synflux | OPEN💗 LATE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY

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OPEN💗 LATE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY

WHO: Newbies, oldbies, everyone is welcome!
WHAT: A Late Valentine’s Party mingle, since Valentines’ Day was over Kaiju month…
WHERE: “MANTRA”, an underground, alternative club in Neo Toyko
WHEN: March 10th
WARNINGS: Romance and shippy things, alcohol, hookah, suggestive things. Anything NSFW is to be appropriately labelled.

Around the 10th of March, Outsiders will receive a message in their ocular inbox from Kabru, the Outsider also known as @ rasgulla. The message reads:

“To my dearest friends and teammates,

If we haven’t met before, call me Kabru. When not on missions as an Outsider, I work as a freelance event planner for various businesses and private organizations within Neo Tokyo.

Valentines’ Day is a popular holiday in Japan that was sadly interrupted last month by the kaiju. My current client is holding a belated Valentines’ Day event and they would really like the Outsiders to come. There will be plenty of food and things to do. Even if you're not looking for a romantic time, I'd encourage you to come!

Please wear something comfortable. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Yours sincerely,

Kabru.”

A location pin comes attached with the invitation. It looks like Kabru’s become more adept at technology over the months.

Follow the location pin and you’ll find yourself in front of ‘Mantra’ in metro Tokyo, an underground, alternative club making waves for its uniqueness in the club scene. Outsiders will all be allowed in without much fuss. The owner of the club is a gentle woman who kindly requests that all guests take their shoes off and leave them at the side. There is a lingering scent of incense and the people hanging out in the club look remarkably calm as they relax; cuddling and enjoying each other’s company. What kind of Valentine’s day party is this? A New Age, alternative kind, apparently. The owner of the club wants to be promoting togetherness in a completely different way.

Thankfully, finger foods and alcohol appear to be abundant, even if Kabru would really like you to be mingling with the people! There is a bar with free flowing wines and spirits, and a table with hors d'oeuvres and small desserts as accompaniment. These can include sushi rolls, small sandwiches, crab cake bites, small skewers, chocolates, little cakes and tarts. Food aside, there is live music playing and guests are highly encouraged to dance.

Naturally, couples are also coupling up, but anything too raunchy is of course cordoned off to a private room. Also, ignore the people smoking electronic hookah at the side…

What can you do besides eat and drink?

1. DANCING 💗

The DJ mostly plays trance and synth pop music in the background but he’s happy to take requests. On the dancefloor,there’s always a group of tipsy guests dancing their hearts out, some dancing alone and others dancing as a couple. There’s no right or wrong way to dance and most people will not cast judgement. Give it a try? Better hurry, before some of the overeager guests try to drag you in.

2. CUDDLE PILE 💗
Numerous cushions are set out around the venue for guests to lounge in and cuddle. It’s highly encouraged, in fact! Especially after a vigorous dance session. There are people lying together in larger groups, and couples choosing to spend their time lounging and enjoying each other’s company. Finding it difficult to relax? The owner might give you a whiff of her special perfume that’s guaranteed to put you in a state of complete calm. It might even make you more open about lying together with someone else.

3. SPEED DATING 💗

There’s a speed dating round going on in one side of the club. Guests are numbered and paired up randomly, then given a short amount of time to get to know each other on a speedy little date. Don’t know what to say? A list of questions will flow in through the oculars to give you a prompt. (Please refer to here and here for some examples or make up your own!)

4. MAKE SWEET TREATS 💗

In the spirit of Valentines’ Day, the owner of the club is hosting a quick desserts-making workshop at the event. Guests will be provided with ingredients and taught to make chocolate or cupcakes, and they will get the chance to decorate it however they like. It’s highly encouraged to make something to give to your sweetheart or the person you admire. Do you really want to be the person eating their own chocolate on Valentines’ Day?

5. PARTY GAMES 💗

What’s a party without party games? Throughout the night, people will be getting drunk and playing local drinking games such as the King’s Game. Eventually, other games from the West get introduced by other people. These games include Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle and 7 Minutes in Heaven.

6. TAKE SOMEONE HOME 💗

If it looks like you're having a pretty good time with someone else, a helpful robot will approach you and provide you both with a key to a private room. Some of these private rooms are normal and some are themed, similar to a love hotel. There's no need to actually do anything raunchy of course. You could just cuddle up and enjoy the warmth of the digital fireplace! Everything one might need for a nice time together (condoms, lubricant etc) will be readily available.

As the event planner, Kabru will be buzzing around and making sure everything runs smoothly, but he can be stopped for questions or concerns (pls be nice to him he has anxiety). Characters can sit out of anything they want, but drunk and overeager guests might decide to drag them in.

[ OOC: I put this up so everyone can enjoy a chill mingle after the chaos of last month! And also because we didn’t get the opportunity to have do much for Valentines’ Day given the timing. Naturally, please label any NSFW, add your content warnings appropriately, and state your boundaries and preferences in terms of shipping/gen/being tagged by younger/older characters. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ not helping at all. he's so shameless. for the second time tonight, she's letting him go to march off. ]

ARGH.

[ AGAIN.

it's pretty obvious she doesn't like that mindset but she's not sure how to tell him that without sounding like a teenager or some possessive weirdo or controlling or -

so walking away it is. was this even a party where they could hang out and mingle?? enjoy themselves AFTER THE FIASCO. they could've danced and had a good time and

like

maybe act like an engaged couple? all in love. BUT NOOOooOoOOOo. and she could've supported and had fun with him doing his monthly odd job because it seemed kinda nice? everything smelled nice, it looked like he was really working hard

BUT NOOOOOOOOOOO.

if this was a game of chess, she would've smacked the board off the table out of frustation. as much as she loves him, he is so IRRITATING and just doesn't get it SOMETIMES. ]

[And for the second time, he's scrambling after her, of course.

Though he has enough sense to think better of grabbing her hand this time around, instead following after her with a dejected look upon his face.

For a while they just walk like that, weaving in and out of the throngs of party-goers, all the while he mulls over what's just happened and tries to make sense of it. In hindsight, he has a rough idea of where he went wrong, leading to him biting his lip out of worry.

He doesn't want her thinking he's easy or anything like that. That he's going to deliberately do anything to make her irate. Although he seems to do so plenty on accident...

Eventually, once they happen near the food tables, he snags her by the arm and drags her in that direction, using his free hand to grab a plate.]

--you said you were hungry, right? What do you want? They've got a lot of nice things here. You should try them all out...

[Keeping his arm hooked on her, he sets the plate down in order to begin loading up on goodies, like crab cakes, skewers, and cute little sandwiches of different types.]

[ it's that he's never doing it deliberately that has saved his ass more than a few times. that yato's intentions are almost always good, as long as you don't count some of the more questionable things he's done.

hiyori gasps as she's grabbed and hauled in the direction of food. knowing it's yato is the only reason he doesn't get beat the shit out of.

silent, trying not to pout too obviously, she watches yato fill her plate with food. while he's doing it, she steals a crab cake and shoves it in her mouth. then, she grabs some finger food and shoves it in his mouth rather unceremoniously.

after she's chewed a little and she's not talking with her mouth too full, she says, ]

I just wanted a nice night out, like a date. Did you know White Day is soon? Four days.

[ grabbing another crab cake to shove in her mouth. ]

Theesh're gude.

[A-at least he's not killing people here...? Without his father, he can truly start to try living on his own terms. ....he just... doesn't have much practical experience in doing so. That leads him to trying various things, some of them a bit awkward or dubious.

Like now, with the food, he's trying to make things up to her in the best way he knows how. It's clumsy and blunt, but he is trying.

He piles their plate high with a little of this and that, enough so they both can try everything without seeming greedy. And when he goes to say something, she forces a bite into his mouth, silencing him with a muffled "mmphmm!" At least she chews through most of it before attempting to speak again, although it still comes out a bit muffled.]

I've just been trying to save up enough money for the wedding, y'know...? But I should've been thinking more about the here and now... I-I'm sorry, Hiyori... I'm really shit at this partner thing, huh...

[Oh no, there he goes feeling like a failure again, with shoulders sagging and expression guilty.]

...at least the we don't have to worry about going hungry here.

[ coughBRASOVcough (even if that was more or less necessary from the sound of it and hiyori doesn't enjoy thinking about that)

while it may be clumsy and blunt, it gets the ball rolling. it's yato's explanation that softens her pout in exchange for a sigh. ]

You're not. You're learning.

[ she grabs a napkin and wipes at his face where she left a smear of sauce from shoving food in his mouth gently. ]

We both are. I had a lot of time to think during that time I was gone. For as many times as you piss me off, you've made me happy twice as often. No, five times. And, Yato... you don't have to worry so much about wedding funds or having enough. We'll figure it out, okay? It shouldn't be all on you, anyway.

[ she never loved him for his money. it was his kindness and his silliness. his ability to make her smile. with yato around, she never had to worry about being bored or acting a certain way to make him happy. she furrows her brow.

yato shouldn't have to feel that way either but -

looking down at the pile of food, she picks up something else and is much nicer about feeding it to him. ]

I hope the new base has apartments rather than dorms. It'd be nice to have our own kitchens to do whatever we want in.

[Err... Yeah, there was that. But he didn't go completely off...? Thanks to Kaga, at least.

Thankfully Hiyori has always appreciated his genuine efforts, no matter how he fumbles through them. For that he's infinitely appreciative.]

If you say so...

[He still sounds a bit dejected as he sighs while she mops his face up, brows pulled together in concentration. His tongue darts out to help collect the last remnants of sauce.]

Hiyori... [His expression softens as he gazes upon her smiling face. She's always so... so... sweet. So kind. Sometimes he can't help feeling he doesn't deserve her.] It's just... shouldn't I be the one making sure you get your big day? I thought weddings were meant to celebrate the bride, to honor her and welcome her into her new family... Although I guess in this case it's more me becoming part of your family. You don't want to be part of my screwed up one.

[An abusive father and antagonistic sister. Not much of welcome there. Still, he manages to smile, if somewhat wanly. Hiyori loves him for being himself, not his family. He knows that much, and it's reassuring.

When presented with another bite of food, he gladly accepts it without giving in to the urge to be silly and lick her fingers. He's trying...! Instead, he takes up a crab cake bite and holds it out for her to sample.]

Yeah, that would be good. Although if you can wait a while, I may have a place for you to cook anyway... At least on occasion, on our off days.

[ some of the audience may agree with him, but it doesn't matter. hiyori wants to be with him for as long as she can.

she'll pick the both of them up and carry on together.

the more yato explains, the more she frowns. for one thing, she's never been a fan of being in the spotlight. if anything, yato should be the bride with all attention on him. he likes that. she would be happy giving that up for him. as long as some of her friends are there with her, she's happy. ]

I want... I just want you to be a part of my life.

[ hiyori answers simply. screwed up family with his father and nora. or the new one he's made with yukine and kofuku and daikoku. or even his newnew one with the friends he's made here. ]

I mean, there are logistics like that but... this isn't just about the bride. It's about both of us. Or that's what I thought. That's what I wanted it to be.

[ SEE, HE CAN BE SILLY LIKE THAT. aaaaah - ! he's trying, he's trying. maybe she should just show him what's okay? surprise him herself. she leans forward and takes a bite of the crab cake but makes sure to let her teeth graze his fingers, playfully. ]

Mm? [ chewing, chewing ] I can wait. [ she waited 10 years please ] That doesn't mean I won't be curious...

[ this must have something to do with his house-building. ]

[Wherever Hiyori goes, he's sure to follow, so they'll always be together barring any outside forces.

Although he'd honestly be baffled by her not wanting to be the star of her own wedding - that's the whole point of it! To make sure everyone knows and can see how wonderful she is, to celebrate her finding a partner to share her life with. ....although he wouldn't mind being one of the stars of the show. He's a glutton for attention like that. But honestly, anything that makes Hiyori happy makes him happy.]

Hiyori... I will. Now and forever. For as long as you'll have me...

[He sniffs lightly, feeling the tears coming on. That she accepts him for who and what he is will always be something he's grateful for.]

In that case, we'll make sure it's an event that celebrates the pair of us. Anything to make you happy.

[As her teeth rake over his fingers, his face turns a vibrant red shade and he trembles, trying to keep himself under control. He's going to be a good boy, dammit--! ..... Though he does lean towards her and lick a little crumb from her lips. Playful! They can be silly in public. That's fine. Maybe even a little flirty.]

Heh, good. .....did you want to see the shrine I've picked out for us? Vash and Bakugo have been helping me clear the site, so it's looking pretty good.

[He'd like to get her approval first before committing to building their getaway home.]

That would make me happy.

[ celebrating the pair of them, their union. not her finding a partner or yato actually finding a wife to go with his dream of having a shrine. the two of them.

together. which, really, is all she wanted for a long time. yato blushes are a big bonus, though. she can't help but grin at how red he gets, but she's a bit flushed herself. partly from the lingering aphro but largely because of his reaction to something she decided to do spontaneously.

they can do playful. they can even do flirty. yato almost, ALMOST takes it too far. her face gets more red but she laughs, pushing his face away from hers bashfully and wiping at the spot he licked. ]

Picked...? Huh?

[ though vash helping is no surprise, bakugo adds points to her book by helping yato with his dream. how has she not run into him yet..... ]

I mean... yeah!! Of course, I want to see it! I'm just confused what you mean by picked? Did someone... build some shrines for gods and you were able to pick which one you wanted? Like manufactured shrines...

Then your wish has been heard loud and clear~

[He teases lightly but with sincerity. He's still learning the intricacies of human customers and Hiyori's own person thoughts on certain wedding-related matters, so all she needs to do is let him know her preferences and he'll gladly do his best to honor them.

That goes for playtime like now, too. Without fighting her on being pushed away, he smiles, grateful she seems to be in a better mood despite his stumbling through being a socially inept idiot.

Kissing her cheek real quick, he takes a step back to give her space while offering up a meat skewer. Gotta make sure she gets enough sustenance!]

Hehe, not quite. There's several abandoned shrines around here, so I just chose one I liked the look of to be mine. I figure it's unlikely the god it was meant for is still there given the state of the world, and better it sees some use rather than going to waste, right?

[He pops a deviled egg into his mouth, chewing a bit before continuing.]

Wanna go see it now, if you've had enough of the party? Or we could do like I suggested earlier and find a cozy corner to play in...

[bad yato]

[ ah. it's the line. gotta wonder if he's used it on anybody else since being here. it makes her eyes flash, bright and happy.

the best to learn human thoughts is to ask said human about them. nobody is a mind reader. not even gods. unless they are... a god of mind reading or something.

hiyori takes the offered skewer and digs into one piece before offering it back. sharing is caring. she's still chewing, slower now, the more she listens. ]

Can you do that? Won't a god get mad at you for taking their shrine? Even if it is abandoned, is it like abandoned houses? You still have to get permission from the property owner. Maybe I should pray to them...

[ among other things. she just doesn't want yato to get into a fight, SOME OTHER BEEF with another god. a la bishamonten.

at that last, her eyes explore his face and shoulders. raised eyebrows and all. then, she pops another finger food into her mouth. ]

We should save that sort of thing for desserts and not when we're still in the middle of everything. Maybe I want to dance...

[Sadly not... There hasn't been much in the way of wishes he can grant for people, hence the outlandish hobbies he's engaged in, like drawing doujinshi and peddling incense.

Being direct isn't exactly his forte sometimes, but for Hiyori, he'll try anything at least once. In some ways it's good he's not that kind of mind-reading god, though if he was, they probably would've avoided so many misunderstandings.

With her offering him some of the skewer ~~best not to question what kind of meat it is~~, he eagerly noms on a couple pieces, then holds it out for her to have the last one.]

Well... Depends on if they're still kicking, I guess. Worst thing I can do is step on some toes and get into a spat with someone. Though better it still be used for worship than torn down and repurposed, yeah?

[Granted, if someone did that to a shrine of his, he'd be livid, but... He hasn't seen any native gods here, so it should be fine.

Somewhat sheepishly, he scratches at his cheek with a helpless shrug; too late to turn back now, honestly. Him and Vash and Bakugo have put in enough hours that he's not giving up at this point. So with Hiyori's comment about dancing, he nods, taking her by the hand to lead her to the dance floor.]

You do much partying these days, Doctor Iki?

[ can't blame the masses for not making wishes. their biggest wish is probably to

put an end to the kaiju threat. to live peacefully.

(hobbies aren't bad, drawing doujinshi isn't even bad it's HOW HE DOES IT. anyway. neither here nor there.)

without hesitation, she takes the last piece of meat and sucks some of the juices off her fingers. this... this -!! is exactly the sort of thing she wants. just existing together. living. going through struggles, hardships, joys, pains with another person. something as simple as sharing those meals, which they have been doing for a long time now.

sharing something like a meat skewer is a daily occurrence. ]

Okay, but you're not the best with spats. [ very pointed look. then, she hums. ] That is true. I don't want to see a shrine get torn down, especially if it's been there for a long time.

Just promise if you do come face to face with the god who owns that shrine, you won't start anything. I can't go through another Bishamon situation...

[ it's not that she wants him to turn back, she doesn't want anything bad to happen to yato. what if he took

like

tsukuyomi's shrine?! ]

Things have to be cleared up qui-CKLEEe?

[ off they go, onto the dance floor. hiyori swept up into whatever move yato pulls her into and spins her out to. she huffs at the comment, smiling, heart pounding and a bit breathless by yato's surprising smoothness of it all. ]

I - it's been a while since I've heard that. I'm getting used to Nurse Shion at work...

[ FUJISAKI SHION. ]

... When we do get married, as a civilian, I'm taking your last name. Immediately. No more Fujisaki.

[And putting an end to the kaiju is hardly something one little god can manage on his own, try as he might. Especially without a shinki here...

A smile crosses his face as she finishes off the skewer; nothing makes him happier than ensuring Hiyori is content and well-fed, that she's taking care of herself so she'll live a long, wonderful life, he hopes. She's the main reason he fights, after all. Helping others is good, yes, but she is his everything.]

H-Hey...! I managed to help calm Bishamon's stupid grudge-holding ass down, didn't I?? [Cue the indignant pout.] Besides, sometimes shrines house multiple gods. I can always play second fiddle to the original owner, if it comes to that.

[Though clearly he wouldn't be happy about it. Little god, big ego.] But fine. I won't fight if it comes down to that. I'll find another place. Only if I have to, though. I like the one I've picked out. It's got a pond and everything.

[Thankfully(?) it seems to be a shrine to a local deity rather than a big shot god. So he might stand a chance if they were to duke it out.]

Anyway--! That's a worry for later. Dancing time!

[With the languid beat dictating their rhythm, he pulls and twirls Hiyori in time with the music, taking every opportunity to tug her in close until they're nose to nose and breathing each other's breath before parting to continue the dance. For him, it's not unlike fighting, where one move flows into the next. Easier, really, since the moves are scripted.]

Ugh, don't remind me... Shion is pretty enough, but...

[FUJISAKI. A cruel, cruel joke by this universe or at least LILITH. The jerks.]

Works for me. Hell, that makes me almost want to elope and just hit the registry office.

[Almost.]

I don't know if that's what happened.

[ what she does remember is kazuma jumping in front of yato to take a slash for him and shocking bishamon enough to make her think twice. what she remembers is telling yato they needed to go home when he tried to go after the mask-wearing ayakashi again. now, she lost her memory but things have been coming back to her constantly. ever since she got here.

second fiddle. not sure if she likes that, either. yato deserves his own shrine. that's why she made that little DIY one.

hers didn't have a little pond. there's a part of her that's sad. that the little shrine is going to look so sad compared to the new one. on the other hand, she's happy that yato is going out there and living his dreams. that's he likes it.

that's all she needs to hear. she likes it, too.

every time they're nose to nose, her heart skips a beat and she can't take her eyes off his. parting is such sweet sorrow - with her current situation. it's not long before she's struggling to catch her breath or the smile on her face nearly splits it. ] I didn't know you liked Shion that much. [ during a lull, they stop the spinning and hiyori mostly following his lead because he's a better dancer than her, to just sway close together. one hand on his shoulder, the other clasped with his. ]

..... You know, I also thought about that.

[ eloping. they've talked about it before, she's sure. some days, it's really tempting. that day she learned that ishmael left hurt her heart. and

and there's so much planning and what if someone else leaves? vash or ereshkigal or bakugo? what if she leaves? what if yato leaves? now and then, but not too often anymore, that dark thought plagues her. ]

How big do you want it to be?

Tch... Doubting my godly abilities... I'll smite you!

[Poutpoutpout--! He totally wouldn't, except maybe make her extra spicy curry or something equally harmless. Because yeah, okay, maybe it wasn't really him that knocked Bishamon out of her crazy rage tantrum. He still held her off long enough for Kazuma to get there...!

What Hiyori doesn't realize is that her little shrine, so delicate and awkward, is the most precious treasure in the world to him. After her, of course. Because it was crafted with her own two hands, made with if not love, then dedication. A far cry from simply commandeering someone else's shrine. That'll be more like a business front for him while his mini shrine houses his heart.

Even with knowing the thing has damaged from the attack, he still manages to smile in return eventually when faced with her glowing face. How can he not? Her happiness is infectious, and the adrenaline is flowing from all their physical activity. At her comment, he shakes his head, grinning.] It's pretty, but not as good as Hiyori. [Because he'll forever be Hiyori, no matter what happens. Thankfully the music switches to a slow, gentle melody, giving them both time to catch their breath. He's not as winded as her, but he appreciates the reprieve.]

...yeah? We can-- if you want. Though I do want to celebrate it...

[Anything for her, that's what he's promised. To make her the happiest girl in the world, he would give up everything and then some. Her fears aren't unfounded, after all. There's always the chance one of them could be sent home at any moment... It just doesn't bear thinking about.

Besides, their wedding is something for all their friends to look forward to. He'd hate to turn around and disappoint them. He's done that enough lately.]

Whatever you're comfortable with. It can be just those we know, if you want.

I'd never doubt you.

[ she can't help but giggle at his pouting. she can agree that he did hold her off, or she held him off however you wanna look at it, until she and kazuma got there. and with yukine not really stopping yato from going up against bishamon, it was up to hiyori to stop him.

that should tell her how much she means to him. maybe she doesn't know the extent of how much that shrine means to him, but she knows it means a lot. like how much her journal means to her. those memories of being together.

she'll have to write this down, too. what yato says about shion being a pretty name but hiyori being prettier. getting her to suck in a small breath of surprise, eyes widening. he could try to be a flirtatious bozo as hard as he wants, but it's little comments like that which

add up. that make all the hardships worth fighting through. yato being yato. he's not as winded as her because she's not dropping praise like that on him like that. or how agreeable he's being about actually eloping if that's what she wanted.

tempting. very tempting.

it's their day, but that feels a bit too selfish. ereshkigal's excited face comes to mind. ishmael's, too, even if she isn't here. with the slower music, she lays her head beneath his chin and listens to his heart in his chest while she thinks. ]

Maybe somewhere in the middle. Nothing too big, nothing too small. Just right. Our friends, definitely. I feel like I should invite some people from the hospital, too. [ ... ] I wonder if anyone from LILITH would come. Like Seok Dang. Can you imagine?

Good. I'd hate to have to punish you as a blasphemer.

[He prods her cheek at the giggling, determined to scold her in some manner for being so damn cheeky. All's well that ends well, however you look at it. He certainly came out of it better than he did going up against Izanami...

Memories are precious to them for being shared experiences. They wouldn't be who they are today without them, that's for damn sure. Yato himself especially would've continued down a dark path were not for Hiyori and Yukine. So if he had a choice, he'd pick his time together with them as his most important years.

Even the time spent with Sakura comes in close second to this wonderful time. Like right now, with them dancing here in a kaiju-torn Kyoto. All these moments add up to him being truly and genuinely happy.

He can only hope Hiyori is, as well. She seems to be, nestled up close to him and making him color brightly with a content smile upon his face. Carefully, he wraps his arms around her as the music stops, one hand rubbing her back soothingly.]

Sounds good to me. I'd be happy to have your hospital coworkers there along with our friends. [Though he raises both eyebrows at the mention of LILITH.] That guy? I'd be worried he'd cause a ruckus. Would you even want any of LILITH there?

I am a devout believer in Yatogami-sama, God of Happiness.

[ feeling sentimental, check. special occasion, check. sama, she adds.

no need to punish. she swats his prodding away, not unkind, still wearing a bright smile. so, yeah, she's happy. when it comes down to it, she is. there are things that also make her sad, sure, but yato makes those more bearable. that, and her own resilient spirit.

... he has a point about seok, but it also sounds like something yato would do. cause a ruckus. ]

Even if I disagree with some of their choices, they're still trying to help humanity. We're working together. And without LILITH, I wouldn't even be here. There's no harm in sending out the invite, is there? [ WHAT COULD GO WRONG ]

It's like that time I invited everyone to the sakura picnic. We should try to get along. Celebrating and having a good time together makes connections. I liked watching everyone relax and have a nice time together. Kinda like this party, too.

[ and maaaaaybe they'll be less likely to be sent back? hopefully?? ]

The best follower any god could ask for...

[He doesn't miss that honorific, that's for sure. It gets her a kiss to the head as she swats his hand away, leading him to switch gears and hug her tighter to keep her warmth close while savoring the steady beat of her heart.

Her smile is everything he could ask for, except maybe a kiss in return... But he won't push his luck. He's learning to be satisfied with whatever affection she deigns to give him.

She isn't wrong about him being a chaotic force, but given it'll be their wedding, he feels entitled to make a scene.]

Hrmm... Yeah, I guess you've got a point. [She usually does.] If you want to invite them, go ahead. I won't complain. ...provided they behave themselves. [So much could go wrong, but hopefully they're too busy to attend.]

You really do have a kind heart, Hiyori. If you feel that way, maybe we should just have an open invite and welcome whoever wants to come. I heard that the more people you get married in front of, the longer your marriage will be!

[Oooh... Sucking up! That's a good idea. He's excellent at that, heh.]

[ better than being called the best follower (although that's pretty good) is the kiss he puts at her head. that she doubts any other believer would get from their god. she gives up her swatting soon after that, letting out a sigh that's more content than anything else.

it might not be a kiss he gets in return, but she loops her arms around his middle and holds him just as tight.

he does, too. have that kind heart. it's only been buried beneath years of loneliness and loss. more than she can understand. ]

If there's one thing I'm not worried about, it's how long I want to be with you. Always.

[He has plenty of names he wants to call her, all positive and adoring. But since they're leaning on his godly angle, follower seemed the most appropriate one. She is his one and only worshiper, having earned his body and soul, if that wasn't already obvious from the way he holds her in a snug, protective embrace.

It's moments like these he relishes with all his being and is so afraid of losing when he screws up. That's why he has to do better. No trying, just do.

As the music starts up again, he gently sways them in time with it, burying his face in her hair.]

Same here. I want to stay right by your side and make sure you as happy as can be. You deserve that much and more.

[.....]

...thank you for having faith in me as a person, Hiyori.

[ hugs from yato used to make her shy away from his touch, squirming to get out of his grasp. putting up her fists defensively.

now, though her heart isn't calm by ANY means, there's no sign of wriggling to get free or trying to dodge his attempts at affection. as you get older, you really do think of yourself as a dumb kid who didn't know much. she didn't know what she had back then with yukine and yato. she wouldn't know what she has now. as much of a hot mess yato could be, if she could go back, she'd be happy to have those hugs.

she's happy now.

just a smidge embarrassed for embracing so intimately on the dance floor but eh. oh, well. she'll get over it.

however she's also a little surprised by the last thing he says. a person. not a god. she leans back to look him in the eyes. ]

Of course. And thank you for... so much, Yato. For loving me. When I thought - thought you never would.

[ she breathes, barely heard over whatever music is playing. slow tempo. ]

S, so. That's having faith in you as a god. As a person. That just leaves having faith in you as a husband now.

[ husband.

it was crazy when she realized she loved him. so was calling yato her boyfriend. crazier when she called him her fiancee. having a god as a husband is something in young adult fantasies. it's like having a vampire for a husband or something. unreal. ]

Fighting giant monsters to save the world, all this super advanced tech, becoming an archer like my grandmother, living together, marrying you... [ said in awe ]

It's all like teenager me decided to write some wild story about my future life. Almost as out of this world as realizing gods and ghosts and monsters are real and seeing it all with my own eyes.

[To be fair, his sweaty grasp was overwhelming and pushy back then. It might even still be at times, trying to cling to her desperately on every level. He's grown, though. No longer selfish in his intentions, his touch is meant to reassure and comfort her as much as it is to make him happy.

Maybe that's one reason why she tolerates it better now, aside from her being a grown woman rather than an emotional teenager.

He's grateful she allows him this much with everything that's happened, and tries not to be greedy for more. This is plenty right now.

Surprise is the reigning emotion though as he leans back enough to peer down at her, looking somewhat puzzled.]

Why wouldn't I? You... you're everything I could ever wish for. You've done so much for me... And Yukine.

[Thankfully his keen godly hearing catches it all, every important word.]

H-Husband..... I-- Yeah.

[His face colors at the thought of what the word really means, of how it will change their dynamic into something even closer than what they have now. It's almost overwhelming, to consider all that it entails, yet it's exciting, too. Enough so that he squeezes her tight.]

Hehe... Yeah, I can see how it'd sound like that. But you're doing great, Hiyori. Don't ever think otherwise, okay? And if you ever get overwhelmed by it all, I'm here to listen and help out however I can. That... that's what being a husband is all about, right?

[ why wouldn't he...? she can think of a few reasons but yato's response seals her mouth shut. she's everything. a god wishing for something and it's her. face boiling hot, she ducks her chin a bit. holy crap. hearing THAT from yato is

feels like a second proposal ou in the open, honestly. she's so flustered she starts stumbling over her own feet a bit as he repeats words like "husband" and holds her against him so both their hearts are pounding wildly together.

she's doing great. at this juncture, she's finally realized she's okay with being ordinary compared to everyone else. she'll do what she can. what she has to, whenever the time comes. they have the heavy hitters and the amazing gods and super soldiers. in the face of so much greatness, it's better to cheer them all on then try to keep up. for her, it may just be impossible.

so, with yato's reassurances, she settles and feels better. if he thinks he's doing great, then that's all she needs. she used to think otherwise. probably because she was stubborn. it always takes her months to finally accept the big things.

months to accept she was in love with yato. months to accept she's pretty ordinary, excepting some special sense for gods and spirits. but what if that was just to meet yato? she'd be okay with that. if she can help him the most - ]

Mm, being a husband is what you want to be. What you write in your vows.

[ after that, she does something familiar. that one time when she and yukine broke into his room when he was sewing. when he took her hand and spun her around. yeah, that. she sweeps outwards and spins yato in place with a small laugh. ]

But you've always offered to help and help and listen to my troubles. Since you wanted to be a God of Happiness.

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