(D7EE) Someday I'll Fly Away (expecting)

[Hiruma Akito]

The sun was beginning to drop a bit lower in the sky, bathing Namigashira Bay in a pleasant orange-red light. It was always a pleasant place to be, but especially so at the moment, the cool breeze from the making the warm day. Even better if you managed to find your own private spot; harder to do since the transit line was installed, but easier to do if you were a local.

Fortunately, Akito was a local.

Not wearing sunglasses, he squinted up at the sun, then back towards the narrow path he'd taken to get here. He sat in the sand, wearing dark blue swimming trunks and a white tank top. Was he aware that the tank top very much suited his well-muscled build? Yes. Did he intend on that effect? Of course. For the moment, of course, there was no one there to appreciate it.

For the moment.

Idly, he waited, watching the sun and the gentle waves. Someone quite perceptive (and present) might see that most of his attention was given to that narrow path. After all, Akito was expecting someone, and to his eye, she always made a terrific entrance.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

He would not have to wait long, though for once the Unicorn's entrance was not particularly flashy. No somersaults or handstands, just a slow canter down the path. Suh-Hyun had agonized over swimsuits, looking at the sexy, the fashionable, the elegant, but in the end she just chose what best suited her: a simple two piece sporty set. Over that she wore a simple waterproof jacket, in case the night temperature dropped, a visored cap from which her usually bound up hair hung out the back in a brown pony tail swinging down between her shoulder blades. And of course her aviators.

She made her way over to the Crab and pulled down her sunglasses to peak at him from over their top, bending down to get a little closer, "Evening Akito-san, now its my turn to ask if I kept you waiting." The Unicorn smiled warmly.

[Hiruma Akito]

Suh-Hyun's entrance may not have been flashy, but Akito still grinned when he saw her, one hand coming up to wave. And as she drew closer, she could see the deep breath he took as his pale eyes glanced over her figure.

The grin grew as the tall Shinjo leaned over him; he always had to look up at her, but not usually this much. "Good evening to you, Suh-Hyun-san. Not long. And it's nice here, anyway."

He rose to his feet, stretching his arms up over his head, then letting them settle by his side. "I see you found a swimsuit." His gaze quickly swept her form again, then back up to meet her eyes, glinting. "You made a good choice. A really good choice."

Still smiling, he jerked his head. "C'mon. There's this place I want you to see. And you can tell me how you've been since our last date." Eyes still on hers, he offered his hand.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun took his hand and gave a little smirk, "Too honorable a Crab to try and gain a favor from a Unicorn? You could have always claimed I was tardy."

"Ah...well yours is real nice too," She blushed at that, though whether the cause was the compliment to her or her detailed study of his swimsuit would be unknown. "It just felt right, I tried on several that looked way better but you know." She gave a small shrug, "These just felt right."

"Kidnapping a pilot of the Unicorn Navy is a crime you know." She teased, "I'm a valuable asset."

[Hiruma Akito]

Suh-Hyun took his hand and gave a little smirk, "Too honorable a Crab to try and gain a favor from a Unicorn? You could have always claimed I was tardy."

"Ah...well yours is real nice too," She blushed at that, though whether the cause was the compliment to her or her detailed study of his swimsuit would be unknown. "It just felt right, I tried on several that looked way better but you know." She gave a small shrug, "These just felt right."

"Kidnapping a pilot of the Unicorn Navy is a crime you know." She teased, "I'm a valuable asset."

Akito laughed. "Wait, shoot, I take it back. Super, super late." As they walked, he gave her a sidelong smirk. "I'll leave it to you to figure out how to make it up to me."

His hand was as strong and pleasantly warm as it had been the night they'd danced. Akito seemed to be leading them down towards the edge of the beach, by the water, but also by where a rocky cliff rose up to block the way. He gave her another sidelong glance, trailing up her legs. Damn... "Good instincts is a pilot thing, right? Believe me, your instincts were good. I don't think you realize just how hot you look."

Again, Akito laughed. "Hey, I'm not exactly carrying you off..." he flashed a quick smirk, "-although there's an idea. Maybe I should." He shifted as they walked, playfully bumping his bare shoulder into hers. "Hey... can you swim? Always have to ask. I've met as strong of marines as you could imagine who couldn't. Probably their thick heads dragging them under, right?"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"Actually its pretty cool ou..." Suh-Hyun laughed that nervous laugh of embarrassment, "Oh well you mean. You mean." Now a different sort of embarrassment, "Ah. Well I think my height makes me look like a post." Another nervous laugh.

She blinks at the suggestion her carry her off and then can't help but laugh. "My feet would drag the ground not matter how you tried to hold me. Just the thought is ridiculous."

"Well yes I can swim, I enjoyed it." The Unicorn glanced out at the sea, "You know, in a pool. But the ocean can't be that much different right?"

She smirked, "Only thing denser is a black hole! And the only thing that weighs more is a fighter pilot's ego."

[Hiruma Akito]

"Actually its pretty cool ou..." Suh-Hyun laughed that nervous laugh of embarrassment, "Oh well you mean. You mean." Now a different sort of embarrassment, "Ah. Well I think my height makes me look like a post." Another nervous laugh.

She blinks at the suggestion her carry her off and then can't help but laugh. "My feet would drag the ground not matter how you tried to hold me. Just the thought is ridiculous."

"Well yes I can swim, I enjoyed it." The Unicorn glanced out at the sea, "You know, in a pool. But the ocean can't be that much different right?"

She smirked, "Only thing denser is a black hole! And the only thing that weighs more is a fighter pilot's ego."

"Well, I think it makes you look damn gorgeous." Akito said, his tone kind, but with a note of firmness. He paused a moment, turning to face her, his pale eyes meeting hers. "If you could see what I see when I look at you..." He smiled then, whistling softly.

And then his eyes glinted... evilly wasn't quite the right word. "As for the other thing..."

He stepped closer, his hand slipping from hers to slide around her, while the other went low. The Hiruma hoisted, and then Suh-Hyun was aloft, his arms behind her shoulders and the lowest parts of her thighs, a traditional princess carry. It would be fairly easy to squirm free; Suh-Hyun could do that simply by straightening, making Akito lose his balance.

Akito rather hoped she'd put her arms around his shoulders, instead.

"There." Akito huffed, his face ever so slightly flushed as he looked down (for once!) at the woman in his arms. "How's that?"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"What do you see?" Suh-Hyun asked, looking away to hide her embarrassment. Which left her completely surprised at the sudden movement.

Pulling her arms in tight she looked up at him in shock. Part of her wanted to punch him, but she did all but dare him and Suh-Hyun wasn't going to call out his boldness.

But she wasn't going to be the fawning princess either. Crossing her arms she looked up at him with a sulky face then turned her head toward the sea. She swung her feet a little, just to off balance him but was clearly not escaping. "Well you caught me Akito-san. What next?"

Her eyes didn't meet his but he might have caught a hint of a smile under her best attempt at a grumpy face.

[Hiruma Akito]

"What do you see?" Suh-Hyun asked, looking away to hide her embarrassment. Which left her completely surprised at the sudden movement.

Pulling her arms in tight she looked up at him in shock. Part of her wanted to punch him, but she did all but dare him and Suh-Hyun wasn't going to call out his boldness.

But she wasn't going to be the fawning princess either. Crossing her arms she looked up at him with a sulky face then turned her head toward the sea. She swung her feet a little, just to off balance him but was clearly not escaping. "Well you caught me Akito-san. What next?"

Her eyes didn't meet his but he might have caught a hint of a smile under her best attempt at a grumpy face.

"I... whoa!" Akito grunted as Suh-Hyun's swinging feet made him stumble a bit. He was quite unable to keep an appreciative smile from his face, Suh-Hyun's sense of play as delightful to him as always.

"Well..." He grunted again, his arms shifting as he held the tall woman. "Gonna admit I didn't think that far. This seemed like a really good idea... and it is kinda nice..."

As he spoke, he continued to slowly walk towards the water, reaching its edge. "But it seems to me, that if a guy's carrying the pretty girl he's on a date with, he's a fool if he doesn't try to kiss her." Akito tilted his head, smiling at her. "I might be a bit of a fool, but not about that."

He tilted his head, bringing his lips towards hers...

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

Suh-Hyun blinked at that, caught off guard, "Huh...I really should have exp..." And then their lips met, her words dying in her throat. The kiss was a short one, they were not exactly in the most stable position after all.

Her arms were still crossed and she had a shocked look on her face, and a small smile. "Boldness wins the day it seems." She rested her head against his chest. She could hear his heart, or maybe it was her own.

They were at the water now, the little waves sweeping up to the Hiruma's feet. "The water's beautiful, with the sun reflecting off of it."

[Hiruma Akito]

Suh-Hyun blinked at that, caught off guard, "Huh...I really should have exp..." And then their lips met, her words dying in her throat. The kiss was a short one, they were not exactly in the most stable position after all.

Her arms were still crossed and she had a shocked look on her face, and a small smile. "Boldness wins the day it seems." She rested her head against his chest. She could hear his heart, or maybe it was her own.

They were at the water now, the little waves sweeping up to the Hiruma's feet. "The water's beautiful, with the sun reflecting off of it."

Short though it was, Akito savored every instant of it. Just as he savored the feeling of Suh-Hyun's head leaning against his chest. She might have heard his heart beat just a little faster.

There was another moment to savor, then. Akito turned his head, looking out over the water, at Suh-Hyun's soft words, even as he held her against him. "Yeah." He agreed, his voice soft, but rumbling against her head. "It's beautiful in the moonlight, too, but I think sunset is the best. The ocean is where I'd go to... I don't know. Think, maybe? Feel? It's a little funny to say..."

One more moment, and then he had to set her down, easing her onto her feet, his hand still warm on the small of her back. He gently guided her into the surf along the cliff wall, water rising up to their knees, pleasantly warm. "'S funny. I'd go to the ocean, imagine going other places. Then when I was there, I imagined myself back here. That's probably some kind of irony, right?"

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

Suh-Hyun slipped off her shoes to feel the wet sand an bare feet before following him out, "The water is warmer than I thought."

She laced her fingers with his and looked at him, "I understand. It's like those times I find myself in the void. Peaceful, like everything matters and nothing does. Like you can finally stop hearing all the noise around you and just...think as you said." Her hand squeezed his. "I don't think its funny at all, remember I am a Unicorn and wanderlust has been a common trait amongst us since Shinjo herself."

"Nor is it funny to long for home, I sometimes miss the New Hope Castle." She smiles and looks skyward, "But that desire to go out and see to fly always overtakes me."

She looks into his eyes, "Tell me what places you imagine Akito-san."

[Hiruma Akito]

For all his boldness, Akito was not entirely without his fears. Grateful relief flashed in his pale eyes as Suh-Hyun spoke. "Yeah." He breathed, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. "Maybe my ocean is like your void a bit." He took a deep breath, taking in the fresh sea air. "I'm glad you get what I mean, though. I had a feeling you would." He followed her gaze skyward, silent a moment.

Water reached their thighs; perhaps a little higher on Akito than on Suh-Hyun. His gaze softened as their eyes met, as he considered her question. "I imagined so many places. My brother's been to some of the cultural centers. I wanted to see other worlds. I heard about a Phoenix planet that's covered in fungus, and has birds kinda like ours, but even bigger. People ride 'em." He chuckled at the thought. "And a planet where the trees are so big people live inside them. And then space, too... we jumped within visual range of a nebula once. I wanted to go closer..."

They rounded the end of the cliff. And just around the corner, there was a little alcove, facing towards the ocean, sheltered on all other sides. Akito gave Suh-Hyun a smile. "And there's my spot. You wanna sit for a while, watch the sun on the ocean? Or we can just..." he gestured with his free hand, "...float." The water was calm, and a few steps would take them deeper.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

"I am okay with either choice," Suh-Hyun blushed and looked down, "It's very pretty but the company is what is making this night special."

She looked back up, "Yeah I heard about that Phoenix world, a pair of Unicorn pilots went out there for a miai. Apparently one of them met his wife while they were fighting off a big aquatic lizard. That story has been making the rounds for a few months. I pity the guy, once you get a reputation like that it never dies. Probably has a stack of plastic gag lizard toys." A small laugh escaped her lips.

"For all my travels, I have never actually been on many worlds." Her body shifted and brought her ever so slightly closer. "Seen several from orbit. Like jewels hanging in the night sky. Greens, blues, even reds and browns. Usually a mixture of all those colors and more. I...rarely even think about what they are like on the surface. Content to mostly admire the beauty from above."

Her smiled gained a hint of sadness and squeezed his hand, "...unfortunately for us soldiers all too often we only get to see those worlds whose beauty is being marred by battle. Even on this planet it seems both of us are here because of duty." She looked into his eyes, and found herself leaning closer. "But that's fine, duty may have sent me to this island but its not duty that brought me to this beach."

[Hiruma Akito]

Akito smiled gently. "Yeah... it really is..." He guided her to the little alcove, the pair sitting down together. The sand was comfortably cool, and orange light reflecting off the water seemed to dance around. The waves were gentle, but they could still be heard, lapping at the rock.

The story got a chuckle out of Akito, his handsome face lighting with humor. "No kidding? That's one hell of a meet-cute." chuckling again, he shook his head. "Giant aquatic lizard, how about that. We've got lava lizards and greatsharks here. Guess there's all kinds of creatures in our galaxy."

Akito wasn't sure who moved first, Suh-Hyun or him. All he knew is that she shifted, and he shifted, and suddenly they were closer. "And I only sometimes see the planets from space, stuck in a metal box. Then when I'm on them, I look up at the stars..." He gave her hand a squeeze. "I'd like to see them like you do sometime. A proper look from space." He trailed off, looking out at the ocean.

Then he turned back, his pale eyes soft as they met Suh-Hyun's. "It would be nice to see these places and not be under fire, someday, somehow." He said. His breath caught as Suh-Hyun leaned closer. "But for now, I'm glad duty brought us here..."

His arm slid around her waist as he kissed her again, deep and lingering, with rising passion.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun returned the kiss with equal passion, wrapping her arms behind his back. It felt like both a lifetime and a mere moment when their lips parted. Still embracing she smiled, then her eyes turned away, "I'm...well." She took a breath, "it's very warm in this cave for some reason Akito-san."

The Shinjo looked at him again and her smile gained a quality somewhere between embarrassment and playfulness. "I uh suspect we will be missing the sunset. Too many, distractions." She kissed him again...

[Hiruma Akito]

Suh-Hyun returned the kiss with equal passion, wrapping her arms behind his back. It felt like both a lifetime and a mere moment when their lips parted. Still embracing she smiled, then her eyes turned away, "I'm...well." She took a breath, "it's very warm in this cave for some reason Akito-san."

The Shinjo looked at him again and her smile gained a quality somewhere between embarrassment and playfulness. "I uh suspect we will be missing the sunset. Too many, distractions." She kissed him again...

Akito smiled into the kiss, but only for a moment, as he breathlessly kissed her again, and again, his hands stroking her back.

Breathing heavily, he parted for a moment, drawing back only an inch, their breath lingering. "There'll be another sunset tomorrow." He growled. "Right now, you deserve my full attention." He shifted, moving closer as they kissed again, lying her down...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was not quite full dark, but it was certainly on its way there. What light remained was a deeper red, and the larger of Green Carp's two moons was visible in the sky.

The two lay side by side; Akito was on his side, facing her, his arm draped over Suh-Hyun's waist. His eyes met hers again, and he couldn't help but grin, exhilarated, if perhaps fatigued.

"Hey..." He said, his voice soft, warm, his eyes alight.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"Hi, I'm Shinjo Suh-Hyun," She said in reply, a playful smile and tone managed to slip through her own fatigue. She grew more serious, "How are you feeling?"

Her eyes were peering into his, she was breathing at a measured pace. "...you look handsome in the moonlight. Fancy Formalwear."

Eventually she would sit up and pull her legs up to watch the final rays disappear. "I didn't expect this when we met on the boat." She shifted her seating to lean on Akito if he also sat up and then take his hand again in hers. "But...I'm glad."

[Hiruma Akito]

"Hi, I'm Shinjo Suh-Hyun," She said in reply, a playful smile and tone managed to slip through her own fatigue. She grew more serious, "How are you feeling?"

Her eyes were peering into his, she was breathing at a measured pace. "...you look handsome in the moonlight. Fancy Formalwear."

Eventually she would sit up and pull her legs up to watch the final rays disappear. "I didn't expect this when we met on the boat." She shifted her seating to lean on Akito if he also sat up and then take his hand again in hers. "But...I'm glad."

Well, Akito couldn't help but laugh at the joke. His smile turned gentle again at her question. "I honestly can't remember feeling better. You?"

Another moment to savor. "And you look especially gorgeous... Horse General." Akito sat up as Suh-Hyun did, shifting to let her lean against him. He smiled as she took his hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I'm glad too. Very glad." He kissed the top of her head gently. "Maybe I didn't expect this... but I'll admit, I wanted it from pretty much the first words out of your mouth. Wanted you, I mean. And a bit more every amazing or silly thing you did. They both worked on me." He grinned, giving her hand another squeeze.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"Amazing and silly?" Suh-Hyun half snorted and half laughed, feeling around with her free hand she found her sunglasses and put them on, "You mean amazing and cool." She had to laugh at herself at that and the sunglasses came off.

"I'd say, I tagged you as one of those swaggering braggarts from our first meeting," She adjusted her head, "Not the bad sort, the assholes just looking to add to a tally. More a goofy sort of fellow playing at being suave."

The Unicorn shifted her head to look at him, her chin on his shoulder, "But you're wittier then that and more sensitive then that gruff exterior let's on." She kissed Akito's cheek softly. "And somehow despite that still just bold and reckless enough to keep things exciting. That first kiss I was torn between slapping you and well...you know what ultimately happened that night."

She let silence hang there for a moment, listening to the waves. "I never did get to see your work." Suh-Hyun grinned again, "I think if this was one of those romance stories this would be the part where I said something corny like 'Paint me like one of your Crane girls.'"