[ That pillow? Yeeted off the edge of the bed, just in time for Weiss' fingers to start wiggling into his sides. ]

No shit— no...!

[ It's more the action itself and his guard being down that gets him, as his legs kick and he tucks his arms against his sides in another feeble attempt to get Weiss' assault to stop. ]

[ "Tell me no one more time!" ]

No.

[ Rolling onto his side so he's facing her properly, Cloud fights the urge to laugh as his hand shoots up to her exposed neck, his approach lighter than the way she's jamming her fingers against him. Why? Because feathers tickle way more than scratchy fingers.

Coochy-coo. ]

Too bad! Not your birthday yet.

[ This time it's Cloud's turn to roll over towards her. Bracing himself on his forearm, he leans over her body as gradually, his assault slacks as she surrenders. A soft chuckle escapes him as he collects his breath. The hand that was under her chin shifts then as he stares down at his girlfriend. Is that a smug little smirk on his face?

Most certainly, backed by him running a hand through her bangs as he sweeps them to the side to get a better look at her. ]

I win.

[ Whether she planned on saying anything or not, Cloud wasn't going to let this opportunity pass him by. He won! So he's due for a prize, lowering himself down until their lips meet with a kiss, soft and lingering. ]

That. And...

[ He only averts his gaze for a fleeting moment before looking right back up at her. ]

Just. Here. Like this, even after Prismatica... I still found you.

Uh huh...

[ Cloud's arms move, one around the center of her back and the other lingering on the small of her back as she lays against him. ]

You too.

[ Too bad, Weiss. Because the second that he hears and feels her exhale and nuzzle against him, he's keeping those eyes of his closed. It's like he thought earlier. If they wind up passing out, he'll hear the door when room service comes! But it's only half-on his mind right now, with how comfortable he is. If they didn't plan on taking a dip in the spring or having a snack for the night, he might have just slowly pulled the covers over them and let them lay here like this......... ]

— — —

[ Knock. Knock. Knock. ]

...?

[ The two were only passed out for maybe ten minutes before room service arrived. With Weiss still cozily resting on top of him, true to his hunch, he wakes up first. SOLDIER or not, that's something that's always stuck with him. Realizing she's still breathing so softly, he thinly smiles before very slowly shifting. Mindful not to just let the huntress flop onto the bed, he slides out of bed before carefully standing up at the bedside. There, he has to take a moment to just...watch her. So peaceful in her sleep, like an angel that he can't look away from until, ]

Ah-

[ Knock. Knock. "Room service!" ]

[ Sneaking his way to the front door, he thanks the staff member whose brought along their food and drink. Silver plating wide enough to hold everything on it, Cloud speaks with a hush that he'll take it from here. ... What? They don't need to know that Weiss is fast asleep! Placing the plate down on the table opposite the bed as the deliverer leaves, he casts his gaze back over his shoulder to the sleeping Weiss. ]



... ....

[ "There aren't any rules about eating while swimming."

An idea springs to mind as he starts sneaking around their room, occasionally looking back to Weiss on the bed whenever he'd slip out to into the back. He hasn't changed entirely, stripping down to just his vest and pants with none of the excess gear, by the time he finally sits down on the side of the bed. He can't help the dusted blush on his cheeks, or the smile on his face when he reaches out to stroke her hair. ]

Weiss?

[ Please actually wake up this time adskfjh ]

Just for a few minutes.

[ He patiently waits by her side, relaxed but also eager. Cloud's not the best at surprises, so he'll just come right out with it and tell her. ]

Still up for a dip in the back? There's a surprise waiting.

Mighta been closer to ten...

[ Still! They weren't asleep for long. And it didn't take him much time to get ready himself. He hasn't changed entirely yet, waiting for whatever Weiss wants to do. Either they take a dip in private with no clothes and a towel, or with him sporting trunks. Tugging on his hand, he's tempted to pull right back to get her to stop.

But it's just the two of them, right? Nobody was going to see them, regardless of the order they decided to go about doing things. ]

Alright. We'll hafta change after, but...

[ He takes the lead this time, squeezing her hand as he leads her out the back of their hotel room. Down the path towards the spring, what's waiting for them wasn't taken from plain sight or anything. ]

Thought I'd try things your way.

[ On a silver platter, is the plate of Fried Chicken Fingers & Chips, an extra plate on the side, and the two Strawberry Sunrises, so vibrant in color. All waiting for them at the water's edge. ]

Right?

[ When she suggests putting her hair up, he lightly smiles before briefly pulling her in for an embrace. Another kiss to the top of her head later, ]

Your call, birthday girl.

[ But the two are of the same mindset! He lets go of her hand and starts making his way back up to their room. ]

I'll just go slap on a towel.

[ Whether he strips and changes in front of her or not, they'd best hurry while the strawberry sunrise was cool and the food warm. ...though at this point, the snacks were second fiddle to just getting in a private spring with his girlfriend. ]

[ Weiss has a tendency to knock his socks off on a frequent basis. In all truths, Cloud was just keen on putting his best foot forward when it came to his girlfriend. At first, he would always worry if he was doing something wrong or not doing enough. These days? Those worries were becoming an ever-so distant piece of the past; safe to say that he was a lot more confident in introducing Weiss to new things and taking the initiative to try and surprise her.

With Weiss occupying the bathroom, he decides to strip down in the bedroom. There's no one else here anyway! Towel in hand, by the time Weiss emerges, he's already folded up his clothes and left them on an unoccupied chair by a small table. He can't help but blush slightly at the sight of her with a towel hugging her. She usually left the bathroom dried and sporting a nightie, and he's seen her in far less. But it's the context and mood! They're going out there to relax and there's a fleck of romance to it all, yet it's enough to make him blush. She's gorgeous.

In the near half-year they've spent in this world, Cloud's lean and ripped figure has filled out a little more. All the hard farm labor and training without his original strength has broadened his shoulders out some more, and defined his muscles further. And all he's got is a little towel around his waist. Cloud's gonna feel that chill from outside in a few moments when he pulls open the glass door with Weiss. ]

Hey.

[ Once they're down by their private spring again, he decides to waste very little time in getting in. Smoothly dipping into the refreshing waters, his shoulders relax as he turns around to look up at Weiss. Before he goes to sit down or get settled, he'll hold out his hand for her. She doesn't have to necessarily take it, but it's there for her so that she doesn't need to worry about slipping! He'll catch her. ]