songerein | { when it snows }

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{ when it snows }

WHEN IT SNOWS

All items on this post will last/be available for the entire month! So timey wimey shenanigans are allowed.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during A.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN THAWED

After freeing the Ice Queen from the glass shard from her chest and clearing the dreamscape, the blizzard that affected not only Reverein but the Wildlands and beyond finally dissipates and soon everything returns to…mostly normal.

A. Glitter Snow. While the freezing sleet and ice of the blizzard is no more and a more gentle winter has entered Reverein, the fresh new snow that falls is not one one might want to stick their tongue out to try and catch a snowflake. Unless one likes the taste of glitter.

🎉 Good luck getting it out. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad if the glitter melted like snow, but it does not. It sticks to everything everywhere and while some might like a splash of colors, others may not.
🔮 Dreamglobes. Some fae are passing out empty spherical glasses, suggesting those who are interested to collect some of the glitter snow into them and then set the snowglobe next to their bed before sleeping. Whatever dream they have will be captured into the glass and upon waking will create a physical representation of the dream to create a little special "dreamglobe." Hope it's a good one!
✨ Glitter Collector. There are a number of people and shops that actually want the free glitter and ask for anyone to collect as much as possible. Works well for those trying to clean up and not sure what to do with it. What kind of products will end up coming from them well.

B. Mari Lwyd and Family. Mari Lwyd has finally returned to Reverein, and she's bringing along some family she's found. However, they can be a bit of a handful. Some are friendlier than others while others are going to make full use of this glitter snow with pranks and mischief. But they all just intend to have a good time, something that everyone may be in need of after that blizzard.

💃 Little Pranksters. The young Lwydlings cannot sing or speak, but they love to dance around and make all manner of noise—they also bite if you're being a big fat party pooper in their presence, and are a lot more likely to pull a few harmless pranks than their dear older cousin Mari Lwyd is. Very quick, they have the same vanish-and-leave-you-with-bad-luck if harm is attempted on them. Have a dance off with them, or aid them in pranking those who are being big fat grumps/meanie-butts.
🔥 Bonfire. One of the merry friends looks like a very tall pile of long hair and arms, but with them they seem to be carrying a basket and filling it with sticks and other kindling. This is for giant bonfires! Help gather wood and kindling to make a great bonfire to welcome some warmth in this winter, and aid any lost to not wander in this cold.
🥜 Nurturing Gifts. There appears to be another skull-faced being wandering around with their own 'little one' in tow—and despite the horned and frightening appearance of the larger fur and hyde clad figure there are small gifts to be shared. An act of kindness rewards one with a bundle of magic beans that if nurtured and cared for will bear a great gift come spring. Great.

C. Hot Springs. The dragons are holding an open invitation to anyone who wishes to use their hot springs to warm up after that frigid blizzard. The dragons in particular will be practically living there, so hopefully others can squeeze in a spot. Rooms will be available for anyone who wishes to stay the night, and all amenities will be available: food, recreational games, etc. Just beware of the monkeys that have descended down from the mountain seeking warmth as well. They are prone to stealing things, particularly clothing—and wearing them.

D. Dream Board. This is the perfect time to do many of the Dream Board prompts, and while the full details are on the notes, here is the quick list of what they are:

Dream Board List:

⛄ Snowball Tonics: Transform into massive, different colored snowballs.
🔔 Bell Choir: Grab a bell and play for a concert!
🧣 Never-Ending Scarf: Help untangle the beautifully, extremely long crocheted scarf, dodge cats, and get the whole thing together in one place.
🍻 Keg Brawl: A game where one must carrying a keg of ale from one end of a field of ice to the other while avoiding the other team trying to stop you.
🐶 The Inugami. Help a pair of spirit dogs find each other.
🌠 Falling Stars. Make wishes upon the falling stars before they cause too much damage!

II. SHATTERED DREAMS

Although the Dreamwalkers were successful in removing the strange glass shard in the Ice Queen's chest and ended the nightmare dreamscape that caused the blizzard, the Ice Queen still has yet to awaken. Jack Frost has taken her to Orkili to try and purify her with the pods, yet it only caused an adverse reaction, prompting the Orkilins and Jack Frost to ask for help from the Dreamwalkers once more. Isolated in a separate room where neither dreamotion nor nightmare energy can enter, those who are willing to investigate the Ice Queen's dream will be able to freely dreamwalk, with the warning that she seems sensitive to positive dreamotion so everyone should take caution when using it.

In the meantime, there are some other happenings going around in Orkili, including investigation into some nightmare crystals.

A. Piecing it Together. Those who enter the Ice Queen's dream will find themselves free floating in a dark void with large reflective glass-like shards with blurred, fogged scenes reflecting on their surface. They float aimlessly through the space, and a closer inspection will reveal that these shards can fit together and likely form a larger image. The goal is to now try and put the pieces together, though it's not as easy as it might seem.

🪞 Nightmare manipulation. For whatever reason, those who either have high nightmare resistance or can control nightmare energy will be able to move and be around the shards with very little effect to them.

💥 Too much of a good thing. Because the shards are dark and clearly exude nightmare energy, there will be those who will try to use positive types of dreamotion to purify the shards. Some dreamotion will be safe to use and will help clear up the image on the surface. However, too much focus will have a negative feedback where the dreamers are pushed back with a freezing gale and the shard they are focusing on will crack and break into smaller pieces. Nightmare energy can help mend the cracks, so it's better to try and use both at the same time.

💔 Blurred visions. As the surface of the shards clear up, various scenes of different themes can be seen, both good and bad. Love, heartbreak, hatred, anger, joy, jealousy, loneliness, fulfillment, family, abandonment. Those who experienced the ice mirrors in the previous dreamscape will feel a strong familiarity with these larger shards, except these are clearly towards the Ice Queen herself.

This is where we want players to come up with any scene that the Ice Queen may have experienced that could be reflected on the shard! We'll request submissions and piece together a story based on player input. Don't worry about any contradictions, we'll work it all in one way or another. The only constant is that Jack Frost and the Ice Queen do have a close, romantic relationship, which is why Jack is very worried about her.

B. Unwanted Intruder. While in the dream, a grotesque looking noctaere will appear and try to attack and consume the shards. Should it succeed, the Ice Queen will receive physical damage that everyone will be able to hear and feel inside the dream. The void will contort and turn more like sludge. Attempts to use dreamotion will only worsen it, but those who can control or absorb nightmare energy will take it away from the Ice Queen. How it affects them however, will vary between dizziness to momentary lapse in judgment and may need to leave the dreamscape.

Those monitoring outside the dream will witness the Ice Queen scream and her skin blackening as if charred by fire. Same thing applies here: those who try to use dreamotion to heal her will only worsen it, but those who use nightmare energy to either draw it out into some other container or absorb it themselves will be able to pull it out of the Ice Queen. Those who absorb the nightmare energy will have similar varying effects, from just light dizziness to becoming more irritable and hostile. Attempts to try and directly pull out the nightmare energy otherwise will be unsuccessful—it will only work when the noctaere has consumed a shard and caused the physical side effects.

No one will turn noctaere through this method because not enough nightmare energy will have accumulated.

As for the noctaere, it will sometimes appear outside the dream, and those who encounter it or deliberately try to hunt it down either within or outside the dream will find both dreamotion and nightmare based attacks effective against it. However, it's a very tough and difficult foe, so while it can be damaged, it cannot be defeated at this time. Those who investigated the claw marks from a few months ago will notice it leaves behind the same claw marks. Those who witnessed it will also find it familiar and can safely say it's the same.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He is a bit of an odd duck, even among gods. Happens when you grow up with proper guidance, huh.

But hey, he'll take working on it ♥

Especially when it means they get to cut loose by enjoying themselves naturally. Games are always more fun when there's other players. And thank. You. He will gladly retain his name. He likes it.]

There's no denying that... [He can't help muttering half to himself under his breath. She sure is special in a lot of ways. Ways that make his chest ache with a strange longing and twist his lips into a smile, just as it's doing now. Although it doesn't last for too long.]

Mock me at your own peril! [It is a pity they don't have at least their buckets or such with which to better splash one another. But they can make do, and he tries to by bringing both hands together in front of him a moment before he realizes what she's doing: charging him like a rabid squirrel.

He takes a step back, throwing out both arms to tread water and hopefully help him get out of the way, but to no avail; she's already pouncing upon him and sending them both under the water]

Whoa--!

[As his butt hits the bottom of the spring, his arms encircle her, dragging her back to the surface along with him. When they breech the water, they're almost nose to nose, with Yato breathing hard and laughing.]

Okay, okay...! You got me there...

[ in her humble opinion, they're all rather odd. gods and shinki alike. yukine is the most normal most goodest boy though.

he wouldn't have wanted to play at first, but she would bet with yato and her having fun and goading him he would eventually join in. it's a nice thought, but that and more get swept out of her brain when they resurface once more. only there's a few key differences. yato's arms around her for one. yato's nose brushing hers for another. yato breathing hard and laughing and so close means she can feel each humid puff on her chin. well, she's breathing hard as much as him. wading through water is a workout.

maybe they cut it too loose though? hiyori proves she's still special when she doesn't immediately separate them and find her space. after living together for this long, her tolerance has increased so much.

what does she do with her hands? if they're not being used to SHOVE HIM AWAY, she settles them carefully on his shoulders. unsure. throat dry. must be the mugginess. ]

I... I told you. I told you you'd regret it. Now I can say I've defeated a well-practiced combat god, too. [ if people wouldn't think she was crazy anyhow. ]

[He's also a inscrutable little shit at times. But a loved one all the same.

It is a shame that he's not here to join in their fun. ...and keep things from getting too awkward. Though somehow this feels less awkward and more... dangerous. Though dangerous for who is difficult to say. Once their positions sink in, he can't help feeling mild trepidation. Possibly as a result of having been manhandled one too many times. He half expects Hiyori to try drowning his ass for being so far up in her space. But still he doesn't move, though his grip tightens on her the faintest bit.

Heat seeps into his cheeks, barely noticeable beneath the color brought on by the hot springs themselves. But she might notice. She's smart and observant, he notes to his chagrin.

She's also braver than he. Her hands resting on him makes him seize up, eyes going wide as they dart from her to the water, just so he won't have to directly address her while they talk. If he can get his brain in gear.]

O-Only because you used an underhanded sneak attack. [He doesn't sound mad about it, however. If anything he seems impressed. She's got guts. But he already knew that well.

Licking his lips which seem to have gone dry despite the moisture in the air, he glances back at her.] So... what do you want as your prize for winning, huh?

[ yukine is way easier to understand.

especially compared to this. if yukine were here, he'd probably have some dry comment about yato's sweaty hands not registering to hiyori because the air is moist. they'd leap apart then. not like now because yes, that's exactly right. something about this is dangerous. different from the danger of ayakashi. or other gods hellbent on ending him. different from fujisaki trying to break her backbone made of steel.

her jaw sets at the feeling of his fingers clutching her. at his redder than hot springs red face, too. noticing him. noticing him unable to look at her. some of her bravery wilts away.

underhanded. there was NOTHING underhanded about how she splashed and stumbled her way over to him to dive at his body. he's being a wiseass. as well as distracting, her eyes immediately drawn down to

don't look there, hiyori. ]

There's a prize involved? [ SHE VERY SMARTLY QUESTIONS, blinking at him in a stupor. for winning?

..... don't look there, hiyori. ]

Umm. I can't ask for fluffy pancakes again... I-I don't really need a prize. [ there's a pause. a beat. ] If you won, did you have something you would've asked for?

[That he is. He's more of an open book than either one of them.

He'd be so quick to point out their awkwardness and to question wtf is up with them that they'd probably never allow themselves to remain this close for so long, creating a build up of tension. Because for Yato at least, there's this undercurrent of excitement at getting to hold Hiyori close. It's almost enough to make his hands shake, but somehow he manages to keep them still by gripping her just a little tighter.

Drawing his eyes back to her face, he does his best to meet her eyes, bright blues staring into pinks despite the misty haze of steam from the spring.

Which is making him suddenly feel a touch overheated. But there's no way he's going to leave. Not now. Not after he's managed to convince her to spend time with him in here. Even if he is being his usual smarmy self. She's... putting up with him. Tolerating his antics. She's always been so patient...

It makes him want to thank her in a way he probably shouldn't. Where she fears to tread, he doesn't, staring at her lips.]

Of course. The winner should earn something. [Never mind that he's making it up on the spot. He's winging it here, which may explain why it feels like there's a bird in his chest flapping its wings rapidly.]

...oh. That's fine, then. [Yet he can't help sounding a mite disappointed. Until she questions him. Then he's all nerves.] N-No! [Yes.]

[ grip any tighter, yato, and it might start to hurt.

probably not much more than her racing, pounding heart is. he's so obvious. staring at her mouth despite his lips saying no. she is scared. not of him. not anymore. it's the unknown that she's always feared. things changed so much when she first met yato.

being best friends with a god is one thing. people already question her for that. ]

Pff, you're not convincing at all. [ she points out, her smile somehow forced and genuine at once. she can't ask for it. well, she can but she can't do it here. but maybe... ]

Okay, I actually thought of something. [ with how tight his fingers clutch to her, it gave her an idea. ]

I, um. [ THAT DOESN'T MEAN SHE'S NOT EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR IT. unlike someone. ] I... want... a hug.

For winning.

[ cloSES HER EYES. ]

[He's being careful...! Mostly. Thankfully the sweatiness of his hands keeps his hold from becoming too constricting.

If only it didn't feel like he was crushing his own heart by denying that there's something he wants. It hurts to keep it bottled up, yet he's too afraid to come right out and say it. Afraid of how she'll take it. Of what it might do to their relationship. It's... not worth the risk.

Not yet. He can live with this longing. For now. Even if it's starting to become all-consuming. Hell, he's already stalked her into the baths, for heaven's sake!]

I-I'm not? [There's a definite nervous titter as he shifts in place, quickly glancing away like it'll keep her from reading his mind.]

....and that is...? [Try as he might, though, he can't keep his eyes off her for long. Like a bright light, he's drawn back to her face, his own blushing up a storm as she gradually spits it out.]

A... hug? [He blinks a couple of times, then loosens his hold in order to get his arms around her, heart beating wildly in his chest as he does so. Once he's pulled her tight against his bare chest, he struggles to get out his next words.] L-Like this...?

Yeah...

[ hiyori moves her arms carefully, wrapping them around him and burying her mouth into the crook of her arm. she stares at the water and the ripples. at the steam rising from the surface of the water as her mind goes a bit blank from yato holding her tight against him.

it's not like the hug after he reassured her that her grandmother would be fine. nor is it like the one when she was a cotton candy cat and he was a little ice sprite. it's not even like when he collapsed on her after saving him from yomi, or when he woke up and clung to them out of relief and both she and yukine shouted at him and hit him in embarrassment.

she holds him tighter, swallowing against this new dryness of her throat. ]

It may not seem like it sometimes, but I do like hugs...

Ah...

[Noting the care with which she embraces him, Yato returns the sentiment by trying not to press them too tightly together, given their general lack of coverings. He doesn't want to make this awkward when it's so nice and warm and comforting. Though for as much as he's enjoying it, he can't help scrunching his eyes up, somewhat scared of such intimacy.

He doesn't quite tremble in her grasp, but his fingers twitch and curl against her shoulder blades, trying to clench into fists against his will. Just act normal, Yato... Don't make it weird. Keep it together and keep your hands still, dammit! His little pep talk helps a bit, if not completely. Hiyori's skin against his just feels too good for him to remain totally motionless when pressed against her.

After a while he dares to let his head lean sideways to rest against hers.]

Yeah, I've noticed. I... like them, too, to be honest. They're nice...

[ hiyori isn't thinking about what skin is touching where or how little or how much they're wearing. she's thinking about how she can feel his heart beat as hard as hers is when they're this close. the curl of his fingers that mimics the tension in her gut.

not that she isn't aware either but it's an afterthought compared to everything else. especially so when his head puts light pressure against her own. please, please slow the heartrate down, she begs herself. he's going to notice!

like he has noticed she likes hugs?! since when did he realize that? well, she did admit she liked them when she was a cat. but with yato, it's a little more obvious with how often he gloms onto yukine. part of her thinks he's doing it just to make yukine blush. it is cute when he does.

gods, is she blushing? ]

I think everyone knows you like hugs. [ what she really means is

she does like his hugs. heartfelt starts to cross over into intimate as time continues to pass by and eventually hiyori loosens her hold from him and leans back. praying her face isn't as red as it feels and that it's just from being in hot water. ]

Thanks for the, um, the prize. A-almost as good as fluffy pancakes.

[ yeah "almost" ]

[Meanwhile that's pretty much all Yato can think of. Like holy shit his chest is against her chest (read: boobs)!! Which adds to the pounding of his heart against his rib cage, drumming along to the tune of his pulse. Thankfully he makes no other outward signs of being bothered by her pressing into him, save the fidgety fingers.

Which gently dig into her soft flesh the more comfortable he becomes with resting in her arms. It allows his mind to begin wandering, his senses picking up on more than just wet skin gliding over wet skin; he notices that her heart seems to be thrumming right along with his, beating hard and loud.

Does that mean she...? Is she as flustered as he is by all this? Does it mean more than just a friendly hug to her as well...? He wants to ask but doesn't dare.]

It's that obvious, huh? [Then again, so much of what he does is deliberately obvious.

He wears his heart on his sleeve intentionally, making sure everybody knows how he's feeling at any given moment and making it their problem. Though he has gotten better about it. He thinks. Kind of like how he doesn't pitch tantrums anywhere near as much now that he sees Hiyori everyday. That he knows she won't be forgetting him anytime soon.]

Y-You're welcome. I'm... enjoying it too, so it's kinda a win-win here, heh.

[Really, if she's truly having a good time, then he's doing his job well and that does indeed make him happy.]

Not so much that you like them. You're just obvious in general.

[ EXCEPT ONE THING.

he's right. he's gotten much better about expressing himself in a way that isn't tantrums and wailing and complaining like he used to — doing everything and anything obnoxious to get the attention he wants.

she doesn't know that it's because they see each other every day. they live together. NOT seeing each other every day would be weirder. there's no way she's forgetting someone she lives with. even then, despite her human nature to forget the far shore, she will do her best to remember.

that doomed promise she made under an umbrella.

her smile tugs a bit wider upon hearing him admit he enjoys it before she quickly clears her throat and swims over somewhere she can sit, lean back, and relax. you know, the whole reason they're here. her eyes close and she focuses on slowing her heart rate back down now that they're not

hugging

okay, so. she shouldn't think about what just happened while trying to calm down. ]

I wonder if Kazuma-san likes hugs. Or Ereshkigal-sama...

Am not.

[HUFFS. Just because it's true doesn't mean he can't try denying it. Because clearly he can still be a spoiled little child about things when it suits him. Certainly he's not obvious about.... that. Which shall not be named.

Even if it's becoming more and more prominent the longer they spend around one another. Which is a lot given how intertwined their lives have gotten. One can't live together without that happening to at least some degree. And since they're friends, it's gone even further than it would have were they strangers.

The cool air hitting his skin is like a stranger after embracing Hiyori for so long, leading him to sink into the water with a definite pout as he paddles after her. Keeping a safe distance, he alternates between scowling at her and blowing bubbles just under the surface.]

You're not hugging Kazuma.

[Ereshkigal he doesn't care so much about. But Kazuma? They know the guy, and he knows he's a closet pervert. (Takes one to know one and all that.)]

You are.

[ deny it all you want, yato. be a spoiled kid as you like. she can be stubborn.

which is the whole reason she's been telling herself it's not true. that her relationship with yato is platonic. there was nothing all that platonic about that hug -- no, embrace. that was an embrace. heartfelt bordering on intimate and there is no excuse to tell herself otherwise. other than she's being stubborn.

the longer they stay here in reverein, the more it's obvious that her feelings aren't merely platonic. she doesn't want to assume how he feels either but he's been different, too. for the past month or so. maybe even before that. it's only now it's sinking in. ]

Wha-- [ ??? what DOES HE HAVE AGAINST KAZUMA NOW ]

Why not? I feel like he could use a hug.

[ since bishamon hasn't woken up and she means so much to him. he's probably so worried.

hopefully, he doesn't say something like "Because! I want all your hugs from now on!!!" or something ridiculous... and needy and clingy... and it'll be reasonable reason... ]

Am not.

[Battle of the stubbornness! He's totally just being a brat now, brought on by the idea of Hiyori wrapping arms around Kazuma of all people. Yukine is one thing, the skank's guide is a whole 'nother.

He's older, for one. A deviant for another. He might only have eyes for Bishamon at the moment, but who knows when he might decide to take advantage of a pretty young thing like Hiyori?? That's not happening on his watch, dammit! Besides, he's the one who lo-- cares for her most. He's her god and patron deity, guardian of her chastity and happiness! None shall trample over either so long as he's around!

...besides, if he's right, then she... She just might.... No, he can't guess on that. It's entirely possible he's reading far too much into things and getting the signs wrong. And if he does, he may spoil everything between them. Which he wouldn't be able to stand. So instead of blurting out the real reason why "I like you", he mutters something under the water, letting it come out in a bubbly rush.]

Hsha phhphbt.

[Realizing that such an non-answer won't fly, he disappears under the water for a few moments, resurfacing right in front of her with an all-too-serious frown on his face.]

He's a pervert. Keep your guard up around him, okay?

You are, Yato.

[ out of those two, yukine is the one that tried to grope her in her sleep though. she has since!! forgiven him (and would much rather forget that happened at all thank you) but age has nothing to do with it, right?

although uh since when is he the guardian god of her chastity, huh?! she can guard that herself TYVM.

while she has a feeling she knows what those bubbles mean, she doesn't expect yato to suddenly be in front of her again. she sucks in air sharply through her nose and her eyes widen. don't look don't look don't look.

before they narrow, furrowing in confusion. ]

Is this about your doujinshi? [ the one she flipped through when yukine and kazuma were competing and yato and bishamon were betting on their hafuri. it seems so long ago now. she colors more deeply, thinking about it again. ] The ones that you drew? Aren't you the actual pervert?

[ speaking of which, ]

I hugged you and you're a pervert.

[ shots fired. ]

I am not!

[Exactly. Yukine's grown out of that stage of being a wannabe perv. Kazuma is still a perv, just towards his beloved goddess! Though who knows how long that might last here, without the blond bombshell for him to focus on.

Since at least the Divine Counsel when she kept getting tied to deadbeat losers! Clearly she needs an extra hand in ensuring that scumbags don't take advantage of her.

Like a shark looming ever closer, he remains just within arm's reach of her, eyeing her critically despite his hair sticking to his face. Though where his hands are is a mystery, being under the water like they are.]

Maybe. I've known him for a long time, remember. I know what makes him tick. [Swaying from one side to the other, her next comment gets him blowing more disgruntled bubbles before he suddenly stands up, equally red in the face.] S-So what if I dabbled in doujin to make a little money? It's called artistic appreciation!

[Don't call him out like that...!]

Yes, but I'm your pervert!

[wait]

N-Not like that--!

[ it's her turn to huff at him. ]

Are so!

[ hiyori doesn't think he's grown out of it, per se, just that he takes his hafuri status very seriously now. just look at the camera roll from capyper land! there are shots UP HER SKIRT. plus, he looks up to kazuma. he doesn't want to make the same mistakes. he wants to grow and grow up.

this is doing nothing towards her feeling outnumbered with both yato and kazuma in the same house as her. kazuma wouldn't take advantage of her. right...? he's very focused on bishamon. can he even SEE other girls?

the real issue is right front of her! he hasn't done it in a while but he's a clothes wearing, stalking, creepy, weird--

hers.

she stands up, too. ]

Whwhwhwhat did you mean, then?! My pervert?! My?!

Am! Not!

[Now they're just bickering over it for bickering's sake. Or at least, he is.

Which is probably more than Yukine would be doing in the same situation. There's a reason Yato relies on a fourteen year old boy to guide him; he's sometimes less mature than one. This is one of those times. Maybe if Yukine had been here, he wouldn't have ended up putting his foot in his mouth so soundly.

On the whole he knows Kazuma wouldn't try anything, but it's still a fear he has. The guy is a pretty handsome smooth talker under those glasses, and he is closer in age to Hiyori. Just the sort of fellow a young girl is likely to fall for. He doesn't want that happening.

Now that they're toe-to-toe in the water, Yato's face colors deeply as he tries to avoid her scrutiny. Tries to avoid watching the water drip from her hair, down onto her chest, over her-- assets. Finally unable to take it anymore, he buries his face in both hands and abruptly drops back into the water until it's up to his shoulders.]

N-Nothing...! Just that I'm a pervert only for you--! [Which isn't wholly true, but...] Never mind!

[Taking a deep breath, he disappears underneath the water, not returning to the surface within the usual amount of time. Where he's gone is something of a mystery.]

[ this is the same situation they were in her bedroom. ]

You are!

[ why is she going along with this? she knows better. they need yukine...

no, he needs yukine. she's doing her best to guide him and then he does this. if he thinks she's going to fall for any guy who is close to her age and handsome, he is so STUPID. she should... she should have a g-girlfriend just to spite his irritating, dumbass! (she couldn't, she can't do things just out of spite if she has any romance, she's doing it wholeheartedly) he's looking out for her but being so strange about it!

which makes this all the more frustrating. ]

That is--!! [ not true. he's already underwater. she stands there, steaming as she stares at the bubbles that mark his disappearance. why does it always, ALWAYS end up like this? why can't he just be honest?? why can't she...?

groaning loudly, she swims over to the ledge and folds her arms on top, burying her face in them. would all this be solved if she just-- ]

[ -- told him she's only been able to look at him. if she said it's his side she's always wanted to stay at. that, flaws and all, he's the only one she thinks about when he mentions romance and worries about who she's going to fall for.

that no matter how hard she's been trying to convince herself otherwise

she's already in love with him. she's been in love with him for a while now.

and if he's going to disappear on her, she's going to start to make her way out of the hot spring. ]

Stupid. So stupid... [ yato? her? both? yes. ]

[It keeps ending up like this because certain gods are stubbornly childish and insist of recreating the same scenario over and over again. Like the situation is a comfortable one he doesn't want to leave. Which it probably is, truth be told.

He does need Yukine, though even his guidepost probably wouldn't know how to help him navigate this complex terrain called l-love. Because he does love her, that much he knows now. What other name could there be for wanting to selfishly keep her close, for being so maddeningly jealous of even the possibility that another guy might make a move on her? For feeling sick at the thought of another touching her, of stealing a kiss from her before he even can.

Beneath the surface of the water, he mulls over what to do. How to make this better. Not that he has a long time to deliberate - Hiyori doesn't wait around long for him, leading him to smoothly swim over. Before she can get too far, there's something wrapping around her ankle, holding her in place. What it is becomes apparent a moment later as bubbles breach the surface followed by Yato's head. At first he just stares at her, then he tilts his face up enough to get his mouth out of the water so he can speak.]

Don't go, Hiyori. ...please.

[To make his request more formally, he stands up, taking her hand in his and holding it close against his chest. Letting her feel the way his heart is hammering away due to her. How warm his skin is, thanks not only to the hot springs. It's all her. She alone does these things to him.]

GH--!?

[ her ANKLE SOMETHING IS GRABBING HER WHAT IS ]

[ oh thank god it's just yato and not some hot springs tentacle monster.

although being stared down by those eyes nearly has her wishing it was a monster. that would be easier to face. she stiffens at his request, so close to snapping that he left first but doesn't get a chance to do that. or anything.

nothing besides being reminded that, all this time, his heart has been racing just like hers. the tension bleeds out of her and her eyes dart from her hand to his face and the uncertain look in his eyes. more than uncertain, he looks so lost.

first, it was the mirrors he ran away from by trying to get rid of them. now this. getting rid of himself to avoid something. hiyori hardens her already rock-solid resolve. ]

... Why... why is your heart beating so fast?

[ like mine, she doesn't say. ]

[A hot springs tentacle monster would be easier to deal with: just kick it into oblivion. Yato isn't so easy to handle, even when he's being as docile as he is now.

He hopes that she'll realize that even though he did kinda flee the scene, he did come back in short order. He didn't abandon her to a lonely time or letting anybody hit on her. He couldn't do that. He doesn't want her to be uncomfortable or feel vulnerable. It's his job to protect her, after all.

Although nothing can save either of them from their feelings, it seems. At least not his feelings. He can't be certain of hers, but he's starting to come to know his own heart well enough. He knows that it aches for her, longs to be held by her, to be cared and loved by her... Because she's the only one for him.

But he can't say that. His lips can't form the words, nor can his brain send them. Instead, he licks his lips with a shake of his head.]

You... It gets like that around you. You make my chest feel so tight...

[It's a toss up whether that's because his heart beats stronger when she's near or because he can't help holding his breath more. With his hands sweating up a storm, he struggles to maintain his grip on her, having to clutch her hand against his chest with both his.]

So please stay...

AND DRIPPY

JERSEY

HE HAS SO MANY NAMES

STILL WAITING FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE

YABOKU? 8')

NOOOOOOOOOO NO NOT THAT ONE TRY AGAIN

YATO-SAMA?? 8>

BZT TRY AGAIN

GEE I CAN'T THINK OF ANY OTHERS...

YOU MUST

BOB

LMFDLKGJSD nO

I GIVE UP

BOYF---

OH -THAT- THEY'RE KINDA ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE THERE

SO CLOSE BUT SO FAR

AND GETTING FURTHER BY THE MOMENT

FUCK GO BACK TO HUGGING

ACTUALLY, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY'RE GOING NOW

1/2

I LOST MY MAP

I NEVER HAD ONE

1/2

MINE JUST SAYS YATORI????

THAT'S SOMETHING AT LEAST??