on them right. It was different when the devices back on Prismatica could focus on them and float for shots... Guess these weren't so advanced. ]

Here. I'll just...

[ Do a regular selfie instead. He tried being cool. ]

Huh? [ Keep it? ] Oh. Okay, then-

[ Cloud was prepared to pull her in by the waist and get the phone aimed up high this time! But instead, he does decide to slip it back into his pocket for now. He'll give it a good look with her later. It's not like they weren't entirely out of the shot or anything. Then she reflects back on Lunatia with him. And while he's still happy, there's a slight sense of morose in his gaze as he briefly sets his eyes onto the night sky ahead of them. Even out here, the stars are shimmering with beauty...

And somewhere out there...maybe, just maybe... ]

Yeah...

[ Prismatica, Remnant, Gaia...they were out there. And it was their job to make sure everyone could get back to where they belong. Even if Cloud feels like he's already found where he belongs- side by side with a certain white-haired girl, wherever their journey may take them. His smile returns as he looks back to Weiss at his side. ]

Gonna have an album's worth by the time we're done.

Mmm- Maybe two or three.

[ Kidding or not, if there's one thing he wants to bring back with them when their journey is over, it's these memories in one form or another. Something to reflect back on and reminisce over. Something to share with their family and friends. And...if the future they saw together is anything like reality down the road, one day...if they really did have a kid...

It still makes him blush to think about. But at the same time, it's a fond recollection that brings a subtle smile to his face too.

If he hadn't just put his device back in his pocket, he would have sent the picture right now. But until then, he'll keep it put! Taking her hand, Cloud takes the lead again, determined to put their things away and maybe flop down on a bed finally. As relaxing as it was to ride out to the little resort, he'd been working hard today on the farm as well, up by 5 in the morning to get everything done with by the time they left tonight. ]

Y'know... Back home, on the northern continent, we had to climb a mountain while we were going after Sephiroth. [ His name is just used in passing. Don't fret! There's a point to the story. ] On the way up, there was a natural spring. Cold as it was up there, one dip and any bumps 'n bruises we took were gone.

[ It had healing properties. Something that definitely came in handy after such an arduous climb to the Northern Crater. ]

They say the red spring here does something like that.

[ Whether it was a quicker restorative process or not was anybody's guess. But when the full moon was out...who knew what would happen? ]

[ Cloud rubs the back of his neck with his free hand, only shooting her a half smile at that. The fact that he wasn't getting all flustered or stammering? He never experienced the spring she was referring to either. But he does recall it with all the business he did across the city. ]

E'yup.

[ "The springs are going to be like a sauna, right?" ]

Huh?

[ "People are going to be clothed?" ]

Aaahh...

[ A B O U T T H A T . . . ]

We might be. But...

[ He can't speak for anyone else. He's at least going with a towel wrapped around his waist when he takes a dip. ]

[ Without her even needing to say anything, he nods with understanding and a sigh through his nose. It's one thing that Weiss was modest when it came to the beach. It's a whole other matter entirely that she didn't want eyes on her for the scars that linger beneath. In the heat of the moment the first time they got together in Prismatica, there was an unspoken sense of trust that formed between them. He didn't reel away when he saw the wound inflicted upon her by Cinder. If anything, compulsion of the three moons aside, he felt a desire to understand her; he would show her that he didn't think anything less for the marring scars.

That didn't mean anybody else should or could see. That was for her to decide. Thanks to Cloud's tendency to overthink a lot, that's what's running through his head when he considers her. ]

Sure. [ He gives her hand a light squeeze. ] You know I ain't for crowds anyway.

[ They'll go when it's quiet! ...and he'll make sure he's got a long enough towel on. So he doesn't have to endure a flustered tsundere "DUMMY!!" barrage. ]

[ Just hearing her thank him and being put at ease is enough for the same feeling to come over him. This is supposed to be a happy getaway, considering what they'll have to come back to eventually. Not just with the eventual decision the King would be making in regards to Celliwig, but as they eventually tackle the future of their own worlds together. One step a time. Just like he promised her they would go about it. ]

This late?

[ A couple of seconds of thought later, their room just down the hall as they walk, ]

Something light. Thinking if they got any chicken dishes...

Y'know lighter than beef.

[ It took some time for Cloud to adjust to Weiss' "baby bird" appetite after everything he had to feed her during Cordis. ]

... Just use less milk or bran?

[ Can't say he doesn't have ideas. ]

Right. Then I'll—

[ "My treat?" ]

[ Fixing her with a cocked eyebrow, he knows that he already agreed to sharing some of the costs with her for this trip, since he couldn't afford everything on his own. It's a relief that Elaine lets them stay on the farm for free, helping with food, upkeep and chores. But it's her birthday getaway! He should be the one treating Weiss to stuff!!! ]

...

[ But instead, he smiles, softly shaking his head before saying, ]

You know it's usually supposed t'be the other way around. [ But as they stop in front of their front door, the blond taking his key to unlock it? ] Alright.

[ Just for added measure as the door slowly swings open, he leans in to plant a kiss to the side of her head. ]

Your treat.

[ His eyes widen, always finding a way to be surprised when she lays any sweet words on him. Anything she can say or do tends to get his heart bumping faster than before, color coming to his face. Sure enough, Cloud stands there by the doorway while she goes in to put her stuff down. More specifically though... ]

Hm.

[ He quietly follows her in, watching her busy herself with checking the room out. And when she goes to check the fridge? After a remark like earlier? It's not easy to say something without making her tsundere huffy; he's a treat to look at...and checking her ass out? Weiss is already a snack. But he keeps that to himself with a tug of the corner of his lips, averting his gaze nonchalantly when she gets up to go check out the bathroom while he sets his own bag down. ]

Huh?

[ Following Weiss' voice, he curiously steps in behind her to see the natural steam rising up from outside their room. There's a walkway leading down to it and everything! It's small, of course. Enough for maybe two or three people. But what can you expect from a private spring? ]

... might not need a towel after all.

[ CLOUD. ... Get 'er. ]

[ The best part about what he just said? Cloud wasn't specifically implying doing more than take a dip in the spring. Their privacy and Weiss' choice to conceal her scar was still the most important thing. ...but that also wasn't going to stop him from thinking about it. That's his girlfriend! And if he's going to treat her like the princess she deserves to be treated as? He's gonna pull out all the stops. That, and he'd want to anyway. ]

Yes ma'am,

[ as if he's totally listening to her as she huffily escapes back towards the desk. Just like that, as if nothing happened, he takes a soft breath to calm himself, sitting down at the edge of the bed. ]

Any luck?

Innovative name.

[ Yes, he's being sarcastic. But Cloud's not gonna reprimand them for it either. It only makes sense! ...he did name his own delivery business after himself, after all. Leaning back on his hands when Weiss sits down next to him, they bump shoulders before she places the menu in his lap. Using his free hand, it's already on the page with all the "light" meals on it so he keeps it open and in his lap as he skims through a few options.

He usually doesn't eat many fried foods, but given how hard Cloud works anyway...yeah there's not much that'll soften that body of his anytime soon. He's in his prime. So guess what? ]

I'm thinking... Fried chicken fingers with chips.

[ Thanks to staying in Camelot long enough, he's figured out "chips" are not, in fact, potato chips. ...well. They are. Just. He'd call them "fries" back home. ]

Let's grab something to drink while we're at it.

[ Cloud never drinks around Weiss (or much at all anymore), but just like their belated Valentine getaway all that time back? It's more a formality sip than getting their socks knocked off. ]