[closed] 🌸still like the morning dew❄️

[sultanofsquat]

⌛ Who: Cloud Strife & Kamisato Ayaka
⌛ What: Sparring & learning the ways of Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu
⌛ When: After their Itabashi Springs vacation
⌛ Where: Kamisato Estate • Kyoto
⌛ Warnings: None!

[ It's a conversation they've had before, wishing to keep their wits sharp and blades even moreso despite these peaceful times. But with the space between them as he grows ever so closer towards finding a place in Kyoto, there hasn't really been enough time to actively pursue this contest. Not when both of them were contented with spending time together in other ways. But it's when the two of them returned back to his apartment, his newfound Kizuna Katana drawing their eye, that he finally voiced something he'd been harboring for a while. At first, it was the wish to spar with her; he told her as much the night they left the palace. But now? It's something deeper than just wishing to test his strength against hers- deeper than just learning how to fight somebody lighter and faster than him.

"I wanna learn." a beat and a nod, affirmation to himself before he seeks her gaze to ask, "The Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu." ]

— — —
Kamisato Estate • Kyoto
— — —

[ It was a foregone conclusion. Even without their intent to spar and train, neither one were prepared to say goodbye just yet, even after their getaway to the Itabashi Springs. It also didn't hurt that he could use this time to house hunt during his stay in Kyoto. It was just for a couple days; then he'd return to Tokyo to work again. This would be the first time that Cloud was going to stay on the estate, no need for crashing someone's place or renting a hotel this time. This time, he's packed appropriately, still opting to bring the Buster Sword just in case. But he has zero intention of using it on this trip. Not when he's packed two different weapons.

The longer-bladed Kizuna Katana gifted to him by the researchers, and a matching bokken. Luckily for him, both are secured around his waist so he has less to carry in his arms. To anybody else who sees the man loaded out with light luggage and three different swords? He's making a damning case as an intimidating bodyguard for the young Miss Kamisato. The walk back to the estate from the station is a tried and practiced path for him, having done this many times before as they round the street corner leading towards home.

First order of business? Get unpacked and settled in. Second order of business? Well...he's not in a hurry to start fighting. ]

Comments

[sultanofsquat]

Hm.

[ Permission granted. And with Ayaka comfortably resting against his chest and his arms settled around her so gently, he'll lean in with her when he closes his eyes. It's just like the first time he kissed her, in the gazebo distanced from the rest of the festivalgoers. His feet moved before he could think of what he was doing then. His heart beat before his mind could catch up. Removed from the heat, Cloud Strife moved that night to do something he couldn't stop thinking about since he caught her, on stage and before the train station's last call.

Then...

"Would you..." Her voice so soft, she finally looked him in the eyes when she asked, "Would you do it again?"

And he did. And Cloud would do it again. And again. As many times as she wanted. As many times as she wanted to say one more. As he trails the length of her plated forearm in her lap, his larger hand settles over hers once he reaches it, slipping his fingers between hers as this kiss stretches on into what feels like eternity- one that never feels like it wanes, if not time looping this moment for them, stopping entirely so these precious seconds stretch out everlasting in their hearts.

Soft chimes signal the movement of time once more when they part, though Cloud doesn't veer far enough away when he opens his eyes. He's right here. Right where it makes sense. ]

Just one.

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka likes this very much, and she would stay like this in Cloud's arms for as long as she can, if she's allowed to.

Just like that, he's made her heart flutter like crazy again. Her eyes open, lips feeling so warm from those two kisses that there is nothing else she can do but smile. This afternoon, with the gentle breeze passing by and the sunlight pouring into where they are just enough, with the heat being shielded by the leaves of the trees in the garden... ]

Just one. [ Repeating his words, because one more is more than enough now. She's... so happy like this. But time has to move forward, doesn't it?

Don't mind her enjoying the view for now, though. Cloud is a beautiful sight. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Ayaka wasn't the only one left watching. And if it weren't for the fact that he was doing the same thing? He might have cracked with a softer "What?" to ask if there was something on his face. Yet he doesn't even move to kiss her again either, simply letting everything sink in. The fact that precious moments like this were what would drive him to be right down the street. Around the corner. Anywhere that either one could run to. They really could go back to training, but while he still had every intention of going back at some point today? He also wouldn't be opposed to staying right here, behind her, by her side, giving her somebody to lean on while they basked in the coziness of sunlight and soothing winds. ]

...

[ He's the first to break the silence, humming under his breath and trying not to loose a laugh at the fact that he was just...happy. Just happy. It's the first word that he can think of when he sees her and finally bows to tuck his forehead to rest against hers. ]

Ayaka?

[mistsplitter]

[ For all of the stories Ayaka has read and daydreamed about, none of them ever made Ayaka feel this way. With her heart beating so fast, and yet, she feels so much warmth and happiness amidst nervousness. This is her safe place, the most comfortable she's ever been. With Cloud, she can be herself, and even though she gets shy being open about her feelings, she knows he'll catch her, and that gives her confidence.

Her breath shakes when he whispers her name, foreheads touching. A happy, nervous breath, and she seeks comfort by squeezing his hand before she answers. ]

Cloud?

[sultanofsquat]

[ It took a lot of courage to do what he did, to try and embrace feelings for himself and not for someone he thought he was. When he still didn't fully understand who he was supposed to be, Cloud found a safe place of his own- sitting in a tree with a girl called Kamisato Ayaka, to memories of watching the stars kiss the sky and wishes be made. Even if there were still missing pieces in his past, deep down at the root of his soul, he knew. He was giving her everything that he was. That he truly was. ]

Don't feel like getting up.

[ Not for training. He tries not to laugh, instead letting himself softly breath as his free hand about her waist gently hugs her. Cloud just feels like giving her that comfort- the very same that she instills in him every time they talk. Every time they text. Every time she calls, or picks up when he hits that button first. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Her beau is rather silly, isn't he? ]

Then what about the Kamisato-Strife Art Tachi Jutsu?

[ Believe her - she does not mind at all if they don't get up. But at the same time? There is also something special about being able to teach an art that her clan had founded, in turn making him an honorary part of it. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ And that? Is because she lets him feel safe to be. ]

Sigh... Can't go slacking right at the start.

[ He will get up. But if the bells chime, signaling the seconds to start marching again, before this fleck in time was over... ]

Thank you. [ For helping him better understand who he was. For letting him continue to try for her. For waiting so that she may see the real him, holding her in the still of night when his heart was at its most distraught. For always counting on him to catch her. For giving him a chance to feel normal. For giving him all of her to treasure and keep safe. ] For everything.

[ For being the best thing that ever happened to him. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Cloud doesn't have to thank her for anything... but hearing him say that sends warmth all over her chest. Her smile is so genuine, present out of pure admiration for the person she's with. Her most comfortable place.

He's still holding her hand, but she can reach for his cheek with her other one. To think that she's able to share such a peaceful moment with him like this... it is something she could never have had until they met. She wants Cloud to be happy, just as much as she wants her family to be happy. And yet, the love she has for Ayato is so different from her affection for Cloud.

... so different. And so new, with so much to unravel, not knowing how deep it could go. ]

One more?

[ Guess they can slack off a little longer... That "one more" is not a request to have him kiss her again. She's telling him she's going to kiss him again, sitting up a little more while still in her beau's arms so that she can be closer to him. Cloud doesn't have to thank her for anything. She's the one who should be showing gratitude for giving her the world. ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ A smile so genuine, so impactful in this moment that he only wished he could continue to have the strength to preserve this purity for them both. With the time that they have, he was going to make every minute. Every moment. Every day count, not just for trying to remember the person he used to be before he fought as an Ex-SOLDIER, but for being that piece of sanctuary for the woman that took his heart.

"She must be pretty special to have caught your attention, though."

His attention. His heart. His soul. When he's within these walls, or she's in his sight, Ayaka held every part of him within the palm of her hand. But it wasn't just these flecks in time where he kept his eyes on her that mattered. Being in his 'sight' meant that even when he had to say goodbye and get on that train...

She never left. For in his mind's eye, and everything rooted to his core, Cloud would take her kiss and cherish it. For as long as he still held this affection for her, these feelings that bloomed into something far deeper before the two ever dared utter the word, she was always with him. When he told her that he was lucky, he meant it. Even now, her omamori stays with him everywhere he goes, something so small yet so precious that reminded him of who was waiting for him. ]