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[ Love isn't casual, which is what they feel like now. Day-in and day-out, it's just passing by comfortably. This, though, is something deeper and more sincere. It's a thought she can't quite solidify because she's never really let it linger, never really let it take hold of her. It simply was and perhaps had been longer than she'd even known, though in a very different way previously. It all was natural progression to end up at this point.

Well, maybe not this specific point. Standing in the fruit aisle staring at one another with mirrored looks of confusion. Did he need her to say it first, admit to it directly? She's sure he might just refute it as he had any new signs of affection at first whether it be "trial basis" or "we'll see" situations, but she accepts that about him and she's more than willing to put in the work and extra effort.

Her mind flutters the same way her stomach and chest does, draping like torn cobwebs throughout her insides. ]

I did, yes. Well, I didn't say it.

[ But she's almost impatient now, waiting for him to carry on. She asked him first and she wants to know now and her impatience stems from the fact she's certain, absolutely positive, that he must. Right? ]

[The concept didn't really need to come up. What they have is technically as casual as it can get; admitting their feelings and the initial commitment was all they needed, and it evolved subtly as time passed. More and more little displays of affection. Becoming content to be in public as well as private. A bigger display, here or there, when comfortably alone with each other. The bigger steps were almost always initiated by Anabel (moving into one bedroom the most recent...), but he did his part, consciously or otherwise. If it didn't need words, they weren't used. Casual. Normal. Honestly, how the hell Nanu didn't expect this to be the next stage of evolution is beyond him. It's so painfully obvious.]

[And then, she admits it. With that caveat he figured had to be at play, screwing with their own thoughts like they'd been put near a microphone. She'd thought it. They'd both thought it.]

[The icy streak that had gone through him unnoticed, settling heavy in his heart, is suddenly, instantly relieved. Nanu can't refute it or play it off. Not this time. Not when it's something this serious and real, and with Anabel surely feeling that fear he was just relieved of.]

[He swallows, voice low.]

I, uh-- didn't exactly say it...out loud, either...

[ It just is what it is. As long as they're happy, all that matters is how they personally define it. They've become more open with each other and honest -- and genuine in their own way, a way that only mattered to the two of them.

It strikes her somewhere inside, like an electric undercurrent that she can't quite explain. Shopping is forgotten, even right down to Lucario. It's a haze around them, just between them. Nothing but the two of them, together right now. It's enough to even ripen fruit around them, the bright green bananas beside her shifting to a warm, bright yellow. The fruit around them is fragrant, like flowers.

Her eyes fall on his, brows dipped like she's still waiting. ]

But you... you do mean it, don't you?

[Unlike most changes in the environment when their feelings manipulate the atmosphere, Nanu notices. Instead of having tunnel vision, he's hyper-aware of their surroundings; too focused. Anabel's front and center, of course, but the fact that he can't trust his own private thoughts all of a sudden has him on guard. Or at least, even more so than usual. He's very glad they chose to go grocery shopping at an odd time, when there are barely any customers in the rest of the store.]

[But on his guard as he may be, he knows he shouldn't. Not with Anabel, and not about this. Prodding him further is something he expects, yet somehow he still confesses only the bare minimum at first glance. It's not fair to her; it never is. More so after she's confessed one of the hardest things to confess, in public, without any preparation.]

[So he forces himself to stop avoiding her gaze, looking her straight in the eye, and nods. Hesitantly, at first. Then again to make sure.]

...Wouldn't admit it if I didn't.

[ For Anabel, it's almost as if she forgot she didn't choose to say it at this point. All she's thinking about is the two of them and what he'd said or... well, thought. He's not vulnerable with her; she'll always be an anchor and a rock or even a wall when need be. He's safe with her.

...but she wants to know so terribly now and those thoughts of her own are transmitted. Her worries, maybe. I hope so. Small and simple, but lacking fears of him not feeling that way and in hand, non-verbally admitting that if he doesn't, that she can live with that, too.

She doesn't want to push, but she's not thinking of that. Of being here or how this city is playing games with them. All she's thinking of is him and hearing that she matters just as much to him.

He doesn't repeat himself nor did she expect him to and it clearly upsets her internally with the oh present to some degree, but the rest of her features quickly betray that. She knows the kind of person he is and if she's lucky he'll say it again sometime. So, she quickly looks around them to make certain they're alone before dipping in to kiss his cheek. ]

Thank you. [ Not for saying that, but for what he feels. There's a certain gratitude she feels for that, but more because of the opportunity he has given her. That he is telling her something intimate in public and that he's opening up for her, offering her the very real possibility of wounding him by doing so. ] ...ah, so. Oranges, perhaps?

[ The smile she wears isn't overpowering, but there's something soft and secret to it. A hidden joy that's just for them. Her face still flushed and her heart racing. I wish my heart would slow down a little, though her confession falls on his ears, too, as she goes for not an orange but a grapefruit. It's different and she figures maybe it's like an orange? It's large enough that it can be shared.

And her mind keeps running as she gazes back at him, slowly shuffling away from the aisle. They should get champagne or something right? Or would that be too strange? ]

[ Should've just said it point blank. ]

[Another thought let loose, clear as day to her but unnoticed by him. Nanu had just been on alert with his thoughts, but it was instantly forgotten in the wake of how Anabel reacted. That little 'oh' gave him a pang of regret and guilt in his heart, even if she's covered it up as though he really did say what she wanted him to.]

[It's not just that he didn't repeat his thought word-by-word—she didn't, either, after all—but he knows the way he went about it was far less caring and enthusiastic as she. Nanu swallows again when Anabel leans in to kiss him on the cheek, brief but no less emotionally charged. He doesn't think he deserves the thanks she gives him afterwards, nor does he think he's earned the kind- and sweetness Anabel's giving to him.]

[Her thought comes clear to him, too, and it makes him realize his own heart is racing as well. Again, like they're teenagers instead of grown adults. The pungent smells and the over-saturation of the fruits still linger, and though he hasn't said anything in return yet, his eyes betray the silence as he looks into hers. Regret, sure, but there's a softness backed by that love he just couldn't spit out as he watches her pick up what is very probably not an orange at all.]

[(The way she keeps looking back at him as they slowly move helps that feeling, too.)]

[Something more than just the regret pushes him forward this time, though. Unlike Anabel, Nanu doesn't even bother looking around them for potential witnesses when he steps toward her, gently wraps his hand around her free arm, and leans down for a proper, much deeper kiss.]

[ She looks at him still, not unhappy with this although she relishes the thought that in the future he may say it more directly -- and perhaps with some frequency. That is enough for her and something surely worth waiting for. She may have wanted something direct and solid in response, but her own mind is quick to ignore that and be content with what he offers her. Anything he's willing to give her is more than enough.

There's a little spark to her kiss; like when you rub a Pikachu's cheeks. Static, but warm and pleasant. She supposes he's probably thinking something absurd right now instead of enjoying the moment and feeling as light as a Swanna's feather the way she is, but she never wants to push him or force him to be something he isn't. Even if she wishes he could shut that brain down of his for just a moment or two.

She doesn't compare the two of them to love-struck, infatuated teens because to her, this is just the way affection like this should feel. The realization and confession of it should be something special.

--and apparently, he might actually agree with that. Though he's not lifting her, she certainly feels swept off her feet when he sneaks past her guard. Almost ready to question if he'd like to look elsewhere, the words don't even start to form before he's initiating a kiss; it's warm and eases throughout her body, down to her fingertips. Like a gentle humming of skin to skin. Before he's able to part she's quick to hold on. First to his arm, then to his cheek, slipping over his jawline when she makes a muffled sound into his mouth.

She lets it linger as long as she can. ]

[It's a powerful feeling, to be the instigator. When the two had first started working things out between them, Nanu felt uncomfortable; as if he was taking advantage of Anabel by being older than her, and an ex-mentor to boot. But it's a little like the old saying, "practice makes perfect". And in the case, 'perfect' is the sweet spot of feeling the rush of love from a simple gesture instead of guilt.]

[One lucky part of being in this world, he supposes. The rush of love takes on an atmospheric affect; the comfort of wearing a blanket, fresh out of the dryer, around yourself. Or the both of them, so close together, as it were.]

[As she moves her hand from one place to the next, settling along the side of his face, Nanu moves his other hand to her hip. While he hadn't looked around beforehand because, to him, it meant more than if he were being conscious about that sort of thing—well, he doesn't want to evolve into a(nother teenage-like) 'make-out' in the middle of the produce aisle. His first attempt to gently draw back is delayed by that delightful sound Anabel makes, instinctively prolonging the lock between them. He doesn't know it yet, but when she does that, he's too weak to deny reciprocation.]

[The second try is a few moments later, after the kiss has lingered just long enough to be far more than the ones peppered around their household. Still holding her hip and the crook of one arm, Nanu pulls back slowly, holding his face a little closer still, dusted pink. He doesn't look embarrassed, though. And he's not.]

Sorry, [HE SAYS AS THOUGH HE HAS ANYTHING TO BE SORRY ABOUT] I'm no good with words.

[ He's the instigator of most other things, why not this, as well? She is a patient woman and doesn't mind waiting, still, even now. They both have their hang-ups, some of which she still thinks on and surely he does, too. The loss she'd once experienced in addition to being here, in Verens. The idea that they may lose this and never regain it upon going back where they came from or that one of them may stay here much longer than the other to boot. It's a worrisome thought, but not one that's so overpowering that she'd be willing to reject this for what it is.

She feels warm, but not just that anxious rush of being flushed or worried about a reaction. It's pleasant beyond just touch -- although further touch surely cements that feeling. The hand on her hip is something she settles into and would be delighted to have carry on for any length of time, anywhere.

Parting, she sighs. Her shoulders lower, lacking the tension that she naturally has any other time. For all intents and purposes, it's easily a swoon. Nearly light-headed, she almost automatically ducks her head with chin to chest, tips of her fingers curved onto her neck. ]

I-Is that so? I will be expecting more of that in the future, in that case.

[ She tilts her head as she turns away and starts to shuffle when gently hooking her arm to his to carry on. It's easier to just drop it because it isn't as if they'll never be together again. There's plenty of time for smoocharoos. ]

What else should we pick up?

[Oh, how his opinions have changed since their initial arrival to Empatheias. Wanting to go back home, versus wanting to stay here. Forgetting everything about this world, versus the memories they have and still are creating. Nanu doesn't like to think about it. He doesn't even know how he stands on the decision anymore.]

[Despite the issue being tied directly to her, looking at Anabel tends to make most problems melt away. Especially when she looks so happy, yet relaxed; and even more so when he knows she's feeling this way because of him. It's an ouroboros he doesn't want to be broken, the feedback cycle of feeling warmth and happiness (and love) that spreads to each other and prolongs for as long as they have the opportunity to react.]

[Anabel's little sigh and the way she curls in on herself... Nanu definitely wants to experience that again. You know...if he has to.]

[He takes her arm just as soon as she links it with his, and doesn't protest to moving on with the conversation. They're doing the exact same before, except now it's even more tooth-rottingly domestic. And he's happy with that.]

...Ehh... You want to pick out anything special for Latios? [god they're both blushing, it's so damn obvious] For reuniting, and all.

[ It's something better to not think on. There's no answers they can acquire until they're there, at that point. Things might be different for them, they might be gone permanently or they might come back here for a week or two weeks or months. There were no answers, whether they be estimated or certain. It's better to enjoy what they have now.

It's something that Anabel has learned long ago. Taking time for granted is something she tries not to do, even if she won't remember and will lose it all over again.

What they share now is an extension of what she's always felt for him, a different thing than before but she's always been content in his company. It must be the same for him, though perhaps with more relief now that he is able to breathe more easily. The lack of secrets and her acceptance and understanding she hopes has helped to lead him down that path.

She doesn't think about holding his arm at all; it feels natural. There are other couples (and even friends) doing the same all throughout Verens, so she thinks nothing of it being particularly meaningful beyond the way it makes her feel safer and more comfortable. ]

Hm, I suppose I should! [ Blushing, but acting as if it isn't there. ] He still likes overly sweet things. I could just make some pokepuffs later for the lot of them. The only question is if you're up for the task of aiding me.

[That's something Anabel can compartmentalize nicely. The King of Pessimism, not so much. But he tries. For both their sakes.]

[She's right about him being able to breathe easier, though; despite the major changes to their dynamic recently...one as recently as about two whole minutes ago. Nanu wouldn't say it's perfect, but he's hardly like he used to be with the idea, let alone the physical intimacy. The fact that he locks arms without a second thought is a testament to that.]

You remember the last time I tried to help you make poképuffs?

[ At least if anything, Nanu can be predictable. When it doesn't involve her. She doesn't think the worst of him or thinks he believes negative things about her so much as... sometimes she just doesn't believe she's worth it. It feels like a dream some days.

This might be the closest thing she's ever had to "perfect". At least in her memories. She looks forward to each day in a very different way than she did back home and is filled with a different kind of joy and hope. She'd never really experienced it before, so she hadn't known just how good it was. ]

I still enjoyed myself. If you're afraid of a little flour, though, you needn't join me. [ Of course she appeals to it with a tease, but Nanu's the only one who would choose to take the bait with an agreement rather than fight against it. She liked that, though. ] Or is it that you're afraid Latios might follow you around like he's in love with you?

[And Nanu never believes he's worth it; worth her...love. Hell, this place might as well be a shared dream. Now that it's stopped being a nightmare for him, at least. Waking up next to her every morning...there's no way he can hate this world as much as he did.]

I'm just saying, it got everywhere. Claw tracks through the house for weeks...

[With this smile, though, she could get him to do anything. And just like grocery shopping, baking or cooking together is...foreignly, yet nicely domestic.]

You talk as though I haven't had a Latios-sized crowd of Meowth mob me for treats before.

empatheias contact post

where is it tho

put on your glasses

they've been on

no the ones with lenses in them

what are those

the glass part of the glasses that do the seeing thing

yah i got that

squints

squats

s..q.u..awk..s....

hrm

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