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(no subject)

Who: the Vision and YOU
Broadcast: Video
Action: On Lyndia
When: Video is now, action through the duration of the system

[Video Broadcast]

[The video clicks on to a tunnel opening up to a spectacular cavern with what looks like a lava waterfall, casting an orange-red light onto the surroundings even though it's fairly distant. After a good long moment, the view swings back to the tunnel where a few sparkling rocks are embedded in the gray stone walls.]

I'm pleased to report that one can indeed find diamonds down in the lower mines, though they tend to appear rather close to lava flows. I'd advise caution if you'd like to seek them out, but I am reliably told the natives will craft them into a number of tools for you if you can acquire them.

[There's a brief hissing sound from behind the camera, and he quickly sets it down. The sounds of a scuffle and a high-pitched screech are heard, and after a moment he picks it back up again.]

Ah, and do watch out for the cave spiders if you traverse this deep. They're rather large.

[Action throughout the month]

[The Vision doesn't spend all of his time looking for underground treasures, of course. This is a great planet for some flying, especially when it means checking out some staggeringly giant trees and looking for novel fruits to bring home for testing, or gathering wood for various construction projects. There's also all of the neat tech to be found in the populated areas underground, so he can also be found shopping for upgrades, new media for the library, spare parts, and of course creature comforts. Maybe they even have some donut powder! And since it's been so very long, he can even be found at the water park wearing a ridiculous little yellow Speedo and looking like he's thoroughly enjoying the screaming crowds of young people on inflatable tubes.

Lastly, for those few who might remember, his birthday was officially set as May 16th last time he was in the Fleet, and it's quickly approaching....]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This time the princess lays several kisses to the prince's knuckles; he is so very precious to her that Wanda simply can't resist.]

I've been planning this since my birthday. We aren't so far apart.

[She's just glad they're planetside for this, because what she had in mind would have been so much more difficult on the ships. It's hard to have a romantic evening when there are so few places to go and little to no privacy. This, too, could easily have turned out badly, but as soon as she saw Vision in the soft light of the plants, Wanda knew she'd made a good choice.

She reaches out to lightly trace her fingers over his cheekbones before gently cupping his face.]

I brought treats for you, and something more. And one last surprise that is only for you to see.

[She blushes at the thought, enough to be visible in the strange light, but one corner of her mind is tightly closed against any peeking. Sorry Vizh, you're going to have to find out the normal way.]

What do you want first?

Not far apart at all. [He gives her a kiss back, lighter this time. Okay, yes, they're several decades apart, but they're also closer than many people get to one another in their entire lives. It all depends on how you look at it.

Oh, but she's blushing even in this dim light. He grins, not minding in the least that she's going to have him wait for it. There ought to be some surprises on his birthday, right?] Let's start with the treats, shall we? I don't believe I've had a night picnic before.

[And they're on a heavily-populated, technologically advanced planet this time, which means she could really be hiding anything in that basket. He inhales deeply, catching both the scent of--is that freshly baked pastry? Probably, knowing his girlfriend. And it's intermingled with greenery from the park around them, which is a comfort as well, and that delightful scent that is Wanda Maximoff (largely a combination of the soaps she uses, as his sense of smell isn't much better than a human's in that regard).]

[This is a special corner of paradise: relative privacy in these beautiful gardens trading soft kisses as easily as breathing. She makes the next one last a little longer in apology for having to let go of him to rummage in the basket.

(It's still not enough in her opinion, but it's his birthday. If he wants to grab her for more kisses, she's not going to complain.)]

I got you a cake, but I saw these and I had to get some too.

['These' turn out to be cute gem-shaped desserts, something between a truffle and a cake bite. Wanda shifts so that she can more easily feed it to him - sure, there's one for each of them, but feeding it to him (and then quickly eating the other half to give him the taste) feels much more intimate.

Wanda reaches for his mind in preparation, and while she's doing a good job hiding the exact details of the remaining surprises, she can't hide her excitement...or her nervousness.]

I am not sure what they taste like, but they're cute. But not as cute as you.

[He shifts into position with her, arms loosely holding Wanda against him so he doesn't have to let go when she feeds him a bite. He hums appreciatively at the taste and kisses her on the nose after the first one, careful not to smear her with chocolate. They're dense and moist, and the flavors complement each other nicely (to judge by the shared sensation).]

These are wonderful, Wanda. I hope you had to try a good many desserts before you found one you liked.

[Yes, yes, she'd just said she hadn't tasted them yet, but one does not go pastry shopping without testing some of the other merchandise, surely?

He rests his cheek against hers a moment.]

It was not necessary to get me anything. I have everything I could want right here in my arms.

[She settles happily into the warmth of his embrace, giggling when he kisses her nose. This, right here, is everything she could possibly need. Wanda wishes she could bottle this feeling up and keep it with her forever...but she doesn't need to as long as she has him.]

I had to make sure their food was good enough for you. [She grins and lightly taps his nose before reaching for the other piece.] I tried several stores before I found this one.

[Any and all affectionate contact is welcome and Wanda closes her eyes and gently nuzzles his cheek. His skin's so soft...]

I wanted to celebrate you, love. You're the best thing that's happened to me.

It was an excellent find.

[And it is kind of nice to be the center of attention. He's usually so concerned with Wanda's feelings that he rarely lets himself relax like this, but he knows she's done this for him and he's determined to let her have the moment.]

You look wonderful in this dress, my love. Wherever did you get it?

[Look, okay, she likes to spoil him. Vision deserves all the good things the universe has to offer and seeing him happy warms her heart. She's going to make sure he gets all of the nice things she didn't get to have growing up.

And while she knows this isn't his first birthday, for her it's his first birthday that they've shared. She's going to make a bit of a fuss.]

Sansa offered to make a dress for me so I showed her your painting.

[There are some changes, of course - the cloak came from a shop here but it fit the look so well that Wanda couldn't resist. It's not doing anything to keep her warm (not like he is) but it just looks cool.]

I needed it for one of your surprises. You'll see. [She grins and kisses him sweetly.] But first...I think it is time for your cake, yes?

[She calls the basket back to her reach very carefully, and whatever is in it seems so delicate that Wanda prefers to use her powers to remove it. It seems like nothing at first glance - just a plain bakery box.

Wanda opens it very carefully and glances up at Vision to see his reaction. The cake inside had taken her breath away when she'd seen it in the store, and she'd known right away that it was perfect for the night she'd had in mind. Wanda just hopes he loves it as much as she does...and that it's as tasty as everything else she'd sampled at the bakery.]

[She really does spoil him - and, selfish or not, he loves every moment of it. It's so rare that he gets to do something purely for himself (though almost all of such things, admittedly, have involved Wanda in one way or another).

When he sees the cake, he inhales sharply, eyes glittering with delight. She's chosen well.]

Oh, but it's beautiful. Like how an artist might see the void, filled with stars.

[He kisses her softly again in thanks and relaxes his hold on her so he can free one arm up, not sure if she wants to continue feeding him or if they should taste it in tandem.]

What a marvelous effect. [He glances up, noting again the placement of lights and bioluminescence around the indoor park.] They must miss the sky, down here, even if they've never really known it. [And then his gaze returns to Wanda, and he smiles fondly down at her once more.] Thank you, my dear.

[As happy as she is to continue feeding him, this is probably something the should experience together. Hopefully the taste lives up to how pretty it is...but if anything is too pretty to eat, it might be this cake.]

I think if all I knew was the skylights I would never stop dreaming about the surface world.

[She follows Vision's gaze but gets distracted by the way the bioluminescence highlights his face and vibranium plating before his attention returns to her. Caught, Wanda blushes again and leans up to catch his lips in another kiss. She's so glad Vision doesn't feel any need to wear that human disguise here or on the Fleet. He's so beautiful exactly as he is.]

Do you want to cut it first, love?

[And yet the simple pleasure of going to a park on a date with the woman he loves is far too dangerous at home, without disguises. It's not without risk even wish disguises, for that matter. Sure, some people still look curiously at him here, but in many ways he's no stranger than the orange-skinned humans they've found on many planets.

It's enough to make him fully appreciate the moment.]

All right.

[He fishes around for the knife and carefully slices into the beautiful cake. In a way, it's too pretty to eat - but in another way, consuming it is honoring the baker. Besides, that gooey chocolate center looks like just the kind of thing Wanda is always dreaming about when they're on the ships far from delicacies. He carefully serves them both a piece and holds his up to his mouth, ready for her signal.]

[They told her what was in the cake, of course, but actually seeing it for herself makes Wanda gasp. Oh, this was definitely the right choice. It may be too pretty to eat on the outside, but who could resist that gooey chocolate center? Certainly not her.

For the sake of her dress, Wanda gets a small bite with a fork. She glances over at Vision and grins, excitement thrumming through their link.]

Are you ready, Vizh? One, two, three--

[And this is it, she's clearly dead because nothing is allowed to taste this wonderful and creamy. Wanda practically moans around that mouthful and sags against Vision in her happiness. It's so good and he's so good and if the cake didn't kill her, this much happiness might.]

[On three he takes a bite--and then laughs, mouth still full, as he catches Wanda against himself and supports her sagging frame. This is not a sensation he's used to getting from her where food is concerned, even really good food.]

That is delicious. You've outdone yourself again, my dear. Do you have it in you for another bite, or would that be treacherous?

[This stuff could be pretty dangerous, he thinks, still laughing a little.]

[404 Wanda not found]

Mmmmm...

[She opens her eyes, looks up at him, and grins. She's in her happy place.]

I think it would be worth the risk. And also that maybe you should come with me next time to get more.

That's a promise I'm happy to make.

[And as good as the cake is, he foregoes another bite to look down at Wanda and just hold her, supremely content in the moment. They're surrounded by beauty and he has a very happy Wanda in his arms. What more could he want? What more could anyone ask for?

He meets her grin with a light kiss, followed by a deeper one.]

I love you, Wanda.

[This time, Wanda moans purely for him as they kiss. The cake can wait. She has far sweeter treats within her reach.]

I love you too, Vizh. More than anything.

[Her hand comes up to cup the back of his head and guide him down for another slow, sweet kiss. She is his, completely, always (or as long as the Atroma allow her to remain herself). It doesn't matter if he doesn't want the promise ring - it's only a physical reminder of something they both know to be true. They don't need it.

Smiling, Wanda cuts another bite of cake with her fork and sends Vision a psychic image: they could try feeding each other again. If any food has ever been worthy of that extra intimacy, it's definitely this cake.]

I am going to get this recipe and one day when we're safe, I'll make it for us again.

[A tiny pang goes through the Vision's heart as Wanda kisses him again; he realizes that this is the happiest he's ever been.]

Then I hope the recipe is not a proprietary secret. [He likes the idea, and delicately feeds her a bite of cake on a fork as he takes his own bite from hers. And then he takes another bite, and it turns out the happiest he's ever been doesn't have to be a static thing, or a single peak that he can never revisit again. It's all of this together, all the time, and most of all it's knowing someone loves him more than he ever would have thought possible.

He doesn't say anything else until the cake is gone, just punctuates bites with the occasional kiss and sinks further into a state of relaxed bliss. Finally, he wipes up the last bit of chocolate cream from her mouth with a nearly indecent lick and nuzzles his forehead against hers.]

And to think, I almost believed I didn't need a cake today.

[Vision is by far the best thing to ever happen to her. She misses Pietro and her home terribly, but these past few months have still been the happiest of her life. Tonight is already well on its way to becoming a particularly treasured memory (although she could never choose one favorite - all her memories of Vision are special).

They fall into a pleasant silence, enjoying chocolate and kisses and chocolate kisses. Wanda giggles as Vision licks that stray bit of chocolate from her mouth and settles into bliss as he leans his forehead against hers. Her eyes fall closed for a long moment.]

I'm glad you liked it. I want today to be perfect.

[She pulls back, but it's only enough so that she can cup his face in her hands. Wanda's thumbs lightly stroke over his cheeks before she leans up to kiss him sweetly.

Their link is full of love in its purest expression, but Wanda's so nervous she can't keep a thread of it from leaking through.]

I have another present for you, love. And I understand if you don't want it, but...if something happens to me again I want you to have something to remember me.

[She lets him go with lingering fingertips and much reluctance before calling a small wrapped box to her hands. Inside is a ring fashioned in an infinity loop set with red and yellow stones. It was so perfect it was almost like it was waiting for her.

This isn't a proposal and it's not an engagement ring. But Wanda's still terribly nervous.]

Edited 2019-05-07 14:13 (UTC)

[He catches that little thread of anxiety, and the Vision frowns a bit at the second half of her explanation. He would never forget her--but he doesn't always have control over these things, not with the Atroma. That's why Kitty has her necklace with Winn's ring on it, because she knows what these places can do to you.

And, thinking of that, his intake of breath when he opens up the box is one of delight rather than absolute surprise, and he beams a smile of unadulterated joy at her when he sees it.]

Wanda, this is perfect! [He holds it up to the light to catch the workmanship better and turns to her for a quick kiss.] I love it. Which finger is it meant to be worn on?

[Look, she wears rings on all her fingers at times. He's under no illusion that she would have gone straight for a ring-finger ring.]

[To see Vision smile like that, all her worries that he might not want it seem so silly. It represents a good thing - that whatever the Atroma might do to her in the future, she was here and she will always love him and this means something - but it's something she might not have thought to give him if that wasn't hanging over them.

But she only mirrors his joy when they kiss. Tonight is too lovely to think of dark things.]

I think it should fit your index finger on whichever hand you want. [And now her recent fixation on his hands might make sense - she was trying to measure against her own hands what might fit him.

After he slips it on, Wanda catches his hand and kisses his knuckles.]

It is more than just a ring...try phasing.

[Her grin makes it obvious that she's not expecting it to just fall off him.]

[He raises a brow and looks at her doubtfully, but when he phases his hand to pass through the picnic basket he laughs in delight. There goes the ring, phasing with him instead of falling off like a regular piece of clothing or jewelry might.]

Now how is this possible? It's not vibranium, surely.

[He feels like he would have known somehow if there was vibranium on this planet, and surely there isn't enough lying around anywhere else to make this. But even as he asks, he pulls her close again and gives her another kiss.]

I admit I've been looking for something for you, but I've not yet found anything appropriate.

Magic. I had some help.

[Wanda grins and kisses Vision happily. He doesn't just like it, he really loves it. And while she never really doubted that Loki's spell would work, seeing it in action is another small relief.

She wraps her arms around him and rests her head on his shoulder, needing the quiet contact. Her fingers lightly begin tracing nonsense patterns on his back.]

I love you, Vision. I would wear anything you get me because it comes from you.

Hmm. Well, it was well done. [He holds his hand out again to admire it. The citrine and ruby catch the light well, and the diamonds sparkle with their own fire. The red is just different enough from his natural coloring that it stands out without clashing. Anyone who pays attention to him will be able to notice it.

She's marked him, and he likes it very much.

He tightens his arms around her, heart full.]

Even so, it should be something that suits you as well as this suits me. Something you could wake up some day with no memory of anything at all and see and say "ah, there is someone who loves me". You deserve no less.

[She closes her eyes and melts into that embrace. While she knows that's technically possible - the Atroma really are shameless - right here and right now she feels so loved and safe.]

Follow your heart, Vision. You will know it is right when you see it.

[Wanda tilts her head so that she can press soft kisses to his neck.]

You already gave me a home here. I couldn't wake up in our room and not know that someone loves me very much.

You are where my heart has found its home, Wanda. [He strokes her back lightly, relaxing further into her kisses along his neck.] For all the complaints I have about our situation here, I have you, and that alone makes it worthwhile.

[Still, he thinks as he brings up the ring to admire it once more, he wants to think of something he can give her that approaches this level of excellence.]

Thank you. It's a wonderful gift, and I'll wear it with pride.

I could live anywhere as long as we're together. You are everything to me, Vision.

[She's content to stay in his embrace for a little while longer. It doesn't matter that she has him all to herself every night; all of these soft, quiet moments are equally precious to Wanda. There is a part of her that is only fully at peace in his arms.

She makes a soft sound as she extracts herself just enough to kiss him softly.]

I have something else for you, love, but we will have to get up.