A Thousand Hugs from Ten Thousand Lightning Bugs

[Luxanna Viera]

She heard the question, and she was about to answer too, but as she opened her mouth to speak, the brunette was distracted by the glowing dots circling around her face. Watching them carefully, she had to admit to herself that she really didn't think she had ever witnessed anything more beautiful than this. Really, to think that something this beautiful was so easily obtained was almost ridiculous. And it kind of made her wonder if such beauty went by unappreciated too.

She moved her gaze back to time and offered him a soft smile as she shook her head, "No, it's fine," she began and stepped closer to him. Reaching out a hand, she tapped her finger against the lid of the jar and grinned, "Let's catch some of them," she said, almost determined. Sure, she'd feel bad about capturing them and all, but she didn't exactly think Tim would stay here all night long to watch a swarm of bugs with her, so the jar was the next best thing. Besides, they could always just, like, let them back out again after a while.

"Come on," she said and nodded towards the swarm. Stopping short though, she furrowed her brows, "Uhm... How do we catch them though?" She could almost picture Tim just running around like a madman with the jar open, hoping he'd catch one or two.

[Tim Tawfeek]

"Cool, cool," said Tim, grinning like an idiot (not that he'd really stopped since they'd headed toward the clearing and all). They had a jar, and they could totally...

... do this...

...thing... okay, Lux had just totally pointed out a glaring flaw in Tim's brilliant plan. He stood there for a few moments, actually going "uhhh" for the first part before seeming to realize how very stupid that sounded. He looked dumbly at the jar then up at his girlfriend. "Well, uh, I don't know. I just guess that we kinda," he moved the jar around in the air, bobbing it for a bit, "do something like this?"

Tim paused for a moment, jar in the air, his eyes moving from it to Lux and back again. "So, like, the bats do it, and they said it's super easy and all..." he moved the jar again, wishing that somehow his power would make them sort of enter the jar. Sadly, Tim could not talk to and imitate lightning bugs. That would be far too useful, especially right now. He could, however, wave the jar in the air a few more times. Because that was clearly working.

[Luxanna Viera]

Tilting her head to the side, Lux watched Tim standing there dumbfounded as he went 'uhhh'. She had to admit it was kind of cute. In a very dorky way, which clearly, was the best kind of way. Chuckling softly, she watched as he started waving the jar around as an attempt to capture some of the bugs, "It's better than nothing," she said, mostly to comfort him, although, she wasn't sure how well it would work. Sure, they'd probably manage to catch a few and she'd totally be happy with that. But... She wasn't sure how much faith she'd put in the method he was trying.

"We're not in a rush," she pointed out, "So like... Even if it takes a while, I'm sure we'll make it work in the end, bats or no bats," she said with a smile and stepped closer. "Does flowers attract them?" she asked as her gaze dropped to the ground. Maybe if they put some flowers in the jar, that could attract some of them, or what if they ran around through the bigger groups of bugs and just hoped for the best?

Grimacing, Luxanna lifted her gaze again and stared at Tim as he waved the jar in the air. "You look adorable."

[Tim Tawfeek]

There was Lux, trying to make Tim's idiocy sound a little less like idiocy and more like something else. Maybe she thought he was adorkable? Tim was perfectly okay with that. Honestly, he was pretty much cool with whatever it took to get Lux to keep sticking around and dating him. Not that he was desperate or anything. OKay, the flailing around with the jar was pretty desperate of him.

"Flowers?" he said, turning so abruptly that he almost dropped the jar. He had to play catch with it for a few moments, finally pulling it tight against his chest and letting out a sigh. He reached up to adjust his glasses and looked at his girlfriend again. "Adorable? Well, uh, I guess that works," he said, chuckling. "I mean, you're the cute one in this relationship, so I guess I gotta be something and--hey!"

Tim held up the jar, grinning wide as he turned it so Lux could see. Sure enough, there were a couple of lightning bugs moving around inside, blinking. Tim closed the distance between Lux and him. "Looks like all that flailing got a couple inside. Cool, right?" he smiled, looking up at her, a smile on his face and the dim light of the bugs in the jar illuminating them both.

[Luxanna Viera]

Putting her hand over her mouth, Luxanna tried stifling the giggle that threatened to erupt from the back of her throat as Tim seemed to almost lose control of the jar. In that moment, she thought over just how lucky she had been, being able to meet Tim and also now, date him. He really was adorable in every way possible and she was thankful that things had worked out the way they had. Smiling warmly at him, she folded her hands behind her back and chuckled. As she opened her mouth to speak, she was cut short the second Tim lifted the jar and held it up.

Her smile widened at the sight of the fireflies inside the jar. It was such an amazing sight, even with the swarms of them flying around them. She felt a small sting of pride over the boy too. He looked so excited. When he stepped closer, her eyes dropped to the jar again and she nodded eagerly, "It's super cool," she spoke softly and tapped the tip of her finger against the glass. "They're so pretty too." If only every night could have been like this. She wouldn't mind at all getting to see such a wonderful sight every night.

When her eyes eventually lifted to meet Tim's, she could feel the faint flush spread across her cheeks. He seemed to have that effect on her a lot, and really, she didn't mind. She felt safe and comfortable with him. It was nice. "This is really wonderful, Tim. Thank you."

[Tim Tawfeek]

"Yeah, it is. I'm kinda surprised it worked," admitted Tim again, laughing a little. He'd looked up, met her eyes, and he could see the flush on her cheeks. For not the first time, Tim was thankful that his own skin tone made such things a little bit more difficult to pick up. His skin certainly darkened for a moment, and if you knew what to look for, you'd notice it. But in the dark? with the lightning bug glow? He should be safe, totally.

Wonderful, yeah, that wasn't making it worse. Tim laughed a little, looking at Lux's eyes. He could almost feel like everything hung suspended, like the world was just waiting for him to make the right decision. As stupid as it was, it reminded him of some kind of quick time event on a game. Make the right move, Tim or watch yourself go down in flames!

"Can I kiss you?" came out before Tim even seemed to realize it. He blinked, then licked his lips and adjusted the jar. "I mean, uh, obviously I can, because I have lips," he placed a hand on his chest, "and you have lips," gestured toward Lux, "so they could, you know, be pressed together. What I guess I'm asking is may I, is it---do I have your permission to kiss you. Now. On the lips."

[Luxanna Viera]

Luxanna's green eyes snapped upwards, meeting Tim's once he blurted out his question. And just not any question, but the question. Staring at him, she wasn't quite sure how to react. She was taken aback at the suddenity of it all. Before the brunette got much of a chance to reply, Tim continued, as he always did whenever he got nervous. Lux was nervous too, which was probably obvious from the rapid speed her blush had grown, and the way she couldn't keep her hands still at all. God, was she shaking?

She could feel the butterflies, the familiar tightening at the bottom of her stomach which made her entire body feel like it was being tickled. It felt really nice too. And despite how nervous she was, and how well, awkward she felt about it, it made her happy. Grinning widely, the brunette simply nodded. First once, then twice, then she was fairly sure her head looked like one of those bob head dolls.

Lowering her hands, she could still feel them shaking. She wasn't sure what to expect, or even, what to do. She had never had a boyfriend before and although, there was a lot to be seen of them in movies, she had quickly realized that not everything that happened in movies would also happen in real life. They made it all seem so easy.

"Y-yeah," she whispered, "I-- I'd like that."

[Tim Tawfeek]

Tim had technically kissed a girl before.

They'd been about six. He'd given her a flower and told her that he liked her. She'd said they should kiss. So he'd leaned forward and closed his eyes and felt her lips touch his. it really wasn't that bad, in retrospect. Oh sure, at the time he'd whined about cooties and wiped his mouth and they'd still ended up dating for about three weeks (six if you count how long she called them boyfriend/girlfriend).

There might've been another between then and now, but that was the one his mind jumped to almost immediately. Probably because he felt about the same way, only with decidedly less "eww."

"Right," he said. He set down the jar for a moment, letting the dim light of the flies illuminate them slightly. He stepped forward, reaching for Lux's hands, threading his own through them, noting how soft she felt. "I really like you, Lux," he said, looking at her, "like, seriously," he almost laughed and was tempted to start talking some more. Instead he leaned forward, keeping his eyes open until the last moment, not wanting to lose his target. Then, just as he felt his lips press against hers, he closed his eyes an offered a silent prayer to whatever deity was listening (he was betting on the beautiful Melusine or possibly her handmaiden Fate) that he wouldn't mess it up.

[Luxanna Viera]

She felt herself holding her breath when he stepped closer. Even as she felt his fingers interlock with hers, she didn't dare to breathe, and it wasn't until he spoke that she did either. Letting out the air in her lungs with a soft, shaking sigh, she looked at him. She could feel the intense heat burning her cheeks from the flush, but for once in her life, she didn't really mind it. "I really like you too," she said, the corner of her lips tugging upwards into a warm grin.

When he leaned in, Luxanna didn't feel nearly as awkward as she thought she would have. Sure, she was still nervous and wondered if she'd be bad at it, kissing, and if they would end up bumping heads or whatever. But then, she wasn't afraid. Nothing about Tim scared her. Everything he did, everything he said, only made her feel comfortable and safe. Closing her eyes as he drew closer, Lux could feel the pleasant tightening in her chest, the sudden anticipation and excitement well up like never before. She couldn't remember ever feeling this way before, and truth be told... she didn't think she ever had.

Unable to keep the smile off of her lips, Luxanna smiled against Tim's lips and chuckled. She didn't really know what words to use to explain the way she felt, or if there even was any. Though, really, she was content with just this for the time being.

[Tim Tawfeek]

Tim kept his eyes closed for a while, even though some part of him was spewing out the fact that people really just kissed that way because all the movies had shown it like that and what not. It let him feel so much more: her fingers clenched against his, her soft lips, the air breathing against them. He swore he could hear her heart thudding, though that could've very well been his own. At least the bugs were quiet.

He definitely heard the slight chuckle, and it made him break contact, smiling as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Is that because you're really happy or am I really that bad at this?" he asked teasingly, giving her hands a squeeze. Tim could barely catch movement out of the corner of his eyes and was dimly aware that various bugs flitted around and now between them, blinking their lights as if Fate decreed that they should illuminate the scene unfolding around them.

Tim was only dimly aware though, because his gaze and his focus had become locked tight on the girl in front of him: his dream girl breathed to all kinds of exquisite life and standing right there, holding his hands after they'd kissed.

[Luxanna Viera]

Smiling warmly, Luxanna let another chuckle fall from her lips. Squinting her eyes as she wrinkled her nose, she sighed, "Because I'm happy," she confirmed. No, he wasn't bad at all. Not that she really knew what to compare him to, since she well, was fairly new to this and all, but she had liked it, and that was what counted the most, right? At least it hadn't been one of those horror stories Jack had fed her, where someone would kiss you and just end up sucking on your entire face and...

Right. Stay in the presence.

Noticing the way the fireflies seemed to almost float around them, Luxanna looked upwards. Her green eyes following the yellow lights as they circled the air. "They're so beautiful," she said and narrowed her eyes, looking back at Tim. "I wish we had these back at the academy too." She felt more at ease now. Strange how that worked out. "I'd spend every night outside."

Then again, if she got to see it every day, it wouldn't have been nearly as special. It wouldn't have been nearly as beautiful.

She also liked the way 'we' sounded, although it hadn't been used quite in that manner, it still had a nice ring to it.

[Tim Tawfeek]

"Good," said Tim, not quite able to keep all the relief from his body and his words. He just knew he'd screw things up eventually. With every action he took, Tim braced for his inevitable face plant, all the while keeping an eye on the path and the girl in front of him. He just knew that one o the other would hold his attention just long enough for the mistake to happen.

Not now though. Now everything was lining up nearly perfectly, with the fireflies floating around them, creating a picture ripped right out of a romantic movie. Tim watched them for a bit, especially the ones that drifted close to Lux. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Though it would be kinda a bummer to head out every night and drag you back inside," he chuckled a bit. Then some motion caught at the edge of his vision and he pointed at some trees in the distance.

"Looks like some bats are digging it too. See those dark shapes? That's the local pack. I swear," he moved to put his arm around Lux's shoulder, figuring that it was just the natural, right, boyfriendly thing to do, "they seem to follow me a bit. Probably my ability or something," Tim nodded, then reached up with his free hand to adjust his glasses.

[Luxanna Viera]

"Who said anything about dragging?" she said, sticking her tongue out at him. Though, knowing her, she'd get lost in the sight and end up staying out all damn night long and forget time was something that actually existed. "I could build a small hut at the edge of the forest and just live there forever," she said, her eyes wide as she pictured it. Wouldn't that have been something.

Unless Jack decided her hideout would be the perfect place to stash his alcohol and porn. Like he had the time she had met him down at the lake.

Moving her eyes to where Tim was pointing, Luxanna squinted her eyes as she tried seeing the bats. With the darkness and all, they were kind of hard to see, but she thought she could tell what he was talking about. "Can you hear them now?" she asked, feeling the same jittery feeling she had felt before return when his arm came around her shoulder. "You should tell them to come over," she said then, eagerly clapping her hands together. Oh, she could make some new friends!

[Tim Tawfeek]

Tim saw the tongue and chuckled, glad to know that Lux could give a little back. Not that he wasn't already aware of it, but he liked to see it from time to time. Well, hear. Whatever. He'd just kissed the girl of his dreams: he was allowed to have his brain get all confused and confuddled.

"So I'd have to come visit you in the hut? I guess that could work," said Tim. He readjusted his position, moving to drape his arms over Lux's shoulders, his head coming in from behind her. It lasted for a bit as she squinted and all, but she seemed to be getting jittery or something. Tim forced himself to hold.

"Uh, I can try?" he said. Though he realized that in order to actually communicate with them, he'd have to unwrap himself just after he'd managed to work up to two arms. He did so anyway, then noticed that he'd nearly kicked the jar. He bent low, turning to offer it to Lux to hold. Assuming she took it, he'd be jarless when he turned back. he'd be turning regardless, and clearing his throat.

Then he'd be letting out the inhuman shriek that sounded sort of like a bat's squeak only louder. Sure enough, several bats headed their way, though they also seemed to realize that they were descending toward a feast of glowing insects.

[Luxanna Viera]

"Would you?" she asked and looked at him. She was glad and happy, mostly happy that he'd actually go that far just to spend time with her. Leaning a little against him, Luxanna felt her focus on the bots vanish little by little. Instead, she felt her focus being drawn towards the boy standing behind her, which wasn't all that weird, not that she thought about it. In fact, wasn't that supposed to be a good thing? Like... Since he was her boyfriend and all? It was in times like these that Lux was glad Tim wasn't a telepath.

Accepting the jar, she pressed it against her chest. Looking down at it, she smiled at the bugs still lively flying inside on the other side of the glass. She poked it with her index finger and her smile only widened. With that, she gave her attention back to Tim, watching him prep for his incredibly cool and amazing ability.

Flinching at the sudden sound, her grasp around the glass jar tightened, though, as the bats started approaching, Luxanna freed one of her hands and lifted it to her forehead, "Wow," she said, "It worked."

But did this mean they'd be as nice as the last bats Luxanna had met, or...? Frowning, Lux turned her head to look at Tim, "Are they as nice as...?"