shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

[Better.]

[When he said that, she realized...just how true that could be. It wasn't even about the name. Not really. It was the lies and the secrecy that had come with it. The knowledge that, no matter how genuine her feelings for him had become over time, the start of their relationship had been a farce. She'd had a single objective. To get the necklace. For her homicidal sister, who had used him as an alibi.]

[But there was no Dahlia in between them now. He knew the whole story. She knew his whole story. And now, he was telling her...he still wanted them to be together. Like before, only better.]

[And you know what?]

...yes.

[She did too.]

I...it's what I want, Feenie. This. Us.

[That's right. This time, they really knew each other. All of those secrets and fabrications were behind them now. And Phoenix had vanquished every last doubt. All that remained afterwards were Phoenix's own feelings, simple and pure, revived like his namesake after he thought that he had set them aside years ago.

Phoenix's smile might never have been warmer as she confirms that.]

Really?! {As if any part of her answer was a surprise.] I... um.... Yes! I'm - I'm glad you feel the same Iris!

So... let's do it! This whole, dating thing!

[She smiled up at him--one of her bright, warm, true smiles--and nodded her head, and...]

[...and realized that, in that moment, very little changed. She knew how she felt about him and could now say, with all certainty, that he felt the same way...but she wasn't quite as surprised or taken aback as she thought she would be. Because, in some ways, a part of her had already known.]

[The way he'd looked at her back at Hazakura Temple. The way he'd looked at her again, later, when visiting her at the Detention Center. The way he looked at her yet again when they met up again in Cerealia. And again, each and every time since. The look had never changed. Just...evolved over time, as more and more of the truth came out.]

[He was looking at her that same way now, and for once in her life, Iris didn't even blush. She was too happy to. Too content.]

We can walk around for a little while and see more of the festival. Together.

[Phoenix still felt nervous and jittery... But in itself was indicative of the way he was back then as well.

Even so, things were going so smoothly that he felt himself grounded by a natural force. It all felt so normal now, but in a good way.

He reached out to clasp her hand.]

...I'd love that, Iris. Let's.

[And as they move, he finds it a lot easier to finally say:]

By the way, that dolphin hat looks really cute on you!

[Well.]

[The whole no-blushing lasted a solid three seconds.]

...I forgot I had it on.

[Phoenix chuckles warmly at that and pats her dolphin head with his free hand.]

That just makes it even cuter!

[And now her face quite accurately resembled a tomato. Of course, because she's Iris, it wasn't as if she could swat his hand away or anything like that. So, instead...]

[She proceeded to peer up at him with a very deliberate, small, almost teasing pout.]

You're making fun of me, Feenie.

[Aw. At least his hand quickly returns to his side as he regards the dolphin tomato.]

M-maybe... But only with affection! You know, you should try it sometime, Iris!

I would never do something like that!

[Spoken with a smile still.]

Are you sure about that? Or maybe you're just waiting for the right moment to strike!

[She shook her head, pretending to be outraged at the thought, but laughing too much for the illusion to stick. She knew him too well to take such an accusation seriously.]

There is no right moment. This isn't a courtroom, and you're not a witness.

Well, you have me there...

[After a brief pause, he laughs.]

Wait, was that it? It sounded pretty teasing...

I would never tease you, Feenie.

[She sounded so sweet and sincere that...one couldn't rule out the possibility that...she might actually be teasing him.]

[He squints uncertainly.]

Of- of course not. Never in a million years...

[She's too good!]

[Maybe she did have some latent powers of her own after all...]

Was there any particular booth you wanted to stop by today?

[Changing the subject, like a pro.]

[She's got da power... and of course, the mercy, by changing the subject.

He smiles as he surveys the fair, his heart on a high with what's been accomplished today.]

Not that I can think. And mock court has been adjourned for today...

[He gives a soft squeeze of Iris's hand as he glances towards her.]

So let's just look around. Together.

[She smiled. Both at the suggestion and the little squeeze. Her eyes were lowered at the moment, staring fondly at the ground.]

I'd like that. We can...just wander until we find something we both like.

[He nods.]

Exactly what I had in mind. I'm glad there's no objections. Then... let's get looking.

[And with a gentle tug at her hand, he starts to move forward, onwards with Iris to an even more blissful period of fun at the fair...]

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