4.1

[sighsheavily]

I can't believe this... I actually like these.

[these being reference to what clothes she's picked at within the room they're holed in for hours indeterminate. she's pulled on a pastel gown and finished fiddling with the fiddlier bits, smoothing out the drapery in front of the floor-length mirror.]

The color is a shame, and I doubt this'd be of use if I get dropped in that bloody maze again, but still...

[it's nice. it feels nice! no more denim and excess buttons...

gads, the rhinestones making cactus blossom patters are kind of tacky, though. she oughtn't complain; it's a step in the right direction.]

Comments

[sighsheavily]

That's why I said strangely sensible. I didn't say consistently sensible.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You know what? I'll take it.

[sighsheavily]

[with a little laugh in her voice:] You're welcome, I suppose! Brave, heroic, and...strangely sensible.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Don't forget 'madly in love.'

[sighsheavily]

Hmh-! Brave, heroic, strangely sensible, madly in love, well-dressed and well-groomed, talented...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Now hold on...a few of those things are because a certain lady seemed to think I wasn't capable of brushing my hair or dressing myself~

[He turns in her arms to face her with a playful smirk.]

[sighsheavily]

[she slacks her hold for him to do so, her mouth twitching on one side with some bashfulness.]

Right... Highly trainable, then?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I think 'adaptable' sounds better. I mean, I'm your bo— ...partner. Not a pet.

[sighsheavily]

[embarrassed:] O-of course! Adaptable and...and quite patient, honestly.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He places his hands on her hips and lifts her easily so they can look each other in the eye on a more level field.]

Hey, I can be patient when the reward justifies it...

[He pulls her in close against his frame. Close enough that their noses are practically touching.]

You've always been worth the wait...

[sighsheavily]

[upon being lifted, her arms have to shrink toward herself before resting on his chest, hands on his shoulders. it's still disarming to be swept up so simply and doubly so in the face of sweet words; she has to swallow her heart back down her throat.

the surprise fades and her expression softens, face red. she can't come up with any counter or smart remark in light of his words, so she instead just tilts her head and kisses him.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[A soft sound escapes his lips as he kisses her and he holds it for as long as either of them can go without breathing. But when the need for air finally comes, he only pulls away enough that they can both still feel the heat of each other's lips on their own.]

So...do we want to get back to work...?

Or do we owe it to ourselves to relax for a little...?

[Because he knows they both have workaholic tendencies.]

[sighsheavily]

[her mouth purses a little in something of a pout as she considers.]

Stepping out of this room...will make time move forward more certainly. And the work will begin.

[...]

Are you ready for that?

[is she?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I wouldn't mind freezing time with you for a little longer...

I'm sure we can find something to keep ourselves occupied.

[sighsheavily]

And...we promise not to feel guilty about it later? Right? For making everybody wait.

[with the burden of responsibility comes the shame of indulging...or was that just her.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I promise. Do you?

[sighsheavily]

[...]

...Mn. [she nods a little.] I promise.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Then...I guess all we need to do is find something to keep ourselves busy...

[He leans in and kisses her again. Shorter, sweeter, playfully.]

Got any ideas~?

[sighsheavily]

[she manages to reciprocate a bit before he can get away to pose questions, her eyes half closed, expression pensive.]

Nothing innovative. I simply enjoy being close to you, however you please. [and she's still squirrely about insisting on her own behalf.] You...never ask much of me besides being...but you should try. So I know.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I think anything I could ask of you right now might make you faint.

[sighsheavily]

[her eyebrow twitches.]

I. I see. And that--that would...lessen your chances of...whatever that may entail.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, we want to keep ourselves busy without leaving the room, right?

And I feel like anything else we could do would still be work.

[sighsheavily]

[another eyebrow twitch, now in tandem with an ear. she feels a weird mix of exasperation and impatience and, prompted by that, presses both her hands on the sides of his face.]

Do you mean to make love to me or are you just going to make leading statements in circles some more?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He's trying not to laugh. He's teasing her. Obviously getting her worked up.]

[He leans in to kiss at her neck.]

I don't think I was leading you on that much...but if you insist...

[He takes a few steps over to the bed and lays her down on her back, pressing his arms to either side of her and hovering over her.]

It'd be a waste not to break this nice bed in. And I definitely don't want your nice, new clothes to get dirty.

[sighsheavily]

Then undo them properly so I don't have to spend time mending them. [she reaches up and picks at a couple of the buttons of his shirt.] These, too...the material is nice. Try not to tear it?