Pao -
Her laughing had him smiling wide and bright, and he let her be until she finally calmed down. "See you, babe. I'll take care of the alarm, no worries."

He stood and gave her one more kiss before she finally headed out the door, and then he quickly got himself dressed and the rest of the blankets and pillows ready. It was only after that was all packed that he set the alarm for midnight, and then finally grabbed everything he needed and headed off toward their spot on the cliffs, making sure to lock the door behind him.

The nest didn't take too long to set up once he got to the cliffs and he went ahead and made himself comfortable as he waited for Seren to arrive.

Aria -
Seren put together a good picnic meal of a light salad, some sandwiches, and a number of finger foods... the kind they could feed themselves, or each other, as they chose. This included lots of fruits, some candies, and so on. She filled up two bottles, one with sweetened black tea and the other with coffee. She found a basket, and packed it all inside, then headed up to the cliffs, a smile on her face.

Stargazing on New Year's Eve with Rhys. What a perfect way to begin the new year. She sighed happily, and, impulsively, let her hair out of it's usual tail as she walked. She rarely did this outside, but she did enjoy the way her hair flowed in the soft breeze, and the way it moved around her. When she got to the entrance to their little spot, she beamed brightly at her boyfriend.

Pao -
Rhys was laid back when his girlfriend finally arrived, and he shot her a bright smile. "Hey," he greeted as he slowly got himself up and made his way over to her. He reached for the basket first, and then took her hand and gently tugged her toward him and into their little setup. "Alarm's all set, so no worries there. What'd you wanna do first? Dinner, or...?"

Aria -
She grinned at Rhys, and more then happily let him pull her in, stepping out of her shoes and into the blankets. She leaned up to give him a soft kiss, then murmured "Let's eat first. Don't want to risk knocking the basket over, after all." She said that in a lightly teasing tone, before settling down onto the blankets, and smiling up at the beautiful man she still couldn't believe she had won over.

Pao -
He smirked a little at the idea of knocking over the basket, glancing back at her and shooting her a wink before he took a seat. "We could just be extra careful," he said as he set the basket down. "But dinner first sounds good to me."

Quickly he opened up the basket, smiling down at its contents as he started pulling things out and setting their table.

Aria -
"Why make things more difficult than necessary? Eat first, no worries about spilled food later." She shifted so that she could snuggle right up to him as he pulled things out, slipping herself under his arm as soon as all the food was out, her head resting against his shoulder. "I thought simple was best, on the whole..." She said, softly, smiling up at him.

Pao -
He was smiling softly as she snuggled in, and he leaned toward her, turning his head to press a kiss to her temple. "Works for me," he chuckled as he surveyed the simple meal. "You know I love everything you make for me, baby. And since it's a picnic, you're probably right about simple is better." He reached for a container of fruit and got it open, popping a grape into his mouth before offering one to her.

Aria -
The kiss was met with a brightening of her smile, and she just sighed happily. The grape was accepted by her leaning forwards and grabbing it, gently, with her teeth. After she chewed and swallowed, she laughed softly and said "I was thinking salad, sandwiches, then finger foods, but if you prefer fruit first, I'm game."

Pao -
He chuckled and shrugged, reaching for a sandwich and offering it to her first before getting the salad. "Just felt like something a little sweet," he reasoned before setting the salad between them then grabbing a sandwich of his own. "Drinks?"

Aria -
She took the sandwich, and began to nibble it, leaning into him softly as she did. "Like I said, if you prefer. In the end, I'm happy either way, as long as I'm here with you." She made a soft, happy sound, and continued to nibble it, shifting a little so that she could see the sky as she ate. It wasn't yet full dark, so she was facing away from the sunset, watching where the stars would begin to show themselves. "Yeah... one's coffee, black, the other's sweetened tea. I figured the caffeine would help us stay up as long as we want to."

Pao -
He took good size bites out of his sandwich, setting it down and reaching for the two drink options next. "Good plan. Which one did you want?" he asked as he got the cups as well, and then forks, offering her one so she could get at her salad if she wanted. It was only then that he turned to her, blinking for a moment before he smiled and leaned over to press a kiss to her cheek.

Aria -
"Tea, lover. I don't drink coffee black, after all." She hadn't packed stuff for her to doctor it with, so it was all for him, should he want it. "Thank you for getting things out, again, baby." She smiled at the kiss, a bright smile, and took some larger bites of her sandwich, before taking the fork, and having some salad too. She was about to take another bite when she spotted the first star in the sky.

She looked a little sheepish, but she whispered, very quietly (he might have to focus to hear her...) "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight... I wish I may, I wish I might, get the wish I wish tonight..." Before closing her eyes for a moment, her lips moving but no sound coming out.

Pao -
"Tea," he repeated while pouring her a cup, and as he offered it to her he did hear bits and pieces of what she said. He let her finish making her wish before once again leaning in to kiss her cheek. Though he didn't comment at all and just offered her, her cup.

"Tea for my lady," he whispered, smile soft as he watched her.

Aria -
She blushed some at his words, and turned to face him, pressing a loving kiss to his lips as she took the cup from him. "Thank you, Rhys. Once again, you take such amazing care of me." She then took a sip of her tea, and leaned gently back against him, eyes shining with love.

Pao -
He kissed her back before giving her a little squeeze. "And you take care of me just the same, love." With that he gave her just one more kiss before getting back to his food switching between his salad and sandwich and occasionally some fruit or a sip of coffee. Truth be told he was more concerned with his food than he was the stars; it didn't seem dark enough to see any of those just yet…

Aria -
She finished her sandwich, before moving back to the salad, and worked her way through that. She was able to eat her food, while watching as the sky darkened, and stars slowly began to fill the sky. Once she had eaten the main foods, she shifted so that she could lay down, with her head in his lap, carefully tilting her head every so often to get a sip of her tea... She should have packed a straw... but mostly lost in the universe.

Pao -
He was down to just sipping his coffee by the time she shifted to lay her head on his lap, and he smiled softly down at her before leaning back a little bit so he wasn't blocking her view of the sky at all. "It really is something easy to get lost in, huh?" he said once he finally looked skyward, noting how the stars gradually grew in number as the sun slowly but finally set, leaving just the sliver of the moon and the stars to light the night sky.

Aria -
"Yeaaaah." She sighs out, happily, her free hand sliding up to take one of his. She just lets herself get lost in the sky, and the stars, for awhile, then she reaches over, picking up one of the finger foods, and lifts it gently to his lips, letting him decide if he wants to accept it.

Pao -
He sipped his coffee and could only smirk at her response, eyes up at the sky for just a little bit longer before he looked down and watched his beautiful girlfriend watch the sky. It was a different kind of feeling, watching her get lost in something she loved doing. Gently he brushed her hair aside, and when she offered him some fruit he happily accepted, purposely nipping at her fingers in the process.

Aria -
She gave a soft laugh at the n**, and caressed his lip, before shifting back to sitting up again... on his lap now. She considered the small foods they still had, and picked up an strawberry. She was glad she'd removed the stems before packing them, because she was able to take it between her teeth, then lean forwards, and press it softly to his lips, eyes focused on his.

Pao -
He grinned and sipped at hsi coffee once he got the bite down, adjusting himself a bit so she could get comfortable in his lap. His arm naturally went around her waist, though he went on sipping his coffee as he watched her curiously. His brows went up as she pressed the strawberry to his lips, and he couldn't help but chuckle as he took the other half in his, just enough to brush his lips against hers as he took the bite.

Aria -
She bit on her half, a soft smile on her lips, and then, after finishing it, gave him a proper kiss, enjoying feel of his soft lips on hers, and the hint of strawberry left behind on the skin. His reaction had been delightful, and she was glad he had been amused. She hugged him, close, with a soft, happy sigh.

Pao -
Rhys pulled her in close as he kissed her back, happy and content with just her in his arms. When he pulled back for a breath he simply resting his forehead against hers, smiling softly. "I always did like strawberries," he chuckled before leaning forward just a bit for another brief kiss.

Aria -
She laughed softly, smiling up at him, eyes focused on his gorgeous green ones. "They are a delightful treat." She murmured back, and leaned into the next kiss, letting one hand slip free to find another treat to feed him, this time a grape. She did not worry about what, as they were all sweet things. It was simply the act of feeding him that mattered to her here, and the intimacy and trust of that action.

Pao -
He shifted a little bit before taking the grape she offered him, brows scrunched up a little bit as he chewed and swallowed. It was something he was used to, not that he wasn't enjoying himself. He reached down to grab a treat for her, pulling up another strawberry before offering it to her. "What else you got in that thing?" he smirked and glanced down at the container to check out its contents. "Any chocolate?"

Aria -
She accepted the strawberry, and gave his finger a lick as she did so, blinking at the scrunched brow. It wasn't, in her mind, about how usual or not the foods were... It was the feeling of feeding the person she loved, and being fed. She chuckled at his question, and said "Yes, some Hershey's kisses..." She chuckled, because it was appropriate for them. "And some other candies, chocolate and not. All single bite sized things."

Pao -
He considered her small list with a smile. "Kisses, huh?" he repeated, licking his fingers before reaching down to grab one of the chocolate treats and popping one into his mouth. "I could do with a few more of those. And I don't mean just the chocolates." Gently he tugged her toward him again, teasing her with a little brush of his lips to hers.

Aria -
"I can always do with more of those, from you, Rhys..." She whispered, chuckling at his words, and his teasing. She let him pull back from his little teasing kiss, for a moment, her eyes soft and gentle, then her hand slid up to rest on the back of his, and she pulled him in for a proper kiss, her other hand resting on his shoulder as she teased his lips with her tongue, tasting him, and the chocolate.

Pao -
"Good, 'cause you're gonna get plenty of 'em tonight." He smirked a bit before she pulled him in, and he kissed her back, lips parting slightly as she teased, his tongue slipping out to tease at hers in turn. Slowly he laid back into their little nest, naturally taking her with him as he refused to break the kiss unless it was for air.

Aria -
She couldn't help laughing into the kiss at his words, a sound of delight and amusement at her wonderful, and silly lover. She followed him down, shifting so that she was laying on him, her elbows resting on the blankets, one on each side of his chest, her hands now on his shoulders. She enjoyed the teasing in the kiss, and kept it going until she absolutely had to break it to breath.

Pao -
Her laugh, as always, brought the brightest of smiles to his face as he lay back, eyes looking into her beautiful blues. "What?" he chuckled, reaching up to rest his hand against her cheek, gently caressing with his thumb. "That's the plan, as often as I can manage in a day I wanna hold you and kiss you and tell you I love you." Just in case...though he couldn't bring himself to say that last part.

Aria -
Seren smiled down at her wonderful lover, enjoying seeing that beautiful, bright smile that she treasured. "And I understand that. Just... you make me happy, love, in so many ways. And somehow, in a way I do not think I can explain, because I don't fully get it myself, the way you said that about getting plenty of kisses tonight just tickled my sense of humor." She leaned down and gave him a quick flash of a kiss, before continuing.

"And that is a plan that I both approve of, and share." She was all too aware of the dangers they both faced, but tonight was about a happy start to a New Year, so she refused to let those thoughts go any further. "There are times when I wish I could bi-locate, or even multi-locate... So I could be with you, at all times, and still have time to do my duties, and see my friends."

Pao -
He listened intently as she explained, though on occasion his eyes would move down to her lips or he would brush back her hair just a bit. "Two places at once...not sure even Deus could come up with the tech for that, but maybe someday?" Rhys gave a smirk before pulling her down for another kiss. "But for now I'll just treasure the times we can be together, which is a lot but still feels like it's not enough."

And he kissed her softly, a soft series of little ones for now, just barely brushing her lips at times that made him long for more. But he held back, at least for now, until she decided to push things along a little more.

Aria -
"Seems unlikely to me, but I could wish." She murmured softly, and nibbled his lip. "I treasure every moment in your arms, every minute in your presence. Your love is the greatest treasure I could ever hope to gain, and somehow, I have it." She smiled, sweet, loving, and filled with every drop of how much he meant to her that she could put into it.

The kisses were returned, every time, and her eyes drifted closed for the moment, so lost in him, in this long, wonderful moment that she forgot even to try to glance at the sky. He was more important than her beloved stars, and if it came to a choice between kisses and seeing, such as a moment like now, where she would have to turn over to see them... Kisses with him had priority.

Pao -
It was always so easy to get lost in these moments with her, and he always, always did. When he finally had to break for air he lay his head back, all the love he felt for her in his eyes as they met hers. He considered for a moment before shifting a bit and eventually rolling them over so he was on top, and he had a playful smirk on his face as he now looked down at her.

"So you can go between me and the stars as often as you want," he chuckled before glancing back and reaching for that container of treats. He grabbed another kiss and offered it to her this time, smiling softly.

Aria -
She was smiling, bright and sweet, as she gazed down at him, unable to look away from his eyes, and the love in them. As such, when he suddenly moved them, and had her pinned beneath him, she made a slightly started 'eep!' sound, then she laughed as she gazed up at him. "Goof! You startled me." She said, but her smile made it clear she was not at all upset.

She lay back, her head resting on one of the pillows, in a position where, for the moment, she could see both him and the stars, which framed him, just like in the photo that was currently her home screen wallpaper. She parted her lips and took the kiss, making sure to kiss his fingertips in turn as she did.

Pao -
"Sorry, babe," he chuckled, brows rising just a touch as he licked the bit of chocolate from his fingers. "Was just thinking this was a better view for you." He could enjoy the stars, but right now all he wanted was to focus on her, anyway, so this worked well for the both of them. He reached back and grabbed another strawberry, sticking one half between his teeth and offering her the other, much like she did earlier.

Aria -
"I appreciate it, love." She leaned up and pressed a little kiss to his chin. "You are just too good at surprising me, whether it's by sneaking up on me or picking me up when I don't expect it, or this. But at the same time, I love it, because it's part of you." She sighed, happily, gazing up at her lover and beloved, once again just taking a moment to appreciate how insanely lucky she was to have a man as amazing as him love her.

She blinked as her brain caught up to the strawberry, and she chuckled, and tilted her head to take the berry, but also brush her lips against his in a kiss as she took her half.

Pao -
"Y'know, love, it's fun for me to do those things, he said before he chewed and swallowed his half of the berry. "Getting those little reactions outta you while I keep you close. I kinda live for that now, so." He smirked and leaned down to finally kiss her again, softly at first before he teased at her lower lip with his tongue, enjoying the taste of chocolate and strawberry that still lingered.

Aria -
"You are good at getting lots of reactions out of me." She murmured up at him, gazing up through half closed eyes for a moment, her smile a little teasing, before she went back to a more normal, loving look. "And I live for the moments I get to spend with you, so... I think we're even." She mmm'd and kissed him back, her arms sliding to rest around his waist, fingers pressed to his back. Her lips parted for him, and she gently caressed his tongue with her own.

Pao -
He mm'd quietly as he slipped his tongue past her lips, gentle but playfully teasing hers still. It was another long moment before he pulled back, his lips trailing soft kisses down to her neck where he started to gently suck and nibble at the sensitive skin.

Aria -
She sighed as he pulled back, not wanting the kiss to end, but then giving a happy sound when she realized what he was doing. Her head shifted to the side, giving him full access, her eyes drifting fully closed. "Mmmmm, Rhys..." She whispered, her voice filled with happiness, love, and enjoyment of the attentions he was giving the skin of her neck.