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Entry tags:

arthur,
syeira

closed

Who: Arthur and Syeira
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Starting on the Red Fish
When: Today

It's not really an unusual day. They're in a new area, people are milling about, the ships are running normally. But Syeira's fever broke finally, and she's actually starting to look like herself lately. So it's a good day, and a relief, to have her back and safe (and feeling a little better now). He doesn't want to think back on when he thought she was gone. It's stupid to do that anyway. It's irrelevant. She's here now.

With Syeira back, there are things to think about. One thing on the forefront of his mind: their relationship. He kissed her. Actually kissed her. She probably didn't remember it or appreciate it, but it happened. And now he's afraid, just praying he didn't go too far.

There's really only one way to find out. Ask her on a date. Another one. In any case, it would be a good excuse to get her out and doing something. It would be good for her. He's nervous as hell, though. He doesn't remember the last time he asked someone on a date. But he had the first part of the plan down. Dress up. Look good. Bring present. Ask her out. He could do that, right?

He's wearing a dark sweater with the sleeves rolled up and some neutral trousers; dressy, but not too dressy. His hair is slicked back as always, but he keeps messing with it like it's got him nervous. He stops at her door, knocking with the hand not holding a small bag.

“It's Arthur.”

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Oops. She's caught. "I said it was the best I could do."

His eyes light up. She is so caught. And now he's leaning forward, excessively amused and smug now. "Oh, really?"

He's close, close enough to breathe against her lips, but not kissing her. "So it's okay if I collect my prize?"

"Well, fair is fair." Her voice is breathy and soft, anticipation curling in her belly. She can't even bother to pretend to be indignant at the loss. She absolutely wants to be kissed by him again.

Smiling, he moves that last inch and kisses her again. It's probably indecent how much they're kissing in a bookstore, but honestly, who cares? As long as they don't get thrown out.

His lips are soft against hers. This kiss is less desperate then the first, but still charged. Still emotional, just with an edge of sweetness. His left hand falls lightly to her cheek, and his right lands on her hip, gentle and warm.

Oh it's very indecent! But better to beg forgiveness than to put it off. Not after having died and thought herself beyond the chance to have one kiss, let alone two. Besides, it's only kissing.

She feels less like she might shake herself to pieces just from nervousness this time, but even a second kiss is still new. The sweetness helps, his gentleness too, to ease her tension down enough that she might enjoy it more this time. Her hands rest flat on his chest, not to push him away, but out of indecision. She's not sure what's appropriate, what's allowed at this stage.

He pulls away softly just a small distance away, his voice a soft murmur when he speaks.

"You're just... completely lovely."

His hands move to hers, holding them gently. "You're hard to resist, you know. Do you know when I first wanted to kiss you?"

She looks down, bashful of the compliment. It's nice, but still hard to accept. Even after everything. Her, hard to resist? Not possible. But it's sweet of him to say. And...

And she does want him to go on, selfish and self-centered as it is. She'd like to hear him tell her more sweet, impossible things.

"When?"

"We were on that planet that was completely polluted, and for some reason that day, I asked this shopkeeper if she wanted me to paint her stand. And you helped me paint it, and you just left me breathless."

His cheeks are a little red, and he looks down with a smile.

"And I just kept telling myself there was no way you'd be interested, but then you found me out. Does that make me a sap?" he asks with a laugh.

If you asked her what came over her then, she couldn't say. She just...had to kiss him then, again. Just a soft little thing, all she knows how to do at this point. When she pulls back, she's blushing furiously, but smiling.

"You're not a sap." And just...one more, a small one. "And I didn't find you out. You had to tell me, remember?"

The kisses make him smile. He could get used to this. "I didn't mean to pour my heart out that day, to be honest," he admits, feeling a little ashamed. "It just kind of happened. I wish I were braver, but honestly, I'm just happy that you feel something back."

He gives her one last peck before he pulls back, just enough so he can hold out the books he collected, his cheeks tinged pink. "What do you think?"

He's got a book on the history of the factions, a book on meditation (inspired by Misty), a science book, and a fiction book about spies.

"All good." If it's a book, it's got value. What she wants is to take his hand, and she does, to get his attention.

"I remember you being very brave, Arthur." Not only for speaking up his feelings for her, but that day, when he tried to protect her. "It comes in many forms, and I think you don't give yourself enough credit. You rushed towards a dragon. That's no small thing."

There's no tears in her eyes this time. This is just truth, just honesty. Just as he had given her.

He stops, freezing in place. How did she know, that he was thinking about how very not brave he was that day? He avoids her eye.

"I didn't-"

His voice sounds like a croak, and it surprises him, how he goes from light to overemotional in two seconds flat. He clears his throat, and it helps a little.

"When I was in the army, I was one of the first to try dream sharing. It was dangerous and unstable. They didn't know a lot back then. Sometimes, awful things happened. I mean, it was meant to get us used to killing people. But that's not what phased me. One time, I got my arm trapped under some rubble. And that was the worst. Feeling trapped, helpless."

He's still avoiding her gaze, looking ashamed. "You died. And I couldn't do a damn thing to stop it."

She reaches up to take his face in her hands, gently making him look at her.

"No one could have. I chose to use something that I only know the slightest of how to control. You cannot blame yourself for what happened. I certainly don't."

His eyes go to hers immediately, and relief washes over him. "You don't? God... I'm glad."

He wraps his arms around her, then leans down and forward to bury his face against her neck, breathe her in.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to- I guess it's hard to have a light date after a death. Even if that person comes back from the dead."

She wraps her arms around his waist and leans against him, feeling tired, but relieved. They needed to have this conversation. They needed this air cleared.

"It's strange to be so heavy with it. On Toril, it's possible to revive the fallen, but not someone like me. I always envied that ability at a second chance. I never realized how much it can weigh on you. The gratitude and the reality of-"

Well the reality of all of it. There had been loss, permanent loss, but there was always hope. Except for her. Now, she had some, and it was frightening almost.

"But don't regret this, Arthur. It's a beautiful day, and I can't remember when I've been so happy."

"Why not you?"

He kisses her neck, soft and grateful. It's a bit more intimate than they've been, but he doesn't mean it as anything but sweet.

"Good. I want you to be happy."

"You know why. You saw."

Saw her turn to golden dust and blow away on the wind. The subject keeps her from registering just how intimate it is to be kissed on her neck. She just tucks her head against his shoulder, enjoying the closeness. Suddenly, she thinks maybe they should go back to the ship and just lie down and read together.

"But this is good. This is more than I could have hoped for."

A nod. He did indeed. But perhaps these questions, getting reacquainted with each other, maybe this would be better back home. And she might be tired.

"Do you want to head back after you pick your books? I don't want to wear you out."

He pulls back, so he can make sure she's not fibbing about her health.

"Might be a good idea. Even on that toxic moon I never felt this weak." She chuckles a bit, at herself, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I'll take that book about chickens, I think. It'll be a good souvenir."

He chuckles with her, turning to gather up his books.

"The best souvenir. Do you want any others? I've got enough for what we have and a few more."

"I'm sure we can come back again, before the Fleet moves on. If I'd known where you were taking me, I'd have brought a bag of coin to spend here." Because she's got a ridiculous amount of money from ratings.

"I should have thought to bring more money. But I'm sure you're right; we can come back. As many times as you want," he says with a grin.

"I'm not particularly skilled at saving money. Maybe you'll have to teach me." He wanders over, picks up her chicken book, and stacks it on top of his stack.

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Omg my phone is evil

lmao I was so confused

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