Aria
She didn't fight him pulling her close, happily coming to rest against him. She chuckled up at him, at his words. "It does, it's true... But at least it's over for now." She leaned up a little and gave him a kiss, before nodding towards the path back. "Shall we? Before some idiot decides there's an emergency or something and tries to recruit us to do something?"
Pao
There was a contented sigh that escaped him when she kissed him, like he'd been holding his breath and waiting for that for a while now. He snorted and leaned down for another kiss before turning his focus to walking toward the kitchen.
"Smart girl," he chuckled. "So dinner, right?"
Aria
She laughed back and nodded. "Did'ja think of something you want?" She asked, curiously, walking at his side. "I'm not feeling particularly picky tonight." Frankly, she'd eat a grilled cheese sandwich and not complain. It wasn't like she needed that much to eat, really.
She scanned the path ahead, eyes out for any troubles, but mostly just not wanting to deal with anyone else right now. She was too relaxed for that.
Pao
He shook his head, eyes looking straight ahead for the most part. Every now and again he would glance down at her--he really just...loved...seeing her, and generally being with her. It did wonders for his mood and cleared a lot of the fog that was in his head a lot of the time.
"Mostly just you," he answered slowly, "so I'd be good with a quick sandwich or somethin' easy like that."
Aria
She... stumbled a little at his words, and blinked a lot, before saying "Ah. That works for me. Grilled cheese, maybe?" She concluded in her head that he almost certainly did not mean that the way it sounded. He never did, in her experience, so he probably didn't even realize that it came across that way.
She sometimes wondered how he could be so innocent.
Pao
He rolled the idea of grilled cheese around in his head, completely oblivious to the other potential meaning of what he'd just said to her. "Grilled cheese sounds good, yeah," he eventually said, then let his thoughts wander some. They mostly hovered around the woman he currently had his arm around, but occassionally they wandered to bits of his past. Both topics silenced him as he compared his then and now, and he eventually sighed.
"Not sure it's good to say so," he started to say, eyes down at their feet as they walked in tandem. "But a lot of times you feel kinda like my lucky little charm. You just show up and good stuff happens to me..."
Aria
"All right, grilled cheese it is. You got any preferred cheeses, or cheeses you don't like?" She asked him, as she decided to lean her head on his shoulder now, pleased that they'd made a decision. She walked in calm silence, until he spoke again.
His words made her eyes go huge, and she lifted her head to watch him, lips gently parted in a surprised, if silent, 'Oh.' She'd never been consider lucky before. A curse? Oh yes, she knew being a curse all too well. But lucky.... She stopped walking and turned so she was facing him, then leaned up to kiss him, soft and gentle, before saying "If so, then I'm glad. You deserve good things, Rhys."
Pao
"No, all cheese is good cheese," he said with a little shrug.
The sudden stop confused him a little bit, though he returned the kiss that followed just fine. He blinked down at her, brows furrowed as he wondered what made her believe something like that. He was happy to settle for whatever he could get, good, bad, or just generally whatever. Gently he cupped her cheeks, leaning down just a bit so he could look straight into her eyes.
"So do you, you know that, right?"
Aria
She blushed at the feeling of his hands cupping her cheeks, but didn't look away. There was an odd mix of emotions in her eyes, but she seemed to be handling them at the moment. "I... am slowly working on convincing myself of that." She finally said, with soft honesty. She wasn't going to lie to him, of all people, and tell him otherwise.
It just was hard, sometimes, to believe it when she'd been told otherwise for years.
Pao
He wasn't sure what it was he was seeing in her eyes, but there was a part of him that wanted to do more for her to change it. He wanted to give her that security in knowing that what he said was the truth, but he wasn't entirely sure what he even had to offer.
"Keep working, then," he said, smiling softly. "And I'm here to remind you, too. Honestly not sure if I'm what's good for you, but until I'm sure one way or the other, like hell I'm gonna let you go."
Aria
She frowned a little at his words, the part about him not being sure about being what was good for her. She was silent for a minute, trying to find the words to respond to that. "I can only say... That you've made me happier then anyone I've ever known. If that's not what's good for me... I can't imagine what is." She was utterly serious in her words, her eyes never leaving his.
Pao
His turn to pull on a strange mix of emotions, confusion and relief mostly. He couldn't remember the last time he really made anyone other than himself happy. A lot of his life was disappointment and abuse at home or dude-bros at the gym out-lifting each other. On top of that, he didn't exactly have a lot of time for anyone but himself, so hearing it come from someone was...weird.
"I make you happy?" he asked, vulnerable uncertainty very obvious in his voice.
Aria
She watched his face, seeing his responses and his confusion. She knew that feeling, far too well, and she couldn't blame him. Two ******** up little ships sailing in the night. It was amazing they'd managed to connect, but the fact that they had meant the goddamn world to her.
His question, and the rarity of hearing him sound that vulnerable, made her smile up at him in a sweet, and though she didn't realize it, loving way. "You make me very happy, Rhys. I literally can not remember being happier."
Pao
The relief following her smile and her answer was overwhelming, though it probably ddin't show in his smile so much. He just leaned down a bit and rested his forehead against hers, not caring who really saw this more affectionate gesture.
"Me, too," he whispered before kissing her forehead. "I don't remember honestly ever being happy, so this is a first for me."
Aria
She slipped her arms around him, and just held him, enjoying the feeling of him being there, close and in her arms. "I'm glad that I do..." She said softly. "I wish I could make up for the lack of happiness before, but... I promise I will do my damndest to keep making you happy from now on." This was a promise she meant with all her heart.
Pao
The side of him that doubted wasn't sure if he wanted to believe she'd be able to keep that promise, mostly because he knew himself better than she did. His secrets, everything that he carried with him that she didn't know about...he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to tell her or if she'd want to stay and deal with it with him. If this...whatever this was...would get any further than where they were now.
But he did revel in her promise despite all of that, if only so that he didn't quite feel so hopeless about them and what they had. "Not your job to make up for the s**t I went through," he said, smile soft as those memories suddenly surfaced again. "That you make me happy now is more than enough. And I'll do everything I can to keep you happy, too."
Aria
She watched his face, quietly, until he responded, wondering as ever what went on inside of him, but not pushing him, not demanding. She didn't want to make him say anything he wasn't comfortable with. It probably wasn't her right, or her business.
"It's all I can ask, in the end." She said softly, and leaned up to kiss him again, gentle, slow and sweet, not breaking the kiss, letting him decide when to end it this time.
Pao
There was something about that kiss that made something else click in his head, and he leaned down and into it, a bit of passion slipping in towards the end until he eventually pulled away. He knew he could say something now, about what clicked, or he could give himself time to process what he'd just realized. And no matter how fast things were going or how much uncertainty he had for whatever was ahead of them, he could at least hold on to that single little thought. When he'd able to say it, he didn't know, but knowing that he felt it was probably more important for the time being.
He sighed as he pulled back just enough so he could hug her closer, just for a second. How to transition back to a casual conversation about sandwiches was beyond him, but he cleared his throat anyway. "Still hungry?"
Aria
She sighed softly when the kiss was finally broken, having felt that bit of passion in the kiss, but then leaned into the hug, her head resting gently on his shoulder. His question earned a second sigh, and she finally said "Not really but... We should eat something. I'd rather not but..." She lifted her head again, and looked towards the kitchens with a sigh at them.
Pao
"We should," he said, eyes looking toward the kitchen as well. "How 'bout I make the sandwiches and you sit back this time? I might go slow enough that we'll get hungry with all the waiting." He chuckled and pulled out of the hug, though he kept just one arm around her as he started walking again.
Aria
She laughed and shrugged. "If you want... I wont argue with you doing the cooking." She quietly settled back into pace with him, one of her hands coming up to just lightly link with the one he had on her shoulder. "And even if not, we can just get it done with." Almost as if eating was a burden, which if she was honest with herself, sometimes it was.
Pao
There were very few instances wherein he really didn't mind skimping on a meal, but this was one of those. "One way to do it, too," he said with a little nod. "I still try to enjoy it, though. And a mean grilled cheese can never go wrong."
The walk to the kitchen was comfortable, and when they got there he opened the door for them and moved aside to let her through first. "Guess I'm cooking, then?"
Aria
She slipped in the door, and watched him for a moment, the softest of smiles on her face. "That would be nice, handsome. I appreciate it." She walked over to the nearest counter, and settled herself on it, watching him still, quietly happy, if not yet hungry.
Pao
He closed the door behind him and went to hang up his coat before going around the kitchen and grabbing what he needed before settling by the stove.
"Grilled cheese was a lifeline when I was a kid," he said as he put a pan on the stove, turning it to medium heat. He pulled out four slices of bread then, and paused. "These should be pretty good for someone like me, who...doesn't cook."
Aria
"You can cook just fine when you have a recipe and know what to do with it. You follow instructions well, and you did a really good job with the pajeon. I have faith in your skill when you know what you're doing, babe." She didn't even think about letting the name he'd been calling her out, she was just focused on telling him she really believed he'd be fine. "And yeah... grilled cheese is great when you need a simple meal that's satisfying."(edited)
Pao
He smirked at the name she called him this time, happy to share that with her if she wanted. Her confidence in his skill was shocking but he didn't argue. Instead, he pulled out four slices of bread, buttering each on one side and spreading a thin layer of mayo on the other. He put the mayo side down, and then spread the cheese evenly on the buttered sides.
"It is, yeah," he said, very focused on the cheese. When it was time he flipped one side on top of the other. "Could you grab me two plates, babe? I forgot 'em."
Aria
She laughed, and hopped off the counter, going to get the plates. "Hey, if that's all you forgot, you're doing great." She moved over and set them down, then settled back on the counter besides him, watching happily. "Smells good." She went back to sitting silently, enjoying the company and the smell of the cooking sandwiches.
Pao
He glanced up and shot her a smile before setting one of the finished sandwiches down on a plate. After he got the second one going in the pan he went ahead and cut the finished one in half, diagonally the he always did it for himself when he was younger, and then setting it down in front of her.
Aria
She smiled a little, thinking that was adorable, but she took the sandwich and said "Thank you, Rhys." She picked up one of the triangles, and began to eat, slowly, a happy smile on her face. "You did good, and you were right about getting hungry while I waited." She continued to eat, eyes closing softly.
Pao
"Always, baby," he said just as he plated his own sandwich, turning off the heat before he took a seat. He bit into a slice, nodding at the thought about getting hungry. "Yeah, got hungry makin' these..."
Aria
She smiled softly again, and continued to eat slowly, working her way through the sandwich. When she finished, she slipped off the counter and went to wash her plate, and the dishes he'd used for cooking. "Yeah. You definitely did good. I think your biggest issue with cooking is just not knowing the recipes." She didn't say the thought she'd had a few times that he also lacked confidence in it. "So if you want, I can continue with lessons."
Pao
He followed after her and set his own plate by the sink, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before going to grab his coat. "Definitely 'yes' to those lessons," he replied, then walked back over to the sink and grabbed a towel to dry the dishes. "I like your motivation techniques." He grinned and playfully bumped her shoulder as he dried the dishes.
Aria
She scrubbed his plate, too, and then laughed softly up at him. "Glad we didn't get those going, then, until recently. Wouldn't have had that as an option." She leaned up and gave him a small kiss, before putting the dishes that he'd dried away. "But since it works, I'll keep using them."(edited)
Pao
He laughed at that, then nodded since it was true enough, though if they had done the lessons sooner, he had a feeling that if she'd dressed and moved the same way she had during that cake day it might have hit him a little sooner that he was more than just a little attracted to her.
"Keep using 'em," he said as he started for the door. "Might work outside of the kitchen, never know."
Aria
She laughed softly and followed him to the door, grabbing her own coat. "I'll have to keep that in mind, should I need to encourage you with anything else." She waited for him to open the door, and once he did, she reached over and slipped her hand in his, before stepping out the door. "C'mon. Let's get back to the dorms."
Pao
He followed after her, a sense of contentment settling on him as soon as she took his hand. His eyes settled on a small point of contact, a soft smile on his face as the idea of being as lucky as he was to just be in this moment with her crossed his mind again.
"Back to the dorms," he eventually echoed, now looking forward at the building in the distance. "Your dorm, right?"
Aria
"Yeah, that's what we were talking about." She sighed happily, heading towards the dorms, radiating contentment as they walked. It wasn't a fast walk, but it was comfortable, and happy. She waited for him to open the door when they got there, then continued on to her room. She unlocked the door, and led him inside, before smiling back at him. "Mmm it's a little early for bed, but if you wanted, we could grab some stuff from the lounge, play jenga or cards or something. Whatever you want to do, honestly."(edited)
Pao
"I just wanna be with you," he said as he shrugged off his coat and scarf once inside her dorm. "If that's cool? Just you and me and some peace and quiet..." There was an akward little pause there before he cleared his throat. "Haven't been sleeping well so I don't really wanna think too much if I don't have to." He said it a little more quietly, again like he didn't want to admit it but did so anyway since it was her.
Aria
Her expression was soft with understanding, and she nodded. "Yeah, totally cool with me." She took her own coat and scarf off, and went to hang them in her closet, before toeing her boots off, and tucking her socks into them. She then padded to her bed, slipped up onto it, and simply held her arms out for him.
Pao
It was nice that she didn't ask what exactly was keeping him up, and as he slipped out of his socks and shoes it occurred to him that she never pressed him for answers. As he slid onto the bed and right into her welcoming arms he realized that maybe that was one of the reasons why he found it easier to say things. There was never any judgment or overstepping of lines or expectation of answers to the harder questions. It was simple, and if things could just stay like this he had just a little more hope for them.
Carefully he slipped his arms around her, a deep sigh escaping as he made himself comfortable. He was already feeling his eyelids droop just a little. "Thanks," he whispered, glancing down at her.
Aria
She lay back slowly once he was in her arms, resting on her pillow, one of her hands sliding up to slowly run her fingers through his hair, a thing she'd been wanting to do for sometime. "You're welcome... You're always welcome." She said quietly, and simply, watching him with that gentle look she got around him only.
Pao
The feel of her fingers running through his hair got a satisfied "mmm" out of him, and he smiled, still tired but happy he was there and that he'd asked. He watched her, thoughts beginning to settle their focus on her, for just a moment longer before leaning in for a soft kiss, this time waiting for her to break it when she wanted.
Aria
She continued to run her fingers through his hair, liking the feeling, and pleased he seemed to enjoy it too. When he kissed her, though, her fingers stilled during the kiss, just resting on the back of his head. She let the kiss continue until she felt the need to pause for air, then slowly broke it with a soft sigh.
Pao
When she broke the kiss he pulled back just enough so his eyes met hers, and for a second he was lost in those blues. And there was something he wanted to say...but he tucked that thought away and instead just smiled.
"What do you see in me anyway?"
Aria
She looked up into his green eyes, loving the color, and that they were his eyes. She could have happily just stayed there, watching him silently, but then he asked her that and she had to search for a way to answer that that wouldn't sound dumb.
"You would ask the hard to explain questions, the ones that leave me going 'how stupid do I sound saying this...'" She said with a soft chuckle, not objecting, just thinking. Finally, though, she said "Well, you're strong, and I don't mean physically." She paused, then added "Obviously that's true too, but that's not the kind of strength that matters here. And you've... helped me. A lot, when I've been just a confused newblet trying to figure this place out. More then anyone ever helped me with anything, really. You may not let people see it much, but you can be so very kind. You're... you understand things about me without me having to say them, like when I'm... having trouble with certain things... You don't make me talk about things I don't want to."
She looked lost in thought. "You put up with those moments where I say or do something dumb. You've been there for me. You have my back, even when I never expected anyone to do so, ever." Her eyes refocused on his, and she finished simply with "You're you."
Pao
Her initial reply got a chuckle out of him, but as she laid everything out there his expression softened to something more affectionate and...loving, really. It was still a challenge to wrap his head around the fact that someone saw all this in him, him, but he was grateful for it all the same. By the end of it he didn't really know what to say...
"I'm me, huh?" he said, a little amused at the phrasing.
Aria
The look on his face warmed her inside. Just seeing that was a quiet spot of hope that this wasn't a hopeless moment in her life, that she had a chance to make something good of her time here on this island.
His comment made her blush, but she stood firm by her words. "Yes. And really that's what matters. You."
Pao
Again, he really didn't have any words to convey whatever feelings were bubblings up in him. Surprise, gratitude, just a bit of confusion and...maybe love. Probably love...if this was what it felt like to be loved or be in love. It was another first that he didn't know what to do with, so he tucked it away again.
He smiled and leaned in again, though he just hovered his lips over hers.
Aria
She leaned up to meet his lips, soft and sweet, her fingers moving in his hair again, though this time it was a slow, massaging movement. Her heart felt full, incredibly full, and she held him close with her free hand. She knew, at this point, that she was in love with this man, no matter how much she had never wanted to love anyone again.
She also knew she no longer cared that she'd broken that promise to herself. This was so much better then holding her heart locked away could ever have been.
Pao
When her lips met his again nothing else really mattered except for her, the two of them right there in that moment. He broke away a couple of times to take a breath but there was a part of him that didn't want it to end just yet...
But when it finally did he was hovering above her, eyes looking down straight into hers. Even then he still didn't know what to say so he didn't, letting the silence settle over them.
Aria
When the kiss was broken, fully, she was breathing a little heavily, everything in her urging her to pull him close, and see how far this went... Except one, very strong instinct that said 'no. Not yet.' And she let that win, because she had promised herself she wouldn't rush him. His body, his rules, as she told herself over and over.
She might want him, more then ever, but she would not let her wanting ruin this. Instead, she gazed up at him with eyes shining with her happiness, her arms resting around him.
Pao
There were words practically danging from the tip of his tongue, and right there, in that moment, he wanted to say them. He wanted to tell her, to let her know what she meant to him and how he really felt and how much he wanted her. For whatever reason though he didn't let himself fall that far into that wanting, and when his breathing finally evened out he was still just lost in her eyes and happy to be.
"Y'know, I thought it'd be easier to sleep with you here, but now I just..." and he smirked and leaned in to kiss her again. Short and sweet and maybe just enough to keep her wanting more, but he'd leave that up to her if she wanted to keep going again. "Don't know if I wanna stop."
Aria
She gave a soft, happy sigh into the next kiss, and murmured "You're welcome to do that as long as you like." She was more then willing to let him take charge, after all. He was pretty much the only person she'd let take charge of her that way, in fact. "And when you want to sleep, you're welcome to do that too. Whatever makes you happy, handsome."
Having him there, like this, over her was an interesting position, and it felt right. It felt right to be in his arms, really, whenever he held her. These moments alone with him, in a private place, though, were bliss.
Pao
"Since it's you, just about all of this makes me happy," he managed to say between kisses. It wasn't too much longer until his lips wandered away from hers and down to her neck.
"You should really narrow down my options, babe."
Aria
She was smiling into the kisses, his words hitting her right where it mattered in a very good way. The feeling of his lips on her neck caused her eyes to close, and her head to tilt to the side, with a soft 'mmm!' of surprise and enjoyment.
"Mmmm why? I like seeing what you do."
Pao
His focus was split between her reactions and on what he was doing, which got a little easier when she gave him just a bit more room. He found and focused on one spot, alternating between gently sucking and kissing there . It wasn't the first time he'd given someone a hickey, but it did happen to be the first time it wasn't because of a dare, so he had to wonder if she'd mind...not that that stopped him.
"Yeah, but," he asked as he kissed that one spot just once more before pulling back. "What if it's something you don't like?"
Aria
She blushed when she realized what he was doing, but didn't fight it, her hands falling to the comforter under her, holding tight to it. The feeling of his actions were coursing through her, and she had to control the urge to react more heavily. It just felt so good.
When he asked that question, she'd closed her eyes to control herself better. A little breathlessly, she said "I can't really see you doing that... But if you did, I'd tell you. I trust you not to do things I don't like if you know."
Pao
He blinked a bit at her breathless response and moved his eyes to her blushing face, an affectionate, if amused, smile on his face. He brought a hand up to her cheek and felt the warmth as he caressed her. "Why not just tell me what you like, then? Less chance for me to screw up and kill the mood."(edited)
Aria
Her eyes opened again, at his words and she blushed deeper, though she leaned her cheek into his hand. "Because I am still learning that myself? I might know somethings but.. It's kind of the sort of thing you learn by exploring." She gave a slight shrug. "Also, for some reason, suddenly I feel oddly shy about it." Given she'd once calmly told him she had a rope kink before... Whatever this was... It was slightly odd... But then, she hadn't considered the possibility she'd be telling him with any idea he'd need to know.
She added, as her hand slid up to touch the forming hicky bruise, "Feeling the need to mark me?" In a teasing voice.
Pao
He listened quietly, eyes often on hers but other times wandering to trace her features, again like he was committing what he saw to memory. He lingered for a long while on her lips, and he moved his hand gently down and traced her bottom lip as he processed what she said. "Shy? 'Cause it's me, or...?"
And then she asked about the hickey and his eyes snapped up to meet hers again. "Should I not have?" he asked, feigning innocence. "You sounded like you liked it, too." His tone was equally teasing as he leaned down for another kiss. "Was I wrong?"
Aria
"Maybe a little? It's not like I don't want to share things like that with you but... It feels strange, now... A little vulnerable in a way I'm not used to." Her honesty was something he deserved, in her mind. She wasn't this honest with anyone else, though. She might not lie to them, but she'd go through loops and hoops to not tell them what she didn't want to. The way he was watching her, though, increased that feeling, and yet made her feel so good too.
His question earned him a soft chuckle, and a smile. "Not wrong at all. It felt will nice." She leaned up onto the kiss, then said "Just amused me."
Pao
"Amused," he said, smiling as he kissed her again. And again, and then some more. "As long as you felt good then I'll take amused as a good thing."
"And as for being vulnerable...you know I'm not gonna judge or anything, right? I just...wanna know what your buttons are..."
Aria
She chuckled softly, because the fact that he'd marked her was amusing in her eyes. It screamed of showing people she was off limits, in it's way. She kissed him back, enjoying every one he gave her. "It's definitely a good thing." She murmured back.
She blushed and nodded. "I know. I just... I mean, I... Told you one of them, weeks ago... I'm still figuring out most of the rest. You're kind of my biggest button right now, though."
Pao
That wasn't really his intention, to mark her. All he wanted was to make her feel good, but if it meant that people saw that she was off limits then that was a happy coincidence.
"Right, the rope...kink..." and he paused and pulled back to meet her eye, brow raised. "Still surprises me, by the way." And then he happily found her lips again. "And you're mine...so I guess...we'll figure all this out...together..." Playfully he nipped at her lower lip, happy to just keep doing what they were doing...maybe even more...for however long until either one or both of them got tired.
Aria
She blushed a little at his words. "Why is it so surprising?" She couldn't help but ask, a hint of nerves in her voice. She hadn't forgotten the playful disapproval he'd given her when she'd told him... Even if it was playful, it made her nervous because people sometimes judged that kind of thing.
Then he called her his, and her eyes just widened, lips parting in surprise for a long moment. That was... of all the things they'd said today, that was one of the boldest statements, and it meant a lot to her. "Yes... th...that sounds like a good plan..." She whispered out. The n** to her lip made her shiver, and she leaned up to kiss him again, arms around him, eyes closing as she processed what his words meant to her.(edited)
Pao
"I just would never have guessed," he said with a little shrug. "You gotta show me...a little somethin' about that...sometime." And with a nod to her agreeing to the very vague plan of figuring out each other's buttons, he closed his eyes and focused on her. Just her and what they were sharing.
Aria
She smiled into the kiss, thinking about his words. That might be interesting, though she would have to look into where she could get proper ropes for this if this was going to be a thing in the future. In the meantime, though, she just got lost in the kissing again, and being here with him.
Pao
He wasn't sure, nor did he even care, how much time passed before he pulled away and settled down beside her again. He gave a long, very contented sigh, his hand running up and down her arm as he thought about where he was and who he was with...and even what more they could have been doing. A chance to go further down that avenue had come and gone earlier and he was fine with that, but making out didn't exactly completely shut down that avenue completely.
And he wondered.
Aria
She lay back, lips feeling slightly swollen and bruised from all the kissing, and not minding it at all. It felt good, in fact, and she gave a soft, happy sigh, watching him out of the corner of her eye. It was a beautiful sight for her, seeing him there besides her. She wasn't wondering about things right then, just happy in the moment with him.
Pao
He sighed again and glanced down at her, smile soft as he reached over to rest his hand on her cheek again, eyes full of happiness, contentment, and love when they met hers. He couldn't bring himself to say it just yet, but more than hearing him say it he wanted her to feel loved by him. And he wondered briefly about that, too.
"You look...happy..." he said softly.
Aria
The love in his eyes melted what, if any, resistance she could have held to him. She felt so happy, so safe here in this moment, and his hand on her cheek was just icing on the cake. She leaned into his touch, her own eyes showing love and joy. Her arm rested across him, and she just didn't want to move.
His words earned him that sweet smile she reserved for him. "Yes. I am. Very happy. I hope you are too?" she murmured back.
Pao
"I am. First for everything," he said, eyes steady on hers as his fingers brushed very lightly against her cheek. He didn't want to move either; everything in that moment jist felt so complete and he didn't want it to be over yet.
"I never figured I'd get to experience this kinda thing, honestly. Sorta just wrote it off as another thing outta reach and lived with that."
Aria
She felt so glad to know he was happy here, and her head turned more towards him, her eyes still full of caring. "Good... I'm glad to hear it." She shifted a little closer, just to snuggle in against him.
The rest of his words made her smile a little sadly. "I... can understand that, honestly." She didn't want to think about her worries about anything that made her happy being doomed.
Pao
He happily just pulled her close, eyelids suddenly heavy that he was even mote comfortable...and they weren't making out. He soon closed his eyes, a quiet "mmm" coming from him when she spoke next.
"We'll make up for lost time together," he said, "Together..." and he finally just dozed off.
Aria
She smiled at his softly spoken words before he slept, and just rested her head gently against his as he slept. It was a while before she drifted off, but eventually she slipped her glasses off, put them away, and then settled in to sleep, arms wrapped around him, feeling that together was... the best thing that could happen to her.
Pao
The peaceful sleeping he hoped she would bring him lasted for a good enough number of hours, but sometime in the early morning, when it was still dark out, he started breathing a bit shallow and uneven. And then he started breaking out in a cold sweat, murmuring and muttering in his sleep. Eventually tears escaped, and that muttering turned to whimpering as his grip on her tightened almost to a desperate degree.
Aria
Seren slowly woke, feeling the grip on her. It was just shy of painful, and her eyes widened a little when her brain processed what was going on. Her expression went soft and gentle, and she began to whisper softly "Shhhh... it's ok... you're safe, babe. You're ok..." Her hand slid up to run comfortingly along his cheek, gentle and caring
Pao
Her whispers drew him out of his sleep and his grip loosened. It took a bit for him to get his breathing back to normal, and when he did he slowly opened his eyes and blinked away the last of the tears.
It was a struggle to try and find words to say, and he kept going between apologizing and thanking her before squashing even those thoughts and ultimately saying nothing at all. He just lay there, taking comfort in the fact that she hadn't freaked out and stayed beside him. And if she asked... hopefully she wouldn't.
Aria
She simply shifted until she could kiss his forehead, comfortingly, her fingers just caressing his cheek. She wasn't going to push, she wasn't going to ask... She just wanted him to feel better, so he could relax again and fall back asleep. "It's ok, babe." She whispered softly. "Nightmares happen to everyone... I understand them all too well."
Pao
He'd heard that before, but coming from someone who he knew actually cared about him on a more personal level, it just held that much more weight. The kiss on the forehead, the way she just drew him in, whispered soft reassurances and comforted him...these were things he'd never truly experienced before. He'd always held tough, put up that front to keep himself from drowning in all the hurt that he grew up with...
He couldn't help it. Just for a second, in his sleepiness and exhaustion he let himself feel for a second. And all of a sudden his nose got tingley and the tears welled up, so he pulled in closer and he just...cried.
Aria
Her eyes just filled with understanding, and she pulled him close, hugging him tight while he cried, not judging, not pushing him away, just softly murmuring his name comfortingly, her face resting against his hair. She couldn't make the pain go away, but she could be there for him, let him know she cared.
Pao
Her quiet understanding and efforts to comfort him went a long way to calming him down, and when he finally got himself under control he just lay there, not really wanting to move or say anything still. No one had ever made him feel as safe or secure as she did, especially not during the times he felt most vulnerable, but he didn't even know where to start or if he shoudl explain. So he said the first thing that came to mind.
"Sorry..."
Aria
"Nothing to apologize for." She murmured quietly, and kissed his head softly, trying to show how much she cared about him with the kiss. "Sometimes you just have to let go. I understand that one, too well." She slid her hand back to caressing his face, her eyes soft as she gazed at him with quiet compassion. "Just.. tell me if there's anything I can do, yeah?"
Pao
His eyes closed when she kissed him, that sense of safety and security only growing the more he saw that she truly cared for him. Whatever doubts he may have had were now slowly but surely fading. He leaned into her touch, a soft sigh escaping as he slowly met her gaze. "I just...need you to be here, that's all."
Aria
She smiled softly and said "Whenever you need me." And leaned to softly kiss his lips, shifting back to snuggle against him, trying to continue to give him the comfort, even if he was calmer now, trying to help him relax enough that he could fall asleep again.
Pao
Her words and that kiss helped calm him down even more, and as he settled in again beside her he closed his eyes. "Thanks..." he managed to say before falling back to sleep.
Aria
She waited for him to fall back asleep, and nestled in against him, safe and hoping he did not have more nightmares... but ready to comfort him again if he did. All she wanted was for him to have the peaceful night he'd come to her for. She fell back asleep herself, slowly and quietly.
Pao
Luckily it was just the once before morning came, and since he wasn't used to light trickling into his room through a window that was basically what woke him up. Rhys opened his eyes just a sliver, enough so he could see her. He blinked, still a bit sleepy but happy that when he woke she was right there, in his arms. He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, hoping it wouldn't be enough to wake her, before closing his eyes again and taking a deep breath. A morning workout was waiting for them, but he wanted to stay like that for as long as possible before getting his day started.
Aria
The kiss didn't wake her, though she gave a soft murmur that sounded happy in her sleep. It was some time, given that she was used to the light, but getting close to the time she would normally wake up anyways, she started shifting in a slow manner that indicated she was beginning to rouse. It was a slow process of waking, but finally her eyes popped open, and she gave him a slow smile as she tilted her head softly. "Morning."
Pao
He felt her shift beside him and opened his eyes to watch her slowly rouse from sleep, and when she opened her eyes and greeted him he smiled that bright smile he'd reserved just for her. "Mornin', beautiful," he greeted in return before leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Sleep well?"
Aria
She blushed at being called beautiful. Once again he pulled out something she had never been called before, but it felt so good. Between that and his bright smile, as far as she was concerned, this day was off to a bright start. "Mmmm yeah, I did." She chose not to bring up the interlude from the nightmare, unless he did. "You sleep ok too?" Was all she asked instead.
Pao
There was noticeable pause between her question and his answer, which was just a little nod at first. "Yeah," he said simply, very clearly remembering what happened in the middle of the night but not too sure if he wanted to bring it up now or not. In the end he sighed and added, "Mostly, anyway. I thought having you next to me would help me sleep like a rock, but..." and he sighed again. "Guess not."
Aria
She sighed softly and kissed his cheek gently. "I'm sorry it wasn't as successful as you'd like, but... I hope you'll be here again whenever you can." Is all she said, not pushing him. She would fight hard with herself to respect his bounderies. She loved him too much to not, even if she couldn't say it out loud.(edited)
Pao
Those kisses really seemed to do the trick for him, and he couldn't help but smile at both that gesture as well as her words. He considered the offer very seriously for a moment and wondered if it was maybe too soon or too forward even if she was the one to offer. He weighed the pros and cons but he eventually raised his brow in question and asked "You're offering that knowing I can be here every night as long as I'm not on duty?"
Aria
"Yeah. And?" She raised her own brow, making it clear she did not mind at all. "I've said it more then once. You're welcome whenever you want to be." She was quietly serious, her eyes on his face. It was, she knew, potentially a lot to offer... And she still wanted to offer it. When he was here, she felt safe. She wanted to give him that same safety if she could.
Pao
He blinked at how serious she seemed to get once he asked the question. "Just thought it was a lot to offer..." he started to say, and then smirked before kissing her forehead again. "But if you're offering it, then I'll take you up on that offer." And then there was a flash of a thought about just moving into the same dorm to save them both the extra effort, but he shelved that for another time and just gave her a little squeeze.
"No take-backs, as always."
Aria
She smiled again, and smiled happily. "I haven't yet, have I?" She said in response to his no take-backs comment, amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes. She wanted to ask him to move in but... It seemed a little soon for that... Especially since they hadn't gotten to the point of... certain things. She had a feeling in her gut that that might need dealing with first.
For now, though his acceptance was enough to make her just beam in soft happiness.
Pao
Her response got a chuckle out of him and he shook his head. "Nope."
The next few minutes were spent just snuggling up with her, but soon enough his internal clock was telling him to actually get up and get to his workout. He snuggled into her just a little bit more before groaning. "Tell me to get up, babe. We got a workout but this is too comfortable..."
Aria
She sighed softly when he said that, and closed her eyes for just a moment, not wanting to do what they needed to do, but she worked up the gumption slowly, and said "Get up, Rhys... We gotta do this. Comfortable or not..." She opened her eyes, wistful but serious.
After all... he was welcome to come do this anytime. It might be done for now, but they could snuggle more later.
Pao
That was all he needed to hear, and it being said in her voice at least made the reality a little bit sweeter. With just one more sigh and one more extra hug he eventually unwrapped himself from her and rolled out of bed, stretching out once he was on his feet. He looked down at his clothes and gave a lopsided frown.
"Any chance you've got room for my PJs and gym clothes in your closet?" he asked, not quite connecting that asking for real estate in a woman's closet meant that they were possibly in more of a committed relationship. "And maybe for my gym shoes and bathroom stuff?"
Aria
She sighed, and once he was no longer tangled up with her, she slipped out of the bed, and stretched some. She was about to wait patiently for him to leave so that she could change, and then he spoke.
Her eyebrows flew straight up, surprised by his question. That was... quite the question indeed. Did he realize the implications of what he was asking? She studied him out of the corner of her eyes, unsure, but nonetheless nodded. "We can make it fit, yeah. No problem, Rhys."
Pao
His eyes were focused on her closet for the moment as if staring at it would give him its exact measurements, so he missed the surprise on her face. When she answered, though, he added, "And socks, too. Would just make the mornings go faster so I figured it made sense."
With that he moved to slip into his socks and shoes, and then into his coat before throwing his scarf over his shoulder. "I'll meet you by the front doors again?"
Aria
She wondered, seriously, how much thought he'd taken about this. Did he even realize it would mean he would be seeing her change too? But she wasn't going to change her mind. If he really did want this, she wasn't going to argue. It was going to be an interesting transition.
Very interesting.
She simply nodded her head. "Yeah, go on, babe. I'll be ready soon."
Pao
He shot her a smile before ducking out of her room, still obviously without any kind of clue what he just asked and she'd agreed to.
Rhys got ready pretty quickly, including a quick run back up to the first-floor bathrooms to clean himself up, and he made it out to the doors within fifteen minutes. As soon as he was outside he started his warm-up stretches while he waited for Seren to join him.
Aria
It took her about 25 minutes today to get ready, after stopping to brush her teeth, so she joined him around five minutes later, in her usual gym day clothes of leggings and high necked tank. "Hey... Sorry I'm slow." She said, moving to do her own warm ups. The one downside to her hair, she found herself thinking, but she didn't regret an inch of it
Pao
"No worries," he said, greeting her with a warm smile as he finished out his stretches. "Just remember to get a good stretch in. You and me, we're gonna run and then go through one of those full-body workouts today." That warm smile turned into more of an excited expression as he quickly pieced together a workout that would challenge the both of them.
Aria
She laughed and began to stretch, listening to him talk. "Mmm gonna work me hard today, I see. Hoping I'll be exhausted early?" She teased him, making it very clear she was just teasing. Once she was ready, though, she was up and jogging in place until he was ready, and they were off.
When the work out was done, she was incredibly sweaty, possibly sweatier then she'd ever been in her entire life, and physically exhausted, but she felt good about it, proud she'd made it through. They parted when they went to the showers, to go deal with the rest of the day.
THIS IS HALLOWEEN: Deus Ex Machina
Welcome to Deus Ex Machina, a humble training facility located on a remote island.
