"me too."[break][break]

not really. he can feel his energy sapping away just from being in waters this hot and it's only been under a minute. he can only imagine how he'll feel in an hour.[break][break]

but the sentiment remains.[break][break]

"we have all day, you know." he drifts closer. "i cleared my schedule all for you."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-kecleon"]

The thought of him purposely going out of his way to keep this day free for her, and her alone... It made her heart swell against her chest.
[break][break]
"Really," She breathed, doe eyes staring back up at him. Slow ripples traced the outline of her skin as she drifted closer toward him. "You should have mentioned that earlier, then." Her arms reached up, wrapping themselves around his neck. From there she gingerly hung herself, swaying lightly amongst the warm spring water, back and forth, all while keeping her eyes set on his. "Because I also cleared up my day for you. Actually," Penelope took in a quick breath of air. Should she really admit this? After a moment of hesitation, she pressed onward, brazen as always. "I cleared up my Friday afternoons. From this week onwards."
[break][break]
It happened the very day she walked into her office as a councilwoman. Especially after their conversation during Splashfest.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"really."[break][break]

but he's soon outdone by his better half. where he had only cleared his schedule on this one day, she somehow cleared all friday afternoons. he can't imagine what it took for her to make such a decision or for her to even tell him, but he's more than glad.[break][break]

"really? like, all friday afternoons?"[break][break]

he's pretty sure he's smiling like an idiot but he doesn't care. he's happy.[break][break]

"i guess i gotta do the same."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-kecleon"]

It was a short-lived battle, to be honest. A demand upon her hiring that was ultimately granted under the stipulations she'd still attend certain meetings if necessary, as well as keep her phone available to her. Besides, it wasn't as if she had the weekends completely off anyways -- whatever time ultimately lost would always be made up tenfolds.
[break][break]

"Yeah, all Friday afternoons."
[break][break]

Well, most. But the details didn't matter. It was the thought and the intention that counted, or at least, that's what she hoped.
[break][break]

"You better." her voice came out through a smile. "I just wanted to make sure I always had some time set for you, you know? Don't want to miss out on this."
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

"yeah, i get it. i am pretty special."[break][break]

his leg brushes against hers as he drifts closer.[break][break]

"consider all my friday afternoons clear as well. or at least dedicated to spending time with you."[break][break]

the gym will have to understand, and if they say no, then he'll just leverage his personal friendship with ALEXANDER STONE to guilt trip them into giving him what he wants.[break][break]

he kisses her nose, then her forehead.[break][break]

"i love you."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-kecleon"]

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
[break][break]
He was lucky Penelope was still hanging off from his neck or she would've given him a proper punch in the arm.
[break][break]
Her heart gave off a soft thrum as he kissed her nose, then her forehead, each one as gentle as the words that came after.
[break][break]
"I love you too," She whispered. A soft tug pulled down the man's broad shoulders until the two were eye level. From there, she leaned forward, kissing him. 
[break][break]


This time, her lips lingered for more than a few seconds.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER[break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

his lips linger as well, and even when they eventually pull away, he finds himself wanting more. so he presses closer, body brushing against hers as though the hot waters don't even affect him.[break][break]

he finds her gaze, holding it as he grins.[break][break]

"here?"[break][break]

it's quiet enough. besides, their pokemon are on watch, making sure no one would disturb them.

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-kecleon"]

Her heart wavered, disappointed, as they slowly tore themselves apart from one another.
[break][break]
She wanted more. She wanted him.
[break][break]
So, when he offered the suggestion through that all-too dizzying grin, Penelope didn't wait another second before taking the plunge. Onlookers be damned.
[break][break]
"please, yes."
[break][break]
Without another word, she took the opportunity to push herself back onto him, desperation clear in both her traveling hands and lips. It wasn't clear what had gotten into her -- maybe it was those pent-up emotions she'd finally had enough thought to release, or maybe it the fact that, for once, she'd finally felt comfortable letting herself fall in love again.


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

onlookers be damned.[break][break]

due to the heat of the moment and from the actual springs itself, he's left having to catch his breath, but he's happy to do so with her in his arms, bodies still leaning against each other.[break][break]

he kisses her neck, then chuckles.[break][break]

"we should, uh, maybe do that more. it's a good workout."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-kecleon"]

Bliss seeped into her skin as she settled herself between his arms.
[Break][break]
"We should," she agreed, sighing, relaxed beyond measure. At this point, after a prolonged swim, the heat of the springs had forced it's mark on her skin, reddening it completely. It was a clear sign that, just maybe, it was time to get out.
[Break][break]
Looking back up at Cian, she pushed herself up toward him, laying a kiss on his cheek.
[Break][break]
Softly, she murmured into his ear, "C'mon, we should go before we're cooked alive." But she didn't want to leave his side. Not right now. Lacing her fingers between his, she gave a soft tugged toward the brim of the hot springs. "...And there's a cold shower back at my place just calling our names."

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] CIAN MAHER [break]


[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-ditto"]

the warmth that comes from the kiss on his cheek far eclipses the heat from the springs. he cherishes the feeling, hoping it would last forever.[break][break]

"mmm, you're right."[break][break]

he sighs, exhaling into the crook of her neck before planting a kiss.[break][break]

"a cold shower with you sounds perfect."

[attr="class","ooc"]PENELOPE LIVY[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-kecleon"]