Speak your love language

[hydrates]

ways to show affection When it comes to the way affection is shown, everyone has a different way they go about it. That means that there's a pretty good chance, with regards to couples, you could end up with two people who have two varying approaches towards how they prove they care...sometimes radically varying, which can lead to more than a little confusion or hurt feelings if there's not proper communication. But when both people are on the same page, they can tell each other how they feel with few words. ☄ Comment with your character, info, prefs, and how your character will likely show affection. ☄ Reply to others. ☄ Thread, my dears! ☆ WORDS: Sweet affirmations, pet names, even ☆ CUDDLES: Hugs, nuzzles, the works. ☆ KISSING: On the check or on the lips. ☆ KINDNESS: Always there for them. ☆ PROVIDING: Providing care, providing protection, providing financially. ☆ GENTLE...ER: Your only weak spot. ☆ MEANNESS: Straight up tsundere. ☆ GIFTS: All the pretty things. ☆ ACTIONS: Visits, taking care of their problems, taking them out, and more. ☆ SUBTLE: A distant sort of affection, but they know. ☆ [ WILDCARD ]

Comments

[rebreathe]

Like, a jet coaster? [Does this fair have one?] But we just ate.

[Adventure is all good. Courting needless danger -- or a stomach upset -- doesn't sound much like fun.] I wonder if there are less intensive rides we could fit on, too.

[Teacups or the merry-go-round are spinny...perhaps not.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ A jet coaster's a bit much to expect from a fair of this scope, but it does feature various rapid-spinning things with shrieking people on them. Mari's favorite!! ]

No Problem! I have a stomach of steel! [ THUMBS UP. ] ... Though, I guess I can't really vouch the same for Kanan's stomach... hrmmn.

[ Okay, fine. She'll be fair, and they can go with a reasonable, not-likely-to-result-in-puking choice. Sigh. ]

Let's see--! [ She throws another glance at her surroundings. ] We could probably still fit in the bumper cars! [ If Kanan doesn't mind her main opponent being elementary schoolers. ] And there's this... you know, that thing where you're on a super slow train and there's a bunch of shiny lights and singing puppets! Ooh, I bet there's little baby reindeer! [ Isn't the target demographic for that even younger... ]

-- Oh! And of course, the ferris wheel! It looks like a tiny bit of a walk, though.

[rebreathe]

[Eyebrowing. She has the vague suspicion that the smaller rides were never really up for consideration, only mentioned to bring out the ferris wheel's relative suitability.

No matter.]

Walking's fine. We'll see more things as we go. And we may have to wait in line, so we should get a head start.

[The ferris wheel is the right choice for atmosphere, right? Or so the cliche trope goes, supposedly...Hanamaru and Dia read a lot, they must have seen the scenario and known what to do for it. Why didn't she think to ask them for advice beforehand.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ Hey, Kanan's the one who said no fast or spinny things. She has no one to blame for this selection but herself and her weak stomach capabilities.

That being said, Mari sure seems pretty pleased with the choice, bouncing up and down on the balls on her feet. ]

Okay! Then without further ado, Let's Go!!

[ Making a grab for Kanan's hand again, too, because it's been at least ten minutes and that's plain unacceptable. ]

[rebreathe]

[She lets Mari take her hand. To say she was caught by surprise would be a lie, and inwardly, she supposes she has missed the sensation of contact.

The limited space on the footpaths, also occupied by displays and fairgoers, keeps them from running fast. Despite the controlled pace and Kanan's idea to sightsee along the way, it all goes by in somewhat of a blur when there is a clear destination.

If they pass anything notable, she's sure it'll catch Mari's eye, so.]

Oh, the queue for the ferris wheel is up ahead. Over there.

[As predicted, the line is substantial -- families, and some overt couples -- but shortens when the cars stop at the end of the current cycle, passengers coming out and others taking their places.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ Though Mari's eyes flicker here and there on the way, nothing's enough to lead her astray. She's a one-track mind kind of girl, after all -- and if they said ferris wheel, then ferris wheel it's gonna be!

And, well. It's hard to get distracted from something you're excited for, too.

The line looks more intimidating than it is: people get on in couples and groups, and their turn comes sooner than Mari'd expected. She all but hops onto the car, taking her seat on the same bench as Kanan rather than opposite her. Obviously! That would be way too much distance between them!

The car begins its ascent a short few moments later, and Mari nestles against Kanan's side, watching their surroundings shift through the window. Slowly but steadily, higher and higher. She hums, contented and comfortable, and her hair grazes the side of Kanan's neck in a half-conscious nuzzle. ]

... This is pretty nostalgic, huh? What was the last time we went on one of these? [ A thoughtful little beat. ] Second year of middle school...?

[rebreathe]

Mhh. Yeah. [She reaches over the back of the seat, arm draping across Mari's shoulders.] Feels like it was ages ago.

[This is. Good. The view from high up is expansive, coastal scenery cast in the lights of the fair and city against the evening darkness. And with Mari -- the closest to the privacy they have now was on the drive here, but Sebastian was around then.

Not to say Kanan hadn't enjoyed what they did earlier...but she has the one thing she cared for most. A moment to themselves. The rest was just a series of bonuses.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ Mari breathes out a laugh. ] Well, a lot's happened since then, right?

[ This moment of calm, right now, is the first lull in the energy rush bubbling through her the whole evening. Her heartbeats still aren't quite down to their usual pace, but... it's peaceful, and nice, and she can feel Kanan's warmth through their winter coats. ]

... I'm glad, that we can be here like this. [ Even her voice comes out softer, the thickness of her accent receding. ] Really, really, really glad.

[rebreathe]

Me too.

Thank you for today. [For putting in the effort. For spending time with her. For the memories they made.

For deciding on her.

A special day, because it was spent with someone so dear.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ Mari's smile widens, a faint pink flush spreading from the bridge of her nose. She leans a little closer out of instinct, then hesitates, swallows. This is... it's definitely that kind of mood, right? This is her chance to go for it, right? There's no way Kanan doesn't think so too. It's all so by the book -- a book she doesn't know if Kanan's read, but, ah... well... it should probably be fine...?

........ ]

--Oh! [ She reaches right over Kanan's lap and towards the window, planting her palms against the bench with a loud slap. ] Look, look, we're at the very top! It's so shiny!

[rebreathe]

Hey, don't stand, it's dangerous.

[The position is...far from uncomfortable, at least for her, yet a tad awkward nonetheless. She shifts, both hands settling on each side of Mari's hips from behind.] Come on.

[Yes, she likes the sight beyond the window just as much. She'd like it a lot more if they could appreciate it without her heart almost bounding out her mouth.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ She's-- a lot more aware of Kanan's hands than she probably should be, which might be why she lets herself be pulled down with remarkable obedience. Her laughter strains, slightly. ] Ahaha, sorry--!

[rebreathe]

[Used to holding friends, at times harder or tighter compared to this, it comes with no trouble to, or hesitation from, her -- plus, Mari is far past merely a friend.]

Good. Stay. [There wasn't much of an alternative anyway, when most of Mari is in her lap rather than on the seating space.] See, you'll get a view of the scenery well enough.

[reclaimedtime]

[ Isn't it the part where they're more than friends that'd make people hesitate, normally?! Geez, how can Kanan be so cool about this... sometimes Mari doesn't get her at all.

But stay she does, only fidgeting a little in place before settling. ]

... Mmhm.

[ Sure. The view. Never mind that her attention is entirely elsewhere right now. The way her eyes bore into Kanan's face is kind of a giveaway. ]

btw I imagined the previous seating arrangement as → http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_fzcP2UgAE9G0O.pn

[rebreathe]

What's the matter?

[Mari's startlingly quiet, in contrast with the excitement just a while ago. Kinda odd. She tilts her head, gazing up to meet the eyes on her.]

Something wrong?

ohmygosh. yes, perfect

[reclaimedtime]

[ The eye contact, from this up close, makes Mari's cheeks prickle with heat. For a second she almost expects Kanan to close the last few inches between them, but instead all she gets is a what's wrong, and a pout of disappointment pulls at her lips. Come on-- they're so close, shouldn't she be able to figure out this much?

... It's Kanan. Who is she kidding.

With a quiet intake of breath, Mari loops her arms around her shoulders, and leans down to touch forehead to forehead. ]

I wanna kiss.

[rebreathe]

[Briefly, her eyes widen, astonishment passing over her features. Not as though she didn't expect it, but for Mari to come right out and say that...

She laughs, a low, incredulous sound from deep in her chest, and realizing a touch belatedly that their breaths are already mingling.]

I guess I should thank you for being up front with me, too.

[Which is plenty enough talking. One hand moves from its place on Mari's middle to cup her cheek, thumb running over the smooth surface as she brings the rest of her own face nearer, the press of lips to lips gentle yet firm.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ It's so easy, once she got the words out. Kanan's soft lips fit against her own effortlessly. She can feel the warmth of her breath, and the tickle of her eyelashes, and if Mari's not careful she thinks she might melt. But then, wouldn't it be fine to? Kanan's got her, after all.

The thought makes her stomach all fluttery.

It's a simple, chaste kiss, perfect in every way save for ending too soon; enthralled and a little greedy, Mari lets their lips part for barely a second before moving in again. ]

[rebreathe]

[Their subsequent kiss is more forceful, the result of enthusiasm on both parts. There's a brief, embarrassing, click when her teeth meet Mari's at a mistimed angle, sending tingles down her chin she can't tell if real or are just a trick of the otherwise pleasantly blank mind. She smiles into it anyway, palm welcoming Mari down while her other arm tightens the embrace.

Compensating for the gaffe, yes, though also because she refuses to be deterred. Mari's presence, so lovely, so overwhelming, drawing all of Kanan's focus -- she wants to reaffirm that she is cherished. To get Mari to smile back at what she does.

The longing to touch, and be touched, comes ever stronger. The car will descend soon, if it hasn't already. She didn't keep track. Short on time, either way. Best make good use of what they have.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ Mari hasn't been keeping track, either -- couldn't if she wanted to. It's impossible to focus on anything but this, anything but Kanan's hands and Kanan's mouth on hers, for even a second. It's a spell nothing could break, short of maybe the car catching on fire around them-- that, and as Mari's reluctantly made to admit, the need for breath.

They break away the very moment before their car touches ground -- which might be fortunate in some sense, but the position the carnie finds them in, with Mari pink-faced on Kanan's lap and their arms around each other, doesn't really leave that much for the imagination. He awkwardly clears his throat, and Mari, for once in her life, looks actually mortified before forcing a grin and hopping out the car with a breezy 'ciao' and 'thanks'.

She can do little to chase the heat from her face, though, as she sheepishly reaches for Kanan's hand. If even she got embarrassed just now, then Kanan's probably... ]

... Sorry, Kanan. I wasn't paying attention... [ A strained little laugh. ]

[rebreathe]

[Right now, she's staring at the floor like it could open up and swallow her whole if she tried hard enough. (She won't die, Mari would be sad. But the notion is appealing.) It takes everything she has to stand, placing one foot in front of the other, remembering how walking works. Mari's hand is her anchor amidst these tempestuous waters, a reminder to not succumb to the sense of drowning that makes her chest and throat feel painfully constricted.]

It's -- [Her jaw works. She hasn't been like this in years. Hates herself for how she gets.] It's not your fault.

[Willing her feet to move faster, although Kanan isn't sure whether they really are, she hurries away from the area alongside Mari. Perhaps the only upside was that nobody else, save for the sole carnie, walked in on or saw them.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ It wasn't supposed to be like this. This is their big date; a day to go down as a good memory. Mari was supposed to make Kanan happy, not anxious, not terrified, not ashamed--

ashamed of her?

--It wasn't supposed to be like this. ]

Kanan-- [ Mari stops in place finally, pulling on the hand in hers. Her voice is hoarse with the onset of breathlessness. ] Kanan, come on, we've gone far enough.

[rebreathe]

... [Mari's voice stirs her from the loop of I messed up, I messed up, I messed up coursing through her head. The surroundings register, then: they're at a comparatively secluded spot, having taken the route opposite to that leading up to the ferris wheel.

It adds to her bout of self-loathing -- the situation was as distressful for Mari as it was for her, and rather than help, she'd added to her burden, relying on Mari all the while.

Always so slow to realize. Mari used to say being around her is reassuring, but she's so far from it actually.]

You okay?

[Ah, when will she grow out of making up for mistakes after the fact, when she should have had it in her to avoid committing them.]

[reclaimedtime]

[ Mari's face scrunches up into a frown. Kanan's the one who went white as a bedsheet, who took off running all the way here -- and she's asking if she's okay?

She tugs on her arm again, this time chiding. ] Are you?

[rebreathe]

[No.] Yeah.

[She will be, eventually.] Just...had to clear my head.

I freaked out, huh. [Not a question. A statement.] Sorry. It was dumb.