[action in Luca // Locked to Lightning, possibly those horrible people who want to interfere]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

((backdated!))

[Nervousness was not a normal emotion for the Captain. He was normally a very confident person. Confident in his abilities, his actions. He was known to swing his sword true, fight his own battles, and fight for those who could not fight for themselves.

Yet for matters of the heart, he was not as confident as he should be. It was not his strong point, like it was Balthier's. So, taking the advice of his good friend and companion, he would relax and be himself. Clearly the woman he was going to see liked him in some form of the term. She could have said no when he asked. But she didn't... which made him a bit more calmer.

He had been pacing for a moment to calm his nerves. It would not do himself any good to go headfirst into this with his nerves shot. Slow intake of breath before he released it. It was now or never. Slowly, he rounded the corner, making his way to her house. Once there, he would knock calmly, the flowers in his hand hidden behind his back.]

Comments

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[He was tempted to say more... but it just didn't feel right. He wanted to tell her that she meant to him as much as his other friends did. He would consider her an ally, maybe something even more. Yet words failed him as he looked into her eyes.

Silence. He could hear nothing but his own breath and the crashing of the waves that were mere inches from them. There was only one thing he could do in this situation.

Slowly, he leaned forward, placing his lips to hers.]

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ The gesture wasn't unwelcome. She closed her eyes as their lips met (it felt like the right thing to do), but she didn't take it any farther. When they parted, she took a deep breath and smiled at him, suddenly very aware of how close they were and that suddenly she needed something to do with her hands. ]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Even if she had wanted to take it further, he would not. He respected her too much, and he was not that kind of man to do such. He let out the breath he was holding, his eyes dropping to the sand.]

Forgive me... if that was too forward.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

No! I-- No. [ She's playing with the fabric of her skirt, but she's not moving away from him, either, though her own gaze is also directed at the sand. ] It wasn't. At all.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

No? [For the first time in a while, the smile on his face was genuine. It was relaxed, one of those smiles that could have laughter right behind it. He had been afraid the kiss had been too forward.]

I am... glad you are here with me, Light.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ When she finally has the courage to make eye contact again, she's smiling as well -- not the shy smiles or the small smiles or the smirks he'd been getting all evening-- a real, honest smile. ] Yeah.. me too. [ It was hesitant at first, but she reached forward, taking one of his hands in her own, interlocking their fingers.

She remembered her mom and dad doing that, once, as they walked along the beach. ]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[His fingers intertwined with hers, the rough pad of his thumb rubbing against the side of her hand. It felt... right, for some reason. Like things were starting to fall into place for him. Those that mattered to him were here, and now this.]

Perhaps we should not tell Fang and Balthier that their plan worked.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Taking that subtle gesture of his fingers as indication that it was alright to do so, Lighting scoots a little closer to him, curling her legs up slightly. At his words, she snorted a little, rolling her eyes. ] And hear nothing but 'I told you so' for the next year? That's probably a good idea.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[He chuckled. It had been some time since he had actually laughed.]

Balthier would not let me live it down. Nor would my brother if he found out.

[Which explains the crazy girlfriend Noah insists on bringing up all the time.]

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Lightning sighs, and shakes her head. ] Serah's not going to let me, anyway. I'm pretty sure she was more excited for tonight than I was.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Everyone around us was.

[Now he was wondering why he was so anxious in the first place.]

Perhaps we should plan a dinner for next time? That is, if tonight has not scared you off.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

I'd.. like that. [ She nods, her cheeks slightly pink, but her shyness is lessened. ]