closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

[garudas]

Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman.
Status: Closed.
Where: Around places.
What: Cid and Benedikta follow a lead and sneak into a fancy holiday party. Event stuff TBA.
Warnings: it's them, what do you want from me



🥂 🎄 ❄️

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[garudas]

[She makes a muffled noise into his jacket at that.

No, they do not need to wonder, nor should they if they were smart enough... but surely there are other people looking for him. Not that it matters, she wishes to keep him all to herself right now.]

Of course you do.

[With an exasperated roll of her eyes, she sighs and leans back to look up at him, and she brushes some now out of his hair.]

You will never do things halfway, will you?

[ramuhs]

[Just a nonchalant shrug and smug grin.]

If it's something worth doing, may as well see it all the way through.

[And since she's already being cute and leaning up towards him, he will close the gap to kiss her gently on the lips.]

[garudas]

[That sweet little kiss surprises her, her eyes wider when they pull back from one another.]

And this is something worth doing...

[She echoes that sentiment quietly, her heart filling with an embarrassed sort of joy. She may never get used to this sort of thing, being so spoiled by him that she does not know what to do with herself.]

... Then... let us head back so that I might see what you have.

[Her free hand takes his, wrapping around it securely.]

And our poor driver is probably so very cold.

[ramuhs]

[She continues to be so very adorable when she reacts with such surprise, which also amuses him because it's just a kiss? They've shared so many now. Of course he knows that he surprised her and he can see that joy and warmth that's threatening to overwhelm her, so he just squeezes her hand as he leads her back.]

Who, Stephen? He'll be fine, the man's built like a bear. But I did give him a little heating pack as compensation.

[garudas]

[He is being far too sweet... and this is not even a date.

She glances at Stephen as they approach the sleigh again and then out to the view that is no longer obstructed by the trees, and she nudges him with her shoulder.]

Perhaps when the celebrations are over, you and I can come back up here on our own. Before spring comes.

[ramuhs]

Aye, we can come out here whenever you wish. With or without a driver.

[A subtle wink to imply that he would be happy to take them out himself next time, or use another means entirely if needed.]

[garudas]

[She catches onto his several different meanings, and it draws a small laugh and a wider smile out of her, their fellow crewmate eyeing them both as they climb back onto the sleigh, Benedikta all giggles. It is not something that others see every day or very often, so Stephen just stares at her, bewildered for a moment.]

We are heading back. Try to take the long way, if you can.

[If there is a long way.

She gets comfortable, sliding the blanket back over their legs once Cid is seated with her, and she picks up her cider again. Her voice lowers as she leans closer, even if Stephen can still definitely hear.]

I would like some more time alone.

[ramuhs]

[There's just a long, drawn out sigh from the poor man as he acquiesces, but he can't help a rueful smile, either. It's good for the two to be getting along well, right???

Cid will just chuckle as he settles in, an arm around her shoulders as he pulls her in close. From there, the two will enjoy that "long way" back, the sleigh ride taking them down a circular path back instead of going directly the way they came. It takes down the hill, following the ridge so they can still see some of that view before it disappears behind the tall line of snow covered trees, even going through a path with trees lining on either side. Aside from their own quiet chatter, it's a quiet, peaceful ride—idyllic, even—one they likely would have never have imagined even back in their world.

On occasion Stephen would point out some things that have been discovered in their time on the island, a way down to the frozen over lake to their left, a tunnel that could lead back to the caves, a path that eventually leads to some fields that they developed that should be ready to plant come spring. Most of this Cid already knew or at least heard about, but it's still nice to know. They'll even catch a glimpse of some gryphons flying overhead, perhaps out for a hunt or heading to where the guests might be to bother them.

But there were longer stretches where he could just hug Benedikta close, reach over to hold her hand, and just...be happy and content. After everything they had been through in the past few months, to be able to the end the year doing something as simple and peaceful as this feels like a true blessing. To feel hopeful that this is just one of many such moments they will be able to share. Moments that although must have taken over an hour by now, when they see the main entrance to the cavern system he can't help but feel a little wistful and thinking it over too soon.]

[garudas]

[The ride back is pleasant. Far too pleasant that she wishes that it would not end, as they laugh and whisper sweet things amongst themselves, sharing one another's ciders and huddling up together under the blankets. She watches as the gryphons fly overhead, explaining to Cid that they are searching for an entrance into the tunnels, from what she could hear. She watches as the moon sparkles in the reflection of the water when the trees clear enough that the view reveals itself again. And she peppers his face with kisses to keep themselves warm for the rest of the ride back.

When the caves come back into view, she makes a small noise that sounds like a whine. The chocobos come to a stop, and she makes a face when she hears the sounds coming from inside. The music, the laughter, the singing...]

Must I go back inside...

[It's such a stark contrast to the quieter outdoors, where it is just them, the birds, and the snow.]

[ramuhs]

[There's just a quiet laugh at her little whine, knowing how she is, especially now that he's spoiled her.]

Just for a little while. I'll bother you again soon enough.

[Said with a playful wink.]

[garudas]

Wait...

[Her arm tightens around his.]

Where are you going?

[ramuhs]

I have to prepare for your next surprise...

[And then a small laugh as he finds her clinging to him cute.]

But I can be with you a while yet.

[garudas]

You need to leave to prepare for my next surprise?

[She narrows her eyes at him, suspicious, but she relents anyway.]

If you must, then so be it... But you could at least be a gentleman and walk me back inside. Perhaps fetch me more cider while you are at it.

[Her hand comes up to offer it to him.]

[ramuhs]

[He will gladly take her hand and loop it round his arm, pulling her of course.]

As if I could ever reject my lady's request.

[And with another laugh he'll escort her to the entrance, but there won't be any urgency in their pace. It will be a slow one, one so they can take their time to enjoy the walk back through the snow.]

[garudas]

[With a wave to Stephen and the chocobos, she allows him—and fully expects him—to escort her back. The walk itself isn't a long one by any means, but by the time they arrive at the entrance, there are snowflakes in their hair, their laughter ringing through the tunnels that anyone nearby will no doubt hear.

But as they approach the entrance, she pauses, and her gaze wanders up.]

... What is that?

[A small hangs at the top of the archway, berries and leaves brushing gently in the wind.]

I do not recall that being there on our way out.

[ramuhs]

[Still all smiles, he looks up and contemplates for a moment before he remembers.]

I believe it's that mistletoe plant. Someone must have put it up there.

[He then grins as he looks at her.]

They say you must kiss whoever you're standing with while beneath it.

[garudas]

[Her head whips around to him in surprise.]

Well, if you had not said that, I would have guessed that this was another one of your surprises.

[She narrows her eyes at him, then at the plant, as if it had just called her a very rude name.]

And what if we were stuck beneath it with someone else?

[ramuhs]

I believe it can be flexible. A kiss on the cheek or hand, or even a hug.

[garudas]

[There's a very obvious lift of her brow.]

I am not sure I like any of the other options better if they were to come from someone else.

... And what are the consequences for not?

[Because she doesn't trust it!!!]

[ramuhs]

[He can see what she's thinking and he just chuckles.]

It's just a little tradition of the season, Benna, not some spell or curse. You could just walk away without any harm.

[As far as he knows, anyway. While it had been tempting to trick her into thinking something really would happen, he doesn't want her hiding away even more.]

[garudas]

Oh.

[A soft sound of realization as she tears her eyes away from it, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.]

Well, let us keep going then.

[ramuhs]

[He knew she would so there is just a sly smile.]

I onlu said you could.

[His arm then wraps around her waist to spin her around to him as they stand beneath the little plant that just waves a little in the cool wind that passes through.]

And for "someone else."

[garudas]

[This is exactly what she thought he would do, and exactly what she was hoping he would do. She laughs, the sound of it echoing through the rocky corridor stretching out in front of them, and her arms naturally wrap around him in return.]

Oh, so you get to receive special treatment, do you?

[ramuhs]

Of course.

Unless I should be giving someone else special treatment?

[garudas]

[Before he can get much further with that thought, she captures his lips with her own, stealing him for a firm, almost possessive kiss.]

I think not. I will not have a little weed dictating that. So I suppose you should watch where you are stepping.