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Y-yeah. You're...you're right. It means a lot, actually.

[ She sniffles in between words, and her face is definitely deeply buried in his shoulder. If she could put into words how grateful she is for Levi, she would, but it doesn't seem like anything she could say would ever be good enough. She knew she'd been craving this, affection and genuine love and care, but she didn't think it'd be this good.

This is more than just a craving, though. This is a miracle, Kara thinks. A lot of things needed to happen for them to get to this point in the time that they did, and she's so, so happy they did. Levi is truly the best thing that's ever happened to her.

After a moment, Kara lifts her head and reaches for the hand on her back. Gently, she guides it to her lips, where she presses a soft kiss to his knuckles. She pulls back slightly, closes her eyes again but keeps his hand in both of hers, and holds it with care. ]

I don't even know where to begin with how much I like you, Levi. I'm going to do my best to do this right.

[ "This" meaning...whatever this is. Whatever's happening between them, because it's good. ]

[Levi breathes a gentle sigh of relief as he continues to stroke her hair. His words seem to have come across how he hoped they would.

Though surprised, he allows her to move his hand...and his lip quivers ever so slightly over how tenderly she kisses it- how she holds it as though it were a treasure. It really does feel like a miracle. He can't believe he'd ever meet someone who would care for him this much outside of his family. He cares about this same person in equal measure, and a desire to protect the happiness she thought she'd never have again takes root within his heart.

He curls his fingers against Kara's hand.]

What you're doing says more than enough to me. Words are hard, anyway. Signed, the shut-in with crippling social anxiety.

[Kara really broke through those barriers, though. Almost expertly, Levi would argue.

That's just one of many things he loves about her already.]

No. Signed...the best person I know.

[ She means that, with all her heart. She leans forward and places her forehead on his shoulder. She breathes in quietly, gently brushes her thumbs over the back of his hand, and squeezes it. ]

I'm really happy, you know.

[ She looks up at him and presses her lips to his cheek, like he'd done for her earlier. ]

Being with you -- um...here, with you, I mean... It means more to me than I can ever say.

Kara... [Levi laughs, though he almost sounds a little choked up.] Y-You're gonna make me blush...

["Going to", like he isn't blushing already. Deeply, at that.

He nuzzles up to her after she goes in for that sweet little kiss.]

There's nowhere I'd rather be. Seriously, there isn't. [He doesn't seem to have caught that change of phrase. For now, at least.] No time spent watching anime or gaming could top this.

[He may as well be spouting utter blasphemy as an otaku for saying something like that. This is, by all accounts, supreme normie activity. But boy is he ever glad he couldn't care less.]

Edited 2023-08-23 06:30 (UTC)

Heh, really? That's high praise, coming from you...

[ She nuzzles him right on back and brushes her nose against his. She gently brushes her hand along his back, looks at him with the most affection she can manage. ]

Nothing beats this, though. You're right.

[ Kara leans in for another kiss, chaste and sweet. She closes her eyes and leans into it ever so slightly, and when she pulls away, she gives him an extra kiss to his nose. ]

Heheh. [He puts a prideful little spin on that chuckle.] I know. It's true, though!

[And if it's this good in a hyper-realistic VR game, he seriously can't wait to experience the real thing. He'll never complain about the 3D world again.

He eagerly returns her kiss, reaching over to cup her cheek with the hand that was in her hair. The chaser kiss on his nose makes him giggle. He feels so warm and happy- it's such an unfamiliar but welcome sensation.]

Imagine how good it'll be to cuddle and watch anime at the same time.

[Is that him now openly daydreaming about Kara visiting? Maybe.]

Haha, already thinking about me visiting?

[ She's going to call him on it...because it's so cute. ]

I'll make it a whole trip – how about this week? Is that too soon?

[ She starts idly playing with his hair, and her fingers gently brush against the back of his neck. ]

Either way, it'll be nice to do all of this for real. [ ... ] And I'll make your first kiss even more official.

Ah-! [He feels his face burning up again.] Eheh...y-yeah.

[With the big worries laid bare, he's not so scared about making this an IRL Thing. it doesn't stop his heart from racing, though.]

You don't have to drop everything for me so suddenly, b-but...it should work. I'll ask my brother if you can stay with us for a bit. Hopefully he doesn't make a huge deal out of me wanting to have company over...

[Not because Lucas would be against it or anything, but because it's never happened before. Levi the shut-in with zero friends, suddenly having a girl stay over for a few days? Is the world ending?

Anyway, he shoves all of that out of the forefront of his thoughts for now.]

I can't wait. I- I wanna kiss you IRL so bad. [It's hard not to look embarrassed about how eager he is, but hopefully Kara doesn't mind.] We can go on Mononoke Land walks, a-and visit a really good café I go to with Barrett a lot...

If he does, it's okay. We'll make it work somehow.

[ Hotels exist if they need to go that route!!!

But no, Levi is adorable. She can't help but giggle at his eagerness, as well as his date ideas. When was the last time she's been this excited to see someone? She can't recall. ]

I'd like that! I'll even trade some Monokemon with you. And you won't have to worry about a shortage of kisses.

[ Another laugh, then: ]

You think your brothers will mind that you've got a ... [ Hm. ] A good friend coming over?

["A good friend."

Levi's brain seems to halt for a moment as the topic comes back around to their relationship status. It's probably how he would introduce Kara, but is that really what they are? Is this moving too fast?

...

He wants to ask, but he's too afraid to. He doesn't want to overstep and ruin what they have now.]

I don't think they'll mind, it's more... They'll never let me hear the end of it. They'll tease me 'til the end of time.

[And he will die (not serious).]

Mostly they'll be surprised. I...haven't made any friends since we moved out to California.

[ A part of her wonders when they'll cement their relationship, but for now, this is fine. They can be good friends falling in love, who kiss and go on dates and cuddle sometimes. It's fine!! ]

Oh! In that case, I'll just have to protect you and insist that we're just classmates doing some studying together. I can be super convincing!

How does that sound?

Um...

[It'd be a fine cover, yeah...but...

He shakes his head and smiles at her.]

It's okay. I can deal with a little embarrassment, because I'm happy to be able to tell them I made a friend. A really, really special one.

[Maybe he'll tell her about his excited text to Barrett sometime. Would she find that flattering?]

Oh...

[ That makes her incredibly happy. She grins and gives him an approving nod. (Also, please tell her about that text. She'll be very happy to hear it.) ]

That's much better, then. I'll gladly accept that, because you're special to me, too.

[ The hand in his hair moves around to gently brush against his cheek. ]

So...stay with me, okay? I'm not going to let you go.

[When Kara says things like that, he can't help but feel his heart leap into his throat. His cheek is incredibly warm against her hand as he sheepishly casts his glance to the side.

He's still afraid, but he can't take it anymore. He's going to explode if he doesn't ask.]

Hey, Kara? If you ask me to stay with you, and I really badly wanna stay with you...and keep kissing you and cuddling with you...

That's like...c-couple stuff, right?

[The moment the words leave his mouth, he stammers:]

I-If this is moving too fast, tell me! I know we only just had our first date...!

[ She looks a little surprised by his declaration, but after a moment, she laughs again. ]

It really has only been one date, huh? I don't know why, but it feels like I've known you for much longer, and like we've gone on ten dates already.

[ She's blushing, but she looks happy. Incredibly so. ]

I mentioned this earlier, but I don't care how fast or slow we go. I just like being with you, and that's enough for me. So if you're not ready, it's okay if we wait. But if you want to make it official, I'm fine with that, too.

I know exactly what you mean. I feel like...even though it hasn't been that long, I've already learned so much about you. A-And the more I learn, the deeper I fall...

["Fall"? Though he doesn't finish that thought, it probably isn't hard to tell where he was going with it.

After a moment of consideration, he swallows his fears and allows himself some courage.]

You're my really, really special friend...so girlfriend just feels right to me. Don't you think so too?

[He said it out loud. Him. With a girlfriend.

Wow.]

I think it sounds perfect.

[ She gently touches her forehead to his, and looks at him with nothing short of...love, is it? She couldn't say. All she knows is that her heart is filled with affection towards him. ]

I'd love to be your girlfriend. It makes sense, since I keep falling for you, too.

Edited (OMG not me hitting enter too early) 2023-08-23 19:53 (UTC)

Eheh... [Giddy laughter begins to bubble up from deep within him. It surprises him, but he doesn't make an effort to stop it.] Eheheh!

[He can't help himself. He's completely over the moon.

He excitedly tips his head to go in for another kiss. He holds it for longer than intended, and pulls back when the realization finally hits him.]

S-Sorry! I'm just so happy. Thank you! [He's absolutely beaming.] I promise I'll be a boyfriend you can be proud of, Kara.

[ She returns the kiss just as eagerly, and when they part, it's her turn to start laughing. She's so happy and feels so light, and she shakes her head. ]

Levi, don't be silly! You already are.

[ Kara gets in closer and leans in for another kiss. It lingers, and her hand searches for his so she can hold it again. He's so warm. She hopes she can remember this for the rest of her life. ]

[She's proud of him.

It's so rare and precious to feel valued, he...

Honestly? It's enough for tears to well up in his eyes. He blinks them back and sniffles once they separate from another kiss.]

Then...! [As she takes his hand, he links their fingers and squeezes.] I'll have to maintain it! I won't let you down!

You won't. I believe in you.

[ Her smile turns warm as she reaches up to gently brush her thumb over the corner of his eye. She cried in front of him. It's only fair that she allows him to do the same. ]

Thank you for everything, Levi. I'm very excited to see what's in store for us!

Thank you...

[The tears don't last long, but they make their point. This is an immensely happy time for the both of them, and a much-needed relief from the sorrows that have plagued them.

He snuggles up close to her, content to hold her close until the two of them are forced to part and log off for the night.]

Me too.

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