Nakahama

Akito's eyes lit up at that blush. "It was a plot twist no one could see coming. Although I kinda got a feeling after we danced together at the club."

As he always did, Akito slid his arm around Suh-Hyun's waist; it felt quite natural there. "Yeah." He sighed pleasantly, helping her cuddle against ...

Same-kun couldn't hug back, but he was still satisfying to hug.

Akito grinned as Suh-Hyun's eyes met his, clearly happy to see her spirits improving. Being sad was valid, of course, but he wanted to make her happy. "We'll have to compare sometime. Crab bands have a lot of drum, Unicorn bands, well ...

Akito paused in the doorway, looking back over his shoulder with a smirk. Still dressed in his uniform, he cut a rather dashing figure. "Guess you'll just have to keep me, then." He lingered a moment longer, looking at Suh-Hyun with a deep affection, then stepped into his bedroom.

After a bit of ...

"I think it should." Akito said confidently and gently at the same time. "But only because I don't think they'd accept me hopping in your ship, and us leaving a note saying 'hey, we're hitched now'. Gotta do it proper." He smiled. "And I'd like that too."

Well. Death and love. It was a heavy night ...

Akito grinned. "I like the sound of that." His thumb rubbed the back of Suh-Hyun's hand. "Well... tell you what, then. Tomorrow, I'm gonna see you onto that shuttle. And then, when you're ready, you come back here." This time, he was the one to squeeze her hand. "And then, I'll be getting on that ...

Akito's gaze flickered away for just a moment, hiding the pang he felt at that. Our last night... He'd been trying pretty hard not to think about that.

He smiled. "Hey, that's fine. A quiet night is good too. I could draw you a hot bath, and then we could watch something with Same-dono."

His smile ...

As Suh-Hyun spoke, Akito gently rubbed her back, soothing. His lips parted, his pale eyes a bit wide. Perhaps most bushi had stories like this, but hers felt especially real. Especially raw. And with how they felt about each other, Akito felt an answering pang in his chest at seeing her sadness.

"I ...

For his part, Akito just held his teacup in his hand, letting it warm him, as he held his love with the other. "I like people like that." He said, chuckling softly. "They're good people to know. Especially when things are at their worst, they remind us that we can laugh at times like that."

He ...

Akito was just as reluctant to let her go. "Yeah. Feels like we kinda still are. Funny how stuff like that stuck around, even after we took to the stars..."

Tea for Akito was not a ceremonial matter. It was pushing a button on the machine, switching cups, then pushing the button again. It was only ...

"Mmm..." Akito murmured gently. "Yeah. I think I kinda get that." He reached his free hand across, touching her hand where it held his sleeve. Then he reached out, touching the palm-lock. The door slid open.

"I'm sorry." He said as they stepped inside. From the last time Suh-Hyun had seen it, it ...

Maybe Suh-Hyun didn't entirely need his support, but Akito gave it to her anyway. He squeezed her hand back, and held her, strong and solid, as he began to lead her towards her apartment.

With a press, he buzzed open the complex door. "I understand." He said softly. She would see the concern linger ...

Well. Not quite over, and it had already been quite a Bon Festival.

As always, Akito had strangely mixed feelings about it. It hurt to miss people, but it felt nice to remember them. Maybe to glimpse them once more, if you were one of the fortunate ones. This night, he had been, and it had left him ...

And with that response, Akito couldn't help but laugh too. "Glad it's good for something. Ahhh..." He sighed pleasantly. "Two super dense objects orbiting each other, huh? Not the most romantic metaphor, but maybe it fits us."

As Suh-Hyun lay her head on his chest, Akito tilted his own head up ...

Sometimes actions were better than words. That was especially true when it was a kiss. Akito closed his eyes as their lips met, savoring the touch. Savoring the meaning, which he understood as clearly as if it was spoken, and which Suh-Hyun would be able to feel in return.

As they parted, he was ...

Akito's expression softened even further. "Suh-Hyun..." He said, his voice soft. Both his arms gently wrapped around her, holding her until she stopped shaking. As she looked back up to meet his eyes, she could see a swirl of feeling in them. For her.

Gently, he shook his head. "Not gonna happen ...

As soon as Akito saw that shiver, saw the redness in Suh-Hyun's eyes, he put his arms around her, holding her against his solid form. "It's okay... I'm glad you told me. Thank you..." He tilted his head as far as he could, to kiss her tenderly.

He settled back again, still holding her. "I get what ...

Sighing pleasantly, Akito let Suh-Hyun settle in, his hand resting on her back. His chest was warm and solid, his breaths even, his heartbeat steady and strong.

He hadn't fallen asleep; when Suh-Hyun spoke, Akito looked at her, first fondly, then his handsome features turning serious; gently ...

Akito grinned as soon as their lips parted. "I could tell. But hey, I liked how you said it. It fit you." He smirked. "And hey, if we're going with the metaphors, it was a nice air strike to soften things up for the ground pounder. So... thank you, for being brave enough."

"How could I...?" Akito ...

Akito laughed at that, rich and warm. "Denser'n a black hole you said, right?" His hand stroked playfully up and down her back, then he tilted his head to smile at her. "And forget the vase. Absolutely worth it. Seeing you like that was..." He took a breath, sighing appreciatively.

As Suh-Hyun ...

Akito, too, had been restraining himself for what felt like far too long. He felt his own heart pounding as he set the drawing aside; one last instant of care before casting aside all restraints.

And then his lips met Suh-Hyun's, his hands guiding her once more as she rolled atop him, and both of ...