#aster blooms

brushing loose hair behind your lover's ear

the gentle tenderness and care... deep yearning from the barest brush of skin... wanting to ask for more but being unsure... you spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not you will find love, and sometimes aren’t even sure if romance is something worth pursuing. you have spent so long being on your own, you simply struggle to picture yourself beside another person. perhaps you even secretly worry that you are too much for another person. it it important to not think of yourself as someone unlovable, as you are just as deserving of romance as any. however, it is also important to not place your value on relationships; you are a complete person on your own.

Tagged by: @mayonakanosakura​ (thanks)

Hesistant, but touches

Backs off (because still scared) But (almost) always comes back for more

Gets comfortable

“Might be a bit insulting if it wasn't so adorable that she walked for the dog before she walked to us. Koro-chan is really showing us up." The small child found interest in her first attempt at walking, but not to her or Shinji. A B line made between them towards the shiba-inu that seemed more than happy to receive hugs and a eager pat to the side of his head.

A quiet shocked expression gives way to a gentle half-smile.  She’s right, he’d definitely feel hurt that Sayuri wobbled her way over to anyone besides her parents.  However, as per usual, Koromaru is an exception to the rules.  

“I don’t blame her.  I would have done the same if I were in her position” 

Their daughter babbles at the pooch who happily barks back.  Sayuri giggles before patting Koromaru on the top of his head babbling what Shinji can only assume is her way of saying Koromaru’s name.

"Ha--well, I hope you didn't just force yourself to come just because of me alone, Shinji. I just kinda like the idea of being able to go to school with you. Probably the closest I've ever had to a childhood friend too in just moving through life together." Ah, but she shouldn't be sounding so sappy in front of him. There was a small, grin as she put her hands behind her back, "Besides, you look really good in the school uniform too you know?"

“If I remember correctly I didn’t force myself to come back at all.  Someone-” he gently nudges her arm  “was very persuasive.”

It’s been a few weeks since he’d made his debut return to school much to the shock of both teachers and students.  While the novelty of his return has since worn off rumors about their relationship still remains a hot topic amongst the various groups of students they walk past.

He lets out a dry soft laugh at her compliment hoping it’ll mask the faint twinge of pink that shades his cheeks.

Much as she'd liked to be getting up with it being Christmas, Makoto had been more than content in just snuggling up with him under a thick, blanket to escape any chill with arms wrapped around him with head tucked into his chest. The hanging white lights hung on the walls illuminating the room to help keep it dim.

As the Solstice ends winter truly begins and hits Port Island with the coldest Christmas in years.  Shinji stirs as he feels the senshi’s toes run up and down his foot.  Eyes lazily blink open and glance down at a peaceful Makoto wrapped tight around him with head resting against his chest.

The pale white lights fade in and out, on and off at random giving the room and faint shimmer, as music softly plays from the nearby radio.  It’s been almost a year.  The first person he saw when he woke up then is the first person he sees now.

“She never left you know” the nurse told him after they whisked her out of the room to do evaluations before flicking her head to the cot and stack of books in the corner.  “We’re actually not supposed to allow that sort of thing.  Even had security try to escort her out and everything.  You better be grateful.  She really loves you you know.”

Eyes move from Makoto to the nightstand;  Five-thirty.  They should really get out of bed, it’d be good time to start dinner.  He gives pause though as his gaze falls on a framed photo.  It shows Makoto dressed in a pastel green yukata standing beside Shinji who’s gaze isn’t fixated on the camera like hers is, rather on her.  This was the first shot they’d taken, the one he’d demanded they do over.  He didn’t know for the longest time that this was the one she ended up selecting.

Lips crease into a soft smile as he shifts a bit before wrapping his arms around Makoto and kisses her forehead.  Dinner could wait.  It was cold outside of their little cocoon after all and the warmth her body brings and the way she clings to him isn’t making it any easier.  

Her hand slides up his stomach, along his chest and neck to cup the side of his face as she leans up gingerly pressing her lips to his as she presses herself up against him a little more convincing him to not get out of bed.  

Or, send ❤️ to have our muses play the Pocky Game.

“You want me to do what?!?!?!”

Cheeks flush a deep crimson as he blinks a few times to make sure he’s not seeing things but nope, the sight remains the same.  Standing before him is a certain flustered brunette with a box of Pocky in hand.

“F-forget it!” she yells, turning away.

This was so unlike her.  He’s never really seen her like this before.  She’s one of the few girls at school that’s actually interested in running around and playing with the boys.  It’s no small feat that she’s able to keep up with him and Aki so he's always...kind of...thought of her as one of the boys?  She’s definitely flipped him on his ass more than once before.

His arm shoots out, taking her by the wrist.

“Waitwaitwait. Um...I guess it’d be okay...if you want...” his voice getting quieter as embarrassment sinks in.

His heart’s racing as she waits expectantly with eyes shut.  That’s not fair!  Why should he be the only one that has to look?  Still...maybe its not all bad.  At least this way she can’t see how nervous he is.  He takes a deep breath and steps in till their shoes are touching before leaning forward.  The whole point was to get as much of the Pocky as possible...right?

Further and further forward he leans until her soft lips brush against his.

“!!!” the shock makes him bite down, breaking the cookie before pulling back.  “T-there I did i-OI HEY! WHAT GIVES?!”

In between her swings he hears something about taking her first kiss and he wasn’t supposed to actually kiss her.  Something else about her heart not being ready.

“I’M SORRY! I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET ALL THE POCKY I SWEAR!”

Pinches his cheeks. 

Eyes rise from the magazine in hand and narrow suspiciously as the senshi coyly approaches with a wicked grin on her lips.  

“What’re you doi-OI HEY!”  

Magazine goes flying as she lunges at him and before he can react she’s knocked him on his back, straddling his waist as she pinches his cheeks.  He finally manages to get his arms up to shield himself from her affectionate assault and just as quickly as it starts, it ends.  Makoto jumping off him and walking to the bedroom with a bounce in her step humming as she goes.

He sits up, readjusting his beanie and picking up his magazine.

"Mm? I'm serious it is." It never really came up before until he asked now what her favorite dish was. Her response? Rice. "Doesn't disturb any other dishes and I like to have it when I haven't for some time. Really just the perfect staple for any food honestly. Oh! And I guess next to that would be a western dish, meatloaf." Yeah, she's simple leave her alone.

Rice?  She’s serious?  The Hierophant huffs in frustration, shaking his head and standing.  Honestly, he can’t believe her.  Of course, of all the dishes she could say it had to be rice.  Rice.  She’s not wrong of course.  Rice is largely a complimentary dish to...well, everything.  It was economical, lasted a long time, could be easily dressed up or down to fit very nearly any occasion but-

“Makoto I can’t make you just rice for our anniversary there has to be something el-”

Wait...

“!!!”

Cheeks ignite as he realizes what he’s just let slip.  There’s no recovery, what he said could be heard clear as day.  Plans fucking ruined.

“T-tch...forget I said anything!” he stutters out, stealing a glance her way to see a bemused expression on her lips