driftfleet | (no subject)

[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]

[Her immediate response is to lean forward and press her lips to his once more, moving towards him to retake her previous seat basically in his lap. Yep, he's doing perfectly okay.]

It's perfect. [Words happen when they break apart and she's nestled against him. Again. It's comfy, what can she say?] I knew you could do it if you tried.

Mm, now I wonder if the name I chose is lacking any major thought...

Are you serious? Yours was so...

[He gestures vaguely, as if waggling fingers can convey the same kind of sentiment as her words of glowing praise that he definitely does not deserve.]

But, I mean. It's your fish, name it whatever you want.

Hey, they're ours, you know. You can't expect to do all this then leave only me to care for them. [Of course, her reasoning is a humorous one. Instead, they now have something to share, just the two of them, and that implication is very clear with him being forced to name one.]

Kazu and Fleuret they'll be. [Asuna angles her head to look at his face.] How did you come up with the idea for this, by the way?

[He leans in, resting his chin on her shoulder, his brows furrowing thoughtfully.]

How...? Well, I guess I had it on the brain... Nightingale and I were talking about the whole Black Swordsman stuff when we arrived, and then we got our swords from those ruins... so when I walked by the black one and it had our colours, I couldn't stop thinking about it. And they were pretty- the rooms start out so empty and depressing when you first get here. I thought you might feel a bit more at home.

[A happy hum can be heard, and she rests her head against his, a contented smile on her face.]

You're right, the rooms could always use something else. This was very sweet, thank you.

[She kisses his cheek before sighing happily and completely relaxing against him.]

Mm, but as long as you're with me somewhere, I can always feel at home.

...Yeah... no argument, there.

[His arm tightens a little, hugging her closer to himself.]

I tried not to think about it too much, but... you being here changes everything.

Really? [There's a shift of her head in curiosity, but she doesn't move to look at him. Where she currently rests is too comfortable to leave, so she settles for just listening to his voice.]

I hope you mean that in a good way.

[Of course she's teasing him.]