medicalpunch | [Luceti] Appointments

[People clap as the song ends, for all the dancers, but Shikamaru hears little of it. He brings his head closer to his ear as a slower song starts, pressing in to be nearer to her.]

If you miss school this much, I know this spot under the bleachers...

[He's very much teasing; no good at hiding, she'll no doubt be able to feel the smirk on his lips against her ear.]

[And his teasing is well rewarded; she breaks into giggles, trying mostly unsuccessfully to stifle them against his shoulder.]

Shikamaru, you're terrible... [Wonderful, really.] Is it going to be Makeout Point next?

[.... actually not a half-bad idea. Hmmm~]

I'm sure I could get one of these guys here to loan me a car for it.

[He makes a show of looking up and around the room, as if he'll dart off if he spots a familiar face who'd do just that.]

We'd have to make sure to clean it before we give it back...

[Which is pretty bold, and she blushes to say it -- but those are her intentions! After all, he's her husband...]

[If dead silence can be heard over the music, it comes off him in waves. Her cheeks aren't the only ones colored in the room when he spins her again, taking the chance to cough into his hand and hide the stretched smile on his face. He's the man here, after all.

How much longer do they have to stay here, again?]

Huh... That's a lot of work. Maybe we should find a better spot.

[That silence speaks volumes, and in the dim, romantic lighting, she can still see his blush, if barely. It's reassuring. She feels closer to him, knowing these things hit them both the same way.

It's still new enough to be exhilarating, being married. It doesn't make her a loose girl to say it. He's her husband. They're supposed to... what was it their vows said? Right, cleave unto each other. Sounds about right, to her.]

I'm sure there are plenty of better spots to be found...

I thought my bleachers suggestion was just swell. [Joking but:] But if we're gonna ditch this joint, we may as well hold out until we're back at the house. I want you to have a good time here.

Oh, I plan on both of us having a good time. [It's been too long, in her view; not since their wedding night. He's been too tired.] Is that the sound of eagerness I hear?

As eager as I get.

[Where this kind of calm, but cheeky attitude out of him counts as eager, yes.]

Perfect, that's just how I want you.

[Oh yes, it counts. That's just how he is.]

So how much more dancing are you in for, hm?

I can handle a few more, until you're satisfied. [This one is coming to a close now.]

A few sounds about right. [After all, as much as she wants to do married-couple things with him, he also put a lot of effort into making this night special for her. She intends to enjoy the dance fully!

As the next song starts up, she rests her cheek against his shoulder and sways with him, deeply content. She's seen her friends that are still in school, she's socialized, and now dancing with her husband...]

[It's funny. He had something else to say - some random quip to see her smile - but the moment she lays her head on his shoulder it's not important anymore.

All of their problems, all of the stress in the world; in this moment, he feels so at peace that none of it matters. Not with her heartbeat next to his, knowing through it all he'll have her by his side.]

I love you.

[Can you get addicted to words? Because she doesn't think she'll ever stop wanting to hear that from him, drinking up those words in his voice.]

I love you too. Always.

[Heartbeat to heartbeat, wrapped in each other. This is everything she thinks she could want out of life.]

[She might love the words, but he doesn't need to hear more than that. Tipping his head down, he gently brushes her hair aside to kiss her forehead again. After tucking the strand behind her ear, he drops his hand to wrap both arms around her waist as they shift to the beat.

Slow songs, he decides, are something he likes. It's as much of a dance as it is an embrace.]

[A dance and an embrace, it's all just perfect.

They dance a while more, a long while -- they're both eager, but it's a wonderful evening, and they're enjoying Shikamaru's carefully-planned surprise to the utmost. But eventually, it's time to go home -- and the evening is far from over yet, with that.]

[After saying goodbye to friends (and dragging more than one of them into a headlock with a noogie) the couple departs. The buses aren't running, by this time of night, but there's a special discount going for taxis for anyone who went to the dance.

The cab drops them off right at their doorstep. While he pays the driver, Shikamaru insists Sakura stays seated, only to run around to the other side once he's finished to get the door for her.]

Milady.

[She's beaming, even giggling as he opens the door for her. 'Milady' is right, she certainly feels like a queen! Or at least his queen, and that's what matters, isn't it?]

Why thank you, m'lord~

[As soon as she's out of the cab, she grabs for his hand again, not wanting to lose the connection for a moment longer than necessary.]

[Has the grin on his face left it even once tonight? It's ever present, as he laces his fingers with her. Giving the cab driver a wave with his other hand as the vehicle takes off, they walk hand-in-hand like this to the front door.]

Did you enjoy yourself?

Of course I did. This was wonderful.

[Her voice is dreamy as she says it, and the smile she turns on Shikamaru is blissful.]

You must have done so much planning and work to arrange this... I can't thank you enough. This was an amazing gift.

I wanted to do something nice for you. [He gives her hand a squeeze, as he holds open the front door.] I know things haven't been easy for us, since we got married...

[That he hasn't been able to give her everything a husband should.]

But things will get better. We'll have nights like this every week someday.

[He's given her the important things, so far as she's concerned. Love, dedication, effort. Working himself so hard so they can have a life, so they can live in this little home that is theirs.

It's not perfect. It's hard and hungry and scary. But she wouldn't trade it for a comfortable life without him, not for a moment.]

Nice? I think that's the understatement of the year. [She goes in, then reaches out to pull him in with her, laughing.]

Someday... that'll be a wonderful someday. And we'll get there -- I know we will. [She believes in him, believes in them.]

[When she says it like that, it feels real.]

We will. [He has to echo it, but it sounds no less impossible. Here, with her; it's a truth to come, not a mantra without hope he repeats for the sake of it.

Feeling giddy with the warmth she brings, he laughs with Sakura and closes the door with a foot. Hands on her hips so he can gently tug her close, he rests his forehead against hers and embellishes the dream.]

White picket fence. Neighborhood barbecues.

[She giggles, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and brushing the tip of her nose against his.]

Wine with dinner. Eating out fancy on the weekends. Paintings on the wall.

[She likes leaning into him; he's enough taller than her that she feels sheltered, supported by his strength. Even if she's a pretty tough lady herself.]

Nice furniture. A backyard. [He rubs his nose against hers; eskimo kisses.] We could have a dog running around in it, always having to be chased out of the garden.

[He loves holding her; having her close like this. It's like the satisfaction of putting together two puzzle pieces, of seeing the picture formed look just right. He feels stronger for it.

Lovingly, hands still on her hips and without thought, he massages her sides with the pads of his thumbs.]

[Luceti] Appointments

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)