[The world hopping is seriously the best part! Though she wasn't sure of all times, she picked winter...food for thought.
After the crash course, they can go do important things now, and that is to take him around France, her papa's house. Uh, being the entire country. Which means it's time to show him all the sites--
Wait, they do?]
Oh? Which city is that? Perhaps our worlds are more alike than we thought.
That would be Lumiose, in the Kalos region. It's known as the city of lights, with Prism Tower illuminating it to make the name ring true. The geography, culture, and even the language... they're all the same.
[ no walking countries, but the similarities are striking. knowing kalosian himself, he's been able to converse just as a local - it almost reminds him of home. ]
[She actually looks rather mesmerised at the way he described Lumiose as a city of lights. France would definitely love to hear that.]
In that case, it may not be difficult to show you around this place. If it is the same down to the very language, then why don't we just go anywhere you think is beautiful? I wonder if this Prism Tower is the Eiffel Tower!
It's certainly meeting all of my expectations. I expect it to continue to do so.
[ he'd love to sample some cuisine as well, but that can wait for later. right now, he only finds himself wanting to spend time with vietnam... so he gladly allows himself to be tugged along.
lumiose was not only a city of lights, but of beauty and romance. that gets him thinking idly. ]
[What will papa say if he sees them now! He would probably confirm that what Steven thought was right. It is the city of love, and everyone falls in love in Paris.
There's probably the scent of food all the way to the tower as well, as they keep going like this. There they go, hand in hand. It's a bit chilly so she shivers from time to time as they make their way there, but his presence itself was already warming.
And it didn't take that long to get to the base of the tower, anyway.]
We will need two tickets. I will cover. [She's the host, after all. Also she has connections. Which is probably why she's pushing in line, in a way?!]
[ while normally he would argue about who's covering the cost, there's literally no way to convert pokédollars to euros. he really doesn't want to say it out loud or admit it to himself, but he's penniless here :(
vowing to himself to make it up to her when they visit hoenn next, he simply smiles as he's lead by her to the tower's base. ]
I'll follow your lead.
[ but as he does, he notices that she looks a bit cold. if she's still like that when they get to the top, he won't stand for it. ]
[Steven, so poor...at the same time, his knowledge of rocks could make them extra rich.
She excitedly (in a cold way) leads him towards the entrance. They'll have to make their way up now, but it's true. Everything doesn't feel quite as cold until they're actually up there.
Beautiful scenery? Check. But an icy breeze threatening their very existence, whether or not they're protected from it? Also check.]
Goodness, it's rather cold today! [No matter, she just wants Steven to focus on the sights.] What do you think?
[ he keeps up with her as they head up to the top - staying in motion keeps them warm enough, but the top of the tower tower is noticeably chilly.
he'd love to enjoy the view, but the shivering woman beside him needs to be taken care of first. he leans close without hesitation, untying the scarf from his neck and carefully wrapping it around hers. it's warm from his body heat, with the scent of his cologne lingering in the fabric. ]
I think that you could use this a bit more than I. You're shivering.
I'll be fine. And if the temperature continues to drop, we can share it.
[ he adjusts it so the scarf is tucked close to her properly, but finds himself lingering when he's close. he swears that the lights of the tower are making her eyes twinkle, and his chest suddenly feels tight.
He's very close like this, and he looks at her in a way that warms her. Her cheeks flush and she can't even pull her eyes away from his. It's almost like it was just them and nothing else.
It was a good chance for her to do as he suggested. Share the scarf. She takes one end, and starts to wrap it around his neck as well. Sure, it brings them in a lot closer, but at the moment, she doesn't at all mind.]
[ they're even closer than they were before, but steven doesn't mind it at all. things are warmer, and he's sure that it isn't just because of the scarf. ]
That's fine by me. I enjoy being close to you.
[ it's an opening statement to what he really wants to say. ]
[He's closer, she could practically feel him but...now as soon as he says that, she can feel the flush of her cheeks burn hotly and she grows a teeny bit self conscious.]
I...I do as well. I mean, I enjoy being close to you. Not that I don't enjoy being close to myself...
[She clears her throat, since she's still embarrassed, and looks out just as he does. In fact, the change in topic is rather welcome (not that she wasn't honest).]
[ his voice is softer, but he doesn't quite move closer just yet. he doesn't want to impose himself, especially seeing as he doesn't know how she'll react to this.
he takes a steady breath. ]
You've continued to amaze me since the day we met, but I've only recently been able to understand why that is. I... have feelings for you. [ absentmindedly, glances away for a moment. ] The uncertainty of our futures in Cerealia had me constantly distracted, but being home has allowed me to truly reflect on how I feel... and I've found myself at my most content when I am by your side.
[ he sighs. ]
Though I'm not sure if you feel the same way, I couldn't bear to keep to myself any longer.
[She looks a lot brighter when he says he'll take her, but then her expression goes blank, and she falls silent. But she listens carefully.
And then gradually, her face heats up all over again. She fiddles with the end of the scarf, and tries to hold eye contact. Because he must be looked at when she replies.]
I can never put it as beautifully as you did. It's ah...well, I feel the same way, Steven. I'm not sure when I realised it, but I think back and I think it was in Cerealia as well. That I knew I was so comfortable at your side that it was almost so normal that you had to be around.
[ it's really all that he can manage to say, and he feels his own face going warm as well. he honestly hadn't expected his feelings to be reciprocated - so much that his usual composed demeanor has unceremoniously dropped. ]
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After the crash course, they can go do important things now, and that is to take him around France, her papa's house. Uh, being the entire country. Which means it's time to show him all the sites--
Wait, they do?]
Oh? Which city is that? Perhaps our worlds are more alike than we thought.
[No walking countries though.]
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[ no walking countries, but the similarities are striking. knowing kalosian himself, he's been able to converse just as a local - it almost reminds him of home. ]
I'm beginning to believe so...
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In that case, it may not be difficult to show you around this place. If it is the same down to the very language, then why don't we just go anywhere you think is beautiful? I wonder if this Prism Tower is the Eiffel Tower!
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[ but if the eiffel tower is as much of a landmark as prism tower is, he finds himself wanting to go there with her. ]
I suppose there's only one way to find out. It sounds like a good of a place to spend the evening to me.
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[She gestures towards the city, almost like a tour guide. Still, she takes is his hand, so that she can pull him along to the Eiffel Tower.]
And I suppose the best way to find out if you think it was beautiful as Lumiose, is we try to go to the top!
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[ he'd love to sample some cuisine as well, but that can wait for later. right now, he only finds himself wanting to spend time with vietnam... so he gladly allows himself to be tugged along.
lumiose was not only a city of lights, but of beauty and romance. that gets him thinking idly. ]
That should give us the best view. Let's go.
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[What will papa say if he sees them now! He would probably confirm that what Steven thought was right. It is the city of love, and everyone falls in love in Paris.
There's probably the scent of food all the way to the tower as well, as they keep going like this. There they go, hand in hand. It's a bit chilly so she shivers from time to time as they make their way there, but his presence itself was already warming.
And it didn't take that long to get to the base of the tower, anyway.]
We will need two tickets. I will cover. [She's the host, after all. Also she has connections. Which is probably why she's pushing in line, in a way?!]
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vowing to himself to make it up to her when they visit hoenn next, he simply smiles as he's lead by her to the tower's base. ]
I'll follow your lead.
[ but as he does, he notices that she looks a bit cold. if she's still like that when they get to the top, he won't stand for it. ]
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She excitedly (in a cold way) leads him towards the entrance. They'll have to make their way up now, but it's true. Everything doesn't feel quite as cold until they're actually up there.
Beautiful scenery? Check. But an icy breeze threatening their very existence, whether or not they're protected from it? Also check.]
Goodness, it's rather cold today! [No matter, she just wants Steven to focus on the sights.] What do you think?
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he'd love to enjoy the view, but the shivering woman beside him needs to be taken care of first. he leans close without hesitation, untying the scarf from his neck and carefully wrapping it around hers. it's warm from his body heat, with the scent of his cologne lingering in the fabric. ]
I think that you could use this a bit more than I. You're shivering.
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It's rather comforting.]
But you will be cold too, no? I can't have you get sick on me when you are my guest...
[She really tried to toughen up but then she shivers once more.]
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[ he adjusts it so the scarf is tucked close to her properly, but finds himself lingering when he's close. he swears that the lights of the tower are making her eyes twinkle, and his chest suddenly feels tight.
she really is beautiful. ]
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He's very close like this, and he looks at her in a way that warms her. Her cheeks flush and she can't even pull her eyes away from his. It's almost like it was just them and nothing else.
It was a good chance for her to do as he suggested. Share the scarf. She takes one end, and starts to wrap it around his neck as well. Sure, it brings them in a lot closer, but at the moment, she doesn't at all mind.]
Why not do it now?
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That's fine by me. I enjoy being close to you.
[ it's an opening statement to what he really wants to say. ]
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I...I do as well. I mean, I enjoy being close to you. Not that I don't enjoy being close to myself...
[You know what, she'll shut up.]
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[ it's said with an amused smile, but he's telling the truth - to know that she enjoys being close to him eases his nerves some.
he's silent for a moment. his eyes look to the view for a moment, taking it in. ]
There really are many similarities between Lumiose and Paris... but I find myself wondering about one in particular.
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What similarity is that, Steven...?
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You see, Lumiose has two unofficial nicknames: the City of Lights.... and the City of Love.
[ and he looks back to her, this time looking somewhat shy. ]
I can't help but wonder if Paris is the same.
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Vietnam clears her throat and shuffles on the spot, so he can feel the tug of the scarf.]
W-well, Paris is just like that. France prides his capital on being the City of Love, and if people find love in it, it brings him great joy.
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[ a part of him regrets going this far, but it isn't as if he can back out now... he had a plan with this, and he's going to stick with it. ]
Then I suppose there's no better setting for me to say what I've been meaning to for some time now.
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[Though, now she wonders what he is about to say, since it seems important? She turns to give him her full attention.]
What is it, Steven?
guess who remembered her credit card info
[ his voice is softer, but he doesn't quite move closer just yet. he doesn't want to impose himself, especially seeing as he doesn't know how she'll react to this.
he takes a steady breath. ]
You've continued to amaze me since the day we met, but I've only recently been able to understand why that is. I... have feelings for you. [ absentmindedly, glances away for a moment. ] The uncertainty of our futures in Cerealia had me constantly distracted, but being home has allowed me to truly reflect on how I feel... and I've found myself at my most content when I am by your side.
[ he sighs. ]
Though I'm not sure if you feel the same way, I couldn't bear to keep to myself any longer.
YASSSSSS
And then gradually, her face heats up all over again. She fiddles with the end of the scarf, and tries to hold eye contact. Because he must be looked at when she replies.]
I can never put it as beautifully as you did. It's ah...well, I feel the same way, Steven. I'm not sure when I realised it, but I think back and I think it was in Cerealia as well. That I knew I was so comfortable at your side that it was almost so normal that you had to be around.
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[ it's really all that he can manage to say, and he feels his own face going warm as well. he honestly hadn't expected his feelings to be reciprocated - so much that his usual composed demeanor has unceremoniously dropped. ]
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How do you even be cool when you're confessing to each other like this, and on the tower of love, no less!
Vietnam nods again, this time reaching to take Steven's hand, holding it warmly in hers. Warm enough anyway, with those fluffy gloved hands.]
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STEVEN DON'T LEAVE
in this house we tag three months later
HECK YEAH WE ARE GOOD AT THIS /HIGHFIVES
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