bakerstreet | ( picture prompt meme )

[ Eli's heart all but skips a beat at the sensation of Nozomi's hand smoothing over her hair, almost drowning out the guilt at seeing the concern her current state caused Nozomi. When she was rushing over, she wasn't even thinking of what she must look like and how fast she was going, only about what she's going to say and how- she probably must look a mess, but, much as she feels a little guilty at the thought, this makes it almost worth it. Nozomi's hand is so close and feels so nice and... ]

Oh, no, it's alright, I- [ And than that turns straight into panic when Nozomi leans over and catches sight of her ~~secret bouquet~~. Eli doesn't screech, exactly. She yelps a little, it's barely perceptible, hopefully, and takes a step back purely out of reflex. ] I'm fine! [ Said in the mildly hysterical tones of someone who's not fine. A slightly gulp, and Eli flushes, with embarrassment or excitement or both, and sends a sheepish smile Nozomi's way. Then, slightly calmer, in steadier tones: ] I'm fine.

[ She shifts, trying to hide her bouquet behind her back a little better, while with her free hand she smooths over her hair the best she can while not meeting Nozomi's eye. It's slightly less of a mess then when she arrived, but doesn't really do much to help her slightly harried look. She takes a slow, deep breath, and tries to regain come measure of composure. Sheepishly: ] I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I just didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.

[ So far, this whole act normal and natural thing isn't working very well, and her heart rate isn't going to slow anytime soon, and her face is still warm with embarrassment, but at least she's not panicking anymore. Honestly, this was probably expected. Nozomi can read her like an open book- always did and always can. And it's a blessing, on most days. Just as she'd welcome the fussing on any other day. But not it's very inconvenient all of the sudden. It's not as if Eli ever wanted to keep this a secret, really. She just... wanted to tell what she has to say to Nozomi on her own terms, at least. To present this to Nozomi by herself. ]

[ Nozomi jumps back at Eli's reaction, then blinks very, very slowly. ] Okay...

[ Well, nothing much she can do but put on a smile! ] Why don't we go on to my place, then? It's no good standing out in the rain!

[ Eli will... tell her in her own time, probably! Or at least, Nozomi would feel better about probing once she's sat her down with a nice and calming cup of tea. ]

[ Eli was so prepared for Nozomi to call her out right then and there that when Nozomi calmly accepts that with a smile she's actually surprised. It occurs to her that Nozomi probably didn't fall for that at all, but why she lets it go is something she's not sure of. Somewhat numbly, Eli nods. ]

Yes. Of course. We should get going.

[ It also occurs to her, right after the words come out of her mouth, that between all the thinking about how she'd go across this, she didn't take into consideration when. This seemed like the right moment initially, but now it feels a little bit awkward. But does she really want to walk to Nozomi's all while hiding it behind her back? How long can she keep up the pretense...? But Nozomi is right about the rain; summer rain or not, getting wet and catching a cold isn't going to do much for a romantic atmosphere. It's better to wait until they're inside, Eli concludes. Then she will Make Her Move. ]

[ The way home is a little bit awkward -- it's hard to make small talk when she can't ask the most obvious questions, and Eli's fidgeting so much that it honestly starts to get to Nozomi a little, too. Sure, usually she'd be having a great time teasing her, but usually she knows what she's teasing her about.

Well! At least the walk is only ten minutes. ]

Here we are! I'll go make us some tea, okay? [ She sheds off her jacket and folds up her umbrella, then pauses before turning to Eli again. ] Oh, do you want a vase for those flowers, Elichi?

[ oh fuck. ]

I- um- er- [ panic??? don't panic. who's panicking SHE'S NOT PANICKING ] T-these flower aren't- t-this isn't- um.... [ These flowers are for you, goddamit!

...She doesn't say that, of course, but she really wants to.

DEEP BREATH. ] If you have one, that would be helpful. Thank you, Nozomi.

[ Now that there's no need to futilely try hiding them, Eli follows Nozomi in folding off her umbrella and taking off her jacket. In that order; it's a bit hard to do with one free hand, but she's not letting go of the bouquet. ]

Sure thing! [ She's just... not going to comment on what a strange overreaction that was, just now, and grace Eli with one of her ever-patient smiles.

And before long: tea -- served, flowers -- vased, kotatsu -- on, and Nozomi -- initiating investigation. Eli's had ample time to prepare emotionally, and the environment is as comfy as it's going to get. No more excuses! ]

These are some real nice flowers, Elichi. Where'd you get 'em? [ She shuffles closer to Eli's side of the kotatsu, teacup in hand. Then, a gasp: ] Ooh! Don't tell me you ran into a fan, or something?

[ Eli sits at the kotatsu, looking pensive and deep in thought as she stares into her teacup. She has a look that your local Broody Hero would be proud of.

Except she's really just eating at herself from the inside.

How did it come to this???? Why didn't she think this through better???? God she screwed up. She screwed up real bad.

Then, at Nozomi's question she glances up with a shy expression. ] Actually, I bought them. They...

[ she fidgets with the teacup, flushing slightly. it's terribly difficult to try meet Nozomi's eyes when she says- ]

...They were for you.

Edited 2017-01-08 12:05 (UTC)

Eh, me? [ Nozomi blinks, her lower lip twitching into a pout. Eli receives a poke to her cheek in retribution. ] Then why didn't you say so? You're so silly!

[ and eli pouts right back in return ] No, you don't understand! It was supposed to be a surprise and I was so busy thinking of what to say and I even had them carefully picked out so it would send a message in the language of flowers but now I messed up and ruined it! [ ... all said in one breath.

she sighs and slumps and looks to the teacup as if it could offer her comfort. ] Ah, jeez! This isn't how it was supposed to go!

[ Oh dear... Eli's more upset than she'd realized. Nozomi's pout deepens into a frown, and she softly nudges Eli's shoulder in attempt to resummon the eye contact. She leans in a bit closer, too, voice dropping to a hushed tone -- the way one would approach a small, startled animal. ]

Then... why don't you try one more time?

[ Nozomi's sudden closeness and soft, low voice send the shivers down Eli's spine, distracting enough that she nearly misses her words. The moment the meaning dawns upon her, though, she looks up, expression going surprised and then thoughtful- and after a moment of consideration, she nods.

In the same hushed tone: ] Okay. [ She stands up. ] Please hold on a moment. I'll be right back.

[ She can't put them back into the bouquet, and they're better of in the vase where they can get water, so she just takes the vase with the flowers in them, and approaches Nozomi carefully. It's a little bit more awkward, and they're heavier this way, but that isn't what's most important here. If she has this second chance...

Bluebells for gratitude, Azaleas for patience and modesty, pink roses for trust and red roses for 'in love'. Enough to convey the core of what she wants to say. Her gratitude and appreciation towards Nozomi and her patience with her, her trust in her, and her feelings for her. ]

Nozomi, I- [ A pause. After all this thinking, she still couldn't figure out how to say this. Nozomi will be patient, she knows, won't rush to her say this, because she always is. But she's still nervous. ] I got these. For you. Because I wanted to show you... to convey to you.... how I feel.

[ Her heart pounds insanely and she feels it from the tips of her toes to the top of her head and her fingertips, her face is the warmest and reddest it's been today, and it's not worded as smoothly as she wanted it to be, but she said it. ]

[ Nozomi giggles, but in a good-natured way -- endeared and a tiny bit flustered. She loves how Eli is earnest like that, even when holding out a flower vase between her hands like a bouquet. The resulting image is kind of silly, but she still takes it so seriously. Nozomi loves that about her, too.

Oh -- it must be heavy, though, so she soon gets up to her feet as well, placing her hands over Eli's for support.

And nozomi smiles, a faint pink dusting her features. ]

Are you going to tell me what the flower language means?

[ Even though she already knows. ]

[ It's not difficult to figure out, Eli knows. Red roses have a fairly universal meaning and it's hard to interpret them any other way, but- Nozomi is giving her the opportunity to say it herself. And she wants to say it. Even if letting Nozomi understand it on her own would be easier. ]

I chose the bluebells for gratitude, and the azaleas for patience. I wanted to tell you... thank you. For always being patient with me. Though I mess up in small, silly ways like this, even now... for always being there, and taking care of me. The pink roses, for trust. Because you've seen all my most embarrassing sides, and you know me, and I trust you... [ softly, her gaze briefly flickering to the side ] ...more than anyone else in the world.

[ Then, she looks directly into Nozomi's eyes as she stands across her. ]

Red roses for- [ she takes a short breath ] Red roses represent love. And being in love. [ Flushing, with a shy, slightly embarrassed, but pleased smile. ]

I like you, Nozomi.

[ With each one of Eli's words, Nozomi's smile stretches broader, and her blush spreads further. Her heart picks up its pace, too, and by the end of it her cheeks hurt, and her face is hot all over, and she's sure Eli can feel her pulse through their joint hands. Even though she's the one who asked to hear it, she... definitely overestimated her own preparedness, didn't she. ]

... Geez, you'll make me embarrassed... [ A bit late for that, given that by now she's pink to the tips of her ears. Nozomi's eyes trail down to the vase between them, and linger there a moment; such a lovely medley of shapes and colors, made all the lovelier by the meaning behind them.

... That's right. She's got to answer the confession properly. Nozomi looks back up at Eli, inhales, and leans in -- before she's cut off by her own nervous laughter, chin tucking down as her shoulders hitch up.

Easier said than done, after all... ]

Oh, boy. W-we should-- probably put this down now, huh?

[ Watching Nozomi's stunning, beautiful smile broaden, and feel the warmth of her hands against hers, Eli thinks- it was worth it. Absolutely worth it. She's not even nervous about Nozomi's answer. She doesn't have to be. Watching Nozomi gives her all the answer she needs, much as she would like to hear it Nozomi's own words.

It's fascinating, really. Nozomi, the one who can always see straight through Eli's barriers. Who has a keen eye for Eli's trouble in being emotionally honest. Who always draws out the truth from her when Eli tries to lie to herself and to others. Yet she is exactly the same when it comes to her own feelings. They're two peas in a pod, aren't they?

The struggle and embarrassment is written all over her face, but- all that means is that Eli has to be patient. Do what Nozomi would for her; not demand or ask anything of her; give her time, and space, and be there. Nozomi will come to her on her own. ]

Sure. Let me. [ The vase is a bit heavy, but Eli manages to set it down carefully on the nearest flat surface. And once that's done...

She takes Nozomi's hands in her own again; a mirror of their earlier posture, but now without the flowers in between. The gesture holds a silent invitation. ]

[ Aahh... that momentary reprieve does little to help Nozomi's thundering heartbeats, especially when Eli's hands in hers, with nothing in between, sends them flaring right back up. Geez, she knew it was gonna be a confession, and she knew Eli liked her, so why is she all worked up about it now? It's obvious that she has to kiss Eli! There has never been a better time, and there won't be a better one if she ruins this chance. After the effort Eli put forth for her, it's the absolute least she could do, so-- so she just has to stop being silly about it, and take a deep breath, and--

Kiss Eli.

Well. It's more like a peck. It's as chaste as a kiss between elementary schoolers, and only lasts a couple seconds before Nozomi pulls back. But you've got to start somewhere, righ? ]

Um-- was that okay?

[ Oh.

Oh.

Oooohhhhhhhh.

Nozomi kissed her. Nozomi kissed her. Nozomi kissed her.

Shy and chaste and hesitant, but she kissed her.

Holy shit, man. ]

[ ...Once the initial surprise wears off, Eli's expression fades into a small, but very pleased smile. She sends a glance Nozomi's way that's almost playful. ]

Hm, well. Before I answer, I'd like to try that again a few more times... you know, to make sure.

[ And she ducks her head, as if embarrassed by her own momentary display of boldness. ]

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