driftfleet | (no subject)

[Okay, yup, message received loud and clear. He returns the kiss without hesitation, his arm winding around her to keep her close rather self-indulgently. Only when they draw back does he grin, leaning in to touch his forehead to hers.]

Wanna see the best part?

[His eagerness in showing her more after that kiss earns a huff of amusement against his cheek. She kisses the tip of his nose, then leans back to simply nestle beside him as she look at the tank.]

As long as no one has to move much, I'd love to.

Not much, I promise.

[He's not too inclined to let go, either, but he does reach up with one hand to lift the tank up, sliding it back a few inches, and taps his fingers to the water a few times to alert the fish. They float up curiously, bubbling at the surface for a moment, and then abruptly hop out of the water entirely to float through the air as if still swimming.]

[This gets another light gasp, and she turns her head to follow them around the room as much as she can. A happy giggle soon follows when the darker fish comes to poke at her ear. It twitches, causing the fish to abruptly turn and swim-fly away before warily approaching again.]

Kirito-kun, it's wonderful. [Asuna faces him to plant a soft kiss on his jawline, just below his ear, knowing he likes that spot. A quiet whisper follows.] Thank you.

[Pulling back, something pops into her head.] Oh, do they have names?

A-ah... you're welcome. I'm glad you like it.

[Between her words and the spot she kissed, he can't help a shiver, his arm tightening a little around her. Mission accomplished, apparently.]

Names? Oh... I hadn't thought of any. I figured you might want to name them yourself.

[He's giving them to her, after all. Naming them would be kind of presumptuous.]

[The tightening of his hold causes her chuckle and snuggle up against him once more. Still there, the two of them sitting on the floor of her room, she watches the fish circle around and poke at things as they see fit.]

Mn, well, I'd like you to name one, too. They're something we can take care of together. [Asuna shifts, now positioned slightly in front of him, so she rests her head back against him.]

I'd like to name the black one.

[Kirito keeps an arm around her middle, reaching his free hand out to one of the fish as it floats nearby, gently bobbing its nose. It nibbles on his finger rebelliously.

The thought of naming one is a bit intimidating - he's so, so bad at that sort of thing - but he really can't say no to her.]

Okay... have you got something in mind?

[She knows he can't say no, and it's actually sort of endearing to her. Asuna reaches up with one hand, waiting for a moment, until the black fish makes its way over and begins to circle her.]

I do. [As she slowly lowers her hand, the fish follows, eventually settling on floating around in abstract patterns around her.]

I'm calling him Kazu. [Yes, there is a little smugness in her voice. But it's sweet.]

[ashgkjsdf w h y]

A-Asuna! You can't be serious!

I am. Because sometimes I think you need a reminder, it's not simply Kirito the black swordsman that I care about-- it's all of you that I fell in love with. Hopefully this won't let you forget that so easily.

[Her free hand goes to take hold of his that's holding her to him, snuggling against him again.]

Are you still against it?

[Say yes. She dares you.]

[...O-oof. She's really got him there. He should thank her and say something romantic in return.]

You're not comparing me to a fish, are you...?

[But first he'll say something stupid, because it's the first thing that pops into his head.]

[A huff and a little shove with her elbow is the response he gets first.]

Maybe if we're talking about your simplemindedness at times... Jeez.

[Oh, Kirito. Fix this.]

[y-yes ma'am.]

I-I mean...! It's fine if you are, I can see where... er... that is, I know what you mean.

[Okay, okay, backpedal, what was he trying to say again? Deep breath.]

That is... thanks. I get it... Kazu's, uh. It's a good name. I won't forget.

[Asuna heaves a sigh, (once again) resigned to his inability to keep a moment romantic. But she knew that going into the relationship. And the fish tank and new additions is pretty impressive. Overall, this one's a win for him.]

I know it is. Now you can name the other one, and we're all set.

[one day he'll learn to stay on top instead of just barely surviving an encounter. one day, surely.]

Ah.... I'm bad with names. Can I think about it for a while?

Nope. You're stuck here until you come up with a good one.

[Because he's in such a horrible situation right now. Yep.]

Haaaah? You want me to pick a name on the spot!?

[BUT HE WORKS SO POORLY UNDER PRESSURE]

I do! Doesn't me having faith in you count for anything?

[Yep, she's using the almost sad voice they both know is so fake but it still works.]

It... does...

[Even if he thinks it's kind of misguided, he can't exactly tell her that.

He sits quietly for a long moment, mulling over his options as the fish float around them, exploring the room.]

Uh... well, if we're naming them after people... how's about... Kizmel...?

[Asuna is so taken aback by the name, she moves forward just so she can turn around and stare at him incredulously.]

W-wha-- No! How is that fitting? [Why are you naming your shared fish after another woman!!!!]

[ABORT ABORT THIS IS WHY HE SAID HE WAS BAD AT THIS]

...I-it's not! You're right, it's terrible, I just thought- I mean- you know what, let me rethink it, please...

[Okay, not Kizmel. Something better than that, then...]

[She sighs heavily, partly irritated at herself for insisting on this even though she knows it was dumb, but partly irritated with him for his (bad) first try. Really, their color schemes are so far off, it's almost laughable.

Asuna doesn't lean back against him again. Instead, she scoots forward (away) and shifts so she's sitting and facing him.]

Oh, come on. Try to think about something important that can relate to it somehow. Does it remind you of anything? Even a food...?

[She's really trying here.]

Would food really be better...?

[Somehow he doubts that (although now that he's thinking about it, the fish is totally the same colour as that grated sweet potato chiffon he ate one time at Sugu's insistence) so he refrains from making a dish-related suggestion. He gives it another round of serious thinking, his gaze switching between the fish and Asuna. If she named the other one for him... for very serious and sentimental reasons... uhhh... maybe- no, no...

While he's thinking, the fish turns just the right way so the upper light reflects off its scales and right into his eyes, and he squints. Jeez, it really has a metallic sheen to i-

....oh. Oh.]

How about... Fleuret?

Mn, maybe not... [She doesn't sound entirely convinced about that idea either, despite it being her suggestion. That doesn't matter!

For a little, she watches him watch her and the fish, tilting her head in curiosity at the changes in his facial expression. She wants to ask, but knowing it's because of her insistence he's thinking so hard, she remains quiet. Only when he makes the suggestion out of seemingly nowhere does she react, not entirely sure she heard him right.]

Huh?

[Her response is not a "oh god that's horrible" so he takes a deep breath and rolls with it.]

Fleuret. Like- like the Wind Fleuret. That sword meant a lot to you, it was your partner for a long time back in SAO, and it's one of the things that helped us connect... and, um. Well, Asuna is Kazuto's partner. So it's pretty, and... kind of symbolic...?

[is he doing okay]