It was easy to pick out the sound of footsteps other than her own in her forest — she knew the sounds of it better than her own heartbeat; the flap of a wing and subsequent chorus of avian cries, the scuttle of a frantic squirrel or low grumble of a fiend put off from her wanderings ( those having known for some time that she was not one to be trifled with, not another mortal traveler they could pick out from between their teeth; she was long used to the beasts of the forests giving her and her clearing a wide berth ) — such sounds were as steady as the thrum of the blood in her veins.
On top of all that, he didn’t seem to be trying to disguise his presence, his everpresent swagger far off the beat from her own quick determination.
She turned slowly, locking eyes with him, one hand steady on her shoulder bag, giving him a disparaging glance before shifting her weight to one hip and canting her head to that side.
❝How long do you plan on following me, Axel?❞
His smirk was already painted upon his lips by the time she turned, and he leaned upon one leg just as she did in a manner that could very well have been mocking, lifting one hand to sculpt his words in the air.
❝Long as it takes for me to figure out what you’re up to.❞
❝And why do you care?❞
❝There’s a difference between caring and being curious, sunshine.❞ Stepping forward, he lifted a slim brow, expression of bemusement never fading in the slightest. ❝You just walk around a dangerous forest all the time? Or— not dangerous for you,❞ he added rather pointedly, gesturing his head toward a nearby set of glowing eyes that shrank back into the shadows the moment the demi-Sorceress’ cerulean hues alighted upon it.
With an exhale, the blonde seemed to deflate, the tension she had summoned in her form dissipating in defeat — fine; she would entertain him. His presence wouldn’t alter her training, anyway. Shrugging off the strap of her shoulder bag and gently tossing it to the trunk of a tree at her side, she moved toward it and began surveying the branches.
❝This is where I train. I’ve always come here — ever since I transferred to Balamb in the first place. It was the only place where people wouldn’t go, so I could use my magic without worrying — about people seeing, about hurting anybody…❞ She let her voice trail off, stepping on the roots of the tree and moving about the trunk, setting her hands here and there, testing the bark and various footholds.
She could practically feel Axel’s eyes on her back, watching her as she undoubtedly looked silly. ❝Fair enough — but that doesn’t look like magic you’re practicing.❞
The slightest roll of her eyes, but she did manage a slight smile. ❝Nope — I’m trying more acrobatic stuff now. No magic, no weapons; just me.❞ Letting out a grunt, she pushed herself up, using her hands and feet to stabilize her as she grabbed the lowest hanging branch and slowly hoisted herself up. Her body retained its ballerina’s grace, back straight, toes pointed, knees never bending — practically a gymnast in her movements until she sat upon the thick oak branch, facing the pyromancer with a winded grin, one hand reaching up to rake through her hair, golden locks having fallen over her face.
❝There! Stuff like that.❞
His grin was certainly a bit wider, though his arms were crossed, brow yet lifted, observing her in a way that just had to be mocking in some way. Her exuberant expression fell, lips parting, staring at him with eyes caught somewhere between exhilaration, disappointment, and indignation. ❝What? That was good! You can’t say that wasn’t good.❞
❝No, no — it was good.❞ He waved his hands to try and dispel what she had inferred, stepping toward where she sat a few feet above him. ❝I just mean — you just climbed a tree. It looked cool, but… you know.❞
❝That’s a big deal for me, okay?❞ Leaning forward, she caught the way he almost laughed at what her face must have looked like: cheeks still flushed from the effort it took to control her body so strictly, eyes filled with irritation and disbelief, clothes wrinkled and covered in woodland debris. ❝I don’t have, like, any upper body strength — all my physical combat training in the Gardens was about how fast I am, and just staying away from the enemy because I couldn’t take on anybody in a real fight. This is— It’s a big deal.❞ Pursing her lips in finality, she moved, setting her hands on the branch.
❝I believe you — I do. Good job, sunshine. Like I said — it looked cool.❞
❝Thank you,❞ she practically sighed out, turning to her side and sucking in a breath before dropping her hands, leaning her weight backward, tensing her bent knees until she hung from the branch by her legs, layered ends of flaxen hair just feet from the ground.
Axel’s upside down face grinned, letting out a quiet scoff, just stopping himself from rolling his eyes. ❝This part of your training, too?❞
❝Hush. This is for fun!❞ Beaming, she closed her eyes, letting herself enjoy the feeling before gravity brought all the blood to her head, and then— footsteps again, and she didn’t think anything of it until it was too late, and she felt leather against her cheek and his lips against her own, gentle but insistent and shockingly warm. His kiss muffled a whimper from her, and she started, eyes opening wide, hanging arms flailing as her muscles went slack and she couldn’t stop herself from—
❝Ack!❞ ❝Ugh!❞ K—shhhhhhhhh…………….
The leaves rustled against each other in the wind, falling about the entangled couple in a loose pile of the orange and yellow fronds. The blonde lay upon the Nobody’s lap, palm pressed hard into the dirt, while his own hands clasped tight about her waist, keeping her flush against him — however, his face told naught of the woman in his grasp, but only of the pain of being slammed between her and the unforgiving forest floor.
❝Aughhhhhh… Geez, what was that for?❞
❝You—!! You surprised me!❞ Leaning forward, she brushed the dirt off her hands before inspecting him; upon finding no wounds, she instead settled for pressing her palms to his chest, letting a soft and gentle wave of healing pulse through his body until his aching subsided. ❝You can’t just… do that out of nowhere.❞
❝And why not?❞ The blonde’s eyes lifted to meet emerald shining with mischief, as if he hadn’t just suffered pain on account of her clumsiness. ❝I wanted to.❞
❝Well, I didn’t—❞
❝Bullshit.❞
Gloved hands tightened just so about her waist, fingertips smooth and deliberate against the curve of her back, pulling her closer against him and capturing her lips once more, along with whatever other false protest she could come up with. Yet another whimper, the slightest pull of resistance, attempts to argue dismissed within seconds as she, finally, gave in. Long lashes dusted her flushing cheeks and she canted her head, hands sliding up from his chest to rest upon his shoulders, drinking in his smoke.
Axel definitely tried to put up a fight against the grip of the other.
Gah. So there was no possible way he was just gonna get out of this and sleep for the rest of this hopeless holiday?
Apparently not.
So he gave in, and ended up seated beside Mo on the ground. And after another moment of him pulling his face away from the incoming chocolate, Axel accepted the treat. A few flavours reach his tastebuds, and he cringes, glancing over at Molimo.
”I think that was Orange Cream. I…don’t think I’m a fan.”
The redhead follows Mo’s lead and chooses a random one, holding it up for the Walker.
”They’re your chocolates. Your turn.”
Without hesitation, Mo leaned forward and nabbed the chocolate with both hands still supporting the giant box it'd came from and barely missing nomming on the Nobody's finger. He chewed thoughtfully, tilting his head from side to side every few seconds or so.
"I think it was one of those with the white fluff inside... Mmm, ooh, I like it!!"
Still finishing it off, the Walker regarded the confections again; so there were ones that Axel didn't like? He wasn't sure that was possible, but he supposed he ought to be more careful choosing, in that case.
"...mmm.... how 'bout-- ooh, no, nuhuh.... mm- oohooh, what about-- err. Maybe not... I don't think that one.... mmm--"
He wants to cringe at the cat she’s holding in her arms. It takes a great deal for him to resist that urge, actually. And it’s name is Axel, of all things. How could anything that…disturbing looking share his name? Pff.
”Where…did you find that thing — er, that cat?”
The trash?
A sewer?
Dug it back out of the grave?
Demi hadn't noticed how disgusted Axel was, yet. The cat kept cuddling into her chest, making her smile. The cat in most likely gross looking and perverted to be totally honest.
❝ I found him at the park! He was stuck in a tree and I climbed up a got him! ❞
Which is most likely why her knees are all scratched up.
There were a few things wrong with the situation. One, it was raining. Axel and water weren’t exactly compatible…but he would deal. Two? Number two was the fact that he was out of his comfort zone completely. He was never really good at comforting anyone else. But Demi sat there with her knees drawn to her chest as she sat on that park bench (the very same they’d met at) and tears rolled down her cheeks, flowing like the raindrops from the clouds above. He’d wordlessly taken his jacket off and rested it around her shoulders, and then sat beside her, still remaining silent.
What could he say? This was hardly the first time he’d sat beside her while she cried. And he never knew what to do. He wanted to go beat the shit out of her father, truth be told. But he also didn’t want to scare Demi. So he was at a stalemate.
But after a few more moments, Demi always stood up and quietly said she’d go back home. (Axel doubted if she actually did, or if she just fled to another area.) This time, when she stood, he did too. She’d hand him his jacket back and insist that she needed to go.
This time, Axel tossed his jacket aside, cupped Demi’s face in one hand and leaned in to kiss her gently on the lips, breaking for air, and then kissing her once more.
"You need to be okay, Demi. If you’re not okay, you don’t need to go. I’ll stay if you need me to."
At least he’d found the words to say.
Demi should be used to it at this point, the way her father treated her. One second he could be sitting and ignoring her.. The next he would be a ball of rage taking out all his problem out on her via his fists and harsh blows. She didn't understand, why he did it. He always said it was because she was the reason her step mother left them but... She didn't believe it. She seemed fine, she seemed so happy. Yet, one day she was just gone. It didn't make sense to her. How could she just leave when she was so happy with her life it seemed. She loved her husband, she loved Demi even though she wasn't normal and wasn't her real daughter. One day their was love, and the next Demi didn't even know what love was anymore.
It was one of those days, where her step father took all his hate out on her. It left fresh bruises on her body, and a solid swollen cheek that would soon be a bruise. She hated to cry, and it was something she never did in front of others but... She found herself in tears as the rain fell around her and Axel. Her life was such a mess, she was so confused and she didn't understand why any of this was happening. What was she? Why did he hurt her? Why was life so hard? Why could she just be normal like everyone else? It wasn't fair, and she felt like such a child as she cried about it... It was strange. She didn't notice it but... As soon as years started to fall from her eyes, they started to fall from the sky as well. She wasn't expecting everything that happened next, the way he came closer and suddenly laid kisses against her lips. Why did he even want to kiss someone like her? She didn't understand. She was just... In the way.
❝ What if... It's never okay...? What if... Life is always like this? ❞
Her big eyes looked up at him, full of fear and tears as she spoke the words that always pained her. The words that she never wanted to be true... But really... What if he life was always going to be like this?
Look at all the great ooc posts on my dash (\owo/) Why u gotta make them when I'm curled up in bed to take a nap and I'm on mobile and I can't respond ur nerds
