distressedude | Appointments Post

[And Ion will just go ahead and do the same for his slice and man this is probably the best piece of fruit he's ever tasted! Everything about it just tastes so perfect...]

[Though it isn't anywhere as perfect as this moment, right here, sitting by Tear's side. Suddenly he can't help but feel a little shy, looking up at Tear out of the corner of his eyes.]

...it's good, isn't it?

Very much. [Strange, she was feeling just as shy as he was right now. It was an odd state of mind, given she has never felt this way around Ion before.

But she doesn't mind it so much.] Exactly which area did you find this?

They're growing all around this area, but I found a pile someone had made of ones they managed to pick. The trees are all rather high up, so I couldn't very well reach them myself...

[But suddenly, he finds he's not really interested in talk about the fruit. No, he much rather talk about Tear. Or... maybe not just talk, but...]

Actually... I'm sorry for suddenly changing the subject, but there's something I wanted to ask you, Tear.

It's no trouble, really. [Though she has to be curious about what Ion would want to ask her, given that she is certain she had made it clear that he could ask her anything he wanted or needed to know. Though perhaps Ion was being his polite self and not assuming that.]

What is it you want to ask?

...we've both been in Luceti for awhile now, haven't we? [This isn't what he was going to ask. He looks out towards the ocean.]

Living under the same roof and seeing each other every day... it's been really nice. [He turns back to her with a fond smile.] It makes me so happy to have you here, Tear.

... I'm glad that we have this chance as well. [Back in Auldrant, she had fully accepted that she would never see Ion again, doing all that she could to ensure his sacrifice for her was not in vain. So to be able to live together here, to have this second chance was not something she would allow herself to take for granted, especially when it allowed for their friendship to grow closer.]

It's a little strange, isn't it? But I'm grateful for this chance we have together nonetheless.

Perhaps it is a bit strange. But you're not the only one who's grateful for it.

[As he speaks, his hand reaches out and gently rests on top of hers. He's still blushing, just a little bit, but with the effects of the fruit still going strong, he can't seem to resist the urge to be closer to Tear right now.]

[He looks straight into her eyes with that same gentle smile.]

I'm grateful for any time I get to spend by your side... Tear.

[She had not expected that hand on hers, her blush making that much obvious. However, she found that she honestly did not mind this small, sudden closeness; as a matter of fact, she found herself almost longing for it.

That smile of his only serves to somehow make things seem just a little brighter.] I never did... get the chance to thank you for all you did for me, back in Auldrant. Honestly, I had missed you after that, even though I tried to not let anyone know because there was still so much left to be done.

Tear...

[Oh... that causes a twinge in his chest that can't be entirely blamed on the fruit. She knew, didn't she...? Even if he's never told her, there's no doubt in his mind that Tear of all people would have been able to figure out his true intentions that day. That he had known what was going to happen the moment he began reading the Score. That he knew the others could have made it there in time. That he had already intended to die for her sake.]

[Gently, he wraps his fingers around her hand, holding it in his own.]

...I was happy to do it. Knowing that the day you leave this village, you'll be able to live a long and healthy life on Auldrant... it helps put my mind at ease, even knowing I won't be able to return with you.

I know. [She knows that it was his choice that he made purely because he had wanted to, and it was why she had never did dwell long on mourning his death. But that didn't change the very real reality that one of her first, and perhaps closest friends was no longer there.]

... But a part of me wishes you could be there with us.

[Ion's never really spoken with someone about his death like this before. Calm, quiet admissions of sorrow over losing a dear friend... he almost wasn't sure what to say. There were so many things he could say right now, with the result of lightening or even possibly further dampening the mood...]

[But instead, he lifts her hand up and holds it between both of his, smiling fondly.]

I'm here now... aren't I?

Yes you are, and that is what matters. [For now, and as far as she would be able to. Just like back in Auldrant, she would focus on the now and not the past, the 'what ifs' and the uncertainty that came with thinking of the future they were helping to usher in. It would do no good to be afraid of what could come, even though thanks to the Order of Lorelei she had almost always known.

But here was different, just as Ion said. Here they were both very real, and best of all they were together and had the opportunity to simply be, even if it was just a little scary to accept that as she reaches out her free arm to wrap it around him, softly and hesitantly. Such gestures of affection, she was still very much unused to them, yet she could not deny the small sense of comfort and closeness they provided.]

[Feeling Tear wrap her arm around him causes his heart to skip a beat in his chest. The fruit's effects were still in full-force, even if his feelings moments ago had been entirely sincere. But this new feeling, the very one that felt like stealing Tear away into his arms and never letting her go... oh, this one was new.]

...you know, there's something else I wanted to ask you earlier. Though... I'm not quite sure how to say it.

You can take your time, if you're still not sure how. [Tear could be a patient woman, especially when she felt it was a situation that truly mattered to her friends. For whatever reason, hearing that there was something Ion wanted to ask of her filled her with a sense of anticipation for which there were no words to describe. Though if there was one way to do so, it could almost be happy, that there was something he wanted to ask of her when he had already given her so much.]

I'll wait however long you need.

Tear... [How just like Tear, always so kind and patient... what was he hesitating for? He had to tell her. Now, while he still had the chance. No matter what the outcome may...]

In truth, I... it's not really a question at all. There's something I want to tell you. It's something that's been on my mind for a while now... and even though I don't know how you might feel about it, I can't hold it back anymore.

[Gently, he presses her hand to his chest, his eyes sliding closed for a moment or two before he looks up suddenly and:]

Tear... I love you.

[Her breath catches in her throat, and for but a moment her heart seems to stop as a wave of warmth came over here, only to fade and come to concentrate on the hand he held to his chest. It was... there were no words to explain the elation she felt as she closed her eyes, attempting to organize the whirlwind of emotions those few words had stirred so vividly. He'd been holding on to this for so long, and –

It almost seemed as though she had been waiting to hear those words for a long, long time. And here they were, with no proper way to convey to Ion just how happy he had made her.]

Thank you, Ion. Thank you so much.

[The moment he said those words, he half expected her to pull her hand away and stare at him in shock. Certainly there was no way Tear could return those feelings for him, right? Not that he would mind in the slightest if she didn't, but... would she be frightened, knowing how he's felt all this time? Disturbed? Disgusted?]

[When she speaks again, all those emotions fly out of him, leaving only an overwhelming sense of happiness. He holds his hand a little tighter and leans just a little closer.] Tear... you really don't mind? That I've felt this way about you for so long...

No, not in the slightest. [A part of her genuinely wishes he had mentioned this sooner, so much sooner. How much time had been allowed to pass as they held on to these feelings, never realizing that the other felt the same? How had she not even been aware of them in the first place? Yet now was not the time to dwell on it however, not when those feelings had finally been brought to light.]

I'm glad you told me, and that you are being honest, because... [How to even say that she felt the same and speak those words out loud? It seemed there was no proper way to do so.]

...because?

[He gives her hand a gentle squeeze, gazing back at her with love in his eyes. Maybe she didn't need words to express how she felt? Even if she hasn't said those three little words back, Ion can see it clearly in her eyes that she must feel the same.]

[Slowly, he pulls one hand away from his chest and reaches up to gently brush a strand of hair away from Tear's face. She looked so beautiful right now... but then, Tear was always beautiful, wasn't she? His hand lingered, gently caressing her cheek before drifting down to rest on her shoulder. They were so much closer now than they had been moment before.]

[As unused to physical contact as Tear was, there is no pulling away or hints of discomfort when Ion comes to caress her cheek. Rather, the look in her eyes softens and her smile grows all the more before her free hand rises to rest upon the one he had placed on her shoulder. The warmth she felt as a result of his affection was a sensation she wished to share with him.

And if she could give it to him by saying what she truly felt...] My feelings for you are the same, Ion. I love you as well...

Tear...

[In that moment, those feelings that had been building up in Ion's chest seemed to burst out, and suddenly he wanted nothing more than to hold Tear in his arms and never let go. Never mind where they were or what had happened between himself and Kohan this past week... the only person on his mind now was Tear.]

[And it's with those thoughts in mind that he leans forward and tilts his head just a bit to the side, eyes beginning to slide closed. It was a risky move, but... it just felt so right. But even considering what she's just said, will Tear feel the same? Or will she pull away?]

[He doesn't know, but he does know that it was a risk worth taking.]

[Once again Tear's breath stills as she comes to realize what it was Ion was intending to do. All thoughts of Freyjadour, of knowing that he was waiting for her elsewhere are wiped from her mind as she found herself wanting to return the gesture... and finding little argument not to. Her own eyes slide closed in anticipation, trusting Ion absolutely yet still giving him the opportunity to pull away.

Not that she expected him to. The feelings they had just expressed and his warm arms around her cement this as what was right for them.]

[He wasn't going to turn away.]

[And as soon as he realizes Tear wants the same thing, he leans forward and presses his lips against her, butterflies fluttering in his chest. It felt electric -- unlike any kiss he's ever had before, and just bursting with emotion and feelings of love so overwhelming that he feels as though he couldn't bear to spend even a moment away from Tear's side.]

[With one hand on her shoulder and another around her waist, he pulls her closer, quickly becoming lost in the moment.]

[Even knowing it would come to this, Tear can't refrain from drawing breath as Ion's lips touch hers, sending that electric tingling sensation all throughout her. Even though she felt so shy, there is no fighting or reluctance as the other pulls her closer. Simply acceptance for what she knew she wanted as she all but melts in his arms, her return kiss slow but full of the love she felt nonetheless.

She didn't want him to let go, to leave his arms or cease this soft kiss sooner than it had to be. It made her feel right as her own arms wrap around his neck, pulling them even closer together.]

[The effects of the fruit were still going strong through the kiss, and quite a bit of time passes before Ion finally pulls back, feeling more than just a little light-headed. The hand on her shoulder reaches up and gently brushes a strand of hair away from her face as he gazes into her eyes. The happiness he feels right now is almost overwhelming, and he fights the urge to simply throw his arms around her again.]

Tear, I...

Appointments Post

[action, February 18th] /waggles brows

[action, February 18th] iyaaaaan~

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th] /THE SHOUJO....

[action, February 18th] /SPARKLE SPARKLE

[action, February 18th] /ROSE PETALS EVERYWHERE

[action, February 18th] /SWOONS

[action, February 18th] /ooh tear-chama ooh~

[action, February 18th] I am here for you, Fon Master~

[action, February 18th] In so many ways...!

[action, February 18th] /yayface

[action, February 18th] /heheheheheh

[action, February 18th] /swoons again?!

[action, February 18th] 1/3

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]

[action, February 18th]