[ 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. ]
[ she will most definitely have to do that, because steven is Not Cool in the slightest. but even with his heartbeat getting faster, holding hands with her is new and comforting. his own hands are gloved as well, but it won't stop him from curling his fingers around hers.
the nod confirms it all, and he can't help but smile - bashfully, but completely honest. with how close they're wrapped up in the scarf together, it doesn't take much movement at all for him to raise his other hand to hold her cheek and stroke it fondly. ]
I wish I could find the words to say, but... you've rendered me speechless.
[ and he feels like an idiot for it, but hopefully she'll understand. ]
[Now their hands are all warmly attached! Though she feels a little impatience, that she wants to hold his bare hand in her own as soon as possible. But ah, one must always exercise patience. Good things will come.
She leans her head into her hand...it's almost like she's wanted this for so long. But she shouldn't be greedy, is what she told herself. And now...she can afford to be, no?
In a city that her papa dedicated to love? He would encourage it, even if she would protest.]
Actions speak louder than words.
[She's still a little shy, so she's not sure if she should kiss him yet. But she could take it step by step, as she stands on her toes to press their foreheads together.]
[ the way that she has to stand on her toes to reach him is nothing short of adorable, and he doesn't want to put that effort to waste. it's been a long time since he's had a true moment of intimacy like this.
at this point, his voice is little more than a smooth whisper. ]
You'll have to forgive me for being forward... but if it's all right with you, I'd like to show you how I feel.
[ even when they're so close that their lips are just barely touching, he still feels the need to ask. ]
[She's glad he agrees, that he understands how they're trying to show their feelings. And she's completely relieved that he too had the same thought.
He didn't even need to ask, but it was nice that he did it all the same, because now she anticipates it and it excites her that they can grow closer. She nods, just barely, and her lips draw even closer. He may ask, but she could always meet him half way. A relationship is teamwork, anyway.]
[ with how close they are already, there's really no mistaking what to do next. but even with his best attempt to be smooth, he's a little overeager in moving in and (finally, finally) pressing their lips together. there's no fireworks or incredible spark, but that's to be expected - they're both calm, old souls. instead, there's a rising warmth that envelops the moment, with only the two of them bearing witness to it.
he raises a hand to gently caress her cheek, which falls when he pulls away. but even when he does, he keeps close to her to stay in that warm moment. ]
[It doesn't matter when he's overeager, because she meets him with quiet vigour. In fact, she did have to hold back to in order not to show that she was this excited for this, but eventually even an old soul who has waited for so long wanted to kiss him with all she could give. At least, gently. There was something about this moment that was calm and tranquil, even if it felt like all the sound in the world has escaped and all that was left was just their presence.
Vietnam cups his hand as it reached up to touch her face, a tiny smile on her lips as she turns to kiss the palm of his hand. It's warm, just like he is, and just like how she feels.]
[ despite the surprise, he doesn't shy away from the kiss she places on his hand. it's soft and endearing, fitting with the intimate moment they're sharing. they're on one of the busiest buildings in the world, but it feels like only the two of them exist in this moment. ]
Are you warm?
[ it's asked with a smile, despite knowing the answer. between their shared scarf and the warmth of the moment, how could she not be? ]
[ oh, that's very mischievous. his question was rhetorical, but he understands the meaning behind her response. he's more than happy to oblige. ]
I won't stand for that.
[ with one hand still cupping her cheek gently, his free arm wraps around her waist to tug their bodies as close as can be. as he does, he leans down to steal another kiss from her. this one is just as chaste and sweet as the last, but a little more confident. ]
[YEEEAAAH sometimes she can be smooth. Just sometimes, though, as most of the time she is a loser. It must be because of all the Asian dramas she watches.
Not to mention, there's something so sweet about him, to follow through with that, because had he not, she probably would've just tried to play it off because how embarrassing!
Either way, she feels relieved as she takes this chance to embrace him, holding him close once she's enveloped in his arms, returning his kiss warm and soft. And she doesn't pull back, whispering thus--]
[ it's incredibly embarrassing! but he's willing to shove any apprehension aside if it means staying close to her - it feels like the right thing to do, and it's clear that she reciprocates. ]
Excellent. [ his voice is equally as soft, not much more than a whisper. ] Then I'll stay as long as you like.
[So you know those embarrassing moments where you can't stop smiling. It's probably one those moments. Vietnam, who hardly smiles at all, can't stop smiling around Steven Stone. He has himself to blame for this, as she smiles to his lips, arms snug around him.]
Are you sure you don't want to see the rest of Paris? [She nudges her head to his.] Though...I would like that very much.
The sights will pale in comparison to the one I have now.
[ it isn't even meant to be suave - he's speaking from his heart, and it shows. he'll gladly take the blame for her smile, his hands moving to rest on her waist. ]
But if you'd like to keep going, I'll stay by your side.
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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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the nod confirms it all, and he can't help but smile - bashfully, but completely honest. with how close they're wrapped up in the scarf together, it doesn't take much movement at all for him to raise his other hand to hold her cheek and stroke it fondly. ]
I wish I could find the words to say, but... you've rendered me speechless.
[ and he feels like an idiot for it, but hopefully she'll understand. ]
no subject
She leans her head into her hand...it's almost like she's wanted this for so long. But she shouldn't be greedy, is what she told herself. And now...she can afford to be, no?
In a city that her papa dedicated to love? He would encourage it, even if she would protest.]
Actions speak louder than words.
[She's still a little shy, so she's not sure if she should kiss him yet. But she could take it step by step, as she stands on her toes to press their foreheads together.]
no subject
[ the way that she has to stand on her toes to reach him is nothing short of adorable, and he doesn't want to put that effort to waste. it's been a long time since he's had a true moment of intimacy like this.
at this point, his voice is little more than a smooth whisper. ]
You'll have to forgive me for being forward... but if it's all right with you, I'd like to show you how I feel.
[ even when they're so close that their lips are just barely touching, he still feels the need to ask. ]
no subject
He didn't even need to ask, but it was nice that he did it all the same, because now she anticipates it and it excites her that they can grow closer. She nods, just barely, and her lips draw even closer. He may ask, but she could always meet him half way. A relationship is teamwork, anyway.]
Please show me, Steven. You need not ask.
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he raises a hand to gently caress her cheek, which falls when he pulls away. but even when he does, he keeps close to her to stay in that warm moment. ]
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Vietnam cups his hand as it reached up to touch her face, a tiny smile on her lips as she turns to kiss the palm of his hand. It's warm, just like he is, and just like how she feels.]
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Are you warm?
[ it's asked with a smile, despite knowing the answer. between their shared scarf and the warmth of the moment, how could she not be? ]
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Wait a minute, why is it, that this normally quiet, shy girl, suddenly got a mischievous twinkle in her eye?]
Just a little bit cold.
[So it appears that despite the warmth, despite the rosy hue on her cheeks telling himself, that she's trying to invite him to come a little closer.
Good heavens.]
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I won't stand for that.
[ with one hand still cupping her cheek gently, his free arm wraps around her waist to tug their bodies as close as can be. as he does, he leans down to steal another kiss from her. this one is just as chaste and sweet as the last, but a little more confident. ]
STEVEN DON'T LEAVE
Not to mention, there's something so sweet about him, to follow through with that, because had he not, she probably would've just tried to play it off because how embarrassing!
Either way, she feels relieved as she takes this chance to embrace him, holding him close once she's enveloped in his arms, returning his kiss warm and soft. And she doesn't pull back, whispering thus--]
I think I feel a little warmer now.
in this house we tag three months later
Excellent. [ his voice is equally as soft, not much more than a whisper. ] Then I'll stay as long as you like.
HECK YEAH WE ARE GOOD AT THIS /HIGHFIVES
Are you sure you don't want to see the rest of Paris? [She nudges her head to his.] Though...I would like that very much.
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[ it isn't even meant to be suave - he's speaking from his heart, and it shows. he'll gladly take the blame for her smile, his hands moving to rest on her waist. ]
But if you'd like to keep going, I'll stay by your side.