pishirogane | prismatica

... Oh, the Ware Wolf Owner.

[They were a strange fellow, but at least she could breathe knowing that man put Kanji up to it. In fact, now that she looked at the ring properly again, she remembered seeing it at the shop. She'd considered the purchase too as they were something her and Kanji could wear and could charge (with maybe some mild embarrassment should people take closer note).]

[Aside from that, Kanji had sound reasons - protecting their Chroma and maybe helping calm her Iris tendencies. However, listening to him talk about wanting to do things right, that they'd both met their families... all that was true. And she was glad he wanted to do it properly.]

Good... This would've been sudden. I know we've been fairly nontraditional, but... if anything, I would prefer us being home where our families could be witnesses.

[He leaned back and gave a growling sigh of relief, the heat rising from his face leaving in a fine steam. It was like a weight lifted off of his shoulders, but it fogged the hell out of his glasses.]

Oh, thank fuckin' god! I-I feel the same way!

[But he took the ring from the box and offered it to her with a bow of his head.]

...Sorry for the heart attack! I've been hidin' mine until I got the chance to give ya yours!

I'm glad to know that. Besides that, I think it might be too soon; not to mention, what discussions would likely follow.

[And she knows they were good with their dragons, but that would be something that comes up besides a possible wedding ceremony.]

It's alright. Now that you've explained... I can tell you I was thinking about purchasing these rings before.

[He stood then, relieved that nothing had been completely ruined.]

Ya were? I thought they were pretty, but the guy wouldn't tell me what they cost... then one day he just shoved 'em in my hands and told me how to "activate" 'em.

[He shrugged.]

Besides, for the real thing, I-...

[He was pink again and busied himself by brushing snow off his pants.]

I-I mean, knowin' us, the one who'd p-propose would... probably totally be you before me.

He wouldn't? How strange...

[Then again, the whole shop was strange and the prices seemed vague. Something about completed interactions with other people; she doesn't know.]

[Going on about the 'real thing', Naoto flushed.]

... Possibly. Or somehow we do it at the same time.

[Even blushing he still found it in him to laugh about it. He could even imagine it, stopping each other and producing ring boxes, boggling at each other...]

Oh my god, I can see it:

"After you, Kanji-kun-"

"Nah, I think you should go first, after you-"

"Did we both write letters?"

"I had a friggin' script prepared when practicing in front of the mirror got way too embarrassing!"

Haha! Yes, that's exactly how I envisioned it. At least we wouldn't be around anyone to witness it. They can find out later.

Exactly! ...Huh, but what's the word on a party? Like, a little-bitty one with close friends n' family to announce it?

I wouldn't oppose one. We wouldn't want them to find out from another source and ask why we didn't tell them sooner.

Heh. Noted. I wouldn't mind gettin' one up on Inaba's rumor mill.

[He reached for her hands and took them.]

Hmm... you ain't gettin' too cold out here, are ya?

No. Honestly, think about it; what do you think will go around with those rumors?

[Her hands in his, her fingers curled slightly.]

Just a little. I can keep going.

[Coarse thumbs brushed against her knuckles, and the color left him a little at her remark when he realized the true danger of the rumor mill. The things people would assume... and at their age!]

R-right... well... we tell 'em the truth, and if they wanna come up with some batshit scheme, that's their own problem. It'll just be proven wrong after some time, yeah?

[That's the best they can do, really. But until then they could continue their stroll, and a quiet so thick that Kanji feared thinking too hard would somehow be heard by the forest as well as Naoto.]

Knowing what we've learned and overheard during our years in school, I'd prefer they stop them early before they come up with something absolutely heinous.

[She knows the type of rumors they'd like to spread about him. She might be pressing for slander in a few years...]

[Continuing on, she looked over at him again.] I never did put the ring on. May I?

['I heard he was taking responsibility...' and other such bullshit. Pft. Whatever.]

O-oh, right... yeah, let's see it on!

[With everything cleared up, his stomach was far less jittery about seeing the box again, let alone with the ring at hand. He passed it over.]

[Why were people like that?]

[Accepting the ring, she looked between her hands. Not even really thinking about it, she slid it onto her left ring finger.]

How does it look?

[His eyes widened and for a moment he wasn't sure what to say. It wasn't until he was red to the ears that he managed to blubber out a:]

I-it looks great, Naoto...!

[Oh no, were his eyes stinging? Kanji, this wasn't the real thing, what was he going to be like during the actual ACTUAL deal?]

I'm- I'm bustin' a leak, I'm sorry... it's run-off from a little earlier...!!

Kanji-kun...

[Goodness, she hadn't expected that reaction. Checking her pockets, it looks like she neglected to transfer her handkerchief into this jacket. Frowning momentarily, she opted to raising her hands and helping to wipe his eyes if anything came out.]

[He loved her, so fucking much. How many people had a girlfriend who would make fun for shedding a tear, let alone feeling a bit of overwhelming run-off? How she could keep herself so even all the while... she really was such a strong person.

He nuzzled her hands and managed to stem the flow, if only just a little; he wasn't about to become a complete mess, but there was no way he wasn't bearing fresh tear streaks.]

I-I'm okay... how do ya stay so cool?

[She would wipe away his tears all the same, cupping his cheek as he nuzzled.]

Well, I'm not sure what exactly made you cry. What's on your mind?

[He took a breath to steel himself, despite the fact that her hand on his cheek felt so damn nice. The Ware Wolf Shop owner knew having him get down on one knee would cause something awkward to happen, maybe for a laugh, not knowing the relationship he had. But Naoto not only helped back everything up and try to get to the bottom of things, but they were still together like this in the snow, rather than silent and wondering if they would do something else to escape the embarrassment.]

Y-y'know when ya feel a huge fuckin' weight off your shoulders, like you almost fucked up but got through things okay... and then your eyes just start runnin' and feel like they ain't gonna stop? It's like that.

I'm just really happy as hell to have you!

Ah, yes, I know that feeling.

[She doesn't get it often, but to have that much stress building on the mind, of course one would overflow from it. She smiles at him, keeping her hands on his face.]

I'm happy to have you, too, Kanji-kun.

[His heart felt like it swelled, and he wanted to get his hands on a canvas or a sketchbook as soon as possible... taking a walk in this snowy, sparkling forest was the perfect idea, and he was so glad to be here with her.

He moved his hands over hers. As his eyes closed, he stopped to enjoy how warm her hands were. Matching jewelry... he loved that. She'd never wear anything like the stuff he liked and a collar would be t-too much. The rings? Those were subtle. Kind of secret. Their own.

Kanji gave her hands a squeeze.]

...S... Sa... sa-sa...

[Was it odd to use the code now? To open up the possibility? Maybe it was cold in the forest, but... hadn't they mentioned cable cars in the brochures...?]

Sawatte... kuremasu ka?

[Feeling him squeeze, her face proceeded to burn at his question. She was doing that right now... though, this had to be the code, right?]

... I reserved a cable car for us. If that's something you would like to do.

[Squeezing his own hands back, she let her thumbs brush against his knuckles.]

[Briefly, he'd considered replacing 'touch' with 'eat'... but maybe that'd be a little much. He'd done enough embarrassing things for one day. His stomach tied into a knot as he nodded; it was something he'd like to do.]

If it's somethin' we would like to do.

[He nuzzled and offered a little smile.]

Or we jus' go on a cable car ride and celebrate bein' together on an alien planet that ain't lookin' to screw with us for once. One drink? Two?

Ah... yes. If it's something we would like to do...

[But with that answer, it sounded as though he was more than open to going.]

I... suppose a few drinks wouldn't hurt.

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