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[The next few weeks were... Well "less than stellar" would be a severe understatement. It was no surprise when pretty much everyone in their circle learned about the giant mess of a fallout that occurred between the two. Understandably, Leia had the sympathy and Alvin the flack. Even Jude confronted him and punched him when he couldn't explain himself. What confused everyone was that it was clear the two did have mutual feelings, but the one who was supposed to be an adult wasn't acting them. Rowen tried to reason with him, to give him that elderly mature advice and remind him that this was not the path he had chosen and was one they all thought he had left.

Time and time again, Balan, Rowen, Jude, and even Yurgen asked him the important question: Why not? And all Alvin could say was that it just can't. Eventually they stopped asking since it was clear that Alvin had made up his mind. They didn't agree to it, but there wasn't much they could do. Elize again did not want have anything to do with him, both hurt and disappointed by his actions.

Only Elle contacted him again, and with her usual forthright attitude, remark how stupid he was being. Perhaps it was because Elle didn't have as many deep roots with them that she was able to not be as adversely affected by Alvin's action. She had never seen him before, so it just seems weird to her. And it was to Elle he eventually caved and told about he didn't think he would be a good match for Leia—that she deserved more. When he started to say he wanted her to be happy, Elle was quick to point out that what he was doing now wasn't really helping that. It was a fair point, and one he knew himself, but he just remained silent. He was using the logic that it might be painful in the short run, but it would be better in the long.

While Alvin was on his GHS, Elle had wandered into his office and was just being a nosy pre-teen, looking through his desk. It was there that she stumbled across the long forgotten tickets, and when she pulled them out, Alvin had caught her and was about to give her a playful smack on the head as punishment. But when he saw the tickets, he froze. He remembered the circumstances as to how he acquired them...and more about that particular day. When he saw Elle notice a particularly worn and old looking letter, he quickly shut the drawer, telling her to quit being nosy. But when she asked about the tickets, he told her the truth—they were for him and Leia. The deal was if she didn't miss her deadlines, he'd take her up there. Of course...that plan was shot now, so if Elle wanted to, she could go with Leia in his place.

Of course the girl would have none of it. She quickly pulled out her GHS and called Leia, asking where she was. After that, she grabbed Alvin's hand and forcefully dragged him out, even kicking at his shin when he tried to protest (and damn did that hurt). Not long after, they were at Helioborg, and again Alvin hesitated. He knew what the girl was trying to do, and somehow his feet actually allowed his body to be dragged to it. He had avoided Leia as much as possible, keeping only minimal contact and giving her short replies to any texts or calls she gave him. So seeing her there talking with Jude and Balan made his blood run cold.

It was awkward—he could see Jude giving him the cold look and even stepping closer to Leia, as if to help protect her for whatever pain he might dish out next. Balan on the other hand was a bit intrigued (of course he would). And then Elle was shoving and pushing him toward the group. The topic of the hot springs began, and even though he tried to just give the tickets to Leia for her to do what she wanted, she refused to take them. But he was refusing to go with her because it would be a bad idea. In the end, Balan settled it by taking the tickets and actually calling the hot springs.

"You're lucky, Alfred," Balan said after he hung up. "Those almost expired and that would have been a waste. But you're both good to go now! One honeymoon suite for just the two of you. It was the only one left, so you only have yourself to blame," he added when everyone gave him incredulous looks. "Anyway, it's about time we got back to work. Let's go, Jude."

Alvin could feel the intense look his old friend was giving him. Jude would later call him not to yell, but in a tired and somewhat pleading voice told him, "Just don't hurt her anymore, okay, Alvin? I know you're better than that, so...just try talking it over?"

The days leading up to that overnight trip were heavy for him. Several times he thought about just canceling, but the pressure everyone was giving was more than even he could take. And really, he did owe Leia at least something. He had asked for time to think. Hadn't he thought enough? The very least he could do was at least finally tell her what his thoughts were about this. To apologize. But all the endings that came to his mind after that...they didn't exactly leave him feeling all that good.

And now, they are at the hot springs. He tried to keep a normal facade, smiling and being as casual as possible with her. But he still maintained that distance, both physically and emotionally. Of course they were mistaken as an actual couple, particularly when they were rung up and led to their room. Of course that would just...bring a lot of awkwardness to stay, so he suggests they walk around, check the place out. As is the protocol, they had to change into the yukata-like robes provided and seeing Leia...well he tries very hard not to think too much about it, for once not commenting on how she looks.

The resort is rather large. Not as large as the water park, and it has a very old, traditional Kanbalar flair. But because of the season, there are plenty of people, both from Rieze Maxia and Elympios. There are families, singles, couples. It definitely had a relaxing atmosphere.

Now if only he could actually feel that way.

As they walk, he finally glances over to her.]

So...what do you think? I have to admit it's pretty nice.

[Small talk. Small talk is good, right?]

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[It's funny how they're both blaming themselves for the awkwardness. Only it's not really funny because of the tension. However, Alvin tries to salvage a bit of that camaraderie, because it is something that he missed.]

I wonder how busy they'll be. There seems to be a lot of people, so probably a lot of brats and old guys. [Sigh. Man Leia, you'll have it good with all the fine ladies—

Except maybe not. Because one of the staff members recognizes them from the little tournament and is all too happy to tell them that they have a special private bath just for the two of them~! ♥ It's prepped and ready for them.

Uh.]

[ that sort of thought crossed her mind when he made that joke, but she hadn't expected to actually end up in that kind of situation. especially not with a bath just for the two of them.

a mixed bath might not be so bad if there were other people around, but...

she shakes her head quickly, like she's trying to remove that thought by force. sharing a bath with no one else around might be more than a little awkward, but maybe it would turn out okay in the end. hopefully.

so, they're led to their super special private bath (luckily the changing areas are separated, because if they weren't she would probably back out then and there) and after a while longer than what is probably necessary, leia will poke her head out to see if he's already out in the bath. she's got a towel securely wrapped around her body, but she still wants to know what she's about to walk into, okay. ]

[Spirits save him, is this karma getting back at him for all the shit he's done? And there's clearly no getting out of this, not with how all eager the staff seem to be. Balan, what the hell did you tell them!? (Maybe they're all in on this.)

He had also taken that cautionary look, but apparently he finished changing first. He's also keeping that towel wrapped around him because what the hell is this kind of situation. On the one hand, he wants them to at least have a decent time and not completely ruin everything, especially if this is their only shot at the baths (well maybe not). On the other hand... Sharing a bath with Leia??

As he makes his way over to try and settle in at one end of the bath, he lets out a long sigh. The water did feel good, he could at least admit to that. It's an outdoor bath as well, so he could see the outlines of the trees. Although they're high up in the mountains, the heat from the natural springs as well as the use of a few fire spirit artes help keep the entire place warm and comfortable. The bath itself is actually rather large so there would be decent amount of room. In fact it's more like a pool and the area itself is also decorated simply but nicely. It did give a very "romantic" type of feel, and...is that a faint aroma of incense? Or maybe it's just the flowers.

But now his thoughts are just all over the place as he continually glances over to where Leia should be coming out and feeling those nerves. He's a grown man, too, dammit. He shouldn't be feeling this way. But...

It's not like he doesn't still have his feelings or that attraction for her either, so this just makes all his thoughts and instincts even more wired. The only thing that's keeping him sane is reminding himself how old she is. Which... Actually isn't that young anymore, at least not by their social standards. Especially since she's hitting the age where a lot of girls and young women are actually at their—

GRAH.

He actually dunks his entire body under water, believing he needs to just. Literally cleanse his mind. And it's right after that that Leia pokes her head out so she won't see him immediately, the rising steam not helping.]

Edited (who the hell is balah.....and i just lose letters) 2015-02-02 07:15 (UTC)

[ she actually feels relieved when she doesn't see alvin immediately. despite how long she took to get changed, she had been hoping to beat him to the bath, since for one reason or another being the first one in felt like it might be a little less embarrassing.

so, she's very quick to cross the space between the changing area and the bath so that she can be sure she'll be neck-deep in water by the time he comes out. as she goes, she does notice that the decorations and overall atmosphere seem kind of romantic (maybe even a little too romantic, since the sight only makes her think that, had things gone a little differently, maybe they could have been enjoying this trip as a couple), and that train of thought keeps her so occupied that she doesn't doesn't notice him even as she's starting to slip into the water. ]

[Underwater, completely unaware that Leia had entered, he just tries to block all those unnecessary thoughts. He chose the hellish path. Whatever kind of "night" they could have had under different circumstances...he basically shot and ruined. He might not even be able to salvage their friendship, if that's even a think he should try and save. Not that he wouldn't want to, but—

He has to come up for air, and as he does it's a bit abrupt as he rises from where he had been, revealing his entire upper body. And he's actually not that far from her since she entered in a different spot than he thought she would. There's still a few feet between them, but then again, it's not like there's that much distance from either end of the bath regardless.]

[ is he trying to kill her? because when he comes out of the water (seemingly) out of nowhere, her heart feels like it's about to stop. the fact that he's... closer than she imagined they would end up being doesn't help matters much, either. neither does the fact that her eyes unconsciously linger on his torso for a moment before she wrenches her gaze away to look... anywhere that isn't at him, really. ]

Sorry! I thought you were still getting changed!

[ she doesn't know why she's apologizing— there's not anything inherently wrong with being near each other— but it slips out anyway as she glances his way one last time.

... this is going to be a lot more awkward than she anticipated. ]

[He had been looking outward, a hand raised to brush back his hair when he freezes and jerks slightly at Leia's voice as he looks at her. Wait—what—]

When did you—

[And then he realizes his eyes may have glanced a little downward and— Jeez, it's not like they've never seen each other in a state of half undress (or mostly undress). But somehow the context and circumstances changes everything, and he quickly glances away, that hand lowering more toward his lower mouth and chin as he sinks a little more into the water, turning away a bit.]

Er—no, it's fine.

[And since this is hella awkward, he's going to try and reach for something else to say.]

The, uh, bath is pretty nice, huh?

[Damn that sounds even more awkward.]

[ she doesn't notice that glance, but her hand reflexively moves to hold her towel a little tighter around herself regardless. the towel covers everything that should be covered just fine, but she still feels surprisingly self-conscious and very aware of the fact that he's next to her, and she can't keep herself from sneaking glances at him. they've been in their bathing suits together, so it's not like he's never seen her mostly-undressed, but this just feels... different.

so, she tries to be casual as she moves away from him just a little, sinking deeper into the water until it comes up to her shoulders. ]

Yeah, totally! It feels great. [ there's that forced cheer of hers, though it might even sound less convincing than usual. ] I was getting kind of hungry earlier, but this might be even better than food.

If you're feeling hungry, we don't have to stay too long. [Thank you, Leia's stomach, for providing an excellent excuse for them to leave at any moment.

...Except—] But they said they'd tell us when that was ready, didn't they. [... ...Well they still could leave at any moment if they wanted to. But he wants her to enjoy the bath first, so maybe—] If you want I can head out and check on it and let you enjoy some privacy.

[It's like he tried to think of a million excuses to try and flee, and it probably showed given how his words might have come out a little more rushed and stilted and then would be normal.]

[ the thing is, she might even feel weirder if he left. besides, they've seen in other in less than thing before, even if taking a bath together is a little different from hitting up rides at a water park. she can also tell there's something up with him, so... all the more reason to try to get him to stay, so they can try to work past this awkwardness. ]

Come on, at least stay for a little while longer! It'd be a waste of a perfectly good bath if you left now.

[ also, if he keeps this up, she might have to resort to something drastic. like grabbing him. maybe. ]

I can always come back later, you know. It is our own private bath.

[Leia, you might actually have to do that. Since he's actually starting to rise to leave.]

Yeah, right! It'll be way too late for that by the time we finish eating.

[ and she's going to start to stand and grab for his arm now. her towel also may or may not be slipping just a little since she's using both hands to grab him, but nothing is really showing yet. if he doesn't settle back down he. might end up getting an eyeful, though. ]

It won't be that late.

[Whoa, hey, no need to grab his arm! It surprises him a little because she does she really want to share the bath that badly? The quip is actually on the tip of his tongue, but he's becoming increasingly aware of their close proximity so whatever usual joke he would have made is held back. Especially since he has to look at her because of their positioning.

But he does notice that towel slipping so instead—]

Hey, be careful—!

[And he's just going to instinctively grab for it to, you know, try to keep it up. Except, uh. It results in his hands gripping her sides, right underneath her chest. So he's not touching anything but it's very close. Plus who knows who much might have slipped down regardless.

So cue awkward frozen silence on his end.

He tried, okay. He tried.]

[ here is his gold star for trying.

he does manage to keep the towel from being useless, but it ends up slipping low enough that there's some definite cleavage going on. for a moment, she's too stunned to actually do anything about it, her face turning red as she tries to process the situation they have found themselves in.

they're in a bath together, alone. they both have... some sort of feelings for each other. they're both in towels and nothing else, her towel isn't covering everything that it should be covering, and— this is the most important part of all of this— he's touching her. even if he's only touching her sides, his hands are close enough to her chest that she has to squeeze her eyes shut to keep her mind from wandering too far (just a little bit further up and he wouldn't just be touching her sides, and why is she even thinking about that to begin with?!) as she reaches up to swat his hands away and then clutch the towel tightly, adjusting it until it's where it needs to be before she turns away from him slightly. ]

Sorry, I... kinda forgot myself for a second there.

[Why is she closing her eyes why is she closing her eyes—but he's glad she did move and swat his hands away because for a moment his body had started to take over and there had been a moment where there had been a spark of desire to do the exact opposite of what he had been trying to do.

So he'll just as quickly move away, one hand pressed very hard behind his neck while the other is... Useless. He has no idea what to do so he'll just grip the edge of the bath and instead just kind of...move back further away. He's also trying very hard to forget what he saw, but again, very hard. Had her chest always been so well prop—

NOPE. STOP.]

Er, uh, no, I'm sorry, too, for, uh—you know.

[Well if Leia hadn't ever seen a flustered and nerve wracked Alvin, she sure is now. If it weren't for all the convoluted and complicated feelings, he could have easily played it off. If it were anyone else, he would be all over the teasing and flirting. If he had just been more upfront about his feelings, if they had gotten together, he probably would have been even more physical, probably reach out and pull her to him, maybe press his lips against her neck, hands slipping underneath that towel to remove—

He really wants to dunk his head under the water again because his thoughts are spinning wildly and spirits how is he going to last the night like this if he doesn't get himself under control? Why is it that even after all this time and him trying to shove these kinds of feelings out that they still run rampant—even more so now?

Why can't he just let her go and get over her?

So he'll just keep moving farther back, trying to distance himself before he really does end up acting on those urges.

And man is it really getting hot in here.]

[ if she wasn't reaching critical levels of embarrassment herself, she would actually be able to appreciate the sight of a flustered alvin, because when does that even happen? she's never seen a guy get bent out of shape like that over her before, and she certainly never expected to see alvin get like that. as it is, though, all she can really do is sink back into the water, her hands still gripping her towel, until it's up to her chin. the water is surprisingly clear aside from all of the steam so it doesn't really offer any extra coverage, but it makes her feel a little better regardless.

her face is still beet red and her heart is racing. she's having trouble wrenching her mind out of the gutter, but. she has to try to salvage this. ]

So, uh... [ think, leia, think. ] How much longer do you think it'll be until the food's done?

[ food. yes. a good go-to topic.

she could have tried to broach the issues surrounding them, but... she'll at least wait on that until she can look at him without wondering what would have happened if his aim had been off by just a little when he grabbed her. ]

That's a good question...what did that lady say again? [He had been still frazzled at the time at just the fact that they "had" to bathe together, so he had only been half paying attention.]

Half hour? Hour?

[....Spirits if they have to wait that long—]

Though what's the common rule about hot springs...you're only supposed to stay in the water for only so long, right? Or the heat might actually make you pass out. [Effort to try and give a light laugh goes here.]

[ that gets a laugh out of her, too, but it's more forced than anything else, because— ]

You know, I'm pretty sure you're right! I'm already starting to feel a little lightheaded.

[ see, she can make bad jokes, too. and any lightheadedness she might actually be feeling is... probably from how flustered she is, rather than the heat of the bath, anyway. ]

Maybe we should think about heading back if the food's not ready soon. I wouldn't wanna make you carry me back to the room or anything.

[ ... which comes out a lot less funny than it had sounded in her head. why is this happening. ]

[The image that first comes to mind is something he quickly tries to toss with all the other ones he's been having lately.]

Ah ha ha ha... Maybe. [A very small, light grin is about all he can manage. He happens to glance over at her again and has to just as quickly look away.

And then he's silent, unable to figure out anything else to say. He's trying to think of something—anything—so that it doesn't fall into an awkward silence, but it's going to unless Leia breaks it.]

[ unfortunately, she's just about as tapped for conversation starters as he is (especially because her mind is wandering, and she keeps getting caught up in thoughts of how she's going to get them back to normal by the end of this trip), so they do end up sitting in an awkward silence.

on the other hand, it doesn't last too long.

after a while, the door to the area swings open, and in comes the same staff member that told them about this bath to begin with. she looks equal parts pleased and confused (probably because she wasn't expecting to walk in on such an awkward atmosphere) as she explains that their dinner is ready and waiting for them in their room, and that their room has been fully prepared as well. it's as toasty and warm as it can get because there's a blizzard rolling in, but they might need to get cozy together for a little bit of extra warmth! or so she says.

once she leaves, leia finally rises out of the water a little, holding onto her towel again so they don't have a repeat of earlier. ]

So, wanna go ahead and head up now?

[ please don't make her suffer through this awkwardness any more. ]

[He had kept his eyes trained...at the sky. Yeah the sky is great. And the water was relaxing but all this awkward tension makes it less so. He's also thinking of what he's going to do after this. He tried keeping his distance, but apparently that isn't going to work with the way their friends keep interfering. It's also likely something he wouldn't be able to maintain. But after what he did to her that night...

He's a bit relieved when they're told their dinner is ready, and he's about to get up when he sees her doing the same. So he just stays where he is.]

Uh, yeah. You go on ahead first.

[ hey, the less chance of them awkwardly bumping into each other or something on the way out of the bath, the better— so she doesn't hesitate to go first, climbing out of the bath so that she can start to walk toward the changing area.

the thing is, she doesn't actually make it that far.

as she's walking along the edge of the bath, she manages to lose her footing. the floor is slippery with water and some soap (likely from the occupants before them), and she really is a little lightheaded from the heat at this point, so there's no stopping herself once she starts to fall. ]

Whoa—!

[ she's also falling backwards, so he's either going to have to catch her or break her fall the old fashioned way. ]

[He had been half watching, but it's not until she starts starting to flail and fall backwards.]

Watch it—!

[Without even thinking he rushes forward—well, as fast and well as he can given that this is water. Fortunately he's not too far from her so he makes it. His arms automatically wrap around her, trying to catch her or at least pull her to him. Except he doesn't really have much to stabilize his own footing, so her momentum forces him to fall backwards into the water.

They don't fall all the way back so at least he's not hitting his head (again—damn they keep falling like this way too often). But they are in a kind of sitting position with Leia more or less in his lap, legs tangled. His arms are also still around her, his face close to the side of hers.

At first he doesn't really notice their position, the concern for her being the foremost on his mind instead.]

That was close—you okay?

[ to her credit, she only flails a little bit more once he grabs her. given how often they watch each other's backs, it's easy to assume that he'll keep her from getting hurt once she feels him there.

that means that she's... sort of surprised when she feels them continue to fall even once his arms are around her. she might even squirm a little bit more on reflex until she realizes they're not falling anymore. then: ]

Yeah, you bet! I'm totally fine!

[ of course, she'd probably be better if she wasn't in his lap, because even if he doesn't notice their position, she definitely does. and she's very, very aware of how little "clothing" they both have on and how close they are, on top of that incident earlier, and... well, there are actually a lot of reasons why this is weird. she would probably take a chance and push herself away from him were it not for the fact that his arms are around her and that she doesn't want to make things too weird too quickly. ]

What about you?

[Around the time she first started talking, he became aware of their situation and how he's basically hugging her to him. The most logical thing to do is release her (no matter how awkward and abrupt) and let them carry on. Nothing wrong here. He had just caught her and that's how they ended up. Except now that he does have her close like this, all those thoughts and urges return. It would be easy now. Really easy. In fact his eyes had drifted down to her exposed neck, following down to her shoulder, and—

Ah. Yeah. That. Her scar.

It's faded a bit, healing, but it's noticeable just as it had been back at the water park. Still a painful reminder, though now he has his recent behavior to add to that guilt of hurting her. Yet even so, feeling her in his arms like this, feeling the warmth of her skin against his...

So her question goes half-heard and there's a small moment of silence from him before she'll feel his arms tightening around her. One arm shifts a little more upward, pressing against the underside of her chest as the other moves more downward, hand actually gripping the side of her hip. Then she'll sense his face lowering slightly before the brush of his lips against the side of her neck. He can taste the droplets of water and it's oddly sweet.

He knows he should not be doing this and she might freak (which might be a good thing, actually), but he can't stop himself. The things he's been wanting to do—the thoughts he's had since she entered—they're slowly becoming real.]