highfiving | (no subject)

(no subject)

[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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ is he teasing her still, or is this for real? it's hard to tell, but that doesn't stop her eyes from going wide when she feels his teeth graze her ear.

all she can do once he pulls back is stare at him, her face steadily turning redder, until she gets her wits about her. ]

Y— Yeah, right! You're not getting that for a while.

[ she doesn't even know if she means that (the way her heart is racing and she finds that she kind of wants to kiss him again, for real this time, says that she doesn't), but still. she's not going to start throwing herself at him that easily. her pride won't allow it. ]

Maybe you'll just have to learn how to win a girl over the old-fashioned way.

[He finds her reaction more amusing than he thought he would. He had a feeling that was how she was going to react, or at least that kind of attitude.]

But you already confessed to me, right? So didn't I technically already win you over?

[And without even really trying, apparently.]

[ why does she even like him again... ]

Well... yeah! But that's not what I meant!

[ she meant it in an adult way, okay. but she's not going to come out and say that, because the food on the table suddenly looks really interesting and if she's eating then maybe he won't ask her to elaborate on how she meant it. so she snags something off of his plate (because she can) and pops it into her mouth. ]

[She apparently had a buttload of reasons, but none of them really explain this part, no.

Also hey, that's his food.]

I still don't think it'll be that hard. [Implying she'll just fall for him, anyway. Such arrogance.] But if you keep taking my food, I might reconsider my methods.

[Though speaking of food, they probably should actually eat now since they both barely touched it since they had that "talk."]

[ except if they're going to be together, he's going to have to get used to her eating off of his plate. ]

I dunno, I don't really feel all that worried. What's the worst you could do?

[ and to prove her point, she's going to reach to take something else off of his plate, and... into her mouth it goes. she's also starting to look awfully smug. ]

Maybe something like this.

[Well, he did warn her—sort of. He takes her hand and pulls her to him, his mouth meeting hers. And before she can do anything, his tongue is going to force its way through her lips and into her mouth, sliding past the piece of fruit she had stolen to run against hers. He doesn't linger too long because the threat of her accidentally biting him is pretty real. But he does move his tongue around a bit, maneuvering it to push the fruit closer to his side before he can grab it with his teeth and pull it back. It's only when it's in his mouth does he pull back with a smirk.]

[ whoa whoa whoa. her eyes go wide as he pulls her in (what is he even up to?) and wider still when his tongue slips into her mouth. normally she might fight back a little, but her mouth is pliant thanks to her surprise. they've kissed several times at this point, but this is the first time it's been open-mouthed and it's the first time he's initiated it all on his own, too.

it isn't until he pulls back and she realizes that she can only taste a faint hint of leftover juice from the fruit that she knows exactly what he just did. ]

Hey, that's not fair!

[ ... well, it kind of is, since he warned her and it was his food to begin with, but that's not how she's looking at this.

so, after a moment she's going to curl her fingers into the front of his robe to keep him from pulling away any further and then close the distance between them again so that she can try to copy his little maneuver. her face is burning up and she doesn't even know if he's already swallowed the piece of fruit, but payback is payback. ]

[A laugh starts to form deep within his throat before she's closing the distance between them. He hadn't swallowed the fruit yet, but he's not letting her have it, either. In fact he's a little surprised that she is trying to pull the same thing on him, but it only seems to...arouse him a bit. He knows he shouldn't let himself feel that way (this time for reasons that fall more along the lines of, "Should wait until after we've settled down"), but it's difficult.

An arm slips around her, pulling her closer to him as the half-kiss, half...whatever one wants to call this continues. He might let her have the fruit at first before he fights back, and at some point he might forget the fruit all together and just focus more on kissing her, sliding his tongue against hers with increasing aggression until they inevitably have to break for air.

So who has the fruit?]

[ if there's a chance for competition, leia will always take it— that's what drove her to do this. the fact that kissing him feels nice is just a pleasant bonus, but it's one that makes her lean into him, her hands releasing his robe and sliding up his chest to lay over his shoulders instead.

she's more focused on getting that fruit than making sure the kiss is as aggressive on her end as it is on his, but she does try to keep up as best as she can without risking her goal. her tongue slides against his tentatively (is that even how it works? she's really just imitating him and following what feels right every step of the way) as she returns the kiss, and she even lets her teeth graze his lower lip as she pulls back, her breath coming quicker than before.

if the smile that spreads across her face as she chews and then swallows is anything to go by, she's the "winner" here; him being focused more on the kiss than on the fruit was enough to give her the upper hand. ]

[Cheeky little one, but he'll let her "win" this time. Particularly since he's going to lean in a little as he grins a bit.]

Seems like you enjoyed that.

Yeah, I guess it was okay!

[ more than okay, really, but... he doesn't need to know that. it would be a little too embarrassing to say out loud, anyway. ]

I'd be willing to bet I'm not the only one who was super into it, though.

[ it had felt like he was pretty into it, at least. ]

[—Okay!? Just okay!? This...this girl..........]

Hold on, what do you mean by "okay"? [His pride is on the line here.]

I mean it was okay!

[ she may or may not be doing it on purpose now. ]

You know, like... it wasn't too bad, but it wasn't the most awesome kiss ever, either.

[ ... okay, yeah. it's definitely on purpose. ]

[Yeah he can tell.]

Oh? Like you've had that many kisses before? If I remember right, the one at the bar was your first one.

[ busted. ]

Hey! For all you know, I've kissed a whole bunch of guys since then!

[ except for the part where she hasn't. ]

[Just this look. This look of, "That is the worst lie I've ever heard."]

[ hey, not everyone can be as good at lying as he is. ]

Don't look at me like that! It's totally possible!

Maybe for someone else, but you? Don't think so.

What's that supposed to mean?

[ if he's trying to say no one would want to kiss her, she might try to make him sleep outside and brave the cold alone. tread carefully. ]

[Fortunately no. Though his answer may not be any less flustering.]

Would you really have wanted to kiss someone other than me? It wasn't that long between our little "date" and your confession, you know.

[Which is to imply that if she already had a crush on him...then yeah it would be impossible for her to kiss someone else.]

Besides. [And now he leans in closer to her.] You don't really seem like the kind of girl to just go up to a guy and kiss them just for the fun of it.

[ okay, he has her there. she hadn't exactly been on the lookout for guys before she confessed to him, and she definitely wasn't looking afterward. ]

Well, yeah... I guess you've got a point.

[ she shrugs a little, trying to play off the fact that this most definitely is pretty embarrassing. ]

I wasn't really checking out other guys then, and now I don't think I have to. [ because he said they can give this a shot, so... they're probably exclusive, she figures. ] I might wanna try kissing you just for fun sometimes, though.

[Given how he no longer even looks for one-night flings and his feelings about wanting to have a more committed relationship, assuming they're exclusive is a pretty good bet.

At her words, he just grins a little, closing the distance between them so that his lips lightly brush against hers as he speaks in a low voice.]

Do you want one now?

[He's teasing her as usual, especially since he's not really kissing her. But there is a rather strong desire to kiss her again. After all that holding back and how receptive she has been, it's hard not to feel that way toward her.]

[ as he closes the distance, her eyes start to slide shut. clearly she thinks he's just going to go for it, and she might actually look just a little bit frustrated when she realizes that he's just teasing her. ]

Honestly? [ if she could lean in any further without actually taking the plunge and kissing him, she would. as it is, she's teetering right on the edge, since she hasn't moved away at all since he leaned in. ] Yeah, I kind of do.

[ it's an honest answer, because she is feeling pretty receptive to all of this. she's wanted for them to be like this for a while— maybe even longer than him, since she realized her feelings first— so now that they're actually in a situation like this, she can't help but come back for more. ]

[Hearing her admission does nothing to help him. With an arm firmly around her and a hand cradling her face, fingers threading to her hair, he holds her to him as, he just responds by ceasing his teasing and pressing his lips against hers. It's not exactly a hard or rough kiss (at least at first), but there is a bit more force behind it. It's also a bit slower than the ones they just shared, a kiss that while fueled by desire also holds that deeper meaning to it.

Because this time it's less about teasing her or riling her up—it's more about sharing one and to allow those held back feelings through.]

[ she shifts closer as he leans in to kiss her, sliding her arms around his shoulders loosely as she returns it. she can tell this is a different sort of kiss, one that is less flirtatious and more emotional, and she doesn't push it into being hastier or deeper because of that (though a part of her may miss the thrill those other kisses had given her). she does maneuver herself around a bit so that she can situate herself on her knees, though. she might even be considering settling herself in his lap since it would make this more comfortable and intimate and—

before she can get very far with that idea, there's a soft knock on the door. but, because leia is the least responsible adult of all time, she's not going to pull away from him just yet. ]