[ It's been a long time since Aerith let anyone get as close as Mal now has the potential to be.
The pain of losing Zack held her back from getting into a situation like this, and while it wasn't where she expected to end up with Mal, now that she's here it's difficult not to get caught up in the warmth between them and the look on Mal's face when she tells Aerith that she'd like to call this a date. ]
Really?
[ Aerith's chest tightens, as she covers the top of the hand she's been holding with her free hand, nodding in earnest while she does her best not to think about leaning across the table to kiss Mal. It's clear they both feel the same way about what's happening here, but taking that step is still daunting, even if she's almost sure it would be received well. ]
[Oh, stars, she's blushing, she can feel it. She looks down, free hand drawing idle patterns on the wood grain.]
Pretty much since I met you, if I'm honest. Which, Jedi, kinda supposed to be, so, um. [She clears her throat a little.] You just...opened up to me and gave me friendship when you barely even knew my name. I mean, I was a stranger from another world, and...
[She stops, with a sigh.]
I ramble, sorry. Still not entirely convinced you're not some very pleasant dream, you know?
Why wouldn't I give you friendship? You're sweet, and lots of fun to be around.
[ Aerith can hear the nervousness in her voice and she can certainly feel the way the blush on her face spreads down her neck - a sensation that intensifies after she's compared to a very pleasant dream.
The thought makes her shake her head, a quiet, shaky laugh escaping her, tripping over her own hesitation when it's the last thing she wants to do. ]
Maybe you're the really nice dream, ever think of that?
[ Her cheeks ache from the force of her smile, and Aerith takes a moment to steel her resolve, looking at Mal's face fondly before she leans in to press a kiss to her cheek. ]
Maybe I'll convince you after enough time working on it!
[ Sitting straight in her seat again Aerith tilts her head to the side, flashing a brief wink. ]
[The look on her face for a moment could be placed to the description 'Mal.exe has stopped working.' There's a moment where she just stares, jaw slightly open, and then smiles, blushing beet red.]
I think you could, I really do.
[Oh, goodness, that wink. That wink could melt her any day of the week. And after stuttering for a few moments, pushing back some hair...the heart speaks, quietly but boldly:]
I, um, wouldn't mind if you did that. Again. I'd...like it, a lot. If you're willing.
[If she gets any redder she'll turn into a tomato, she just knows it.]
[ As flustered as Mal's gotten her, it's becoming clear through the course of the other girl's moments of babbling that the feeling goes both ways. ]
Then I guess that means we'll be spending a lot of time together.
[ Aerith gives Mal's hands an affectionate squeeze before she withdraws when the waiter approaches with their meals. Her cheeks are burning red but she manages to smile appreciatively at the gentleman serving them, thanking him before he retreats.
It was a break Aerith didn't know she needed, her heart finally slowing to something more normal. ]
[ Even though she's hungry as well, Aerith looks at the meal as the chance to catch her breath, and hopefully clear her head. Sitting this close to Mal while she's been smiling like she was and saying the things she has was more than enough to muddle Aerith's thoughts.
It seemed like they were on the same page, and that gave Aerith a fair bit of hope, making her dig into the food set in front of her with gusto, but she still didn't want to bungle anything and risk losing a friend. ]
So does that mean you want to keep hanging out after food too?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sorry about that!
The pain of losing Zack held her back from getting into a situation like this, and while it wasn't where she expected to end up with Mal, now that she's here it's difficult not to get caught up in the warmth between them and the look on Mal's face when she tells Aerith that she'd like to call this a date. ]
Really?
[ Aerith's chest tightens, as she covers the top of the hand she's been holding with her free hand, nodding in earnest while she does her best not to think about leaning across the table to kiss Mal. It's clear they both feel the same way about what's happening here, but taking that step is still daunting, even if she's almost sure it would be received well. ]
No worries, Cat Editing is a thing :P
[Oh, stars, she's blushing, she can feel it. She looks down, free hand drawing idle patterns on the wood grain.]
Pretty much since I met you, if I'm honest. Which, Jedi, kinda supposed to be, so, um. [She clears her throat a little.] You just...opened up to me and gave me friendship when you barely even knew my name. I mean, I was a stranger from another world, and...
[She stops, with a sigh.]
I ramble, sorry. Still not entirely convinced you're not some very pleasant dream, you know?
no subject
[ Aerith can hear the nervousness in her voice and she can certainly feel the way the blush on her face spreads down her neck - a sensation that intensifies after she's compared to a very pleasant dream.
The thought makes her shake her head, a quiet, shaky laugh escaping her, tripping over her own hesitation when it's the last thing she wants to do. ]
Maybe you're the really nice dream, ever think of that?
no subject
[She keeps that thought internal, a small smile on her face, looking at Aerith who is somehow the one blushing right now.]
I'm sure I'm not but...if you think so, I'll happily go along with it.
no subject
Maybe I'll convince you after enough time working on it!
[ Sitting straight in her seat again Aerith tilts her head to the side, flashing a brief wink. ]
no subject
I think you could, I really do.
[Oh, goodness, that wink. That wink could melt her any day of the week. And after stuttering for a few moments, pushing back some hair...the heart speaks, quietly but boldly:]
I, um, wouldn't mind if you did that. Again. I'd...like it, a lot. If you're willing.
[If she gets any redder she'll turn into a tomato, she just knows it.]
no subject
Then I guess that means we'll be spending a lot of time together.
[ Aerith gives Mal's hands an affectionate squeeze before she withdraws when the waiter approaches with their meals. Her cheeks are burning red but she manages to smile appreciatively at the gentleman serving them, thanking him before he retreats.
It was a break Aerith didn't know she needed, her heart finally slowing to something more normal. ]
What do you like to do? I want to do it with you.
no subject
I sure hope so.
[And then the food comes, and she looks it over after saying her own thank yous, before looking back to Aerith.]
Well, right now, I am starving, and this smells amazing. After that...we can circle back.
no subject
It seemed like they were on the same page, and that gave Aerith a fair bit of hope, making her dig into the food set in front of her with gusto, but she still didn't want to bungle anything and risk losing a friend. ]
So does that mean you want to keep hanging out after food too?
no subject
I mean, if you want to, yes. You're...good at having fun, and somehow I manage to be fun with you.
I don't put confetti in my pockets for just anyone, after all.