[ 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. ]
[ Cloud steps in with her, until she's maneuvered around and away from him once more. Luckily they're moving away from the platter-side of the pool, so that runs less of a risk getting splashed on. But even if it did, something tells him neither one would be too sad over soggy chicken fingers when they're already playing this game. ]
...you're gonna take this chicken finger- [ He cracks up at that. It sounds stupid saying outloud- threatening his girlfriend with a ranch-dipped chicken fingie. But he sobers immediately, strafing from side to side to try and prevent her from getting around him. The soft red glow on the water's surface casts her in a warmer light than usual, and he can feel his own heart beginning to race faster in his chest at the prospect of catching her.
Funny... He hasn't felt the "thrill of the hunt" for a long time. ] -and you're gonna like it.
If you want me to eat it, then you have to repeat after me—
[ Just let her move away from him again first!! By now, just one more move and they'll be back where they started. Now is a good time. ]
I, Cloud Strife, swear on this chicken finger— [ SNRK. She actually cracks up as she thinks about what to say next. This is so stupid! But she's having so much fun at the same time. ] That I won't ever be late for any date ever again. And that I'll make the best crepes in all the worlds out there only for Weiss Schnee.
[ Now for the look. The 'u'. Yes, she's waiting for him to say it all. ]
[ She successfully evades him again! Granted, Cloud wasn't attempting to seriously catch her. Otherwise there'd be a lot more sloshing water wasted by the time he practically pounced on her. But now she's keeping him at bay with a command of her own. He blinks, canting his head slightly in confusion until she begins to cite an impromptu oath. ]
What are you—
[ "—That I won't ever be late for any date ever again." ]
Ahhh...
[ He awkwardly stands there, chicken finger in hand as the ranch runs down one side. Luckily, nothing drips. But just when it seems like he's gonna continue to stand there looking dumb or "coolly" refuse... ]
I, Cloud Strife...uh, swear on this chicken finger— [ of which he waggles in his hand while side-eyeing it. ] That I'll...never be late- [ No. That's not how she said it. Ahem. ] I won't ever be late for any date ever again.
[ ... .... did he get that part right? ]
And that I'll...make the best crepes in the— [ Shit. ] —in all the worlds out there...only for... Weiss Schnee...?
[ Did...Cloud legit memorize what she said word-for-word? Well, still confused, blushing and put on the spot, ]
I, Cloud Strife, swear on this chicken finger— [ waggle. ] That I won't ever be late for any date ever again. And that I'll make the best crepes in all the worlds out there only for Weiss Schnee.
[ Nailed it. Moving on. The things he does for her... ]
[ He pops one end of the chicken finger in his mouth, and wordlessly stares at her while trying not to go crosseyed staring down the length of the fingie between his teeth.
[ Perhaps she should have slowed down so Cloud could say line after line better. Ah well! He got it, in the end.
And for his reward? She slides on over closer to him so that she can bite what chicken is hanging off his mouth. Getting the meat between her teeth, she gives him a quick kiss before biting and pulling away completely, finally chewing and swallowing her food. It's fine to eat while swimming! Just don't play with your food! ]
[ He may not have gone crosseyed at the chicken finger in his mouth. But he briefly does, gaze wide and all, when she slides on in to bite the remaining half of the meat. Their lips meet in an impromptu kiss and he's left instinctively chewing and swallowing his portion while looking absolutely dumbstruck. The first thing to pop into his head? The fact that if he tried this on her first, he'd get a pillow to the face tsundere-style.
The second thing that pops into his head? The urge to kiss her; not just kiss her. But kiss her hard, fast, and constantly until he's got her arching against the edge of the spring and— ]
Ah- Yeah...
Really good.
[ A beat. Two beats. Then his shoulders shake as he softly laughs. ]
[ Her own giggling harmonises with his soon after. That was fun! But they really should stop playing now. Cloud might grow tired and impatient if she kept it up.
Going back to the spot they were in before, she dips down for a bit so get her shoulders wet, too. It's gotten a bit cold! But she sits back up properly seconds after, looking back at the platter of chicken fingers they have left. ]
[ With a shrug of his shoulders, he settles down into the water with her, returning to keep his arms along the edge of the pool. At first it was weird going in with nothing but a towel on. He still feels so...exposed in a way. But around Weiss, it's a nonissue, leaving him entirely comfortable when it came to her. Speaking of towels though... ]
Hmm... [ That towel is looking heavier on Weiss now that it's thoroughly soaked. But he's subtle in the way his eyes catch a glimpse. ] Ranch?
[ The towel does feel a lot heavier now! If Weiss doesn't move so much, she should be fine. The towel still feels secure around her. Although she doesn't seem to notice how it loosens where she tucked the outer edge when she takes another chicken finger to dip into the ranch, though.
Oh well. She'll find out eventually. ]
It's good that the chicken's still warm, too. Oh— let's toast after this!
[ The drinks? No. Not really. It means your priorities aren't booze, Cloud. But still, as he eyes up their matching Strawberry Sunrises, he's more looking forward to the connotation with her. And discovering that they taste dangerously good. He reaches for another chicken finger and dips it in barbeque sauce.
Call it feeling brave in the romance department, but the impromptu silly wading chase and oath to his girl has him feeling more silly. ]
Try 'em at the same time?
[ In his head it looks nice. Usually couples would be doing this with their drinks, right? But...feeding each other food at the same time in a private spring is also on brand for the two. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. 🦊 ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[ Cloud steps in with her, until she's maneuvered around and away from him once more. Luckily they're moving away from the platter-side of the pool, so that runs less of a risk getting splashed on. But even if it did, something tells him neither one would be too sad over soggy chicken fingers when they're already playing this game. ]
...you're gonna take this chicken finger- [ He cracks up at that. It sounds stupid saying outloud- threatening his girlfriend with a ranch-dipped chicken fingie. But he sobers immediately, strafing from side to side to try and prevent her from getting around him. The soft red glow on the water's surface casts her in a warmer light than usual, and he can feel his own heart beginning to race faster in his chest at the prospect of catching her.
Funny... He hasn't felt the "thrill of the hunt" for a long time.] -and you're gonna like it.no subject
[ Just let her move away from him again first!! By now, just one more move and they'll be back where they started. Now is a good time. ]
I, Cloud Strife, swear on this chicken finger— [ SNRK. She actually cracks up as she thinks about what to say next. This is so stupid! But she's having so much fun at the same time. ] That I won't ever be late for any date ever again. And that I'll make the best crepes in all the worlds out there only for Weiss Schnee.
[ Now for the look. The 'u'. Yes, she's waiting for him to say it all. ]
Now bite on one end to show your sincerity.
1/3
What are you—
[ "—That I won't ever be late for any date ever again." ]
Ahhh...
[ He awkwardly stands there, chicken finger in hand as the ranch runs down one side. Luckily, nothing drips. But just when it seems like he's gonna continue to stand there looking dumb or "coolly" refuse... ]
2/3
I, Cloud Strife...uh, swear on this chicken finger— [ of which he waggles in his hand while side-eyeing it. ] That I'll...never be late- [ No. That's not how she said it. Ahem. ] I won't ever be late for any date ever again.
[ ... .... did he get that part right? ]
And that I'll...make the best crepes in the— [ Shit. ] —in all the worlds out there...only for... Weiss Schnee...?
[ Did...Cloud legit memorize what she said word-for-word? Well, still confused, blushing and put on the spot, ]
I, Cloud Strife, swear on this chicken finger— [ waggle. ] That I won't ever be late for any date ever again. And that I'll make the best crepes in all the worlds out there only for Weiss Schnee.
[ Nailed it. Moving on.
The things he does for her...]no subject
Like this? ]
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[ Perhaps she should have slowed down so Cloud could say line after line better. Ah well! He got it, in the end.
And for his reward? She slides on over closer to him so that she can bite what chicken is hanging off his mouth. Getting the meat between her teeth, she gives him a quick kiss before biting and pulling away completely, finally chewing and swallowing her food. It's fine to eat while swimming! Just don't play with your food! ]
Oh, it's good.
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The second thing that pops into his head? The urge to kiss her; not just kiss her. But kiss her hard, fast, and constantly until he's got her arching against the edge of the spring and— ]
Ah- Yeah...
Really good.
[ A beat. Two beats. Then his shoulders shake as he softly laughs. ]
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[ Her own giggling harmonises with his soon after. That was fun! But they really should stop playing now. Cloud might grow tired and impatient if she kept it up.
Going back to the spot they were in before, she dips down for a bit so get her shoulders wet, too. It's gotten a bit cold! But she sits back up properly seconds after, looking back at the platter of chicken fingers they have left. ]
Which one do you want to try next?
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[ With a shrug of his shoulders, he settles down into the water with her, returning to keep his arms along the edge of the pool. At first it was weird going in with nothing but a towel on. He still feels so...exposed in a way. But around Weiss, it's a nonissue, leaving him entirely comfortable when it came to her. Speaking of towels though... ]
Hmm... [ That towel is looking heavier on Weiss now that it's thoroughly soaked. But he's subtle in the way his eyes catch a glimpse. ] Ranch?
[ A beat. ]
Then you'll do barbeque.
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Oh well. She'll find out eventually. ]
It's good that the chicken's still warm, too. Oh— let's toast after this!
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[ The drinks? No. Not really. It means your priorities aren't booze, Cloud. But still, as he eyes up their matching Strawberry Sunrises, he's more looking forward to the connotation with her. And discovering that they taste dangerously good. He reaches for another chicken finger and dips it in barbeque sauce.
Call it feeling brave in the romance department, but the impromptu silly wading chase and oath to his girl has him feeling more silly. ]
Try 'em at the same time?
[ In his head it looks nice. Usually couples would be doing this with their drinks, right? But...feeding each other food at the same time in a private spring is also on brand for the two. ]
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