Who: Selphie Tilmitt, Irvine Kinneas.
Where:  Northern Atrium, Irvine's Dorm
Why:  Selphie and Irvine have been apart far too long, and this is mostly cutesie stuff between them. You have been warned.
Date of Log:  8/17/00

...Okay, so Selphie told Logan she was going to bed. She was! She had every intention of doing that! Especially since the Doc told her to take it easy. ...Until the girl found that after sleeping for almost two days straight, it's kinda hard to sleep more without the aid of sleeping pills, which she doesn't have. So. Back out of her room comes she, and out towards the hall. Hungry again. Maybe a snack'll make her feel better! Something salty...

Sans duster and chaps, which are -back- to needing repair and a good cleaning (no way he was donning that toxic coated duster after it got slimed inside and out, after all), Irvine appears to be... pacing. Yes, just walking around the Atrium circle because he just can't quite sleep. Dressed in dark jeans and his usual vest, his arms and chest are left bare, showing the fading red streaks that had served as burn marks following the final showdown with that sludge critter. Really he was lucky, many others most certainly were not. However, he spots Selphie exiting the Dormitory corridor and a reddish colored brow lifts, "Hey, shouldn't you be in bed?" Yep, now comes 'Protective Boyfriend Mode (tm)'.

As if she didn't even hear the comment, the flippy-haired girl is quick to glance in the direction of the voice, nonetheless. It doesn't register, though, apparently, as her face shows something totally opposite of what she would normally respond with. 'Yay!' is a nice word to describe it. "Irvy!" Running -- not trotting, running! -- towards said 'incognito cowboy,' Selphie has no intention of slowing down before she reaches him, arms up in Prime Hugging Position. Why the sudden enthusiasm? Who knows. -She- doesn't even know.

Watching Selphie approach, well, not just approach but -rush- toward him, Irvine waits until the last moment to lean over and snatch her up into his arms, twirling her around once before setting her feet back down on the ground. Yes, he's just as happy to see her. After five days of utter panick and worry, she's -safe-. Still not quite releasing her from the embrace, he breaths in deeply. "Hyne, you have no idea how much I missed you." He draws back slightly to look at her, blue eyes solicitous, seeking out any of the sores he'd seen on her earlier. "You feelin' better? You certainly look a lot better." The red spots are noted, but that means it's healing right?

Sure, it only felt like perhaps 2 days, tops, that she hadn't seen the cowboy... But since she now knows that it was much longer, she feels that she should respond accordingly. Giggling as she's twirled, she's apprently back to normal. Well, except for the stupid sore thingees. Hrmph. She took care of the ones on her face with some foundation and powder, but the others she's left alone. "I... -would've- missed you, if I'd known that we weren't together!" See, even her sense of humor is back. Yay! Nodnodding quickly, affirming the fact that she feels as good as she looks, the girl just hugs herself to the taller Cadet. "Mmhmm!" Well, besides the fact that she can't help but shake this -dirty- feeling, all over. But it'll fade.

Irvine knows that toxic slime pretty much kept its victims in a state of unawareness. Well, he hopes anyway, he wouldn't have wanted to be coated in that stuff for five days and -remember- it all. Just coming into contact with it briefly was a memorable enough experience. "You were gone five days, Darlin'. Scared the hell out of me." Good thing they'd gone down when they had... so many had died from malnutrition that he shudders to think what might have become of her if they'd waited just a day longer. Speaking of which, "Where were you headin' anyway?"

"Mmn -- well, now you know how it feels! Finally, you got to play the part of the heroic knight," she drawls, content to just huu~uug her Irvine. And while she's content that Irvine know understands how she's felt in the past, and has finally played the rightful part of a Boyfriend... She'd rather not have anything like that happen again. Ever.Herst the question, she just makes a little quiet noise, eyes shut, not having pulled herself away from her continued hug. "--Nowhere," she lies.

Hey, that was different... sorta. He wasn't trapped in icky gooey slime. Er. Irvine just shakes his head and chuckles, running his fingers through Selphie's hair. "Heroic knight? Hmm, does that make you my princess?" Bleh, he can't believe he said that even. When does he refer to his little Darlin' as a princess? Knights are Seifer's fantasy, not the cowboy's. Actually, now that he thinks about it, he ended up saving Laguna's hide last night and pulling -Shiva- out of the fire too. Uh oh, warning, warning, danger, cowboy ego is rising. But, hey, distraction, she answered him. "Nowhere? Then maybe you need to get back to bed, Darlin'."

Selphie laughs, content enough to stand there, cowboy running his fingers through her hair, hugging him. Sigh! At least Logan reassured her that she didn't -hurt- anyone, during her... ah... 'vacation.' Else she'd be grilling -Irvine- for that reason. And, hey! Knights are Selphie's fantasy, too. And while she doesn't know any details of the last fight, she's sure that everything eventually worked out... No one's really -that- badly hurt, save for the obvious victims.Herss Irvine suggests that she return to bed, the girl -pouts-, pulling away slightly. "--But I've -been- in a bed for the past day and a -half-! It's totally boring." It is! Especially in the -infirmary-. She did make little plays with tongue depressers and q-tips, though.

"Yeah, I know, I was usually there while you were sleeping," Irvine replies with a grin and a wink. He never seemed to catch her while she was awake in there. Reaching down for her hand, he starts back toward the Dormitory corridor. Last chance to drag him somewhere else, he's fairly determined to make sure his Sefie heals properly. "Just be glad you were fightin' that thing down there. I'd have preferred to be in bed."

Blink! Shooting a surprised look up to the cowboy at the confession that he stayed in the infirmary, though she hadn't really seen him, said look is quickly replaced with a smile. She -was- dissapointed when she first woke up, and there was a definate shortage of Irvines in the area... But pushed it to the back of her mind, since she's sure that Irvine wouldn't lie. Never! ...Well, he'd better not, anyway. --"Er!" Shaking her head of the cobwebs that were beginning to form, the brunette finds that she's being pulled back to her bed. "--Aww, Irvy~!" Whine, whine. "C'mon, it's not fair! I'm not tii~iired!" She doesn't really -try- to stop him, however, though she puts up enough fight for it to get her point across. She still follows, if grudgingly. Not fair.

"Didn't say you had to sleep, Darlin'," the cowboy says as he continues forward, protest or no. "I haven't -seen- you in over five days, or talked to you," he pauses, then adds, "I missed you." Aw. Of course, he doesn't tell her how much he was panicking, searching all over Garden for her, snapping at friends in his irritation and generally falling into one hell of a broody mood without her. Logan knows. It's surprising he hadn't filled Selphie in on just how out of it her cowboy was while she was gone. However, since she seems really reluctant to the idea of going back, he pauses. "Where would you like to go then." Someplace she'd be sitting, preferred. He worries -too- much now.

"--Oh." Duh, Selphie. Jeez. Blame it on the medicine, since there's no GF junctioned to eat her brain currently. Smiling slowly at Irvine's explination, she cocks her head to the side, and stops being difficult. And Logan -did- mention that Irvine hadn't slept hardly at all... But didn't say a thing about his mood. And it's not as if -Irvine- would tell her -- she'll have to prod Logan for details, later.

And just as she decides that she doesn't -really- mind going back to her bed, Irvine decides to cave in. Tch! What a wuss! She mentally grumbles, now having to go against what she adamently refused just 5 seconds ago. Oh, well! Brightening noticably, she point!s dormitory-wards. "I'm s'posed to be in bed. Du~uh!" Hee. Sometimes him being so easily persuaded is fun.

Squinting one eye down at Selphie, Irvine studies her for a long moment. What is it with women anyway? They don't want something one minute, and then they want it the next. Tch, confusing. Hard to please. And he loves every moment of it. Leaning over slightly as he lifts her hand up to kiss it, "As you wish." And with that, leads her off toward the dorms again.

Giggling to herself at Irvine's chivalrous behavior, she follows obediently. Idly thinking back to the last time she saw Irvine, Selphie really did think she was going to die when those... -things-, took her. It was -scary-. And she was on her own, no weapons, no one to hear her screa-- "--I missed you," she blurts, though she had said something of the same context just minutes before. Oh, well -- like he'll mind hearing it again. Walk, walk.

Irvine has often wondered -what- exactly happened, seeing as he has no clue how anyone fell into the sludge creature's trap. But, he's not about to ask, Selphie's been through enough without having to relive any of it. Hearing her just blurt that out alerts him to something being amiss, however, and he releases her hand, winding an arm around her shoulders instead to draw her in closer. "Next time, I'll go with you if you have any late night stuff to finish in the Quad, hmm?"

Well, she'd -tell- him, if he asked. It's not as if she hasn't been on the brink of death before. But she just doesn't feel the need to tell the story, since it'd undoubtedly just make Irvine worry more, or... some sort of Male thing. She doesn't understand it. But she doesn't really need to, and doesn't think much more about it, as she finds an arm around her shoulders. Intially leaning into the new position, the words that follow make her pause. "--Tch!" Okay. So she'd enjoy the company, and admittedly, the protection -- if anything like that ever happened again. But as far as she knows, it's -all- over. No more slime-things. What're the odds of something happening -inside- of Garden again? Nil! "--Like that'll ever happen again!" Stubborn!

Pausing, Irvine grins down at Selphie and winks, "So why take risks? Besides, admit it, you'd love to have me along." Yeah, he's -definately- feeling more like his old self. Now however he points left, toward Selphie's room, and then right, towards his room. "Where to?" Her choice, he doesn't really care so long as he's with her. Luckily, this early in the morning, no one's around. So it wouldn't matter either way.

"--Oh, whatever! Like I'd ever want -you- around," she teases, even as she sends a wink his way. She can do it, too! So there. --Er, oh yeah. Rooms. Sheesh, they should just move into a double. Which requires marri-- "Ahm." Let's stop that thought. Moving a hand behind the cowboy's back, she uses it to push him towards his own room -- she likes the way it smells. Like Irvy, only it's a whole -room-. Mmm!

Irvine is thusly pushed off toward his own room. Not that he minds at all, it's his little lair, and if that's what she wants, that's what she's getting. He chuckles at her retort and mock protests, "Well, if you don't want me around then..." He starts to unwind his arm, though half expects she won't let him get away with it. Funny, marriage is probably furthest from his mind right about now, but it's funny that Selphie appears to be the one with cold feet out of the blue.

Selphie may like the -idea- of marriage, but that doesn't mean she -wants- it now! Lucky for Irvy. She just knows that the subject bothers the cowboy, and doesn't mind bringing it up in jest. But when Irvine plays along with her little comeback, she lets him. No protest, just a quick dash to open his door and get inside, close it, and lock it, before he can get inside, too. She's fairly sure he'll stop her, but figures it's worth the try. Hee.

Hey! Irvine does indeed see what she's up to and races forward to barrell into the door with one shoulder just before she can get it shut, keeping it pried open. "You little minx!" he shouts, probably a little too loudly this early in the morning. Careful or the ruckus might wake the wrong person. "Oooooh you are in so much trouble, little girl."

"--Eeek!" Also not really honoring those still asleep, Selphie presses against the door with her own shoulder. ...Not that it does much good, since she sliiiides along with the door, as her weight is obviously not enough to keep it shut -- not with Irvine on the other side, anyway. So what to do? ...Ah! She pulls away from the door quickly, squealing as she does, and lunges towards his bed. Wahaha, what a genius plan! ...And... flop!s down on it, pretending to be asleep. Oh, -right-, Selphie. She even makes little fake snoring sounds -- as if she snores.

The second Selphie releases the door, Irvine crashes through, stumbling into his room as momentum carries him forward. The door itself swings all the way in, thunking against the wall. Heh, hopefully neither Squall nor Terra woke up to that. Getting his bearings, Irvine smirks as he realizes Selphie's dived onto his bed, even starting in with the fake snoring. "Darlin', you don't snore. Nice try." He shuts the door quietly, then removes the hat to leave it on its usual peg. It seems so lonely without the duster beside it. Heading toward the bed to look down at Selphie, he starts wondering what precisely to do to her, idly itching at the arm he barracaded against the door. The burn pains have subsided, but damn it itches now.

"...I do now," is what she retorts, from her 'sleeping' position. She stays prone for a long moment, though, before peeking an eye open. "..." What's he doing? ...Hrmph. "You shouldn't stare at sleeping people," Selphie notes sagely. "It's totally rude, and wakes them up!" Still, of course, with eyes closed, and with no more movement and needed to speak. Hee. "And make the light go awaaay!" She's pretty sure he'll just climb into bed. Yeah! That sounds like a lovely idea.

Snickering, Irvine does indeed flick the switch. He had pondered a number of things to get revenge on Selphie for that paticular stunt, but alas, he decided against them all. He has to scoot the dead candles aside too, pulling down the shade to keep the morning light from filtering in. He was excused from classes the next few days to recover, after all, no worries about getting into trouble for skipping. He doesn't immediately lay down, however, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You know, for someone who -swears- she's not tired..."

Smiling as she senses first the room lights turn off, then the stupid morning sun dissapear behind said shade, Selphie snuggles into the bed. She takes a dee~eep breath, nose basically pressed into the sheets from her position -- smells like Cowboy. Mmm! Of course, Irvine's voice pulls her out of her thoughts, and she realizes -- grr -- that she's again gone against something she insisted otherwise. Huff!ing, the girl bolts to a sitting position, looking to where she knows he is, even if she can't see very well. "--I'm -not-!" Hrm.

Reaching for Selphie as she sits up, Irvine flops down on his bed, trying to take her with him. "Sure you're not." However, he is. Spent half the night pacing through the Atrium when he decided to stop tossing and turning and get up. And it's been -so- long since he's gotten to snuggle his Selphie. He wraps his arms around her tightly, holding her as close as he can get without crushing or hurting her. With a happy sigh, he announces again, "I really missed you, Darlin'. Hey... do you believe in fate?" What an oddball question to come out of the blue.

"--Eek--! Heeeey!" Surprise, mock-annoyance -- commonplace noises from this young girl. The first at being snagged, the second at being taken with. Not like she -minds-, of course, but it's bad form not to protest. Or something. "--I'm -not-," she insists, and pouts. ...But it doesn't last long, as she's held rather securely to said cowboy. ...Again, not that she minds. Though she squirms a bit, just to make herself comfy. "--Uhm--" Fate? Woah, where -did- that come from? Even as she snuggles against him, she responds, "Yeah... Totally. Who doesn't?"

Irvine is tired, and thusly not quite as inhibited as he can be when it comes to speaking his real feelings. "Mmmm, just curious..." He shifts slightly too, part of the 'getting comfy' ritual. "... cause I think we were meant for each other." He's had lots of time to think in the last few days, after all. Plenty of time to wonder about this strange and surreal relationship he's gotten into. When did he ever decide he wanted to fall in love, anyway? "I think I knew it the moment I really saw you back at Galbadia." But wouldn't admit it till waaaaaay later.

Just curious? Well, she can deal with that! Of course, if he hadn't pressed on, she'd have bugged him for -why- he thought of that. The answer she hears, however, causes a blush to creep across her cheeks. It may be dark, but perhaps it's still -felt-, her cheeks warming even as she presses her cheek to Irvine's semi-bare chest. (Mmmm.) "Meant for each other," she echoes, quietly. Sure, she's thought it before -- But Irvine -saying- it is... well, different. "...You did? You knew it then?" Secretly, once Irvine jogged everyone's memories of The Orphange, she thought that they'd known since they were together as children. But... Well, she keeps her mouth shut. Besides. 'Meant to be' means... forever. That's a long time, even if she doesn't mind it being spent with the cowboy.

Nothing is nicer then snuggling with someone shorter then you. Of this, Irvine is rather convinced. But, he's never really dated someone taller then he is, so it was never a real issue. Selphie, however, is probably the shortest and he -likes- it in these situations, feeling her press against his chest. "Yeah. I -knew- you. I was just... well, kinda scared. None of you seemed to recognize me at all. And... you had the prettiest green eyes." Not to mention she was the only one who didn't immediately get irritated with him. Now this is really unusual, he must be -really- tired, or just glad to have this second chance to say the things he's wanted to. Fearing for your true love's life does that to you.

Selphie rather likes Irvine being as tall as he is, but has nothing to really... you know, compare it to. Pretty eyes? Smiling quietly, she shuts her eyes. She could lie here all day and listen to him talk like this. "What would we have done without you...? None of us would know anything about our past...! And I'd be -totally- lonely," she adds, pouting. Hee. Idly kicking her shoes off, Selphie slowly asks, "Irvy~... What sparked this train of thought?" She has an idea that it includes her being gone for so long, but.

A sigh in the darkness, tired, and kinda wistful almost. "Cause I was really scared, Selphie. I was afraid you weren't ever coming back." See? Wasn't that easy? He actually -admits- it without much prompting or prodding. Kissing the top of her head, he adds, "I had a lot of time to think, and I don't like the idea of being without you." Forever -is- a long time. But, if he's gonna spend it with someone, it damn well better be Selphie. Yes, this is cowboy logic at its tired-est.

Making a mental note to ask for things whilest Irvy is half-asleep, Selphie smiles. Not at the fact that she worried him that much, but... That he's telling her all of this. Sure, they've grown really, really close in the span of 2 or so months, but... Still. It means alot to her, hearing this. "...Well, it's not as if -I- like the idea," she retorts, playfully. Then, almost without her consciously knowing about it, adds, "I love you so much!" This 'forever' thing is seriously drudging up thoughts of marriage. Not so much 'let's get married,' but... The fact that somewhere between now and forever, it'll be incorporated into their gameplan -- if things continue down this path, which she really does hope they do. ...Mmm. Snuggle.

Giving Selphie an affectionate squeeze, Irvine returns the sentiment without saying anything. But, as an added measure, he does murmur, "Love you too, Darlin'." At this point, he's utterly convinced this really is fate, and that he isn't meant to be with anyone else. So that means marriage is, in fact, an inevitability. And kids. And huh... hey, he's not -that- tired. Erm, new thought, this one's getting too deep. Snuggling Selphie, yes, that's better. "You know what they're saying?" he asks quietly. "They're saying you tamed me."

Oi! Kids! Selphie hasn't even lighted on that yet. Being Selphie, though, she's already decided that she wants at least -one-. And there's no way in heck he or she will end up in an orphanage. No way! But that's already been settled in her mind, no reason to think of it now. Perking a bit at the next question, and then... answer, she -giggles-. After a sufficient fit of laughter, she bubbles, "But I -did-, Irvy...! Finally, 'they' have their facts straight. Took 'em long enough."

Irvine snerts derisively, glancing down at Selphie in the darkness to mock-glare at her. Even if she can't see it. Of course, she's -right-, and he knows it. Who else could have gotten him off his self destructive downward spiral of sex and... more sex. No other girl has been with him this long and avoided that libido of his. "I hate it when you're right. I feel all domesticated now." He grrs and snuggles her a little closer, almost smothering her for a moment till he lets her back off again.

Selphie is a professional when it comes to eluding libido. Yes! It's just a skill that she was born with, honest. Kind of like Irvy's natural talent for getting womins in his bedins. Which is why they're so good together! Well, one of the millions of reasons, anyway. Squealing quietly at his apparent relapse into Tha Woild, the brunette giggles, nuzzling -her- Cowboy. Hers! "Mine! I should get you a nametag. ...I wonder if you need shots," she teases.

"Hey!" Irvine protests, but he can't sound serious about it as he's laughing. It lapses off into a happy sigh, and another affectionate squeeze. Selphie might claim him as hers, but the opposite works just as well. His little ray of sunshine. All his. Blue eyes slowly closing, he doesn't even realize he's falling asleep. But, sure enough, his breathing evens out, his body relaxes, and he's blissfully off to dreamland. Five days of not much fitful sleep is enough to render him unconcious pretty quick once he's got his Sefie back.