[ Reeve steps forward with a mock look of determination, shedding his suit's jacket and rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt just slightly like he's preparing for a far more serious endeavor. The claw machine hums softly under the fluorescent lights, its glass case filled with a kaleidoscope of pastel plush toys. He glances at them once, then at Layla, and something boyish flashes in his expression. His hand fishes some gil from his wallet and feeds it into the slot with a satisfying clink. ]
Duly noted. I'll win, no problem, in that case.
[ He grips the joystick, leaning down a little to get a better view of the cats. ]
They are cute, aren't they? The pink one even looks like you, a little bit.
[ With care, he nudges the claw into position, brow furrowed, tracking the line of the prize from both angles like he's plotting a tactical op. ]
How's the claw now? I want to hit the blue one's back leg from the right.
( the moment he began to move forward, taking off his jacket and rolling up his sleeves, reira was left absolutely in a daze. she stared at him just a bit, a soft blush filling up her face as she looked at him and took in all of his details— from just how strong his arms looked, to the way the fabric of his shirt rolled onto his skin, it all just served to make her fall harder for him. soon though she snapped back to reality as he looked at her and she smiled at him gently, tongue briefly rolling between her lips as she turned her attention towards the claw machine.
soon she was pressing her hands against the glass, looking inward as she watched and giggled a bit at his movements. )
Does it? Maybe I should let you keep it so you can keep it as a reminder of our date.
( soon though she was circling around the machine, keeping an eye before speaking. )
Move it just a bit to the right and you should be able to snatch it up! Come on Reeve you can do this, you've got this!
( don't mind her as she curled her hands into fists and jumped around a bit like a little kid, growing more and more excited by this game of chance. )
We could maybe slip some magnets in their paws. They're locked together now, but maybe it'd be better if we could each keep one. It'd be a shame if I won them here and you came away with nothing to take home, right?
[ There's a playfulness in his tone as he suggests it, stepping slightly aside to recalibrate his aim. By now, Reeve's jacket is draped over his shoulder. He looks... different like this. Not Shinra's Executive Director of Urban Planning, but a man leaning over a claw machine in the halo-glow of flickering bulbs, focused with the kind of precision usually reserved for city schematics or field surveys. With only the formality of his necktie holding him back to his title, the rolled sleeves of his dress shirt thoughtlessly display the slope of his forearms. Broad and sinewed, as he settles over the joystick. His skin is lightly flushed from the heat of the early summer air.
Reeve watches the alignment of the claw through the glass as Reira circles around, her voice bright with excitement. Following her instruction, he taps the button— once, twice— until the claw descends. It grips the plush pair of cats with a tinny sound and drags them across the bed of plastic gems and pastel fluff. They land against the prize chute's ledge with a wobble, caught at the edge like someone's breath held in suspense. Reeve readies another couple of coins. ]
I think I want the pink one after all.
[ He says it after some thought, and drops his next gil into the slot to continue. ]
( his words were so simple yet with each one of them there was a strong level of hope embedded deep within them. she could imagine now how they could split them up and put magnets on them, touching when they reunited. she truly was a hopeless romantic no matter how abysmal her own love life had been for such a long time. as he went on though, she simply nodded at his words and kept silent for now. it felt like if she said anything or did anything else, this precious moment would be ruined and she'd be left with nothing more than a memory to look back on in the future.
so she focused and concentrated, watching the claw machine recalibrate and move, with idle glances towards reeve here and there. he truly was a sight for sore eyes, eyes that were parched for something new and exciting to fill the void with. he was becoming everything she could ever want—
but before she realized, the plush was already tumbling down towards the prize chute and fell down. they were just inanimate toys and yet reira couldn't help but look down into the machine, already coming up with a cute love story for them. she'd tell reeve her thoughts but for now she lifted her gaze up to look at him and just how jovial he seemed.
it was endearing, and she couldn't help but smile at him gently. there was far more to this man than just an employee of shinra. he was someone she wanted to one day hold and cherish, she was sure of that. )
Then I get to keep the blue one. We'll stick magnets in their paws and it can be our little secret.
( why invite the rest of the world into what they were slowly building after all? as the gil dropped into the machine, she went back to position to keep an eye out. this time the moogles caught her eye. )
[ For the moment that the cat toys tumble down, Reeve doesn’t watch his mouth and sounds like the other cat they’re both far too familiar with. He only realizes it after the accented slang is out of him, and like a boardroom kneejerk response to cover and brush past it, he kneels to free the cats from the chute.
Reeve holds both cat toys out to her, balanced in his palms like an offering. The machine hums expectantly behind him, its mechanical prompt urging him to go again. One hand returns to the joystick, casual now, like he hadn’t just revealed more of himself than intended. ]
Anything else catching your eye?
[ While following her line of sight— ]
The fat chocobo?
[ He assumes she’s looking at that one, rather than the moogle beside it. ]
( the accent came rumbling like a familiar and warm reminder of the friend she had made before— but instead of recognizing it as reeve being somehow connected to cait sith [as in he controlled the animatronic], reira took it as a sign that her friend cait sith had truly conspired to help bring them together. so she didn't comment on it, instead looking at him and wondering just how long he had been speaking to the animatronic for. it seemed like he had asked about the fortune because he had gotten one from her friend. she made a mental note to thank him later, but for now she looked down as he bent down to grab the toy and held it out to her.
she grabbed it and smiled, deciding she'd pull them apart later so they could get their preferred color; in this case blue for her, pink for him. )
Fat chocobo?
( though that did interrupt her train of thought. she immediately looked at the machine and began to laugh. )
Well I was eyeing the moogle but I'll take the fat chocobo if you can get it. We better hurry though, I want to play some arcade games before I have to start heading back you know?
[ Reeve focuses on the remaining turns, eyebrows knitting together with anticipation as the claw dips and lifts the moogle’s hind leg. His fortune about being lucky today had turned out to be true— only one other try after the initial attempt, and another toy for Reira makes its way down the chute. ]
Easy. Crazy really, I’ve never had this easy a time with them. You must be a good luck charm to me.
[ He retrieves the moogle from the machine now, carrying it on her behalf so she doesn’t have to. ]
( it was endearing how easily he listened to her and went right for what she wanted, already spoiling her even though they were far from being anything close to a true and genuine couple. yet despite that looming in the background, all reira could do was indulge in the playful of this moment and ignore anything else that could stand in the way of them becoming more than just two acquaintances on a date. as he capture the toy with the claw machine and it came tumbling down, she began to move closer to him, watching as he grabbed the toy for her. )
I guess that means you'll be inviting me out anytime you need a bit of good luck huh?
( she couldn't help but nudge him arm playfully with her elbow, already signing herself up to be taken out anytime he did anything fun. regardless of his answer though, this time she was quick to grab his free wrist, tugging him along towards the rest of the arcade. )
Well come on then, let's have some fun shall we?
( off they went, engaging in any and all sorts of manners of entertainment and amusement that they could cram into the remaining time they had left on their date. from g-bike racing [with her dress hiked up], virtual battling, basketball hoops and the like, whatever the arcade had was probably played by them at least once. truly they were like two children having an endless bout of fun fueled by their double dessert and the general good vibes between them. whatever insecurities they felt before [namely on reira's part] had slowly begun to fade away as only happiness seemed to fill them both.
eventually though all good things came to an end and as they both began to walk outside of the outskirts of the arcade, reira now held all of her plushies in hand. it was time for her to go home. )
This....this was a lot of fun. I don't think I've really had such a great time with anyone like this in ages. I really enjoyed myself, thank you.
( she turned to face him now, a faint blush on her face as she looked up at him. she felt an urge to lean up and kiss him but on the lips felt too soon, and although she was sure he wouldn't mind....perhaps it was best to wait for once. something about all of this just felt so pure, so full of wonder and possibility.
she didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it. so she smiled at him, tilting her head a bit. )
Can I hug you? After all these prizes you won for me well....maybe you deserve a kiss on the cheek too.
[ Reeve doesn’t say anything right away because he’s too caught up in how radiant she is, arms full of plushes, eyes soft, flushed from the night and maybe something sweeter. The lights from the arcade spill behind her, outlining the silhouette of her shoulders.
She’d enjoyed herself. That matters more than Reeve had even realized it would. His chest aches, though with the ache of something good.
Finally, he smiles, the kind that pulls slow. He pushes one hand through his hair, weirdly shy for reasons he couldn’t quite name. Maybe because of the vulnerability of her question, or maybe because her voice had gotten quiet near the end. ]
Of course you can. I’d never turn that down.
[ It’s meant to sound lighthearted, but there’s something laced beneath the words that lingers faintly in his eyes as he looks at her. Opening one arm at first and stepping close, he reels her into himself, pulling her against his dress shirt. ]
( starving for attention and desire was one way to go about keeping things slow, but there had to be a happy medium between it all. she was so desperate and longing for something real and while she was still unsure if she could truly have that with reeve, there was a hopeful little feeling within her that said luck was on her side. perhaps she truly was a lucky charm like he said, but only time would tell.
for now though she allowed herself to be pulled in by his embrace, curling up against his strong chest as the plushies squished between her body and his. his embrace was strong and so comforting; she closed her eyes momentarily, basking in his scent and warmth before she peaked up from above, and in his arms she rose to the tip of her toes.
finally, turning to face the side of his face properly, she pressed a kiss against his cheek. in that brief and tender moment, she took in the way the hairs of his beard felt against her and the small amount of precipitation against his skin caused by the summer heat. it was brief and soon she was pulling away from him— but it wasn't because she didn't enjoy any of it, she just didn't want to risk lingering for too long and misinterpreting the situation. he was being polite to her, kind, if she looked into this more it'd hurt her more if she found out he only viewed her as a friend or worse; little sister.
with a small distance between them, she reached for the arm of one of the cats and waved it at him. )
Thank you, and although I have to go now I won't forget. I'll get you your half of the cat soon, with a little magnet in its paw as requested. You have my number by the way....don't be afraid to reach out, okay?
( she meant that, spoken with a more fierce determination than before. soon though she was on her heel, a taxi cab rolling in further up for her to head back home in. )
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dilettante) wrote2025-07-06 11:26 am
no subject
Duly noted. I'll win, no problem, in that case.
[ He grips the joystick, leaning down a little to get a better view of the cats. ]
They are cute, aren't they? The pink one even looks like you, a little bit.
[ With care, he nudges the claw into position, brow furrowed, tracking the line of the prize from both angles like he's plotting a tactical op. ]
How's the claw now? I want to hit the blue one's back leg from the right.
no subject
soon she was pressing her hands against the glass, looking inward as she watched and giggled a bit at his movements. )
Does it? Maybe I should let you keep it so you can keep it as a reminder of our date.
( soon though she was circling around the machine, keeping an eye before speaking. )
Move it just a bit to the right and you should be able to snatch it up! Come on Reeve you can do this, you've got this!
( don't mind her as she curled her hands into fists and jumped around a bit like a little kid, growing more and more excited by this game of chance. )
no subject
[ There's a playfulness in his tone as he suggests it, stepping slightly aside to recalibrate his aim. By now, Reeve's jacket is draped over his shoulder. He looks... different like this. Not Shinra's Executive Director of Urban Planning, but a man leaning over a claw machine in the halo-glow of flickering bulbs, focused with the kind of precision usually reserved for city schematics or field surveys. With only the formality of his necktie holding him back to his title, the rolled sleeves of his dress shirt thoughtlessly display the slope of his forearms. Broad and sinewed, as he settles over the joystick. His skin is lightly flushed from the heat of the early summer air.
Reeve watches the alignment of the claw through the glass as Reira circles around, her voice bright with excitement. Following her instruction, he taps the button— once, twice— until the claw descends. It grips the plush pair of cats with a tinny sound and drags them across the bed of plastic gems and pastel fluff. They land against the prize chute's ledge with a wobble, caught at the edge like someone's breath held in suspense. Reeve readies another couple of coins. ]
I think I want the pink one after all.
[ He says it after some thought, and drops his next gil into the slot to continue. ]
no subject
so she focused and concentrated, watching the claw machine recalibrate and move, with idle glances towards reeve here and there. he truly was a sight for sore eyes, eyes that were parched for something new and exciting to fill the void with. he was becoming everything she could ever want—
but before she realized, the plush was already tumbling down towards the prize chute and fell down. they were just inanimate toys and yet reira couldn't help but look down into the machine, already coming up with a cute love story for them. she'd tell reeve her thoughts but for now she lifted her gaze up to look at him and just how jovial he seemed.
it was endearing, and she couldn't help but smile at him gently. there was far more to this man than just an employee of shinra. he was someone she wanted to one day hold and cherish, she was sure of that. )
Then I get to keep the blue one. We'll stick magnets in their paws and it can be our little secret.
( why invite the rest of the world into what they were slowly building after all? as the gil dropped into the machine, she went back to position to keep an eye out. this time the moogles caught her eye. )
no subject
[ For the moment that the cat toys tumble down, Reeve doesn’t watch his mouth and sounds like the other cat they’re both far too familiar with. He only realizes it after the accented slang is out of him, and like a boardroom kneejerk response to cover and brush past it, he kneels to free the cats from the chute.
Reeve holds both cat toys out to her, balanced in his palms like an offering. The machine hums expectantly behind him, its mechanical prompt urging him to go again. One hand returns to the joystick, casual now, like he hadn’t just revealed more of himself than intended. ]
Anything else catching your eye?
[ While following her line of sight— ]
The fat chocobo?
[ He assumes she’s looking at that one, rather than the moogle beside it. ]
no subject
she grabbed it and smiled, deciding she'd pull them apart later so they could get their preferred color; in this case blue for her, pink for him. )
Fat chocobo?
( though that did interrupt her train of thought. she immediately looked at the machine and began to laugh. )
Well I was eyeing the moogle but I'll take the fat chocobo if you can get it. We better hurry though, I want to play some arcade games before I have to start heading back you know?
no subject
Easy. Crazy really, I’ve never had this easy a time with them. You must be a good luck charm to me.
[ He retrieves the moogle from the machine now, carrying it on her behalf so she doesn’t have to. ]
no subject
I guess that means you'll be inviting me out anytime you need a bit of good luck huh?
( she couldn't help but nudge him arm playfully with her elbow, already signing herself up to be taken out anytime he did anything fun. regardless of his answer though, this time she was quick to grab his free wrist, tugging him along towards the rest of the arcade. )
Well come on then, let's have some fun shall we?
( off they went, engaging in any and all sorts of manners of entertainment and amusement that they could cram into the remaining time they had left on their date. from g-bike racing [with her dress hiked up], virtual battling, basketball hoops and the like, whatever the arcade had was probably played by them at least once. truly they were like two children having an endless bout of fun fueled by their double dessert and the general good vibes between them. whatever insecurities they felt before [namely on reira's part] had slowly begun to fade away as only happiness seemed to fill them both.
eventually though all good things came to an end and as they both began to walk outside of the outskirts of the arcade, reira now held all of her plushies in hand. it was time for her to go home. )
This....this was a lot of fun. I don't think I've really had such a great time with anyone like this in ages. I really enjoyed myself, thank you.
( she turned to face him now, a faint blush on her face as she looked up at him. she felt an urge to lean up and kiss him but on the lips felt too soon, and although she was sure he wouldn't mind....perhaps it was best to wait for once. something about all of this just felt so pure, so full of wonder and possibility.
she didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it. so she smiled at him, tilting her head a bit. )
Can I hug you? After all these prizes you won for me well....maybe you deserve a kiss on the cheek too.
no subject
She’d enjoyed herself. That matters more than Reeve had even realized it would. His chest aches, though with the ache of something good.
Finally, he smiles, the kind that pulls slow. He pushes one hand through his hair, weirdly shy for reasons he couldn’t quite name. Maybe because of the vulnerability of her question, or maybe because her voice had gotten quiet near the end. ]
Of course you can. I’d never turn that down.
[ It’s meant to sound lighthearted, but there’s something laced beneath the words that lingers faintly in his eyes as he looks at her. Opening one arm at first and stepping close, he reels her into himself, pulling her against his dress shirt. ]
wrapping this up here ♥
for now though she allowed herself to be pulled in by his embrace, curling up against his strong chest as the plushies squished between her body and his. his embrace was strong and so comforting; she closed her eyes momentarily, basking in his scent and warmth before she peaked up from above, and in his arms she rose to the tip of her toes.
finally, turning to face the side of his face properly, she pressed a kiss against his cheek. in that brief and tender moment, she took in the way the hairs of his beard felt against her and the small amount of precipitation against his skin caused by the summer heat. it was brief and soon she was pulling away from him— but it wasn't because she didn't enjoy any of it, she just didn't want to risk lingering for too long and misinterpreting the situation. he was being polite to her, kind, if she looked into this more it'd hurt her more if she found out he only viewed her as a friend or worse; little sister.
with a small distance between them, she reached for the arm of one of the cats and waved it at him. )
Thank you, and although I have to go now I won't forget. I'll get you your half of the cat soon, with a little magnet in its paw as requested. You have my number by the way....don't be afraid to reach out, okay?
( she meant that, spoken with a more fierce determination than before. soon though she was on her heel, a taxi cab rolling in further up for her to head back home in. )