Where:  Hallway to the Student Dormatory, and Irvine's Dorm Room.
Who:  Selphie Tilmitt and Irvine Kinneas
What:  Irvine has returned to Garden finally after spending most of the night freeing himself from his bindings after the attack from Kawn.
Date of Log:  Began June 28, 2000, Finished June 29, 2000.




Irvine(#1937PXc)
Definately not the prettyboy today, Irvine looks as if someone used him as a punching bag recently. The left side of his face sports a large, black and blue bruise that centers around the temple area and spreads out to encompass half his eye and the upper portion of his cheekbone as well. Scratches, possibly tiny claw marks, occasionally dot the right side of his face, as well as his throat and exposed chest and abdomen. Hatless, his hair is dishelved, half falling out of the ponytail he usually keeps it bound in. Blue eyes are glassy, lending to the dazed and possibly delirious expression on his features.
His garments are just as worse for the wear, the tan duster marred by smudged grass stains, some odd white powdery substance, and spots of blood. The lavender vest is ruined, literally torn open with all the buttons popped off. It hangs abjectly against his frame, revealing his abdomen. The chaps didn't escape disfigurement either, stained with green grass dusted over with that strange white powder. Strangely enough, the buckle on them seems to be broken. Both hands are covered in grime and drying blood, his wrists bearing nasty rope burns that cut so deeply they nearly cut off circulation and cut into his skin.

Emerging from the hallway, Irvine makes a beeline for his dorm room. Well, as much of a beeline as he can muster, willing his legs to carry him just a few feet further. His eyes are pinned to the ground, bloody fingers reaching up to gingerly touch the large bruise that simply can't be hidden, even if he did have his hat. Speaking of which... what the hell happened to him?
  
Selphie has, literally, been looking everywhere for the cowboy! Well, you know -- not -everywhere-, but she has enough feelers around the Garden to know where people are and aren't. And Irvy, as of late, has been -nowhere-. And as much as she hates to admit it, she's worried! Feeling somehow like an over-protective girlfriend didn't help the girl's mood, but at least she got distracted along the way, and eventually figured whereever he is, he's a big boy. Right. ...Well, she -did- think that, until one of said Feelers ran up to her as she was leaving the Quad, said something along the lines of, "Ohmigaw, did you see Irvine?! He looks -terrible-!" Selphie didn't even have to think twice about his destination, either! She hopes, anyway. Which is why Selphie comes skidding to a halt from around the corner, peering down the hallway. --Success! "...--Irvine!" The voice carries, at first, relief at him being home. It shifts, halfway, to disbelief. "W...what...!" She, of course, wastes no time in heading closer.

Pausing to wince at the sound of Selphie's voice, Irvine leans heavily against the wall, his legs no longer able to support him for the moment. Dammit, why did she have to find him now? He was so close... almost at the door to his own sanctuary, almost hidden from her view so she wouldn't have to see him like this. It was inevitable, sure, but Fate could have at least given him some time to clean up. He says nothing, trying to hide his face behind a hand, pretending to rub at his eyes, at least the parts that aren't puffy and bruised.

If ever anyone had the 'utterly-lost-and-somehow-utterly-shocked' face down, it's Selphie. She really doesn't mean to let her mouth hang open like that (it's rude), but... As her eyes look the cowboy over quickly, she quickens her pace as the situation sinks in. Stopping a very short distance away from Irvine, the girl immediately raises a hand to his arm, as a sign of sympathy. What else can she do, right now.? "Irvine," she all-but-whispers, eyes wide, shining. And, then inevitable, "What -happened-?"

Irvine sighs, trying to brush Selphie away gently, wanting nothing more in the world then for her to forget seeing him like this. "Long story, Sefie... I need to lie down." Lie down? More like get his happy ass over to the infirmary. Not that he'll go for that, it might mean having to explain this entire situation to someone and he's loathe to do that. This is one situation he wants to forget ever occured. He staggers forward, taking a few more wobbly steps toward his dorm room.

Selphie will not be brushed aside so easily! No -way-. Blinking up to you in confusion, she shakeshakes her head. "...No--...! You gotta go see Dr Kadowaki!" Adding, in a gush of maternal instinct, "You poor thing!" Her face holds nothing but absolute worry for the man, and when she touches him, it's as if he'll break. First things first: Get her Irvy better!

"Absolutely not," comes the adamant reply from Irvine. Giving Selphie a tender look, he resists the urge to touch her face, realizing he'd be touching clean with a dirty hand. He forces himself to look away again, wanting to continue forward, except that Selphie seems determined to not to let it go. So now comes the moment of confusion, he wants her to stay but he wants her to go. "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger," he mutters without realizing he's said it aloud.

Selphie , looking hurt at the reply, pulls back only -slightly-. "...Well...!" Okay, she should've expected that. Easily fixed, though. She'll just let him go to his bed, and tend to him -herself-. Fear. Blinking slightly, widely, at the muttered comment -- that -seals- it! Face taking on a sterner tone, she gingerly 'pushes' him towards the room. "Oooooh--! C'mon, -I'm- gonna clean you up, then!"

From the frying pan to the fire, Irvine sighs, yet can't quite help but smile slightly. Oh yeah, he's in love all right. He staggers toward his room, one hand trailing along the wall as a support. Slipping into the room, he lets it hang open for Selphie to follow, finally finding himself back in the sanctity of his own little world.


Dormitory 23C - Balamb Garden(#1459RAD)

    Cluttered but not filthy, the room definately belongs to one Irvine Kinneas. The bed is unmade, covers left off to the side, along the wall. The desk is somewhat dusty, holding an array of books and sundry items left strewn along the top, some of it buried beneath folders and binders. A coat hook near the door has only two pegs. One for the hat, the other for his coat. Half hidden from beneath a book is a small color photograph. Is that... Selphie? Shhhhhh...

Selphie is, of course, -extremely- curious as to what the heck happened! But she'll wait for a moment, shutting the door behind her. Immediately dipping into the bathroom, she hopes he keeps a first-aid kit. o_o; Gathering a few towels, and pausing to wet one with warm water, she mentally toils over what the heck could've possibly happened! It can't have just been a brawl... "I -know- you're lying down," she says, not even peeking her head out of the bathroom. o_-

Well, Selphie is right in this instance. Irvine heads for the bed, gingerly peeling off the duster, letting it fall to the floor instead of hanging it up as he normally does. The squeak of the bed echos with the sound of his body literally falling on top of it, not possessing the strength to sit first, or sink even. Gods it feels good to be in his own bed again after spending most of the night in that damn cave, trying to free his hands.

Selphie, after having squeezed out said towel, gathers it and it's dry brother, and slips back out towards the black-and-blue Roper. "..." Pausing for a moment as she stands in front of the bed, the brunette just -looks- at Irvine. They had saved the -world-, and yet... Here he is, worse off than after a fight with a sorceress. With a light sigh, she perches at the edge of the bed. Taking the warm towel in her hands, Selphie cocks her head down at him. "Take your gloves off," she instructs after a moment, "And lemme see your hands, m'kay?" She's trying to be 'brave'! n_n;

Irvine turns his head, the bruise fully visible from this view, sighing at Selphie, "You don't have to do this for me, Sefie... I'll be ok." Eventually, maybe... Still, he knows she's stubborn and starts to take the gloves off, finding them stiff with his own sweat and blood. They actually crackle as he takes them off. Sure, he survived the sorceress, but that was before the Convergences... and before Kawn. The sorceress never KO'd him, tied him up and... don't think about it. He squeezes his eyes shut with the memory, forcing it from his mind. It looks like a wince of pain.

Selphie may live to cheer people up, but -- even -she- can't put on a happy face, now. Biting her lip as she gets a gander of that bruise, a hand instinctively reaches out to touch his face -- but, hey! What're you doing?! Stopping her hand halfway, she's waaaay too worried to be embarassed. "-Whatever-," she says, clearly trying to both answer, and lighten the mood somehow. As he 'winces,' the normally bouncy brunette oh!'s, brow furrowing. "--I should go get Dr Kadowaki," she admits, not knowing very much on this subject. However, even as she talks, she holds her hand out for one of his, towel at the ready.

"No, no doctors... Selphie please..." Irvine goes from being adamant now to pleading, blue eyes actually revealing some of the inner fear he's been trying to hold back. Gods above, what could have happened to him? He holds a hand out to her, hardly able to hold his arm up to accomplish it. Knowing he'll have to tell her something to placate her curiousity, he relents slightly, "I was attacked on the way to Balamb Town."

Selphie, looking more confused than anything... Nods, slowly. "...Okay," she says, giving in. Well, that was easy. She's almost afraid of finding out what happend -- if she reads the fear in his eyes accurately, then it -must- have been something terrible! Dutifully, and gingerly, taking the hand, she first studies the damage done. Puzzling quietly over the marks on his wrists (she's not -dumb-, she can tell he was bound), Selphie hm?'s, looking back at Irvine's face even as she carefully presses the wet towel to the aforementioned marks.

"I... he knocked me out, dragged me off to some cave on the plains... stole my gun, left me for dead," Irvine gets out in bits of peices, though it's obvious he's leaving something out. Perhaps it's those missing peices that were so terrible. Otherwise it sounds scary, but not horrifying. He winces the moment the towel touches the hot, sensitive rope burns.

Eyes widening, mouth agape once more, Selphie can't help herself. "Wha--! Why?!" Blinking, she adds, "And more -importantly-, who? --He stole your -gun-?--He just took you there and -left-?" She doesn't understand, as if it weren't readily apparent by her question. Her -face- reeks of 'I'm lost,' as well. Meanwhile, she pulls the towel away, looking apologetic. "..." However, she starts the task again, gently. Of course, Selphie pictures some big bad guy in black clothing, a little mask around his eyes, etc, etc.

Irvine shrugs his shoulders now, trying hard not to wince again. Pain's been a common sensation as of late. Better to get used to it. "I don't know who he is, black armor... he wore black armor as if he had walked right out of the history books. I didn't stand a chance." Talk about feeling helpless. Irvine's not used to that sort of thing. He prefers to be the protector, the one doing the rescuing, not the one getting the snot beat out of him.

Selphie, satisfied with her job on his wrists, gingerly wipes his palms, just so he's not all dirty -- 'cause it'd suck to have to wash your hands with cuts like that. "Black armor...?" Having just chatted with Cyan last night, about Dark Knights or some such, that's the first thing that pops to mind. "...Well, if he knocked you -out-, that's not very fair!" Lowering Irvine's hand to the bed, she silently asks for the other one. "I'm -so- sorry this happened," Selphie says -- as if somehow she could have prevented it.

Irvine smiles softly at Selphie, looking his old self for just a moment, if you discount that massive bruise anyway. He obediently holds up the other hand for her, watching her with a new expression, wonder. It had been her memory that had saved him from the brink of oblivion in the aftermath. "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault... I'll survive. You kept me alive, you know.... I..." he pauses, catching himself before letting the words trip off his tongue in this weakened state, the sentence just hangs there afterwards, yet he finishes it in his head, '... love you.'

Taking the hand, Selphie uses a clean spot of the towel to blot at this wrist. Pausing a moment, then looking up from her task, her eyes blink widely at him. "...What do you mean? 'I kept you alive,' how?" Confusion marks that face again, as she gently prods at the trailed off statement. "...What?" Again, she cleans his palm, her own hand perhaps grasping it a bit longer than needed.

"Nothing..." awkward silence follows that for a moment. Irvine's tired mind creaks toward another answer, something to placate Selphie further. He's not ready for that, and she might just turn and run for all he knows. For once, he's trying to be patient. He draws his hand free from hers, rolling over slightly to reach toward her face, just wanting to touch her cheek, let his fingers trail over her soft skin. "I remember Trabia... and how brave you were. I had to be brave too, no matter what happened to me, for my brave Sefie."

Selphie blinks a bit in surprise at the movement, at first not realizing what Irvine was doing. Of -course- she doesn't pull back, and -- when the action makes itself clear, his hand on her cheek -- hey, look! She's blushing, how cute. Eyes wide, almost frightened (yet not quite), the girl listens, quietly. As his words sink in, her brow furrows noticably, now looking disbelieving, almost sad! "...Y-you remembered me? And..." Gulp. "That got you through it...?" Her own hand lightly covers the one on her cheek, as she looks not altogether unlike she's watching some horribly mushy and romantic movie -- right where the man confesses that he's always loved the woman! Her favorite part.

Mushy and romantic and horrible as it is, Irvine's not quite confessed his love yet, but he might as well. It's not like it isn't written on his face, or clearly visible in his eyes. He nods slightly, letting his hand rest against her cheek, fingers so cold against the warmth of her hand, "It was all you, Sefie. You saved me." 'And I love you, dammit just say it to her, say it say it!' 'I can't' 'Chickenwuss.'

Selphie really does look as if she's about to cry! But her eyes aren't wet, and it's more of a 'Yes, I'll marry you!' face, than 'Agh, yuck, don't touch me.' He may not be proposing, but it's an honor to have gotten someone through a traumatic time, just by being thought of! Swallowing hard, she manages a smallish, "...I -did-?" She just can't believe that! She does, but... It's so wild! And -- for one reason or another -- Selphie's blush deepens a level. That's -so- sweet...!

Irvine finally lets his hand fall away from Selphie's cheek, trying to prop himself up onto his elbows. He winces slightly, his entire body aching after that episode. He knows he should see the doc, but fears the questions that will inevitably be asked. He's beaten far too badly to go unnoticed and unreported. That means he needs to force himself into recovery as soon as possible.

Selphie stays still for a moment after his hand is withdrawn, her own hand now touching that cheek. "...!" She snaps out of whatever she had fallen into quickly, though, as the 'patient' tries to prop himself up. Face suddenly worried, she holds her hands out in a 'nono!' fashion, even saying, "Heeey...! Be careful...!" To be truthful, Selphie was going to give an 'anonymous tip' to Dr Kadowaki, to have her come in and tend to him. She's considering -not-, but it's a touch decision... The wounds look pretty bad, even if she is 'cleaning' them.

It would be better if Irvine wasn't told in advance. Besides, he's already afraid the good doc will find out anyway. He got plenty of stares walking into the Garden. It was tempting initially to hide in Balamb until he healed, except they'd come looking for him. Waving Selphie's attempt to reign him in off, he manages to sit up, reaching back to pull out the tie that's holding the remainder of the botched ponytail together, letting chestnut colored hair fan out over his shoulders. "I'll be care as I can, Sefie." He smiles at her again, and would wink if he could.

You're damn right he'd a'had a search party after him! Selphie woulda' had a -fit-. And come looking for Irvine single-handedly, even. o_- Well, maybe. Even as the cowboy sits up, her hands stay in that sort of 'you're gonna fall, be caaaareful!' position. "...Oh-kay-," she says, almost grudingly. But that smile -- it makes her feel -ten- times better, suffice to say. Simply because he's -smiling-. And, of course, she returns it with one of her own after a minute. "I believe you!"

Good thing Selphie does, cause Irvine's not so sure of himself. He hasn't felt so much like an invalid in... well, never, and he doesn't want to feel this way ever again. He studies the burn marks on his wrists, frowning at them slightly. More then likely he's looking at a future scar. No, don't look, it'll fade, just like the memories. He glances over his shoulder, the good side of his face showing, making him looking almost normal now. "You believe me? Well, then I guess I better not be wrong."

Selphie really can't help but feel useless right now, sitting there at the edge of the bed, hands in her lap. "...That's -right-," she bubbles, having upped her real mood a couple of levels, for Irvine's sake. And -- while she's sure that there's alot more to this story -- she's content with what was told. "...Irvy...?" Well, basically. Head tilted to the side, looking almost worried again, she waits.

Irvine shakes his head, pushing himself a little further to sit on the edge of the bed. He looks exhausted, dark rings under his eyes. But then, he was up all night practically fending off whatever scavengers thought he was dinner while trying to free his hands from their bonds. "What, Selphie?" Then, he sighs, rubbing at his good eye with the heel of his palm. "All right... I'll go see Dr. Kadowaki. Will that reassure you?" Anything for Selphie. Anything.

Selphie bites her lip a bit, half-expecting to get a negative response. Go figure. She opens her mouth to say what's on her mind, but -- hey! That works, too! Smiling widely, she nodnods, hair a'bouncin'. "Mm-hmm!" A moment later, she adds, "...That wasn't what I was gonna ask, but it still makes me happy...!" Tee hee.

Irvine lifts an eyebrow now, curiousity in his expression. "What was it then? What else can I do for my Sefie?" The smile returns, somewhat back to par again. He rests his elbows against his knees, needing the support. That's when he realizes his vest is totally ruined. Groan, he's going to have to replace or repair almost everything.
     
Now, what she'd -want- to ask is something along the lines of, 'Isn't this the part where they say 'I love you'?', but -- uhm -- not happening. It comes out, of course, as, "...Well, if you wanna... y'know. Talk..." She doesn't finish, for one reason or another. Mind you, Selphie's referring to the details of the attack. She -could- be talking about the crazy subject of lo~ove in the air, but who -knows- with this girl..?

Irvine pushes himself back so he's leaning against the wall again, nodding slightly. "All right... what did you want to know, talk about?" He's bloody well done talking about the attack. If she asked... well, he'd consider what to tell her then, after all, he can't lie to her. As for love.... 'Dammit, would you just tell her you love her? Or better yet, kiss her.' 'Quit it.' 'You're so pathetic.' Ah, the little voices in one's head.
     
Selphie turns a bit, pulling her legs up onto the bed as she does so, so she can watch Irvine's reactions as they 'chat.' Of course, as his words sink it, it's semi-clear to her that mayhaps she shouldn't press the subject of The Attack. ...She may not be the sharpest spoonie in the drawer, but she knows when not to bring something up. Which... Leaves her with no material to talk about. How embarassing. Fumbling about in her mind for a subject, she meanwhile covers with, "...Oooh, nevermind." Pause. "...Well." Maybe this'll suffice, methinks. "I was -real- worried about you, is all. Totally...!" Criminy! She had a talk with Logan about this very thing: both being too stubborn/scared to say anything to the other about their feelings.

Irvine's smile fades, his eyes falling downcast. Yeah, he feels the guilt of this situation. He could tell her what happened, but what would she say? It was possibly the most violating thing that could possibly happen to him. "Well, Sefie, it's not like I meant to do it on purpose. I'm sorry I worried you... but I didn't ask someone to ambush me." He realizes he sounds almost defensive and quickly adds, "I mean... well, crikies." He sighs, shaking his head, the voice screaming at him: WILL YOU JUST TELL HER YOU LOVE HER YOU FOOL!

Selphie oh!'s, quickly nodnodding her head. "I know, I know you didn't...!" Lookit' that hair bounce! After a moment's thought, she glances dornwards, one hand idly toying with the trinket on her necklace. "...I just, y'know..." Eeerg. "...Thought you should. Know." Gasp! Is that a shade of pink tinting her cheeks...? She was -never- good at this stuff! Especially having -no- other experience in the field. Meanwhile, the SD-Selphie in her mind, sitting and watching this with a bag of popcorn, 'Whoohoo!'s.

Irvine blinks in ernest confusion at Selphie's sudden stuttering. Then, he jerks slightly as if some invisible foot had kicked him from behind, forcing him slightly forward. Oh! Suddenly, Irvine's hearing the clue phone and picking it up, and it's making him slightly nervous himself. The voice has stopped talking to him, just sitting back smugly now as the show goes on.
Finally, he reaches forward, patting a space on the bed beside him. "Comere, I think we both have a few confessions to make." And he's not meaning the Attack Story either.

Selphie blinkblinks, looking first up at Irvine, then to the space he's patting. "...Ahm--!" Crap. Crap! Ka-RAP! It's not that she doesn't -want- to, it's just... Well, it's hard! Looking almost as if she's about to get reprimanded for something, Selphie obediently scoots back to said place, quieter than usual. o_- Wonder -why-. Musn't make eye contact! >_>

Irvine is just as nervous, and he doesn't, for the life of him, understand why. He's flirted with tons of girls, kissed a few even, and here he is, his heart pounding away in his chest just because he's this close to Selphie, the one who really counts in the scheme of things. He doesn't do anything, not even attempt to put an arm around her shoulders. Instead, he just sighs, leaning his head back against the wall, closing his eyes as the little voice finally wins, "Selphie, I... " gods this is hard "I love you..." He swallows, waiting for the reaction.

Selphie concentrates on staring at the bed. What an -interesting- bed it is. Hmm! She's trying to concentrate on something other than her -own- pounding heart, and she's rather reminded of that one time on the Train, when Irvy claimed something along the same lines -- them being meant for each other, and all. Chewing lightly on her lower lip, she perks just a bit at her name -- listening intently. And when those -three words- are spoken -- Selphie's eyes can no longer focus on the bed. Bed? What bed? The afore-mentioned blush deepening a few shades, her mouth drops open a little, in utter surprise. Seriously! She knew he liked her. She knew he really liked her! But 'love' had never once crossed her mind. Lifting her near-scared gaze up to the cowboy, she slowly says, "...Y-... -Really-?" D'oh!'ing, SD-Selphie falls over.

Silence for a moment, Irvine's still resting his head against the wall with his eyes closed. Hearing that small 'Really?' he cracks one open, luckily it's the non-bruised/puffy one, looking at her. That's all? She's not running for the door? Well, that's positive at least. Hesitantly, he assents, "Yes. Really." Realizing she's just as afraid as he is lends him a little strength in the situation, giving him the inner strength to touch at her hair affectionately with one hand and reassert the previous assent, "Yes, definately."

Of course she's not running for the door! Heck, she's been annoyed at Irvine's lack of commitment for awhile now. If he liked her so~ much, then why didn't he just -say- so? Well, he said it. -Now- what? As Irvine answers her question, she first looks -happy-! He finally admitted! Nevermind the fact she hadn't suspected full-blown -love-. However, a second later, something closely resembling fear washes over her face. --If he said that, then that means that -she'll- have to admit her own feelings...! Duh, Sefie. But it's scary, really it is -- and at least -she- doesn't have a reputation for being popular with the opposite sex. As dedicated as Irvine may seem, what if she -does- admit, and then he finds some other girl? --Waitaminute. He -did- say -'love.'- Love doens't just come and go, right...? And -- at possibly the climax of her inner turmoil, is when his hand touches her hair. If human beings had the capability of melting into a liquid substance, rest assured that Sefie would be easily poured into an ice-tray for re-molding. Mouth opening to form words, it utterly fails at first. Rrr! Shutting her mouth, she swallows hard -- and... Okay. She can do this. So much for being outgoing. "...Why can't I just -say- it?!", she suddenly blurts. . o O ( I love you too, Irvy...! ) Pausing, she realizes her mistake. D'oh! ;_;

Watching Selphie's face for a long moment, Irvine tilts his head forward, then leans a little further, an eyebrow raised as if confused by her confusion. He's patient, however. The first time he's really been this patient with a girl, but Selphie's not like the myriad trysts he's had. None of them were meant to last, he was a loner if you listened to his prattle, and wasn't looking for any real relationship, or anything remotely like commitment. The very word used to make him shiver. Selphie had changed all of that, and he actually found himself persuing what he began to think was unattainable. Imagine that, a woman that didn't swoon and fall over herself while being near Irvine. "Then don't. Words don't mean anything, Sefie. If I could show you I meant it, I would..." but he doesn't know how, he wasn't looking when she pulled him in. Most of his flirtatious career has been mostly how to please himself in the relationship. This was different, however. All he wanted was to make Selphie happy instead.

Selphie lets out a lengthy -sigh- -- something very rarely done -- at Irvine's words, hand again toying with the trinket on her necklace. "...Em." Okay. Words don't matter...? "...Really?" Yeesh. Biting lightly at her lower lip, she really -does- want to tell him! She does! But it's a big step, and she's short. Harder to reach. But perhaps this 'problem' is just a stepping stone! She'll use it to get to the next step. All of her indecision piling up -suddenly-, they all unanimously vote on one thing: she lets out a small sniff!, and -- gingerly, at best -- wraps her arms around IRvine's midsection, in a HUG! "I can say it, I -sweeeeeear-!'

Irvine chuckles softly, slightly surprised at first by the sudden hug. He gently wraps his arms around her as well, somehow managing the strength to hold her close, chin resting against the top of her head. "Sefie, I think you already have, come on, I thought _I_ was the one who'd have trouble with this." His voice is light, not quite teasing her, more like attempting to lighten the sudden heavy mood, make her comfortable. "Say it when you're ready to, and not a moment before."

"Took ya long enough," Selphie says belatedly, lightly squeezing the cowboy -- an unseen little -smile- on her face for that moment. And -- at his would-be comforting words, she -pouts-. For one reason or another, however, she doesn't really want to move from her accurent position, so despite her want to look up at him, just... enjoys the closeness. "But, see -- like -- I -do- love you, I'm just too chicken to saaa~aaay it!" ...Uhm. Selphie? You just did.

Observing this same point, Irvine laughs, giving Selphie a little squeeze affectionately, "You just did, darlin'." This is most definately what he's been lacking, he realizes for a moment. The thrill of holding all the previous women pales considerably in comparison to this. Ok, now they've admitted they love one another. Irvine falls rather quiet afterwards, either just enjoying having his Sefie in his arms, or uncertain what in the world to say next

Selphie buh-links. "--..." She didn't. No way. Thinking carefully about her last sentence, it dawns on her that, yes, she in fact... did. Erk! "..." And rather than be embarassed at her ability to be -that- unobservant, she actually giggles at herself. And! Quotes Squall, deep voice and everything. "...Whatever." It also seems that mayhaps Sefie's having the same problem: fight or flight. Wait, no -- talk stupidly, or just sit in silence. Choosing the latter, she shuts her eyes, taking silent pride in 'aving tamed tha' Woild Irvine. Are things supposed to go this smoothly...? Well, since it seems to be going swimmingly thus far, after a few longish moments, she speaks. "...You -know- you've found someone mega-special when you can just -not talk-. Isn't that right?" Aww. That's saying alot for Selphie, too. Yakity yakity yak...

Hmming briefly, Irvine takes the opportunity to run his hand along Selphie's hair as he considers her wise words. "Sounds right to me, darlin'." Darlin', looks like Selphie's got a new name. Yes, indeed, she has tamed that rare and strange creature known as the Wild Irvine. Right in the very outback of the Garden. Invest in a set of blinders.

Selphie won't need blinders. She'll have her own wrath to rain down on the Cowboy if he strays from his pen. Of course, this sitaution that she's in -- it's going to mean possible (possible?) PDA, something she only idly lights on. She'll deal with it when it happens -- for now, she's enjoying the moment: something always happens to interrupt these scenes, even on TV! Especially on TV. Then, Selphie being Selphie and all, she asks the question that's probably weighing on Irvine's mind, too. "...Now what?"

Blink, blink, good question. Irvine's been with other women, at least in close quarters with a little PDA, but this isn't just _any_ woman, it's _Selphie_. That means, no moving too fast. No pushing, no putting the moves on her, period. "Depends on you, darlin'. Dunno about you, but I'm just happy having you with me." Must. Not. Push.

Selphie perhaps wouldn't know what 'moving fast' -is-. Having never been in a relationship past the elementary 'Do you like me? Circle yes or no' notes, and later in the teen years, the 'Uhm-er-I-was-just-wondering-if-you-would--Nevermind, bye,'s, she has nothing to compare the events within -to-. But Irvine doesn't know that -- and she may be all the luckier because of it. Smiling broadly at his words, she does tilt her head up, beaming up at the cowboy, now. "Awww--!" Of course, she -is- blushing. For some reason, she's just that much more brave tonight. "That's -so- sweet." Of course, being sweet gets them -nowhere-, which she promptly points out, beam fading only to be appropriate for her words. "But, like... I don't know anything -about- this kinda stuff. You're more--..." Hm. Maybe she should rephrase. ...Naah. "...Experienced than I am," she admits, "And... stuff." She really wants to know what comes next! Meanwhile, the SD-Selphie in her head snuggles an Irvine-plushie doll. Aw. Meanwhile, there's 2 or 3 girls huddled outside of Irvine's door, somehow muffling their whispers and giggles. They -did- see Selphie haul butt towards the dorms, and that was directly after Irvine came back... Nosy little buggers!

Lifting an eyebrow, Irvine can't help but draw back slightly, grinning down at Selphie, "Darlin', I know a lot of things, but I'm not about to do anything to make you uncomfortable." Besides... there's that lingering memory of last night's horror's still swirling in the back of his mind, just looking for the opportunity to strike. The temptation to kiss the lovely lady in his arms is somewhat overshadowed, and it shows as his grin fades slowly like a plucked morning glory. He's not ready, he realizes, and a seed of hatred plants itself in his heart, hatred for the black knight who stole what might have been a genuinely wonderful moment from him.

Selphie, of course, merely meant 'experienced' in the way of dating and such. But no matter, Selphie knows nothing on either subject. Now -- that smile of Irvine's, as it fades, does little less than send a shadow of the same storm-cloud over the Brunette's -- her smile doing the same, looking worried, even. Looking at his sapphire pools, she can't help but knit her brow lightly, a slight frown on her lips. "Irvy...?" She can't help but think she said something, or did -something- wrong -- but -what-? Waaah!

Irvine shakes his head suddenly, looking down at Selphie quickly to reassure her, "No, darlin', it's not you.... I..." He sighs, releasing her as he considers telling her, confessing the horrific tortures he'd had to endure. Yet, the chance doesn't come, a sharp pain resounding through his skull with a blinding, lightning strike speed. Grabbing his temples, even the bruised one, he grimaces. Seems his injuries will not be denied their attentions either, and he's pushed himself too far.

Selphie knew something would happen! Ha! Listening intently, though, waiting for him to continue -- and when he's suddenly in Largish Amounts of Pain, she gasp!s, hands both grasping his arm as if to perhaps steady him. Right. "--Irvine! Ohmygosh," she gushes, quickly scooting off of the bed to stand at the side, her hands moving to coax him to lie down. "Here, don't sit up! Ohmygosh, I'm -sorry~-!"

Irvine falls back against the bed without any argument. Eyes half lidded, he peers up at Selphie in a disoriented manner. "No... don't be..." even in this state he's trying to reassure her. The pain is probably the worst thing he's ever felt before, ten times worse then that explosion that knocked him out when Kawn rapped him in the temple with a heavy boot. Being no science or medical student, no one ever told him concussions could result from that, or that getting kicked in the temple was a good way to get dead fast if struck just right. No, he has no idea how lucky he was. And won't for a bit as he passes out entirely.