026 [Video/Action for Cherrygrove PokéCenter]

[soggypastry]

[Hi, Johto. Hve you been enjoying your...odd weekend? Hopefully so, because it's about to get weirder. Enjoy your view of Lightning hunched over a stove in the Cherrygrove Pokémon Center, stirring something in a pot. It's an odd sight, both with her hair twisted up into a messy bun and the fact that she's...actually cooking. Anyone who knows her knows that's not a good sign. Especially when she's starting to look a little bit frazzled.]

No, no, no...come on. Don't you dare burn.

[Yes, she's talking to her pot of...something. Unfortunately, this doesn't help her with the cooking and it's with a rather frustrated sound that she takes that pot off the stove, camera tracking her movements while she places it in the sink before scrubbing her face, leaving smears of chocolate down her cheeks as she takes a breath to regain her composure. Is she giving up? Not on your life.

She's just turning back to the counter, where there's enough ingredients for one more try along with a recipe book she's looking back at.]

You could always help, you know.

[A startled "Pika!" and...end feed. Spark still enjoys being Camera-chu, it seems.]

Comments

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[adamant]

[He diligently mixes it up; it does smell amazing, and his eyes flutter closed appreciatively.]

Only a few times. Chocolate was [--is--] a luxury, so I learned fast not to burn it.

[With a kind of boyish playfulness and a conspiratorial glance in her direction, he dips one finger in the mixture of spices, chocolate and cream, bringing it to his mouth. He invites her to do the same. Hygiene? Eh, who else is going to eat these?]

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[soggypastry]

[Hygiene, schmygiene. She'd started this with the intention of making them for just Leon and herself, and it's not like they have any qualms about sharing germs with eac hother, soin goes in the finger. It tastes just as good as it smells, hell, it may just taste better, but Lightning's focus shifts from that to the man in front of her fairly quickly. She contemplates him for a second, like a wild cat about to pounce on prey, before she steps forward and catches him in a passionate kiss.

Normally, he's the one to start this kind of thing, but today...today there's just something in the air.Something that makes her want to take a chance with him, and throw caution to the wind. Stop waiting around and just...tell him. Tell him that she loves him, too. Because she does. She just needs to tell him.]

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[adamant]

[--oh.



That's nice.



Leon's brain capacity shrinks to include her mouth and her body against his and not much else. She tastes like chocolate and lavender. The bowl rattles a bit as he shifts, pinning her between the counter and his body. His kiss now is more aggressive, tempered only by the fact that they're still in a public place. It wouldn't do to be caught.

He breaks away for a moment, panting lightly. He looks down at her, his gaze fierce.]

We shouldn't...

[He leans in, pressing his forehead against hers.]

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[soggypastry]

[Lightning shifts with his movement, bracing herself so she can't be bent backwards over the counter as she doesn't let go, not wanting this to end.

But it has to: they are in public and getting caught wouldn't be good...especially since Spark still has the gear. So she just leans her weight against him in return,wrapping both arms around his shoulders, hands linking behind his neck as she tries to temper the raging fire in her belly. They really shouldn't, not here, but....]

The doors to the rooms upstairs lock, you know. We could continue this there.

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[adamant]

[That gets his attention. All of it.]

Are you--sure...?

[He runs suddenly-hesitant fingers up and down her forearms, skimming her skin with feather-light touches. Her offer is tempting, of course, but there's a part of him, that part of his brain full of honor and courtesy, that isn't affected by the melody in the air--and it's telling him not to give in just yet.]

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[soggypastry]

[It's easy to tell he's hesitant about this. Easy to tell he's still having reservations about it, but Lightning...well, she only smiles softly, moving one hand to link her fingers with his and look up at him.]

I'm sure. I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't...but we don't have to if you're not sure yet.

[Yes, the melody is playing a large factor in this, but she's also quite sure it's what she wants. She wouldn't have even considered it if she hadn't been; no melody could force her into something this important. Still, if he wants to wait longer, she will also wait. They're in this together.]

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[adamant]

[The comment on his uncertainty might make him frown on any other day; today, though, he simply shakes his head. He wants this. Wants her, if she'll let him.]

No, I do--it's just that I owe you an apology first. We can talk upstairs.

[His eyes slide to the pot of chocolate, then to the door, then back to her, with sheepishness lightening his gaze.]

But maybe we can clean up first.

[Leaving all their stuff here...besides being stupidly incriminating, it'd be downright rude.]

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[soggypastry]

[She's going to let him, because she wants him just as much as he wants her. Admitting that to herself is easy...saying it aloud is best saved for behind closed doors. Once the mess they're both looking at is cleaned up, anyway. So easy to forget about it when in a heated moment.]

That would probably be a good idea.

[It's said with more than a hint of her own sheepishness, before she moves away to start cleaning up, starting with pouring the still hot chocolate into a mold she'd found. Sooner this is done, sooner they can continue the discussion behind closed doors.]

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[adamant]

[He lets her pour; meanwhile, he wipes the counters clear of debris, hoping it'll clear his head. It doesn't. He keeps--shamefully--wandering back to the thought of her, under his hands, his mouth. No, he tells himself, he has to apologize first.

And then he remembers the present he got her, and his head whips around to the delicate little bag, right there, baby-blue and white and lacy. He moves to retrieve it. Maybe he should save it; now's not the right time. Or is it? Is there a right time for this sort of thing? 'I love you, I'm sorry I'm an ass, now here, take this--'

It strikes him as a distinctly...inappropriate thing to give in exchange for something as loaded with meaning as a woman's maidenhood.

The thought strikes him as old-fashioned. Is it? He wonders how she thinks of this. As quickly as he can, he finishes his task, little bag dangling on one wrist, a bit ridiculous.]

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[soggypastry]

[Leon may finish his task quickly, but Lightning...well, washing pots and pans of burnt chocolate takes a bit longer and she's almost grateful for that. As sure as she is that this is what she wants, it's a big step for both of them and their relationship. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't the slightest bit hesitant, but she's never let that stop her before.

His movement to snatch up that little bag catches her attention as she finishes up, however, and she glances over, blinking while she tries to make sense of the image she's seeing. It's...more than a bit ridiculous, really. But she manages not to chuckle and just steps over, taking his other hand with both of hers and moving towards the door. There's probably a lot to talk about, so best to just get a move on.

Before Spark can figure out how to turn the gear back on, too.]

Re: action;

[adamant]

[He helps shelve or tuck away the pots when she's done with them; between them, the work is silent, efficient. He can see her eyes linger on the little bag, but doesn't comment, instead doing his best to focus on not toppling over a pile of pots and making a huge clattering noise.

Eventually, they finish, and he's left dumbfounded when her hand finds his, warm and moist from washing, and she leads him away. He couldn't deny her if he wanted to.

(He makes a point of swiping the 'gear from the Pikachu before they go upstairs. No more trust from him.)

Every step is a small agony and a tiny miracle. He keeps glancing at her, demure but attempting casual, half-expecting her to just whip around and tell him it's a joke, it's all a joke. Things this good don't happen in reality, do they?]

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[soggypastry]

[Spark chatters in annoyance at having the gear swiped from his paws, but doesn't shock Leon if only because his trainer is holding hands with the big man and she doesn't need to get hurt, too. Count yourself lucky, Gear-thief.

Behind that casually demure act, Lightning is also expecting things to go wrong. After the first two discussions they had about this, she keeps thinking that nothing is going to be this easy between them. Keeps thinking that somehow, something is going to go wrong.

But she manages to stomp on that feeling for the moment, walking into their room and being sure to lock the door behind her. This is it. She can feel her heart starting to pound in her chest and has to take a breath to calm her nerves enough to ask what needs to be asked.]

What did you want to apologize for?

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[adamant]

[Oh, he counts himself lucky, all right, but it has little to do with Spark. Sorry, little guy.

He follows her up the stairs, acutely aware of the other people in the building--they don't cross anyone they know at least, which is a blessing--and feeling a nervous ball of trepidation form in his gut. His own head is whirling with similar thoughts; that he'll flub this, make a fool of himself, and let her down. He does his best to calm himself, even as she leads him into their room, the shoot shutting and closing behind her. Absently, he moves to put down both their gears--turned off, he makes sure of that--and his bag. Then he turns to her.]

For everything. For being an ass.

[He seldom uses oaths, but sometimes you're not 'immature', or 'dense', or 'temperamental'. Sometimes you're just an ass, and judicious word choice helps convey that he's being serious. He peels off his leather gloves, but his eyes keep going back to her.]

I got upset over something stupid, and I reacted badly. I'm sorry.

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[soggypastry]

[There's a part of her that agrees with him whole-heartedly; yes, he was a total ass and an idiot to boot because the reason she thinks this is about really was a stupid one, but...she doesn't say any of that. She just regards him pensively for a moment, slowly relaxing her posture. She knows it takes a lot for him to apologize, and she knows he means every word, so there's only one way to go about this.]

Apology accepted. On one condition. You tell me why you acted like that. What about it made you so upset?

[As always, she just wants to understand his reasoning. It's reminiscent of the previous summer only there's no punching. Yet. There probably won't be any, either. If his luck, and the song, hold.]

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[adamant]

[She accepts his apology; a weight lifts from his shoulders. he knows he's not nearly out of the woods yet, though. He brings his fist to his chin thoughtfully, mulling over how to explain.]

It was childish, but I felt cast aside, like you didn't think I was trustworthy.

[Yeah, it's childish. Sounds like it, but he was never good with words. He'd sit on the bed, but he doesn't even want to look at the bed right now.]

I thought you didn't understand how much you meant to me. And, by that same token, I meant less to you.

[He gives her a sheepish kind of look, as if wondering how she puts up with him. Underneath all the supposed strength, the power, the walls he's built around himself, Leon...has no idea what he's doing, fumbling into this utterly blind. He's not used to having his feelings hurt this way, because he hasn't let it happen, ever.]

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[soggypastry]

[Now she gets it. She doesn't quite understand how trying to get a saddle on her horse led to him feeling that way, but she gets it. Now she just needs to explain that to him...somehow. She starts by stepping closer, shaking her head and meeting his eyes. How can she put up with him? Simple. She loves him. Hopefully he can see that.]

That's not what it meant, Leon. It just meant that...[sigh. words, stop failing her!] I trust you, but what happens if we get separated? What happens if we can't rely on each other for a while?

[She leaves that question there, not willing to think on if that "while" turns into "forever", and instead reaches out to put a hand on his cheek. It's a more gentle gesture than she's used to making, but hopefully it gets her point across.]

You're always going to be important to me. Even if there are some things I have to do that make it seem different.

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[adamant]

I know, I-- [But then he pretty much deserves this, because he certainly hadn't acted like he knew.]

--I know you can handle yourself, Lightning. [If anyone would know that, it's him.] I just wish you'd let me take care of you.

[Her hand on his cheek, warm and gently insistent, derails his thoughts and drags his gaze back to hers. Her reassurance is mild and feels aimed at a child, but still sends a blossom of relief in his chest. It's strange how the smallest, simplest words can have such a dramatic effect. He lets his bare hands fall to her waist, pulling her in. He bows his head lightly, nosing her hair, eyes fluttering closed out of relish.]

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[soggypastry]

[Lightning doesn't say anything at first, too content to leave her head in the crook of his neck while he holds her. She'd be lying if she said this wasn't something she looked forward to, but..take care of her?

That's what this is about? Etro, this man will be the death of her. And yet...there's some small part of her that's touched by just how much he cares, and how much he wants to care for her. Maybe, a little at a time, she can start to let him. Maybe. Mot at this moment, but someday.]

You might have to wait a long time for that. I'm used to taking care of myself, you know.

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[adamant]

[He feels her settle into his arms and smiles into her hair.]

You've told me. [Doesn't stop him from hoping. He tilts his head down further, nudging his forehead to hers until she looks up, until he can kiss her. A spike of thrill dances up his spine. He catches her lower lip between his teeth, nurses it lightly before breaking away, his breathing a little faster.]

I meant it. I know it wasn't...well said, but I hope you realize that.

[That he cares about her, often more than he lets on.]

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[soggypastry]

[The kiss is startling, but not unwanted, and her own pulse races as he pulls away. She has to stomp hard on the instinct to immediately pull him back into another kiss, because there's something else that needs saying. One last thing that will either damn them or clear this hurdle for the last time.]

I know. You never say anything without meaning it in some way.

[She knows he cares about her, just like he knows she cares about him. Even if she's never said it before. But today is a day that makes her feel like taking chances, and as such...]

I love you, too. You do know that, right?

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[adamant]

[Hearing her say that, a positive reflection on his character, makes him smile, almost shyly. When she says it, finally...it doesn't make him pause. It's not a shock, not a revelation from on high, it doesn't cause a sudden burst of euphoria. Instead, it's a slow, quiet warmth that travels out from his ribcage to settle low, like a bird nesting; because it's not a big surprise, because he knows, of course he knows, and having her say it, while wonderful, isn't a firework.

It's just natural.

So he smiles, which is a hidden, Leon way of saying 'yes', and proceeds to pick her clear up off the floor, his arms falling to the backs of her thighs to keep her in place. There's a smirk on his face, and from this angle, it's easy to kiss along her jawline and her neck.]

So let me take care of you for a little while.

[It's as close to an invitation she is going to get.]

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[soggypastry]

[It is a little startling to be picked up so suddenly, but his trail of kisses does more than enough to ease that. It also makes her hold him close, feeling his warmth flush against her body. He's familiar in all the right ways, and if he wants to take care of her...she won't deny him this. Not after all they've already been through.]

Alright.

[Because she trusts him. She loves him, and she wants this, even if she's not sure how to word that. She's ready, willing, and able to do whatever it takes. And if that means letting herself be cared for, at least this once, she'll do it. They're in this together, after all.]

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[adamant]

[He navigates to the bed, gently laying her down, his heart hammering. She's so lovely, he thinks, and he's the luckiest man in the world. If he weren't addled by the music he'd probably stop himself, but as is it seems perfectly reasonable to take her hand in his and kiss her palm, strange light in his eyes, delighted at the smell of chocolate and dish soap on her fingers.]

You're worth more than I can...more than me. [It seems like a strange thing to say, but if she knew how easy it was for him to disconnect, to convince himself that he should run, she'd think otherwise. This feelings calls for everything he can't provide, and drags forth parts of himself that make him realize how sharply inadequate he is. And yet, moments like this one, where he can feel the warmth of her, remind him how crazy this is, how crazy he is for this lady.]

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[soggypastry]

[Lightning lays where he sets her down, drinking in the sight of him as she raises her free hand to his face, caressing his cheek with her thumb. He thinks she's worth more than him? Not in this. Never in this.]

Don't sell yourself so short. There's no one else who's worth more to me.

[She doesn't know he feels that way, but...she doesn't need him to provide anything he can't. She never fell for some ideal or fairy-tale with his face and voice. She fell for Leon, flaws and scars and all. Besides, it's not like she's worth as much as he thinks she is. She's far from flawless and she knows it. They're never going to be perfect, but...that doesn't matter. Not to Lightning. This may be crazy, but it's theirs, and she wouldn't have it any other way.]

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[adamant]

[He leans into that caress, sliding a hand down her side to the curve of her hip. Hitching her leg up, his hand continues the downward trail until his fingers graze the top of her boot. Methodically, he begins unfastening it. Flawed, Lightning? Right now, she's the most beautiful thing alive as far as he's concerned.]

I'll try to remember that.

[More like, he'll keep it tucked in his heart on the days when his doubts take hold. He bows his head, capturing her mouth, his free hand in her hair for a few wild seconds before he pulls away. His eyes rove her shape, down one exposed leg as her boot hits the floor. She might have to help him with his own--he's far too focused on getting the other piece of footwear off.]