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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]

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...

[masakados]

[Naoki puckers his lips at her, making a fish face, but then chuckles and brings her closer.]

I'd never take you somewhere decrepit.

[flaredo]

I know you wouldn't. Private's a good start, though. We have a ton of stuff to catch up on.

[ And he's looking less drained, too... ]

[masakados]

This, for one.

[Lots and lots of cuddling. Naoki gazes at her thoughtfully.] And I wanna hear about what happened where you were.

[flaredo]

Now?

[ Yes, talking about suffocating in a volcano seems like perfect cuddle talk. ]

[masakados]

Later.

[But it's there on the list...] Right now, I want this. [He moves his hand to her cheek, thumbing along her cheekbone.]

[flaredo]

Look at you, telling me what you want without help... you've really gotten more confident.

[ And she's so proud, turning her head to kiss his palm. ]