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[flaredo]

"Heeey, you've reached Yang! Well, actually, you didn't reach far enough, 'cause I'm not here right now! But don't yang up! Just leave a message on this baby, and I'll get back to you soon enough, okay?"

[ Please specify VOICEMAIL, TEXT or CALL. ]

Comments

[flaredo]

Then can we sit, maybe? I mean, there's only so close I can get while we're both standing.

[ And do you know how many days it's been since she's gotten to cuddle with him, TOO DAMN LONG-- ]

[masakados]

[There's a small grunt at that... ah, seems like he's not quite willing to move yet. But he shifts, stepping, walking her back toward the bed.]

Okay, we can sit.

[flaredo]

Thanks for your cooperation, demon lord. [ Just don't let her miss the bed, because she's letting him guide her here. ]

[masakados]

You're welcome, charisma queen.

[The nickname makes his heart feel like it's swelling, a heat behind his eyes for a second before he edges one foot forward and his knee touches the edge of the bed. He twists them, falling with his back onto the bed, pulling her down with him.

See? All safe. No tumbling onto the floor.]

[flaredo]

[ Thanks for that. Yang's laughing as she settles, curling her feet around his as she lifts her head to look down at him. ]

I missed that too, actually.

[masakados]

Getting to fall over with me?

[Naoki smiles at her, his hand raising, touching her face now that they're looking at each other. His heart aches and he's so glad that he's here now and she's here-- even more than that, that she's okay, that she's not hurt.

So he's heard, at least. He sweeps his fingers across her cheek again, gently.]

[flaredo]

That too, but actually, I meant the nickname-- believe it or not.

[ She's got a few faint burn marks on her arms and legs, but it's nothing major, and Yang hardly considers them worth worrying over. Not when she can lean into the warmth of his hand, lifting one of her own to cover his fingers. ]

[masakados]

So you're finally admitting you're a charisma queen.

[Watch out, he's going to notice those burn marks and his eyebrows are going to furrow lightly. And he's going to do exactly what she would've expected out of him-- that is to say, heal them, however faint they may be.]

[flaredo]

Only to you.

[ And of course he'd notice and act, this fusspot-- ] I might not have been all that charismatic where I was.

[masakados]

[That's Mr. Fusspot, okay?]

Where did they take you? [Naoki frowns up at her, concern surfacing all over again.]

[flaredo]

I'm... pretty sure it was inside a volcano?

[ Just take that in, Naoki. ]

[masakados]

......

[Exhale. And Naoki's head falls back against the bed, his mouth twisting.] I wish I could've switched with you. Well, we were caught up in a river at first, but we ended up on a beach...

[flaredo]

A beach? Without me??

[ Someone's sure aghast. ]

[masakados]

[Naoki nods, gloomily.]

Without you. I mean, there was some kraken thing, but we took that out pretty quick...

[flaredo]

... I'm kinda-- no, I'm really jealous! We didn't have any major monsters, but... a beach...

[ So unfair. ]

[masakados]

Well... I couldn't enjoy it without you there.

[He was busy sitting under a tree and brooding. Naoki's finger twists a strand of her hair, around and around.]

[flaredo]

We'll have to get a romantic break soon, I think... I mean, there's a ton we learned from this, but I think we can multitask.

[ Seriously. Their private time has been lacking lately. ]

[masakados]

I'd like to take you away somewhere for a night. Just the two of us.

[He's been thinking it lately, ever since he moved in. Shh.]

[flaredo]

... Yeah? Anywhere you've got in mind?

[ She seems intrigued, at least. ]

[masakados]

I haven't looked into it that much yet...

[Hmmm. He snuggles her closer.] I'd like to go to a nice hotel or something with you. [But aren't many of them in the pleasure district...]

[flaredo]

... You know where most of those are, right?

[masakados]

I know...

[BIG SIGH.] That there's the problem.

[flaredo]

I don't mind, you know. I bet the beds are comfy.

[masakados]

I mind.

[Naoki's cheek puffs up slightly.] I wanna take you somewhere nice.

[flaredo]

[ Pokes his cheeks? Yep. ]

But I think anywhere'd be nice, if it was with you.

I mean, unless the hotel's falling apart, but...