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[ Her heart thrums a little louder that even the sound of the screaming and hacking and slashing on TV doesn't compare to the beat of her heart in her ears. ]

I think it would be, too. Something to look forward to. And I think I'm full up on popcorn for the time being.

[ She doesn't mean to dwell on the world outside the couch they're on, but reality comes crashing in and for a moment their date night comes to a grinding halt as she begins to pour over the potential outcome of the twelfth.

She hasn't been this scared in a while, the fear creeping into every inch of her body, paralyzing her.

With a sidelong glance at Goro, she asks: ] ... we're not out of time already, are we?

No.

[ He could be wrong. He could be very wrong that they're out of time and clinging onto something that was never meant to last. If he thinks too much on it, than his time here was for nothing. Has he done enough? Will it ever be enough?

Goro had a lot to make up for and he finally felt like he was moving beyond his past and not just playing at damage control. ]

I don't think we're out of time. With so many of us looking for a way to stop it, I doubt it's the end.

[ His heart aches saying that. He forgets that this place isn't normal by any means. If this was the end, at least he's certain she'd likely be sent back home, safe and sound with no recollection of this place or...him.

He could live with that as much as it pains him. ]

[ Haru is quietly stunned by Goro's resolute response. She probably shouldn't have expected anything less from him, but somehow she remains surprised by his stance.

Though, given everything his life had ever thrown at him, he's not opposed to facing those odds again, is he?

She giggles softly, staring down at her hands again so she has something to focus on, although she does shift closer to him at the same time as a way of conveying her fondness for his resilience. ]

You're so much braver than I am. This whole time since the announcement I've been scared.

But not you. [ Finally, she meets his eyes, staring back into bright irises. ] You've faced a lot of frightening things and come out on top.

I'm not sure I'd call it brave. [ He admits, quietly, finally moving his arm around her shoulders rather than across the head of the couch. It's most a comforting gesture than a romantic gesture, trying his best to sort through his thoughts.

He was a man on borrowed time -- it had to end eventually, didn't it? ]

Perhaps it's more stubbornness instead of bravery.

[ He takes a deep breath. ]

I just know that the moment we all fall into despair, we will not be able to succeed. So I am trying to remain stubbornly positive, for my friends, for you...

I'm so tired of losing.

[ Life, his mother, his friends, his chance at normalcy-- he doesn't want to lose any more but what could he do? ]

[ She supposes one needs to be stubborn in order to survive in life. Bravery could get you far, but when she mulls over it, it's the Phantom Thieves' stubborn qualities that got them to push through their various obstacles. That resilience to endure the worst, but refuse to succumb to the despair Goro mentioned.

His arm drapes around her and she feels warmer than usual in her sweater. She swallows lightly, licking the bottom half of her lips. ]

How silly of me. [ Just like when she had fallen into her own despair in the prison of the Velvet Room. It had taken Akira to shake her out of such a stupor, but Goro's words reach out and pull her back from a similar train of thought, just like back then.

She smiles at him, leaning closer so her leg is touching his and her head props against his chest. For a moment she's quiet, shutting her eyes to listen to his heartbeat. ] You're right, I can't let myself think of such things. We'll win.

[ Her head tilts to look at him, her gaze soft and expression fond as she stares into Goro's pensive one. ]

No more losing.

[ Her gaze lingers, on occasion dipping to Goro's lips then back to meet his eyes while she bats her lashes slowly. Her body moves closer, as close as it can be and she leans up, her heart in her chest hammering faster by the second as she closes the small space between herself and Goro, pressing her lips to his, soft and slow to begin with before she pulls away, face as red as an apple. ]

Um...

[ Whatever horror movie was still playing in the background? Was drowned out by his heart hammering in his chest, all sound drowned out as her lips meet his. He's a little shocked at first, not anticipating her kiss, not anticipating how much he enjoys the fact she's kissing him until his brain finally reacts and he's so... so tentative as he kisses her back.

When she pulls back he immediately mourns the loss of their closeness, but he smiles at her, soft and sweet, something he had long forgotten if it hadn't been for this place, before he leans forward to recapture her lips. ]

No more wasting time? [ He questions, stealing another kiss in the process, adjusting his position on the couch to make things a little easier. ]

[ There's a lot of screaming and cursing in the background, but it's all white noise to Haru when Goro returns the kiss. She swallows again nervously, making a soft noise that she can't tell expresses either her own excitement or anxiety.

One thing is for certain: it sends a delightful jolt up her spine. ]

We'll have all the time in the world.

[ I hope, she tells herself, but slides closer, her nose bumping his before she plants another kiss against his mouth. His lips are surprisingly soft... and there's a hint of butter she can taste from the popcorn they were munching on earlier. Amused, she giggles against him shyly, tentatively placing a hand against his shoulder to better prop herself up without leaning her weight into him. ]

We'll make sure of that.

[ He wasn't going to let Atropos have her way. What would he give to stay here with her? Goro slowly adjusts again, then finds the angle is just awkward and not right at all (not comfortable enough to kiss Haru which he really, really wants to do).

Goro pulls back, before he places his hands on her hips and drags her into his lap. Once she's settled he leans up capturing her lips once more, sighing happily against her lips. ]

[ Her mouth form a little "O" shape and there's a soft, surprised noise from her as she feels herself dragged over onto Goro's lap. Her face is already red as can be, but that and her neck feel incredibly hot that she practically welcomes Goro's breath against her lips.

Her hands begin to shake as she wraps herself comfortably around his hips, steadying herself with a hand leaned against Goro's chest before it drags itself to his shoulder.

Her kisses are peppered with a nervous energy, her body antsy as she tries to settle onto him as best she can. It's obvious she's never shared a kiss with anyone before (does Akira's doppelganger count?), on occasion pulling away briefly to look away timidly, her expression rather giddy however. Her forehead leans against Goro's, nose bumping his awkwardly as she leans back into his kiss. ]

[ He could count his experience on one hand, and yet? He's just as nervous. Chaste kisses to her lips, one hand staying on her hip while the other moves up along her spine to settle at the base of her neck. His heart races, mind tuning out the world around them.

He felt he could forget about the world as long as he was with her.

Was that too much too soon? He holds it to his chest, pulling back carefully, smiling fondly as he runs his fingers through the hair at the base of her neck. He's thinking, pensive as he looks her over -- Goro's not had much hope before coming here and he wouldn't give that up now.]

[ The sensation of his hand along her neck sends little ripples of electricity firing off in different directions, her shoulders tingling with delight. As she stares at him with hazy pleasure behind her eyes she smiles again, giggling this time when Goro's fingers run through her hair.

The base of her stomach tightens, heartbeat skyrocketing again. She allows her hand to settle behind his head, her own fingers gently entangling with smooth locks. ]

Um... [ Biting down on her lip, she tries to keep her voice low: ] Maybe we should go somewhere private?

[ As nice as it is to straddle him on the couch, she worries Yusuke or Futaba will accidentally wander through and catch them in such a position. Maybe for privacy's sake they should back into one of the rooms, though that certainly gets a rush of blood to the head when she thinks about them in a room together. ]

That's not a bad idea. [ He whispers back, suddenly realizing that they may not be alone, that they could easily be found on the couch in the common area. He shifts, just enough to move his hands to under her thighs, carefully avoiding any implication ( but his mind drifts just a second), and lifts her up as he stands. He helps position her thighs around his hips, smiling a bit as he starts to carry her off. ]

Hold on. We'll go to my room.

[ Not that it was closer, or more convenient, but simply because it was just the first place he thought of when it was to get somewhere more private. ]

Huh... oh!

[ Being scooped up catches her completely off guard, instinctively pulling her legs closer to Goro's waist and arms draped around his neck so she doesn't tumble onto the ground, although Goro's grip is fairly strong and sturdy — she should have expected that given his preferred hobbies revolving around rock climbing and cycling. ]

Yours? [ The word slips out of her mouth, tinged with a level of apprehension, her movements jittery even in Goro's arms. ] Um, s-sure!

[ Where else are they going to get privacy in the house anyway? She nods slowly. ]

Or yours.

[ He shifts, on his feet, keeping a tight grip on her thighs, trying to do everything he can to not move his fingers just the right way, or grab her ass in the process. Sure, it'd be a little easier to hold her but there's a lot on his mind and it was getting somewhere private to continue kissing her. ]

Which would you prefer?

[ Her arms are still locked behind his neck to keep herself upright as possible, but she has to lean back carefully so she can get a better look at him. Through the dim light of the TV bouncing off his face she can still make out his handsome features and the way the edge of his mouth curves into a mischievous smile. ]

... yours is okay.

[ Perhaps there's a part of her that's eagerly curious to see what's behind one of the doors in the house she never dares to open. ]

Edited (notices an error like a decade later...) 2019-11-14 05:29 (UTC)

[ He reaches for the remote, managing to shut off the TV with only a little bit of difficulty. Goro then carries her down the hall, and when it's only when he arrives to the door of his room where he has to even adjust to carrying her. He adjusts his grip on her thigh, taking a moment to make sure she is secure in his arms before he opens the door.

He kicks it closed.

Thankfully, he's a lot more graceful as he sets her down on the edge of his bed. Compared to the rest of the apartment, his room was relatively plain. He's never quite had many personal effects, and perhaps this comes to a surprise as he's been trying to learn more about himsef. ]

Better?

[ She's rather impressed by his ability to maneuver around with her in his arms, forgetting it's not as if she weighs a tonne. By the time they reach Goro's room and the door is closed and Haru's on the bed, she almost misses that feeling of being in his arms.

She certainly liked where his hands were before... she can still feel herself vibrating with excitement, trying to control herself so she doesn't come across as too eager before him. ]

Yes, that's definitely... oh!

[ As a finger traces the spot where Goro's hands had been, Haru notices a tear in her stocking that splits the fabric down the seam. Well, they weren't the same lavish materials that she used to purchase back home. It was probably going to rip one of these days. ]

That's okay! I have plenty more...

Oh...

[ He almost laughs, a light airy chuckle spilling from his lips. It's almost cliche that his watch happened to catch her stockings, to happen to tear them at the seam, to make this a little more than just kissing. Goro's careful (cautious) as he inspects the tear, running his thumb over skin and stocking, trying to keep his breath even. ]

I'll buy you a new pair.

[ He says quietly, eyes lifting from the tear, from her skin (almost guilty that he's thinking beyond just kissing that he promised), to capture her lips once more. Focus on this, focus on her - if anyone deserves to be treated with reverence it's Haru. He plants his hands on either side of her hip, a grounding reminder that he should keep them there.

And not up her skirt, not trying to tear off her leggings, not caressing her hips ---]

[ Goro's laughter and his offer earns a soft giggle from her, even as her heart continues to beating like a drum in her chest. She's barely saddened about the stockings anymore, her focus on Goro, where his hands are and the urge to draw them right back to her thighs strong and tempting.

Haru glances around the bed, noting the plainness of the room, then pulls herself up so Goro can come join her. Her breathing is a little shaky, quick and heavy with excitement as she takes his hand in hers to gently guide him over. When he's close enough she reaches forward, meeting his lips after what feels like it's been ages between here and the living room. She can't help the little satisfactory sigh that escapes her as she presses her lips to his, her stomach in nervous knots and chest brimming with an energy she's trying to restrain.

As she settles against him, her hand delicately cups the side of Goro's face and she shifts as close as she can while supporting herself on one arm. She fumbles once or twice with her kisses, her antsy movements still getting the best of her when she bumps his nose again or she pulls back apprehensively, a low, sheepish laugh following. ]

Edited 2019-11-18 18:18 (UTC)

[ He hesitates, briefly, so briefly it's hardly noticeable if you weren't looking as he follows her up onto the bed. It escapes him on what he should do with his hands (his mind racing ahead of him from the point of where they were in their relationship), cupping her face to brush his thumb across her cheek carefully, using the leverage he had currently to just admire her.

Goro takes a moment adjust their position, having to pull away to move her legs to either side of his hips to make this a little easier. Once he's satisfied (he's not but one step at a time), he finds himself cradling the back of her head, kissing her sweetly, not caring that they're fumbling along through this.

To him? It was perfect.]

[ Her heart nervously leaps when Goro adjusts her legs, for a moment, her own mind jumping to conclusions she isn't prepared for. When he stops at simply adjusting their position she relaxes, instinctively bracing her legs against his hips.

While curiosity begets her, the pacing now is best left as is. She isn't sure she's ready to do anything more than let their hands and mouths explore each other.

And speaking of...

A hand of hers drifts up his arm, over his shoulder and into his hair, running her fingers through it once more. Goro's hair is quite soft and she idly wonders what his secret to it is as she gently curls her fingers around it. She doesn't tug the ends, mindful of her grip as she kisses him back a little more fervently this time.

She sighs, a touch wistful against his mouth, but when she pulls back in this time, ever so slightly does she open her mouth to coax him further in, the hand pressed to Goro's face sliding to his shoulder to rest against it. Her fingers gently dig in as if to hint she wants — no, needs — him to accept the invitation and satiate her curiosity. ]

[ How could he deny her?

He rests his hand on her thigh, thumb barely running over skin left revealed by her stocking. He feels like he's crashing forward into new territory, braving something much more difficult than it was with Akira. Akira? Was easy. Of course, he needed to prove himself, but it was much easier.

Haru? He would work to prove himself for the rest of his life as long as it made her smile. Goro's in too deep, he knows that, but it was easy to get lost in her as he brushes his tongue across her lips, accepting her invitation. Easy to lose his breath chasing after her lips. He hooks his thumb in her stocking, tentatively tugging before the fabric tears, splitting down her thigh towards her knee.

He definitely owed her new stockings. ]

[ In between longing kisses is laboured breathing, Haru's chest heaving upwards against Goro's, his name escaping her mouth in a hushed, soft tone, rolling off her tongue so easily. As his own tongue meets hers she leans further into him, only pulling back to let out a shuddering breath, then dips back toward him, his hair laced between her fingers now. It's gotten much longer, she thinks; she likes it this way. ]

Ah!

[ Her thigh already trembles against his hips as his thumb explores the exposed part of her leg, but then he rips into her stockings and it's her bare thigh against the fabric of his jeans and she gasps.

And then... she giggles against him, not quite sure why this is so amusing in the first place. Maybe she's a little delirious right now as she sinks into the bed with him hovering over her, their bodies pressing close and their lips moving faster and harder against one another. ]

... oh my, I think I feel dizzy.

[ American Christmas is full of eccentricities to Haru, even with it being her second holiday in the country. It's beautiful and exciting, but there's a lack of romanticism behind the holiday or in the air she's still unused to, though she can sort of understand there's a major religious connotation to Christmas in the US and that people spend time with families more so than just one person. ]

Um, so... where did you want to go again?

[ Haru glances at Goro, already pink in the face.

First major holiday with a boyfriend.

That's far more nerve wracking than any familial visits. ]

It's a new restaurant that opened up. Mew? It's becoming very popular.

[ He knew with the Christmas holiday it would be tricky to find a place that would be open. He had called around, nearly given up when a co-worker gave him the address. They don't normally take reservations, but they made an exception for Christmas.

He's really glad that she was a foodie or he would have attempted to cook at home.

And he's still trying to get better at that. ]

I rented a car. It's downtown so it would be a bit of a walk. [ Not that it was cold. He wasn't sure he'd ever be used to the weather in Florida. 25°C? He couldn't believe he didn't need a heavy coat. He motions to the rental with a smile. ]

Shall we?

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backdated to christmas... we're very good at this

super good. the goodest.