"...you're right."

huh. maybe uri really is a masochist after all.

he leans into her touch, smiling up at her before rising to meet her lips, pulling away after a breath.

"and i can't wait for it."

@sol // [x]

☉

do what makes you happy.

it sounds so simple and yet it's so difficult. even now, he knows his decision to leave the military will bring with them consequences, but the outcome should stay the same, shouldn't it? the black family will continue to help the region however they can, GABRIEL BLACK gets what he wants, and maybe uri will finally be happier.

that's the plan, anyway.

"i will."

still kneeling by her side, he chuckles.

"i'm going to miss you being my captain, not gonna lie."

@sol // [x]

☉

once by her side, he shifts down to squat next to her, allowing him to peer up into her eyes as she smirks. he smirks in return, nodding as he relishes the warmth she makes him feel.

"i do."

@sol // [x]

☉

i'll try too.

she doesn't need to specify; he understands enough. when his hand finds hers, a smile breaks, and he soon rises to his feet before taking a step towards her.

"anything else?"

@sol // [x]

☉

with a sigh, he nods, understanding that sometimes he can be a little too stubborn.

he should listen.

he should do a lot of things, really, but baby steps.

"of course."

with a smile, he reaches out for her.

"i'll try my best, sol."

@sol // [x]

☉

huh. the punch is gentler this time; is this the result of their soon to be relationship? if so, he's loving it already.

take a guess?

"uhh...put less ketchup on my food? eat slower?"

he chuckles but takes a genuine guess soon after.

"i should listen to you more.""

@sol // [x]

☉

"i'm sure i'll be fine. training with you has prepared me for worse."

he returns her smirk with one of his own before taking a final sip of his coffee.

then, he leans forward, resting his arms on the table.

"so, what are the other conditions?"

@sol // [x]

☉

the question is expected.

"you know how i said my favorite movie is die hard?"

a great movie, by the way.

"...i was thinking of becoming a cop."

he smiles, genuinely excited by the idea.

"i'll likely enroll into the police academy in slateport."

@sol // [x]

☉

uri.

he waits in anticipation only to have his forehead flicked. he should've expected as much, honestly, but it makes him laugh all the same, suddenly relieved.

"okay. then i'll leave."

smiling, he adds:

"i don't just mean your squad, by the way. i'm leaving the military."

@sol // [x]

☉

just the one condition, really, and it's one he's thought about for a while.

"well, it's less of a condition and more of a promise, but..."

a pause, a breath, and he continues, never shifting his gaze away either.

"promise me you'll make an effort to spend time with me even after i leave."

@sol // [x]

☉

it's an inevitability he knows he can't avoid, so it doesn't surprise him when she brings it up. it tells him she must've thought about it before, most likely less than he has, however.

but leaving her squad isn't as easy as he thought it'd be.

he sighs, meeting her gaze.

"i know."

and then, after a brief pause, he mutters:

"...i also have one condition, sol."

@sol // [x]

☉

i wouldn't mind that.

somehow, her answer doesn't surprise him. it's something he'd expect her to say just because it's so...direct? he isn't too sure what it is.

what he's sure of, however, is the way his heart seems to jump at her words only to face obstacles head.

"name them."

@sol // [x]

☉

but if he doesn't push, will she ever tell him how she feels?

you wouldn't be here if i didn't like you, uri.

it's not obvious to him but maybe it should've been. still, despite the tension, her words make him feel warm almost too easily.

her question is met with silence as he considers it, afraid of the answer.

but there's no denying it.

"...i am."

@sol // [x]

☉