high_seas | Trial of the Spades

*Her initial response to his questions is just to blush - it's only slight at first, but then when he mentions flirting, her cheeks are quite red. She shifts uncomfortably and doesn't know where to look, and it takes a moment before she can choke out an answer*

The thing is - You see... Well - I guess, in a way, maybe I was...teasing you. When I said that thing, that you hated so much. But also, yes. I was.

*She takes a deep breath, to save her from the panic that she's beginning to feel, not to mention the embarrassment with him being so direct about it*

I was. But I can see that that was really, very, really, the wrong thing to do. So. That won't happen again. So...you don't have to worry...

*The last thing she says is delivered with disappointment. She's perhaps managed to hide just how upset she was last night, but the hint of disappointment is there*

[Silence and then...]

Why did you do it?

[He catches on that tone change at the end but he's not going to make assumptions. That's why he doesn't like that flirting thing, among other reasons, it's not direct, it's not clear. Ikki is a man that prefers simplicity and clarity over convoluted plans and schemes.]

*This is proving to be a difficult conversation to have while so close to him. She pulls her arm away from him, and shuffles back so that there's some space between them in the bed. She feels like an idiot, and she rolls onto her back so that she can stare at the ceiling and avoid looking at him at all*

Because. Because I really like you, and I thought that maybe... Maybe there was the tiniest chance that I could get you to like me too.

*She closes her eyes tight shut, painfully aware of how stupid she sounds. She wishes that maybe she had just lied, said it was because she was drunk, but she doesn't want him to like her any less that he probably already does*

[He remains were he is, eyes closed. It is a strange feeling, the moment when part of him curses inwardly, and another part is actually relieved. Either way now he's in a difficult position, with the cards laid out he has to decide on his own play. But no, there's one thing left yet.]

Does that mean that you flirt with everyone you like? But you like a lot of people don't you?

[No one said he had to make it easy.]

*Oh dear. This was so hard. She takes another deep breath and covers her face with her hands. When she speaks, her voice is muffled slightly by the heel of her hands*

Yes... I like a lot of people. But - I don't flirt with them all! And besides - there's liking someone and there's 'liking' someone. I don't 'like' anyone else...

*She keeps her face covered, too scared to look at him or let him see how embarrassed she is*

[He will never admit that something in him actually lays down upon hearing that. Though the memory of how the Doctor and Ace rescued her instead of him still irks him, but it will always bother him most probably.]

You will regret this, I hope you are aware of that. And I won't let you back down when you do.

[He's not selfish enough for it. Whether someone better appears or not.]

*Selphie frowns behind her hands - why would he ask if he was only going to tell her that she'd regret it? She rubs at her eyes hard with her hands, and slowly moves them away from her face. Turning onto her side again, she faces him, eyes wide with upset and confusion*

Regret...? What will I regret?

[He opens his eyes to look at her, frowning for a moment before he sighs. He's not a man of words so maybe he shouldn't bother with them after all.

Ikki shifts to bring an arm around her waist again, pulling her closer, close enough that their noses are basically touching. He doesn't look away from her eyes the whole time, but once he's satisfied he closes his eyes with another defeated sigh.]

Don't do that flirting thing again. You don't need it.

[It's probably clumsy, and part of him still feels ridiculous with it, but he leans forward, moving his head in order to press his lips against hers. A shy and inexperienced, but determined kiss.]

*When his arm moves over her waist, the sudden affection from him was a surprise enough that for a moment her eyes glazed over and threatened tears. Being even closer still, Selphie's cheeks flushed and her heart beat a thousand times faster. If he's trying to keep her warm against the curse then it is certainly working.

As soon as he speaks, Selphie is ready to retaliate, and to admit her own defeat - that she had tried, and had failed quite miserably. But then his lips are on hers and she gasps at how utterly unexpected it is. She returns the kiss, carefully at first, before closing her eyes and clutching her hands against his back*

[It's not as disgusting as he expected. Having no experience with those things except what little he remembers of when he was a kid, he expected some kind of monstrosity, actually. He wouldn't be able to explain it himself. But it's nothing like that, instead is a comfortable feeling, warm and sweet. Specially when she starts to kiss back, and her hands clutch against his back.

He could get used to this very easily. And he has no intentions of breaking apart until she does.]

*Given that she's pretty sure that this is something that neither of them have ever done, the kiss is very pleasant, and surprisingly sure. Selphie isn't entirely sure if this is something that Ikki will ever want to repeat, so she's enjoying it for all she can, holding herself as closely to him as possible. Eventually, though, even she can recognise that perhaps a little breathing space would be good for both of them. Following a soft noise of appreciation she slowly, very reluctantly, takes her lips from his, though she doesn't stop holding herself so closely*

[He lets her remain there as long as she wants, breathing calmly when she pulls back, feeling a shiver run down his spine at the soft noise she makes. Definitively it's something he can get used to.

He says nothing and just pulls her closer, nesting her head under his chin as he closes his eyes again. He's not trying to go back to sleep, but he doesn't have anything else to say. Or at least he thinks so.]

*With her hands on his back, Selphie feels that shiver, and she chases it by running a hand down his spine. She's quiet for longer than she usually is, just content to be close, smiling to herself, and feeling warmer than she has for a long time.

But, it's Selphie, and the silence doesn't last. At first, it's just her shoulders that shake before she bursts into a fit of giggles, blinking up at him, all smiles and flushed cheeks. Eventually, she's able to just about make a sentence*

Oh, Ikki, after you left last night, I could've sworn you never wanted to speak to me ever again.

*And it does all seem so silly now*

[He opens an eye to look at her lazily as she laughs.]

You really need to work on your hearing. I told you that we would talk today. How many times have I lied to you?

*Selphie watches that eye open and smirks*

Never. But you said 'talking'. I didn't think for one minute that it would include - Well...

*And for some reason saying out loud the fact that they kissed is causing her to blush considerably*

Hmm... Let's just say I wasn't expecting our talk to be quite as enjoyable.

I thought that's what you were after with your "flirting".

Mmm...it was. I was just expecting to have to work much harder for it.

*Not that he had made it easy, per se. She winks at him then closes her eyes, giggling quietly*

Had you been doing that thing from the start it probably would have taken much more work.

[Flirting is just not his thing, definitively.]

Then I'll be sure to keep that in mind for future...

*She dips her gaze, eyes travelling carefully over his face*

Otherwise I might scare you off, and you won't want to..kiss me again.

Not scare, bore me. All girls sound the same when they do that. I can't see what's so charming about that. I like you better when you are blowing kisses to a turkey.

[He will never admit to have said that outloud.]

Mmhmm...

*She raises a brow archly at the first part of what he says*

Get a whole load of pretty girls flirting with you, do you?

*Cause she will hunt them down. But seriously, she knows that he must get attention, just as long as it isn't from any of the other girls on the ship - because that would be competition time*

Really, you do?

*That about the turkey at least makes her laugh and she leans closer so that their noses are lightly touching*

I hope I didn't make you too jealous of the turkey...

Huh? No, you're the only one crazy enough to like me. But I've seen it happen to others and from the outside it looks as ridiculous as from the inside.

[Nothing personal it's just... Flirting. Urgh.]

I have no wish for you to paint me and blow kisses at me.

[Said seriously. No, really, he prefers to have her like this.]

Okay. I'll do my best to resist flirting with you. I'm terrible at it anyway...

*And quite clearly - look at where it got them last night. Not good*

Hmm? Not even blowing kisses?

*Since he kissed her, it seems to have done strange things to Selphie's head. He may not have noticed, but she keeps giving him looks, like she wants to touch his hair, or his arm, or his chest. And it doesn't matter what he says, she just wants to reply with kisses. But she holds off, for now, her hands still on his back, because she really doesn't want to make a wrong move*

No, everyone is terrible. It's always the same from what I've seen as well.

[Even if she was good Ikki would have reacted the same way, or maybe wouldn't have noticed and would have still brushed her off as nothing. It's a matter of hormones, after all, his are hibernating. Or completely dead. Which is also why he doesn't even notice the looks she's giving him now.]

If you're going to blow kisses you may as well give them directly, don't you think?

*It's something she hasn't really considered. At least, not yet. Besides, given the way that he kissed she wouldn't believe they were completely dead. For now, though, it's not too much of a problem*

Hmm...I suppose you're right!

*So she takes him up on his offer, and plants a few small, soft kisses on his lips*

Trial of the Spades

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