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 Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:51 am
"I'm not interested in stroking anyone's ego." Except, apparently, his, but that was different. He was her boyfriend, she was supposed to remind him that he was handsome and that she was lucky to have him.
Rory was still marveled that someone like Akio was interested in dating her.
This time, as he changed, she allowed herself to sneak a tiny peek. She kept her glancing to a minimum, clearly worried that she would be caught looking at his chest before it was swallowed and hidden by fabric. By the time he was dressed and pulling her close, her attention was clearly on his face and she nuzzled into his chest.
"Pops let me go grocery shopping yesterday, I've got a decent amount of stuff at my house." All sorts of vegetables that she enjoyed snacking on, some fruit. She even had cookies she'd found time to make the day before. "Depending on the time I could make brownies or something..." Those only took like twenty minutes once the oven was ready. "I mean, it doesn't need to just be about what I want."
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Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:04 am
"Yeah, but I like seeing you enjoy yourself." Cop out or not, it really did make him happier, seeing her take delight even in the smallest of things. He'd scaled back on adding meat to his diet, going out of his way to find healthy, vegetable-oriented options in lieu of the chicken and beef that usually decorated his meals. He'd stopped by every stray cat in an attempt to familiarize himself with their tendencies, determined to be prepared for the next time he'd come face to face with one of his girlfriend's peculiar cats.
Which, from the sound of things, was possibly soon.
"Sandwiches could work. Any sort of finger food, honestly."
Paying for the clothes went by faster than trying to pick them out, a few bowties scattered into the mix with his other professional looking clothes. It was all nicely folded into one large bag, which was unceremoniously plucked up with one hand as he retrieved his girlfriend's hand with the other.
Upon exiting the store, another vital question crossed his mind, sending a dreadful chill through him.
"Your...uh, dad won't be around when we stop by, will he?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:39 am
"Yeah but --" Rory trailed off, interrupted by the cashier who checked them out quickly and efficiently. While Akio paid, she remained mostly quiet and looked pensive. Her had was given up easily to her boyfriend and she let him lead her out of the store and in the general direction of her house.
Luckily for them both, despite the Willow's somewhat meager means, they lived in a relatively central spot within the city which meant less bus rides and sort of short trips when walking. Still, it would be at least twenty minutes before they made it to her complex.
"Okay," she agreed, watching the sidewalk ahead as they walked. "I'll make us some when we get to my house." Not eating meat outside of seafood meant that she often had to be creative with her sandwiches if she didn't want to default to PB&Js, but Rory thought herself to be a clever girl and she was already brainstorming what she could make them.
"Hm? Oh, no. Pops shoulda left for work by now, but you do know you can't put off meeting him properly if you want to keep holding my hand. Right?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:20 am
"I can help. I'll be the best kitchen assistant - you'll see." He smiled at how quaint and domestic she could make him feel. Throwing together a lunch was normally a side thought, something to rush through to get from point A to point B. But with Aurora, even the in-betweens were a delight. Sandwiches, snacks - simply messing around in the kitchen sounded like a fun way to spend the afternoon, provided they weren't interrupted by an ominous looking, overprotective father or... "And I won't even get any cat hair in the food, to boot."
Akio offered his girlfriend a wink as he squeezed her hand. He didn't know why every male he met in Aurora's life seemed to have it out for him, but he'd win over Mr. Willows and her grumpy little cat before the year was out - he was sure of it.
At the mention of the older Willows, he visibly winced. "Yeah, yeah. Call it self-preservation. I don't imagine our first meeting is going to be... cheerful."
Yeah, cheerful. He'd stick with that word.
"I just want to end today with a wonderful memory, not an awkward one. That's all, beautiful."
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:52 am
Rory rolled her eyes at him while they walked. "I do not get cat hair in our food," she argued, clearly playful from the way she was attempting to suppress her smile.
It was almost obscene, how easily he made her smile and the realization of what he did, or tried to do, for her hit her more forcefully than she expected. Shame crept up on her neck but she attempted to push the feelings aside. She was determined to be focused and in the moment, not let idle and guilty thoughts get the better of her.
"Hush. Pops will be fine." Some strong arming from his one and only daughter and Rory knew that her burly father would be pleasant...enough to her boyfriend. "Tonight will be perfect, okay Akio?" She twisted her head to look at him properly, her building come up in the edges of her vision. "Stop worrying so much. We're together, right? Shouldn't that be all that matters?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 6:58 pm
"I never said you did," he corrected, clucking his tongue as his smirked. There was no telling if that monster of cat would be around the house but when he was, he never seemed to leave Aurora's side. "But your array of furry little friends might."
He saw the building in the distance while listening to her try to soothe his worried mind. While Aurora was a petite woman, Akio had a feeling that she had the burly man of a father wrapped around her little finger much like she had her boyfriend already positioned.
"You're right - that is all that matters."
And it was.
He was lucky enough to get an entire day - and night - with her and he wasn't going to waste it by worrying about future dinners with parental units.
As they made their way up the apartment building's steps, he moved to the side to allow her entrance to the door. One foot leaned against the side rail and he grinned, giving her his best innocent look. "You think... maybe there could be some cookies to go with the sandwiches?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:33 am
Were she not so young and if it weren't for the fact that she technically only owned one cat -- Bob wasn't officially hers the way Reven was even if he did seem to stay with her more than he wandered -- Rory would have been a crazy cat lady.
Yet, Akio didn't seem to mind that fact and embraced her for everything she was. Or, everything he knew she was anyway.
Clearly she had the best boyfriend ever and she definitely didn't deserve that.
Fishing her keys out of her bag, she unlocked the door and carefully eased it open. Rory wasn't worried about her cats escaping, if they were even home, because she left her bedroom window cracked open enough for them to slip in and out as they pleased. "I made some the other night," she admitted, glancing over her shoulder at her boyfriend. "I was already planning on bringing them for you."
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:32 pm
Wait, she'd already made some?
For... for him?
Akio had the best girlfriend ever.
The grin was hard to suppress, so he didn't bother trying. One hand moved out to take hold of the door for her in a feeble attempt to hold it open as she passed through the entryway of the small apartment. There wasn't any initial hissing to be heard as he walked through the doorway, so there was hope that tiny furballs and giant ones alike had vacated the premises for the afternoon.
"You spoil me, beautiful. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I thank my lucky stars every night for whatever it was that I did in a past life."
He already knew where the kitchen was and he was making a beeline towards it. The bag was still in his hand, mostly because he was uncertain of where to rest it while they were out because cats and knowing that if the orange monster knew it was his, all of his new clothes would surely be torn to shreds before the movie let out.
"Do you need my help? What can I do - I insist, put me to work!"
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:48 pm
When she was looking at him, she rolled her eyes and pretended to try and suppress her smile but once she had turned away the smile had faded and something twisted uncomfortably in her stomach. Not for the first time she thought, I don't deserve you.
"Hush, Akio, you know that kind of talk embarrasses me," she told him, glancing over her shoulder as she made her way across her home. If she brushed it aside maybe she wouldn't think too much about a sandy haired man with pointed ears and eyes made of frost.
Rory busied herself with rummaging through the cupboard and pulling out the container full of cookies and a few Tupperware containers. "You can rinse the veggies for me while I make sandwiches." She instructed, pulling out a small but decent selection of things they could snack on while out at the park. From there she moved to collect her fixings for the sandwiches. As most of their snacks were vegetable based, she opted for a more simple PB&J for their sandwiches.
There was a pause as she set everything down and crossed to where he stood. Gently she nudged him until he was facing her and she looped her arms around his neck. "But first, I want a kiss."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 8:14 am
He held up his hands in playful defense as she scolded him, keeping two steps behind her as they made their way into the kitchen. The tall boy watched as she began digging through the cabinets and drawers for supplies, waiting patiently for instructions with both hands tucked behind his back.
As soon as the vegetables surfaced, he stepped forward and reached for his assigned task, but soon found himself distracted by the most delightful of distractions. The hand reaching for the celery turned to take hold of the back of her head, the sudden demand for a kiss earning her a grin.
"Anything for my dragon princess."
His other hand moved to wrap around her waist as he bent down, tilting his head just enough to properly capture her lips with his own. Akio didn't have to be asked twice when it came to showering his favorite person with affection.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:41 am
Rory was grinning against his mouth when he called her my dragon princess. Something about it left happy butterflies in her stomach as she pushed onto her toes to kiss him back. What had started as some silly thing she said to ward him off had become a term of endearment and more proof that he was here for it all for her.
When they were like this, his arms around her waist and hers around his neck, the teen could forget about everything else and just focus on her fairy tale prince.
For a long wonderful moment, the girl let herself get lost in the feel of his mouth against hers and how much she enjoys it. Eventually, reluctantly, she had to draw away, cheeks tinged with a happy flush. "Come on, we better get working or we'll miss the movie." Hands slid down his shoulders then up to caress his cheeks.
Slowly, like she didn't want to, Rory backed up and forced him to release his hold on her. "There will be time for that later...right?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 12:00 pm
He was reluctant in letting her leave his arms, but - as always - he let her call the shots. She slipped away with a question on her tongue that left his heart almost hurting, as if she wasn't sure if they'd be able to kiss later.
Little did she know that he was willing to kiss her until the moon left the sky and every last star was extinguished across dawn's light.
"I'm sure we'll find the time," he said coolly, grinning as he turned back to the vegetables that were so easy to distract himself from, "And if not, I'll see to it that we'll make the time for it, beautiful."
Washing vegetables was the easy part. Water on, rinse, scrub. She'd picked out a decent assortment and, knowing her, found them at the best deal possible. He would never actually tell her it, but her frugal, determined attempts at saving money reminded him so much of his own mother... who was probably sleeping, if memory served him correctly with the time change. Maybe four, almost five in the morning?
She'd probably cut up vegetables for the night prior, too. Her dishes were always the best, whenever she found the time to cook after a busy day at work.
Ah, memories.
Shaking his head back to the present, he dunked another stalk of celery under the running faucet as he glanced in his girlfriend's direction.
"Do you know what's playing tonight?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 2:22 pm
His reassurance was appreciated, earning Rory's affection eye-roll as she undid the ties to the bread and set about making them sandwiches. Part of her wondered if she ought to be concerned about how comfortable she was doing something so...domestic with her boyfriend.
Falling into an easy rhythm in the kitchen wasn't uncommon for them, because Rory preferred to make meals instead of going out. While she could afford the luxury here and there, she still felt like she couldn't or that the money would be better suited to something more...practical.
Sure, it took some of the fun out of things, but she would rather latch onto her fiscal safety net than take a risk that wasn't as calculated as she thought.
Finishing up with their treats, Rory busied herself sliding them into the proper containers and putting everything back where it belonged while making sure all of the cupboards were tightly closed. She couldn't have Reven or Bob getting into things they weren't allowed after all.
"I think they've opted for Moana, since it's the last one of the summer that the kids can go to. Is that okay?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:05 am
He grinned at the mention of the movie's name, a tell-tale sign that mischievous thoughts were brewing in his mind.
"You think we'll be able to catch it all, this time?"
The question was asked innocently, but his face read anything but. It didn't matter to him one way or another whether he ever managed to see the film in its entirety, not if it meant missing it to pay attention to a much prettier, much more kissable distraction.
Hands busied themselves with cutting the celery stalks and the carrots, making sure not to waste any more than he needes to from the ends of the vegetables. Eyes remained focused on his task, knowing all too well that going to the ER for a bleeding finger would most definitely put a damper on the evening. "Are we allowed to sing along with the movie?"
It was hard to tell if he was being serious or not.
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 11:53 am
"Depends," she answered slowly, gaze lifting to met his. Her smile was poorly hidden by the way her lips pressed together and her teeth dug into her bottom lip. "On how well behaved you are." Akio was greedy with his kisses and touches, but Rory knew she was a giving well of allowance. She rarely stopped him unless they needed to do something or she felt like he was pushing a boundary she wasn't ready to cross.
Her boyfriend always backed off the moment her palms pressed against his wrist though and she was ever thankful for the respect he lavished her with.
As he cut, his girlfriend busied herself with placing them into the appropriate containers. Though, she did pop a carrot piece into her mouth and chewed on the vegetable while she contemplated his question. "Only if you're singing to me," she decided with a nod. "I don't mind being serenaded, but this is date night, which means I want you to be focused on me."
Rory knew that wouldn't be a problem; Akio was always quick to shower her with attention if she so much as pouted in his direction. Yet, she wanted to say it anyway because she thought he would appreciate knowing that maybe he wasn't the only one greedy for their significant other's attention. "But, it has to be the actual song, no altered renditions. Okay?"
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