[ It's back to her fingers in his hair. She really loves doing this. She wants to provide him comfort and companionship. Even little things like this make her feel good about herself because she knows Cloud likes it when she does it. ]
On a vacation? I think we deserve the time off.
[ She knows she does! Even just for a few days, she wants to think of nothing else but Cloud and herself. It's important to rest and recuperate so that they can be stronger when problems and challenges arise again. ]
[ His face twists into a mock frown, brow furrowed before he finally chuckles. Just when Weiss slides on down so she can be facing him, he doesn't wrap an arm underneath her yet. Instead, he's got them tucked against his chest, shimmying a little closer to her, listening intently. ]
You will.
[ Does he even need to say it? That if he has to, he's going to defy reality if it means he can jump to her world and save her. To help save Remnant as a whole. Not because he doesn't have faith in Weiss and her team. But for all the selfish reasons in the world. Cloud wants to see her. He can't imagine another day without or; if they're apart, he has to know she's at least still there. She can overcome the "end" that awaits them. Whether that involves him or not, he trusts her. He believes in her. ]
Whether I get to you first or not, I'm never giving up on this.
[ With Cloud so close, she can't help but roll closer until she's clinging to him and most of her weight is on him. She doesn't want to think about what might happen in Remnant now, but she can't help but be happy that he would support her no matter what. This is why he's her hero. ]
Please don't.
[ Weiss doesn't like to ask too much of Cloud. She wants to be the one to exert effort for him because he's done so much for her. This, though, is something she can't help but plead for. She needs him, and desperate to cling to him and be around him, she hopes that he would grant her this wish. Let her be selfish just once. ]
[ With Weiss rolling closer, that's his cue to wrap his arms around her properly. In truth, it's only been five minutes since they placed the order for room service. As far as he's concerned? They can take their time if it meant he could revel in moments like this a little longer. Even if the two were to find themselves nodding off, Cloud was the lighter sleeper of the two. He could hear the knock with ease if they happened to power nap. ]
You won't... [ His hand slides up to the back of her head as she clings to him, shifting until she's comfortably resting against his chest. If it weren't for her hair done up in the braid, his fingers would be threading through her wavy locks by now. Sucking in a breath, the sigh he lets out is even. He wouldn't tremble this time. Between seeing her in that vision of another reality down in Lightless, the helplessness of watching her be felled by Cinder in Mistral, and the dark path her world is going down as her loved ones fall... ]
Love you too damn much to let you go.
[ This is more than just his vow to protect everything that he cherishes, never letting his friends down ever again. The connection he shares his family... Tifa, Marlene, Denzel; they're just as important to him as they were before. Weiss breached that feeling into something deeper and more precious. Something that, if he really did fail, there'd be no putting him back together again. Not the same as he was before. Because Weiss would always have a piece of his heart with her.
Always. As long as he remembers her, or this red-jeweled brooch bestowed upon him stays in his grasp, Cloud will always have a beacon guiding him back. ]
[ Love. Weiss has felt it before, certainly. Winter cared for Weiss so much, and even though she was strict with her upbringing of her sister, it was never harsh. Winter always wanted the best for Weiss, and having her around was one of the most comforting feelings in the world. Of course, Weiss loves her mother, too. They've grown apart, but she's still her mother. As unfortunate as it was that Willow succumbed to alcoholism due to what's happened between her and Jacques, Weiss never stopped caring about her.
Family is weird. And complicated. Weiss can never describe it prettily, and she doesn't think she ever could.
The love she feels for Cloud is different. And as she pulls away slightly to be able to look at him, she realises this herself. He's always made her feel special in a way that her family didn't do. He would do things for her without asking for anything in return. And it's sometimes why she feels obligated to do something back. It's an involuntary response from someone who's always had to do things for others in order to get something she wants. It's so strange, and so new, but at the same time? It makes her feel so happy and so light. And all the more she wants to make him happy. Not because she'll be punished otherwise, but because she's happy when he is. ]
Your eyes are a little different now, but I still like them.
[ Hah. She doesn't mean anything bad by it! Just an honest observation. ]
Your nose is still cute, though. And I think my hand fits really well in yours. Holding your hand is the best.
[ She smiles up at him before moving closer again to cling to him. Breathing in deep and taking in his scent, basking in the warmth he brings, she can't help but confess: ]
It's the best. So much better than getting perfect scores in tests, or performing well in front of a lot of people.
I'm lucky to have met you, Cloud. And even more fortunate that returned my feelings.
[ Love... It's safe to say that Cloud came close to falling in the past. But even then, he wasn't sure of himself or who he even was at the time. He grew up wanting to be a hero that people like Tifa would acknowledge. Aerith saw the cracks in his faux Ex-SOLDIER front and tried to see him for who he really was before fate dealt them all a horrid hand.
But with Weiss... She's the first one he got to meet for the first time as himself. The Ex-SOLDIER never would have been as gentle in his approach in helping her after they fought in the tournament, or thought of passing off his extra flowers to her at the green market, or the fact he stayed at the masquerade solely because of her voice...only to play a "game" after. Intimacy was the name of the game on Prismatica, but the level of trust that formed between him and Weiss before they even started dating was telling.
The best decision he ever made in life when it came to taking a chance on love was cutting her off mid-ramble to say "yes". ]
S'been a while since I've seen them before the Mako...
[ But he's not disheartened by it either. On one hand, Cloud saw it as a reminder of what he'd become at the hands of Shinra. On the other hand, they symbolized the heroic legacy that Zack upheld in SOLDIER. Whether he ever retrieves that power again or not, he'll never stop fighting for the people who matter in his life. For every little compliment she gives him, those less-vibrant blues of his soften with adoration. His smile grows as she clings to him, confessing how lucky she was to have met him.
Hugging her comfortably in his strong arms, he tilts his head to kiss the top of her head before sighing again. The silence that carries is serene, ambience all that he can hear past her gentle breathing. When it's finally time for him to break his silence... ]
Every time I look into your eyes...it's like looking into the purest blue ice. Or your hair... Untouched snow.
[ She's beautiful. And frankly, he could go on and on, but he'd end up getting a pillow mashed into his face. But he can't help but want to laugh every time she does it though. Another gently breath out, he closes his eyes, not to sleep, but to feel himself melting into her when he rhetorically asks, ]
[ As if Weiss couldn't get any closer to him, she puts more of her weight on him as she gives him an even tighter hug. They're all alone in this room, and her world right now is all him, but it's as if she's holding him so close in fear that he might get taken away. ]
Can I stay like this a bit longer?
[ She's practically on top of him now, clinging to him like a koala. ]
I love you so much.
[ If she's warm, he's so comfortable. It would be so easy to fall asleep like this. In fact, when she exhales, she nuzzles her cheek against him and lets out a soft hum. Cloud, if you don't do anything, she'll pass out like this. ]
[ 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. ]
[ It may be perhaps because she's too comfortable just laying on him that she falls asleep quickly. Normally, she would wake up soon after she can't feel Cloud close by anymore; she's gotten so used to his warmth that not having him near her while she's asleep feels very weird and uncomfortable. It's only when she hears Cloud's voice that she begins to stir. ]
Cloud? I think I fell asleep...
[ She only rolls to face upwards, eyes still closed. Just let her slowly wake up and she'll open them, blinking sleepily before she pushes herself up to sit. ]
[ 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. ]
[ Oh, she sees it! This was what she had in mind, actually, and Cloud setting it up for her is both pleasant and surprising. Only because she could never imagine him planning these sorts of things! ]
This is the fanciest dinner I've ever had.
[ It's not dinner. It's not fancy, but... still. These sorts of things are more on brand for what the two of them do, and it's why it's the best. ]
I should probably put my hair up when we get changed.
[ So it doesn't get wet! Now... here's the thing. The springs? She thought it really would be like a sauna where she could just get in with a towel on. Or a robe! Weiss doesn't have a bathing suit or anything, so she really will just have a towel around her. She won't make Cloud do the same if he doesn't want to, but it really is good that they have their own spring. It's more comfortable that way. ]
[ 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. ]
[ She has the sweetest boyfriend. There's not a single day that goes by that she doesn't feel special, and it's all because of him. One of these days, she really should surprise him with something amazing and knock him off his feet. It's the least she can do!
Going back up, she follows him into their room. Weiss grabs her towel and heads to the bathroom so she can dress up there. Or, well, dress down. After wrapping her towel around her and making sure it's secure, she fixes her braid so that it's tied up in a bun, too. A little heavy, but it'll keep her hair from getting wet! A little bit of pep talk to not be so nervous about all this, and she's out of the room.
... it's cold. The cool air greeting her bare shoulders makes her shiver a bit, but she should be fine once she's in the water. And if Cloud isn't ready yet by the time she's done, she'll wait for him by the glass door so they can go back down together. She might... need a hand in getting in so she doesn't slip. ]
[ 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. ]
[ The whole time going down, after glancing at Cloud once? She doesn't even look at him again. Once they're in the water, she will! But... when she's able to see him without a shirt on. . . it's impossible not to think things! So she has to look away, cheeks red the whole time.
She does take his hand before stepping into the water. One foot first, then the other. It really is like a jacuzzi, where you can sit down by the edge. It's perfect, too, since they talked about eating while in the water! Though the water's definitely a lot warmer. ]
This is so relaxing.
[ Just three seconds in and she's already so calm. She makes sure she's seated properly, half of her body in the water, with her upper half out and exposed to the cool breeze. Then she notices the moon, bright, but not as big as it normally would be on a full moon. The light even reflects on the spring water, making the colour more vibrant and reddish. ]
[ Maybe it's the fact that a towel on a girl tends to cover up more, but he's fortunate enough to be able to shy away less when it came to looking at her. Comparatively to her usual attire though...it's impossible for his gaze not to chance over some of her hugged curves. Despite it all, Cloud is still going to make sure she safely gets in and they can relax together. By the time she dips into the water and he lets go, he sinks down by her side until he's halfway into the water. His arms lounge along the edge as he settles in beside her with a sigh. ]
Yeah. At least, not that I can remember. We stopped going out on family outings a long time ago.
[ So... no more vacations! Sure, she could just go with Whitley, but she and Whitley didn't exactly get along until recently. Winter had been out of the Schnee household for some time now, too. Weiss was very young when Winter defied Jacques and made it clear she had no intention of taking over the Schnee Dust Company. It's not like Weiss had any friends to go with, either! ]
We've never gone swimming together, either.
[ The two of them, she means. They went to the beach, but she made sure to stay out of the water.
She heaves a sigh, calm and relaxed as she can be. She's quick to feel her hunger, though, so she turns to face the other way and pull their food closer to them.
There's dip with the chicken fingers! Three kinds, even. One's just regular ketchup, another small container with ranch, and another with barbecue sauce. As for the fries, they're just coated with salt, but can easily be dipped into any of the condiments, too. One look at Cloud after dipping a chicken finger in the barbecue sauce and he'll know... ]
Don't spill.
[ It's for him! And Weiss makes sure to offer it to him with her other hand ready to catch the dip or any crumbs if they do fall. ]
[ Considering that after the fall of Beacon, Weiss had only just begun to travel after leaving Atlas the first time... He hums thoughtfully as he understands where Weiss is coming from. Cloud, on the other hand, hadn't really dipped into springs like these back home either. The closest was the healing springs high up the side of the Northern Crater. ...hot tubs don't count. He doesn't talk about what he had to do in the Honeybee Inn to get dolled up for a Tifa rescue. ]
Oh yeah... [ His arms drop from the ledge as he sinks in just a little further. ] Remember when we went to the beach with Marie and Sanson?
[ It was a double date, but Cloud & Weiss were lowkey shipping enjoying seeing Sanson enjoy himself with Marie. ]
About as close to the water as we got...
[ It was a fond memory, one that leaves him smiling as he can faintly hear the water splashing slightly as Weiss moves towards the platter of chicken fingers. When he senses Weiss getting closer to him, he peeks with one eye open towards his girlfriend only to have a BBQ-dipped piece hovering closer to his face. He innocently blinks, but doesn't shy away either as he smiles. ]
Thanks.
[ He leans in a little closer to Weiss, taking a nice, crunchy bite. But now...dammit he's not as close to the platter! Cloud's going to want to return the favor, feeling bolder knowing that it's just the two of them. Luckily there's no sauce on his face or anything! ]
S'cuse me, [ He says as he moves even closer now, reaching behind Weiss so he can reach for the platter of food. This also means that his wet bod may or may not be brushing up against her side as he gently slides their food a little closer to him. Just so that it's in the middle and he can give one to her after. ]
[ Feeding Cloud is so stupidly sweet. If she watched herself do it, she'd be sickened and embarrassed by it. At the same time, though, it's something she loves doing. It's not to embarrass him, but... deep down? Weiss wants to be gross and cheesy. She wants to swing their arms together as they walk while holding hands. Dancing with him at a big event where they're both dressed up has forever been one of her dreams— one that he's made come true, and one that she'd want to relive over and over. She loves it when he surprises her, gives her flowers, carries her up the stairs so they can go to bed. There's not a single thing she doesn't adore about Cloud...
Okay- maybe there is one thing. His lack of punctuality. But! That can be worked on.
When she thinks Cloud is going to feed her too, though, she moves away on purpose. Just... shimmying to the side away from him and his literal hot body to make a gap between the two of them. If he looks at her? He might notice she's batting her eyelashes at him, that cute headtilt and """angelic""" smile happening right about now, too. The girl's playing hard to get, and she's owning up to it.
Catch her if you can... in this tiny red spring. 🦊 ]
[ It's something he never imagined himself doing in all his years. Before coming into his own, he was hardly the romantic type. Others would attempt to have him come out of his shell, only to either get rebuffed or have it fly over his head, trying to act cool. To be fair? Even when he thought he was a former SOLDIER, mentally he was still that insecure teenager seeking approval and companionship. In a lot of ways, Prismatica was an awakening for him. Moonlacing opened him up to others, and not even in just the intimate way. He was handing out flowers to a girl like Weiss, or hitting up arcades with other friends. He was going to the movies with the Cordis-blessed huntress before they even started dating. In his younger days, he would have escorted Weiss home under the pretense of "bodyguard duty". Instead, after rehearsals, he did it because he wanted to...
And now here they are, sharing their most embarrassing thoughts and feelings with each other; he initiated taking her hand, planting those loving kisses to the top of her head whenever they'd embrace, come up with surprises like this one or the gift he has waiting for her come birthday time. The thought of what could be a future with a kid... He would have taken a step back before to hit the "time out" button. Instead, it's now something he finds his thoughts trailing to from time to time. It comes down to one burning question.
When everything was said and done, and he's not only saved her but the world she fights for...
What was it going to take to make those dreams come true? Because he'll do it. He'll make sure that he makes good on those feelings she's poured her heart into. Cloud will treasure the brooch she's passed down to him, just as she holds his necklace dear. He'll make sure, be it Remnant or Gaia, they get to share that sunset atop a snowy hill in the end.
Just when Cloud reaches for another chicken finger, dipping it in a tiny bit of ranch, he half smiles as he prepares to give it to her. ]
Here— [ Wait. ] —no?
[ No chicken? He thought she was hungry and—! ... O-Oh. ]
...no.
[ His lips say "no", but his face and heart say "yes" at her adoring smile and cute tilt of her head. The very same one that endeared him to her so long ago. She could do it time and time again and it'd leave him falling for her every single time. And god dammit, she knows it. Cloud looks like he's had his breath taken away, only a second or two later clearing his throat and slowly wading through the water towards her. The chicken finger ominously bobs towards her in his hand as the half-smile he wore earlier turns into a full-blown one without his knowing it. ]
[ AS IF SHE DOESN'T KNOW. She moves away again, a bit more playfully this time that some of the water splashes outwards of the spring.
It's funny making him """suffer""" like this. First, the pillow on his face, and now this. She'll probably come up with something else later, too. Uh-oh, Cloud. ]
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no subject
On a vacation? I think we deserve the time off.
[ She knows she does! Even just for a few days, she wants to think of nothing else but Cloud and herself. It's important to rest and recuperate so that they can be stronger when problems and challenges arise again. ]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ SNRK
kasiakf she's just joking please don't leave her Cloud ]
I'm glad, though. [ Oh no... she's doing it. She's sliding down so she can lie down and face him! ]
I can't ever imagine life without you. That's why I have to make it back to you after everything is over and done with.
no subject
You will.
[ Does he even need to say it? That if he has to, he's going to defy reality if it means he can jump to her world and save her. To help save Remnant as a whole. Not because he doesn't have faith in Weiss and her team. But for all the selfish reasons in the world. Cloud wants to see her. He can't imagine another day without or; if they're apart, he has to know she's at least still there. She can overcome the "end" that awaits them. Whether that involves him or not, he trusts her. He believes in her. ]
Whether I get to you first or not, I'm never giving up on this.
no subject
Please don't.
[ Weiss doesn't like to ask too much of Cloud. She wants to be the one to exert effort for him because he's done so much for her. This, though, is something she can't help but plead for. She needs him, and desperate to cling to him and be around him, she hopes that he would grant her this wish. Let her be selfish just once. ]
I can't lose you, Cloud. I won't allow it.
no subject
You won't... [ His hand slides up to the back of her head as she clings to him, shifting until she's comfortably resting against his chest. If it weren't for her hair done up in the braid, his fingers would be threading through her wavy locks by now. Sucking in a breath, the sigh he lets out is even. He wouldn't tremble this time. Between seeing her in that vision of another reality down in Lightless, the helplessness of watching her be felled by Cinder in Mistral, and the dark path her world is going down as her loved ones fall... ]
Love you too damn much to let you go.
[ This is more than just his vow to protect everything that he cherishes, never letting his friends down ever again. The connection he shares his family... Tifa, Marlene, Denzel; they're just as important to him as they were before. Weiss breached that feeling into something deeper and more precious. Something that, if he really did fail, there'd be no putting him back together again. Not the same as he was before. Because Weiss would always have a piece of his heart with her.
Always. As long as he remembers her, or this red-jeweled brooch bestowed upon him stays in his grasp, Cloud will always have a beacon guiding him back. ]
no subject
Family is weird. And complicated. Weiss can never describe it prettily, and she doesn't think she ever could.
The love she feels for Cloud is different. And as she pulls away slightly to be able to look at him, she realises this herself. He's always made her feel special in a way that her family didn't do. He would do things for her without asking for anything in return. And it's sometimes why she feels obligated to do something back. It's an involuntary response from someone who's always had to do things for others in order to get something she wants. It's so strange, and so new, but at the same time? It makes her feel so happy and so light. And all the more she wants to make him happy. Not because she'll be punished otherwise, but because she's happy when he is. ]
Your eyes are a little different now, but I still like them.
[ Hah. She doesn't mean anything bad by it! Just an honest observation. ]
Your nose is still cute, though. And I think my hand fits really well in yours. Holding your hand is the best.
[ She smiles up at him before moving closer again to cling to him. Breathing in deep and taking in his scent, basking in the warmth he brings, she can't help but confess: ]
It's the best. So much better than getting perfect scores in tests, or performing well in front of a lot of people.
I'm lucky to have met you, Cloud. And even more fortunate that returned my feelings.
no subject
But with Weiss... She's the first one he got to meet for the first time as himself. The Ex-SOLDIER never would have been as gentle in his approach in helping her after they fought in the tournament, or thought of passing off his extra flowers to her at the green market, or the fact he stayed at the masquerade solely because of her voice...only to play a "game" after. Intimacy was the name of the game on Prismatica, but the level of trust that formed between him and Weiss before they even started dating was telling.
The best decision he ever made in life when it came to taking a chance on love was cutting her off mid-ramble to say "yes". ]
S'been a while since I've seen them before the Mako...
[ But he's not disheartened by it either. On one hand, Cloud saw it as a reminder of what he'd become at the hands of Shinra. On the other hand, they symbolized the heroic legacy that Zack upheld in SOLDIER. Whether he ever retrieves that power again or not, he'll never stop fighting for the people who matter in his life. For every little compliment she gives him, those less-vibrant blues of his soften with adoration. His smile grows as she clings to him, confessing how lucky she was to have met him.
Hugging her comfortably in his strong arms, he tilts his head to kiss the top of her head before sighing again. The silence that carries is serene, ambience all that he can hear past her gentle breathing. When it's finally time for him to break his silence... ]
Every time I look into your eyes...it's like looking into the purest blue ice. Or your hair... Untouched snow.
[ She's beautiful. And frankly, he could go on and on, but he'd end up getting a pillow mashed into his face. But he can't help but want to laugh every time she does it though. Another gently breath out, he closes his eyes, not to sleep, but to feel himself melting into her when he rhetorically asks, ]
God how are you so warm...
no subject
Can I stay like this a bit longer?
[ She's practically on top of him now, clinging to him like a koala. ]
I love you so much.
[ If she's warm, he's so comfortable. It would be so easy to fall asleep like this. In fact, when she exhales, she nuzzles her cheek against him and lets out a soft hum. Cloud, if you don't do anything, she'll pass out like this. ]
no subject
[ 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]no subject
Cloud? I think I fell asleep...
[ She only rolls to face upwards, eyes still closed. Just let her slowly wake up and she'll open them, blinking sleepily before she pushes herself up to sit. ]
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[ 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.
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[ That's definitely enough to wake her up. ]
You said I was only asleep for a few minutes!
[ WHAT DID YOU DO, CLOUD?? Rather than get him to tell her, though, she makes way to get out of bed, tugging on his hand. ]
What is it? Show me.
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[ 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. ]
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This is the fanciest dinner I've ever had.
[ It's not dinner. It's not fancy, but... still. These sorts of things are more on brand for what the two of them do, and it's why it's the best. ]
I should probably put my hair up when we get changed.
[ So it doesn't get wet! Now... here's the thing. The springs? She thought it really would be like a sauna where she could just get in with a towel on. Or a robe! Weiss doesn't have a bathing suit or anything, so she really will just have a towel around her. She won't make Cloud do the same if he doesn't want to, but it really is good that they have their own spring. It's more comfortable that way. ]
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[ 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. ]
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Going back up, she follows him into their room. Weiss grabs her towel and heads to the bathroom so she can dress up there. Or, well, dress down. After wrapping her towel around her and making sure it's secure, she fixes her braid so that it's tied up in a bun, too. A little heavy, but it'll keep her hair from getting wet! A little bit of pep talk to not be so nervous about all this, and she's out of the room.
... it's cold. The cool air greeting her bare shoulders makes her shiver a bit, but she should be fine once she's in the water. And if Cloud isn't ready yet by the time she's done, she'll wait for him by the glass door so they can go back down together. She might... need a hand in getting in so she doesn't slip. ]
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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. ]
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She does take his hand before stepping into the water. One foot first, then the other. It really is like a jacuzzi, where you can sit down by the edge. It's perfect, too, since they talked about eating while in the water! Though the water's definitely a lot warmer. ]
This is so relaxing.
[ Just three seconds in and she's already so calm. She makes sure she's seated properly, half of her body in the water, with her upper half out and exposed to the cool breeze. Then she notices the moon, bright, but not as big as it normally would be on a full moon. The light even reflects on the spring water, making the colour more vibrant and reddish. ]
I've never done something like this before.
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Gone to a spring?
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[ So... no more vacations! Sure, she could just go with Whitley, but she and Whitley didn't exactly get along until recently. Winter had been out of the Schnee household for some time now, too. Weiss was very young when Winter defied Jacques and made it clear she had no intention of taking over the Schnee Dust Company. It's not like Weiss had any friends to go with, either! ]
We've never gone swimming together, either.
[ The two of them, she means. They went to the beach, but she made sure to stay out of the water.
She heaves a sigh, calm and relaxed as she can be. She's quick to feel her hunger, though, so she turns to face the other way and pull their food closer to them.
There's dip with the chicken fingers! Three kinds, even. One's just regular ketchup, another small container with ranch, and another with barbecue sauce. As for the fries, they're just coated with salt, but can easily be dipped into any of the condiments, too. One look at Cloud after dipping a chicken finger in the barbecue sauce and he'll know... ]
Don't spill.
[ It's for him! And Weiss makes sure to offer it to him with her other hand ready to catch the dip or any crumbs if they do fall. ]
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Oh yeah... [ His arms drop from the ledge as he sinks in just a little further. ] Remember when we went to the beach with Marie and Sanson?
[ It was a double date, but Cloud & Weiss were lowkey
shippingenjoying seeing Sanson enjoy himself with Marie. ]About as close to the water as we got...
[ It was a fond memory, one that leaves him smiling as he can faintly hear the water splashing slightly as Weiss moves towards the platter of chicken fingers. When he senses Weiss getting closer to him, he peeks with one eye open towards his girlfriend only to have a BBQ-dipped piece hovering closer to his face. He innocently blinks, but doesn't shy away either as he smiles. ]
Thanks.
[ He leans in a little closer to Weiss, taking a nice, crunchy bite. But now...dammit he's not as close to the platter! Cloud's going to want to return the favor, feeling bolder knowing that it's just the two of them. Luckily there's no sauce on his face or anything! ]
S'cuse me, [ He says as he moves even closer now, reaching behind Weiss so he can reach for the platter of food. This also means that his wet bod may or may not be brushing up against her side as he gently slides their food a little closer to him. Just so that it's in the middle and he can give one to her after. ]
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Okay- maybe there is one thing. His lack of punctuality. But! That can be worked on.
When she thinks Cloud is going to feed her too, though, she moves away on purpose. Just... shimmying to the side away from him
and his literal hot bodyto make a gap between the two of them. If he looks at her? He might notice she's batting her eyelashes at him, that cute headtilt and """angelic""" smile happening right about now, too. The girl's playing hard to get, and she's owning up to it.Catch her if you can... in this tiny red spring. 🦊 ]
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And now here they are, sharing their most embarrassing thoughts and feelings with each other; he initiated taking her hand, planting those loving kisses to the top of her head whenever they'd embrace, come up with surprises like this one or the gift he has waiting for her come birthday time. The thought of what could be a future with a kid... He would have taken a step back before to hit the "time out" button. Instead, it's now something he finds his thoughts trailing to from time to time. It comes down to one burning question.
When everything was said and done, and he's not only saved her but the world she fights for...
What was it going to take to make those dreams come true? Because he'll do it. He'll make sure that he makes good on those feelings she's poured her heart into. Cloud will treasure the brooch she's passed down to him, just as she holds his necklace dear. He'll make sure, be it Remnant or Gaia, they get to share that sunset atop a snowy hill in the end.
Just when Cloud reaches for another chicken finger, dipping it in a tiny bit of ranch, he half smiles as he prepares to give it to her. ]
Here— [ Wait. ] —no?
[ No chicken? He thought she was hungry and—! ... O-Oh. ]
...no.
[ His lips say "no", but his face and heart say "yes" at her adoring smile and cute tilt of her head. The very same one that endeared him to her so long ago. She could do it time and time again and it'd leave him falling for her every single time. And god dammit, she knows it. Cloud looks like he's had his breath taken away, only a second or two later clearing his throat and slowly wading through the water towards her. The chicken finger ominously bobs towards her in his hand as the half-smile he wore earlier turns into a full-blown one without his knowing it. ]
Not doing this here.
[ Oh I think you two are doing this here. ]
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[ AS IF SHE DOESN'T KNOW. She moves away again, a bit more playfully this time that some of the water splashes outwards of the spring.
It's funny making him """suffer""" like this. First, the pillow on his face, and now this. She'll probably come up with something else later, too. Uh-oh, Cloud. ]
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