slightlyoblivious | IC Mailbox

[Chie's jacket. There are bloodstains lining up with ripped fabric on the back where it looks like some sort of massive beast clawed her up. It is impossible to remove the stains.]

[When Yukiko checks her mailbox on the morning of White Day, she'll find a bouquet of wildflowers, picked on one of the meadow floors and wrapped in a piece of red fabric that, when unfurled, is revealed to be a scarf with pink edges.

Nestled in the petals is a card. It's obviously written on in Ryoji's handwriting, but he's taken extra care in making it properly neat and elegant.]

Princess Yukiko,

You are cordially invited to the first annual White Day banquet and ball. Please arrive at room 310 of the hotel in the evening. Dinner will be served upon your arrival.

Your Prince Charming is waiting impatiently to see you again. ❤

[That. That is sweet and okay, yes, it's kind of cheesy but it's cheesy in that really cute way. Yukiko's awfully glad her roommates aren't around to hear the happy little squeal at the scarf.

They are around for the dress search that was entirely unsuccessful. She tries telling herself that it's all okay, but Yukiko's still fiddling at her skirt and blouse even as she knocks at the door. It's not her usual school uniform, at least - she might be a touch chilly in the white skirt and black blouse, but that's okay.

Everything's okay, and she smiles brightly as she waits for the door to open.]

[Ryoji opens it just a few moments later, dressed about as formally as he usually is... though he has worn the jacket of his school uniform and abandoned the scarf for once.

When he spots her, his face melts into a goofy grin as he bows slightly.]

Oh, the guest of honour has finally arrived!

[He takes her hand and kisses it before leading her into the room. He's adopted a similar set up to what Yukiko had for Valentine's Day, but he's also placed a cd player from the media floor in the corner of the room, where it's playing soft orchestra music.]

[That grin is infectious, and she giggles lightly, dropping into a bit of a curtsy when Ryoji kisses her hand.]

You didn't have to do all this for me, you know...

[But she's happy about it, all the same.]

I didn't have to, but I wanted to. Besides, you haven't even seen what 'all this' means yet!

[Is that a blush? Of course not. Why would Ryoji be nervous about this? It's just him and his girlfriend celebrating White Day...

He leads her over to the table, where he's brought up whatever he could snag from the cafeteria. It was hard to find food that wasn't childish, but he tried his best.]

I know, but still...

[If it's a blush, it's one that's matched on Yukiko's face. There's nothing to worry about, she knows, but she can't quite help it.]

...thank you.

[And that alone is a feat. She smiles, picking up a brownie and nibbling at it.]

[Ryoji smiles at her as she eats, taking a bite of dessert himself. When she seems to be done eating, he steps away from the table, turning the music up slightly. He gives a bit of a bow, offering his hand with a silly grin.

He may not know how to dance well, but he knows Yukiko won't care.]

[She can't help the happy giggle as she curtsies before giving Ryoji her hand. There haven't been nearly enough reasons to giggle like that, and she's going to take them as they come.

He's right. She doesn't care how well either of them dance. That's not the important thing.

What's important is that they're together, and right now things are perfect.]

[After he seems to get into the rhythm, he looks up at Yukiko, a small blush settling onto his face. He wants to strike up a conversation, maybe eventually get to a point where he can pull out his last gift... but the words aren't coming.]

So... um... I hope this is enough. I was nervous my ideas were kind of stupid.

It's more than enough. I'm really happy right now.

[She smiles, only just managing not to instinctively blush back.]

...no, happy isn't the right word. It's something better than that, but I can't put my finger on what it is. I think you know what I mean...

[And then she does blush, but her smile doesn't fade.]

I-I'm really happy too. I mean... I'm always happy with you. And when I was getting ready for this, I was thinking about the future... and...

[He sighs for a moment, looking back at Yukiko with a sheepish grin. He's so nervous, and stammering, and probably making a fool of himself... but it'll be worth it.]

I think you've done a lot for me. You've always been there for me, to cheer me up, and to support me. You wanted me to be happy, even when I didn't want it for myself. And after all of your hard work, I'm figuring out that I do deserve to be happy once in a while, and... a-and I think I'm happiest when I'm seeing you. So... back to that part about the future... um.

[This is... so cheesy. It's cheesy and stupid and he's wondering if he can turn back now.]

You know what? Forget it. It's... silly. We can talk about it later.

The future...

[Yukiko can't help blushing a shade darker at that grin. She's too focused on the words to notice the stammering.]

I'll always be there for you, and always want you to be happy.

[She takes a half-step closer, enough to pull him into her arms a little more. There's something that makes her heart skip a beat, and it feels like the rest of her words are coming out in a single breath.]

A-and I'm happiest when I'm with you, too. I love you.

[Yukiko shakes her head, even as she blushes a little more.]

I - I want to know what it is you're thinking, okay? Whatever it is, I'm sure it isn't silly.

Edited 2014-03-23 16:27 (UTC)

I... I guess if you're sure.

[Even if he's getting redder by the second, even if he's not sure his mouth will ever work properly again... Yukiko asked him to tell her, and he just can't say no to her.]

I was thinking that... since we want to be there for each other, and we're happiest with each other... that I needed to think about the future. And I know right now, the future is scary. We don't know how long it'll be before we get to see each other again. Once we leave here, we'll be separated, and... there's nothing we can do about that.

[Despite the morbid subject, Ryoji is still smiling, and his voice has a touch of hope threaded through it.]

But what we can do is... make a promise. To wait for each other, and to do all we can to meet again. Even if we get separated, even if we forget each other... we have the promise, and I wanted to make sure it couldn't be forgotten.

I mean, I don't know what your feelings will be like later, and I don't want you to be stuck with me, but I do want there to be something real and physical between us, as a reminder that... right now, I love you. S-So...

[He backs away from her just slightly, chuckling as he reaches into his pocket...]

I was hoping to do this right at the end, but I guess I just couldn't wait.

[...And he pulls out a ring, silver twisted into a simple band, a shard of crystal embedded in the middle.]

It's nothing fancy, but... this'll be our promise, okay? If you wear it, maybe you'll remember us.

Edited 2014-03-23 16:58 (UTC)

I'm more than sure.

[Yukiko can feel butterflies in her stomach as she says that, but they aren't bad. She's happy, but this isn't just simple happiness that she's feeling. There's something she can't quite put her finger on about it.

She almost pipes up a couple of times, but the words won't quite come out. It's as if there are too many things she wants to say all at once, but she can't voice them.

Yukiko tears up, smiles again, and nods when Ryoji says 'we can make a promise'.]

Nothing in the world is going to stop me from finding you again, and I don't think my feelings could ever change, Ryoji. I love you too much for that, and I'd never be 'stuck with you'...

[She laughs softly, even as a few of those happy tears fall. Yukiko's about to say something else when he takes that step back and reaches into his pocket. Her eyes widen in surprise and delight when she sees that ring.]

...it's beautiful, Ryoji. Of course it'll be our promise. I won't - I couldn't forget us. I love you so much, I...

[She can't quite get the rest of her words out, not through the mix of happy tears and laughter that take over. Yukiko's face goes a bright red as she holds out her left hand - it wouldn't feel right to wear something so important on her right.]

[Ryoji's about as emotional as she is, even though he's the one doing the explaining. He can feel his throat close up a couple times, just too overcome that Yukiko is here, she's beautiful, and she feels just the same as him. He can't believe that she's saying the things she's saying.]

I-I know we're young... I know I shouldn't know this yet. But I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter what. No matter if it's a few more months or a few more decades... and even just as your friend... but...

[He ends up laughing in place of crying.]

We'll be together, no matter what. We made a promise, and... I love you too. Thank you so much for understanding me.

[Because she's probably the only one who does, who knows what he's hinting at through his words, why he's fumbling with the ring when he slips it on, why he has to kiss her hand when he finally does get it on her finger.]

I don't think there's any kind of rule for when you're supposed to know that you want to spend the rest of your life with someone. If there is, I'm perfectly okay with breaking it.

[She manages another laugh. Those happy tears haven't stopped falling, but that's okay. They both know she isn't sad right now.]

...because - because I want the same thing. I want that time to be a few more decades. I love you too much for this to just be a friendship. I want...

[She understands completely, even if she does choke up a little more, unable to get the rest of her words out. The meaning in the words is all too clear, and it doesn't have to be said out loud. It's why she looks down at her hand and blushes a little more, why she flings her arms around him as soon as she can, why she can't keep herself from leaning in and kissing him. It's sealing all of this with a kiss.]

I-I guess I don’t know if there’s a rule either. And you’d know better than me what’s right and wrong… All I know is that everything feels so right with you.

[Even being in this bizarre tower, trapped in a fake body and revived from the dead… it’s all worth it to hear her laugh.]

I… I want everything you want. I’m so glad you understand. I love you, Yukiko. I’ll always love you, until the end of time.

[He lets out a surprised gasp that is muffled by the sudden kiss, but he returns it just as enthusiastically, squeezing her tight and rubbing her back.]

[She pulls back from the kiss after a bit, breathing hard and smiling brightly.]

I love you, too, Ryoji. No matter what happens, I'll always love you.

[Yukiko can feel those happy tears trying to spring up again, but she swallows hard, forcing them away.]

Of course I understand. I - this means -

[She laughs again, bright and happy and a little giddy.]

- it means the world to me. You mean the world to me. I love you...

[This time, when she leans up and kisses him, it's a lot softer, though no less enthusiastic than before.]

I-I’m so glad you do. No matter what. N-No matter how long we may end up being apart… thank you so much.

[He returns the kiss passionately, eventually pulling away just to admire the ring on Yukiko’s hand.]

It looks… perfect on you. Better than I could have imagined.

There isn't anything to thank me for, honestly. I should be the one thanking you. I haven't felt anything like this before, and I - I promise, no matter what, I'll always love you.

[She holds her hand up, letting the crystal catch the light.]

It's beautiful...absolutely beautiful. I'll never take it off.

I have to thank you anyways. It’s so amazing of you to always have that love, and to trust that it’ll always be there. Being with you… gives me more hope than I’ve ever had.

[He smiles softly.]

I’m glad. That way, you’ll never forget our promise.

Being with you makes me happier than I've ever been. I'm glad it gives you as much hope and happiness as it gives me.

[She looks at her hand again, blushing happily.]

I promise that I won't. I couldn't...I love you too much.

[Ryoji just laughs softly.]

You have no idea how amazing it is to hear you say that you love me. I keep denying it’s real, and then you just say it again.

I'll keep on saying it, because it's true. There's no reason to think it isn't.

[She smiles warmly.]

I love you.

I love you too… I promise, that’s the truth.

[He wraps both arms around her and kisses her forehead, laughing slightly from the overwhelming sense of joy and relief.]

I never doubted you, and I won't ever.

[She snuggles up close, smiling brightly. That laugh is enough to get her started, though. It's not meant to be mean, or anything like it; she's so happy that she couldn't stop herself laughing if she tried.]

[His own laughter fades as he watches her, beaming.]

Did I ever tell you how much I love your laugh?

[It’s just so sincere and honest… a burst of pure, uncontrollable happiness that seems to cause her to glow just a little more than she usually does.]

Not in so many words.

[Yukiko can't help laughing again. She's a little bit giddy right now.]

Have I told you how happy you make me?

A few times… though I don’t mind hearing again. Especially when it comes from your perfect lips.

[He suddenly grabs her and spins her around, just too energetic and overjoyed to contain himself.]

You're going to make me -

[Make me blush, she meant to say, but the words are cut off and replaced by a delighted squeal as he spins her.]

- love you even more. Every time I don't think it's possible, you find a way.

[Ryoji just laughs.]

Well, that will be revenge for all the times you manage to charm me into falling deeper in love with you, won’t it?

[He kisses her cheek and hums happily.]

[She just giggles.]

I guess it's both? I'm not keeping score, though.

[She leans in and kisses him.]

Love isn’t about keeping score.

[He returns the kiss gently, supporting the back of her head with one hand.]

little girl hold onto your skin
we're going to put your ribs back in

[The poem is written in blood.]

The girl in her skin
Will save the boy in the box
What say you to that?

[Rather than blood, she's using red ink.]

[Yukiko receives a piece of paper soaked entirely in fresh, dripping blood. A message appears to have been written onto it as if by fingerpainting, but it isn't entirely legible.]

I████████U

[She will receive no further response.]

IC Mailbox - towerofanimus

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March 14th

(we'll just ignore the plot because cute fluffy reasons that's why)

they can have a moment of reprieve! I have to tag into that plot...

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note, delivered the morning of June 1st

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