recolle | I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

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I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
WHERE: Fai's house! Since she lives with him now.
WHEN: April 1st, early afternoon
WHAT: Sakura's friends are invited to a party for her birthday.
WARNINGS: None?

[Maybe some arrived earlier, to help get the food ready or set up any decorations. Most of it is ready, though some preparation might be more last minute in that morning once she has opened presents from her family - after dealing with an initial prank from her brother, given the date and all.

She hadn't anticipated anything too huge or fancy. Though that might end up debatable given how Fai tends to spoil her at the best of times. Still, the house should hopefully be big enough. She hopes. Sakura fusses a little with her dress, her hair, before coming to try offer to help with any last minute decorations or anything. Once people do start arriving, everyone is free to mingle and enjoy the food and drinks (non-alcoholic).

Sakura tries to get around to say hi to everyone, sometimes but not always managing to be the one to answer the door. She seems to be enjoying herself, glad of the chance to catch up with everyone in person, even if some might not stay all day. And given the weekend, given the holidays, she isn't so worried on staying up late either. She joins in with mingling, and might be easier to corner and get some one on one time later in the afternoon/evening, once others might have already gone home.

She doesn't have a traditional cake, but a number of cupcakes for everyone instead, with those and the rest of the snacks provided being made by Fai. With Xiaolang's help, and maybe Sakura managing to somewhere in the process of making it all.]

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[The day, beautiful and sunny and warm as it was (fitting for a girl such as Sakura) was beginning to dim and darken, the sky slowly fading from shades of orange and pink, to dusky blue and purple. With the party beginning to thin out, and the birthday girl's attention a little less distracted from those around her, it felt like as good a time as any to set out with what he wanted to do.

Swallowing down the frantic beat of his heart that was rising to his throat, trying not to wring the handles of the bag in his hands, Xiaolang reaches out and taps her arm lightly.]

H-Hey, um...

[Courage, Xiaolang. COURAGE!!]

Do you want to take a walk with me? There's... there's something I want to talk to you about.

Hm? Oh! Xiaolang-kun! Sure, we can go for a walk!

[There is the garden outside. That might be getting less crowded now some had gone home, that and it getting later and darker, so that might give them more privacy at least. Sakura doesn't seem to think there might be anything wrong at least, smiling as she then turns, excusing herself from the others to turn and head with him, gesturing to the doors outside to the garden.]

Out here? What did you want to talk about?

[It was like his heart was trying to make a mad escape, the way it was pounding so wildly against his chest, and Xiaolang had to force himself to take some quiet, calming breaths as they set out from the party. The nerves really couldn't be helped. Here he was, at the precipice of a relationship changing decision between the two them, and he was readying to take a leap. He could just change his mind, enjoy the walk with her, and not have to deal with all of this, but... he knew he couldn't. The night was right, the setting was right, and he had put it off for long enough.

The garden painted a pretty picture for the two of them as they strolled through, the early spring blooms glowing faintly in the dimming light. The twilight breeze wafted the scent of some of the newly blossomed cherries in the air, and Xiaolang absentmindedly plucks a small cluster of flowers from a low-lying branch as they pass, cupping it to his chest. Sakura's question draws his attention back to her, and his eyes soften as they focus on her face. She was always pretty, but there was something about the lighting, the surroundings, that just-- got his breath to catch in his lungs the longer he looked at her. Did he really have the nerve to ask a girl like this to be his special someone?

... well, they were going to find out, anyway. He snaps a little out of his reverie and swallows, hard, a flush heating his cheeks despite himself.]

A... a couple of things, actually. But first--

[And he holds out the simple green gift bag in his hands towards her, threading the cherry blossoms he picked earlier between the handles.]

Happy birthday, Sakura.

[His voice is soft, and a bit tender, and if they hadn't been by themselves, it may have been hard to hear it in general. There's a small box resting within the tissue paper nest of the bag, containing a rather appropriate bracelet. However, the bag is much too large to hold just a trinket box, and it's heavier besides, and that may be because of a certain green teddy bear resting at the bottom...]

[The bracelet is rather appropriate. Given her magic coming from the power of the stars. And her namesake. She can't help but to give a small smile at it when he hands her the box. When she tentatively opens it. She already has her bracelet from Fai with the protection wards, but even so. She could always wear this one on the other wrist. So of course she accepts it, thanking him as she tries to clasp it to her other wrist free of jewelry still.]

Thank you, Xiaolang-kun! It's really pretty!

[She just figures maybe he used the bag to bring another jacket or something on over top in case it got chillier. Not necessarily that she might expect anything more. Anything else besides the bracelet.]

[He hadn't remembered anything about the source of either of their abilities just yet, but there was something just... fitting, in it's simple yet cute design. The sakura charm was obvious, but the little wings framing it seemed to be very much her tastes, and she did seem to like white a lot too. The stars may have been a personal preference of his, but there was no denying it was perfect for her. Especially with the small smile she sends him, sweet and brilliant like the little charms surrounding the bracelet. He can't help but return the expression, soft and small and fond, something warm expanding in his chest at her happy reaction.]

... yeah. I think it suits you.

[... and, of course, it takes him a half second later to realize he may have just called her pretty in a roundabout way, and he sputters--]

B-Because of the design and all! With the wings and the cherry blossom and--

[He trails off, ears burning a bright red. If he was about to tell her he liked her, he shouldn't be embarrassed to call her pretty! But he didn't think he was bold enough to tell her something like that, even in a vague way, just quite yet. His eye catches on her attempting to put on the bracelet, however, and his hands move forward before the words leave his lips.]

Um, here, let me--

[And he cups one hand underneath hers gently, to keep it level, while reaching for the eye of the clasp with the other. It'd probably be easier to have them close it together, with Sakura guiding the hook to the end Xiaolang was holding. He can't help be be dimly aware of her hand in his, though, as they worked on getting the bracelet closed. Were her hands always this small? Or did his just get a bit bigger?

But this wasn't the more significant gift, and he clears his throat a little, ignoring the color that refused to leave his face.]

There's something else in there too. Something... that I want you to have.

Oh, thanks. It's just a little fiddly trying to do it up myself.

[Being the case for most bracelets, if they have some sort of clasp and don't just slide on. So she allows and appreciates him helping her get it on, in doing it up so the bracelet doesn't fall off in her losing it or something. Besides, the whole point of jewelry is to wear it, after all.

Her hands are smaller, but then she herself is still a little shorter than him to begin with. It's just not quite been as obvious as this, given their position, in him holding her hand as he helps with the clasp of the bracelet.]

Eh? Something else? But this is -- you already gave me the bracelet?

[Xiaolang never really wore much in terms of jewelry himself (aside from maybe a watch or something), but years of experience with his sisters constantly bugging him to help put on their own accessories made him skilled at it. Dropping it and losing it so soon would be kind of upsetting, after all, and he didn't want her to stress over something like that on her birthday. Once the bracelet is securely latched around her wrist, he pulls his hands away, but not before squeezing the hand he was cupping, ever so slightly in a quick, affectionate gesture. He does purse his lips a bit at her surprised reply, though, cheeks burning warm and bright in the dimming evening.]

It's something a little more important than just a bracelet.

[He presses the gift bag gently into her arms, encouraging her to take it and to look inside.]

I'll explain more once you open it.

Something more important?

[She's not quite sure what to expect then. She takes the offered bag, glancing to him as if in some sort of questioning confirmation, before she does actually open it to look inside. Somehow, she hadn't expected this? Of course, she knows the bears were significant in their other life. But she herself has not yet remembered the significance in naming them the way they had, in calling the bears after each other.]

But this is.....?!

[This was it. This was the moment he had been rehearsing for, planning out in his head, for at least the past week... or maybe even longer than that, considering how long these feelings had been growing and blooming inside of him. It was nerve-wracking, being so close to the edge of changing their relationship, for better or worse depending on her answer and reaction, but he wasn't about to let it show. Squaring his shoulders, he takes a deep breath through his nose, in a vain attempt to quell his thrumming heartbeat down.]

There's a tradition, with those bears.

[It's said a bit abruptly, a little quietly, as his head dips down, shadowing his eyes with his bangs. How was it that even with all this mental practice, he was still figuring out how to say this?]

It's said that if you make a bear for someone you love, and they name it after you... that love will always be returned. Or, at least... that's what someone in my memories had said, anyway.

[His hands clutch a little at the fabric of his pants, seeking an outlet to get his nerves out somehow, now that the bag was in Sakura's hands. It may have been better if he had a hat on, so he could hold onto that instead, but alas...]

You said that you remembered us giving each other our bears, and naming them after us, didn't you? And you saying you called the other me your number one, too.

I...

I think you were also his number one as well.

And I...

[His eyes travel upwards from the ground, settling first upon the green bear in Sakura's hands, and then focusing squarely on hers, his expression serious and grave. It was only a few words. Only a few words, but they meant so much, could do so much, and they had to be treated with the gravity they deserved. He could barely feel his heartbeat, going so fast and rapid within his chest, his attention solely on the girl in front of him. 'Steal her heart', Akira had said. What a laugh. How could he steal something that she had already stolen from him first?]

I feel the same way, here and now.

Sakura...

[And the way he says her name, so achingly tender and soft, filled with emotions he's about to let overflow, is indication enough of what he felt for her. But Sakura was Sakura, sweet and kind and oblivious to these sorts of things, and so he had to drive the point home.]

... I like you, as more than just a friend. You're my number one, in this life, and in that life too.

Edited 2018-04-07 11:34 (UTC)

A tradition? So that's why.....?

[It made more sense now. If this were a tradition back in their memories, regarding naming the bears, as to explaining why they had called the bears after each other. She had wondered. Sakura's gaze turns back to the bear, admiring the bright green colour of it and the feel of the soft fur, before glancing back up to him as he continues.

Her mouth feels dry all of a sudden, as she hears him confess. Her own cheeks tinging pink as she takes in a breath and swallows. Sakura probably should have expected this, given how obvious it was in his feelings for her. Except she wasn't reading into the things he said and did, not like.....everyone else but her had been doing for months at this point. So this does take her by surprise in spite of all the signs he gave prior on how he felt towards her. Let alone knowing they liked each other in those other memories.]

You -- ? Wait, that's why you asked, before?

[Okay, that did make more sense now, if he was trying to feel out how she felt in return. Though she isn't sure still. Still hadn't really properly sat down in figuring how she herself feels. Of course she likes him. But was that as more than a friend?]

Xiaolang-kun....

[How did she say that though? She doesn't want to upset him or get his hopes up unintentionally either way. Maybe if given some time she might be able to realize her feelings, but something like this. She has to respond somehow in the moment. Her hands hold the bear tighter to her as she bites her lip.]

[In a way, he was expecting this. He wasn't as naive to think that she would immediately reciprocate his feelings-- after all, she had said herself that she didn't think of him, or anyone, like that, when he had asked her directly. Although, speaking of which...

His cheeks flush a bit self-consciously, when she brings that subject to the forefront of his mind, his true intentions now obvious to the both of them.]

Y... yeah. That was the reason why.

[One look at her face, though, and the conflicted expression upon it, was enough to give a painful little twist in his heart. This had been a mistake. Clearly she was bothered by it, and by freeing himself of the weight of his feelings, he now just burdened them upon her. But he couldn't exactly take them back, either. He loved her, and cared about her, and the last thing he had ever wanted to do was make her uncomfortable.

He gives her a small smile, a wistful one, willfully ignoring the sinking feeling in his chest.]

You don't have to name that bear Xiaolang if you don't want to. You're one of my closest friends and I-- I don't want this to get in the way of that if you don't feel the same.

[Her happiness was his happiness, after all. Even if it would be painful for a while... he'd endure it. He'd have to. But they'd cross that bridge when they got to it. Right now, it was probably better to give her space, to give her room to think it over. After all, how many months did it take him to finally get to this point?]

... I should probably get going. It's getting late.

I'm sorry. I can't have made this easy.....but you're going?

[Already? She hadn't even said anything yet though? But perhaps he had said his piece already and expected that she needed time to think about this. About them and how she felt towards him, more purposefully, in making up her mind. Not that this makes her feel much if any better on leaving things like this, as she glances to him and bites her lower lip in uncertainty.

Part of her knows he isn't wrong and that he probably does need to get going before it gets too late, and that he probably took a lot, in coming out with this, but all the same she can't help not wanting him to leave, especially now.]

[He's already turning to leave, getting ready to head back up the path they took and into the house, when Sakura's words stop him short. For a brief, agonizing second, he thinks that apology is a gentle rejection, but... no, she was just apologizing for not noticing earlier. Swallowing hard, he shakes his head, trying to assure her otherwise. No, it hadn't been easy, but that was mostly on him, too.]

... it's fine. It's... it's something I like about you.

[No use being shy about it, now that she actually knows, although his cheeks still flush over it. Her obliviousness may have been frustrating in turns, but in a way, he preferred it that way. He wasn't sure what'd he do if she noticed how he felt before he was even aware of it.

He chances a look back over towards her and immediately regrets it, her expression breaking at his resolve. It was for the best to leave. The longer he stuck around, the more awkward and uncomfortable this could become, and he didn't want to put her through any more of that on her own birthday. Still... her words, coupled with the quiet, disappointed look in her eyes, told him otherwise.]

... did you want me to stay?

[It's said softly, tentatively, searching her face for an answer. If she had asked, he'd spend the entire night by her side, if that's what she truly wanted. But with things the way they were now, with the uncertainty of her feelings hanging between them, was that really the best idea?]

I....Well, no. You're right. It is late now. I'll...I'll let you know.

[Once she isn't quite so blindsided by this. Once she is sure her feelings are there and not just because he likes her, or because they liked each other in their other memories, their other lives. Once she has a chance to actually stop and think on it.

Though she still felt bad in not immediately giving an answer either way. Making him sleep on something like this. But even at their younger age, this wasn't something to consider so lightly, was it? Taking that next step. Part of her wants to offer to walk him out even if she understands why he might want to all but immediately flee in calming himself down from this.]

[The small flicker of hope in his chest, that he hadn't made things hugely awkward between the two of them, dies out at her answer. No, this really was for the best. Even if she had wanted him to stay, despite everything, there would still be that elephant in the room, the knowledge that he liked her, liked her liked her, and she... well. 'I'll let you know', she said. It wasn't a rejection, but it wasn't an answer, either. Her feeling unsure about his affections, and him in the limbo about where hers lie... it was an uncomfortable combination that he figured neither of them had to deal with right now.

He was fine with waiting. He'd wait a hundred years to hear an answer from her, as long as what he got was honest. And, in a way, this was sort of a good thing, that she was giving this some thought. He didn't want her to like him in that way just because her other self did, or because she felt pressured into it. He fell for her, regardless of what his memories told him-- he wanted that to be the same for her too.

He offers up another small half-smile, as he looks into her eyes, in an attempt to reassure her that he'd be fine. That he'd be okay with whatever answer she comes to, as long as it was what was best for her.]

... goodnight, Sakura.

[And with that, he turns back around, quietly walking back up the path to the house. It's not until he's back inside, away from the lingering guests and any other prying eyes that his expression crumbles, a fraction of a bit, and he lets out a small sigh.

God. What was he going to do now?]

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I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

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