perfectmatch | week four

[Yi Sang is dressed in his usual combination of casual formal attire, though he's swapped out the coat for a much less stiff jacket whose sleeves he actually wears this time around. Yingying looks lovely as always, and he himself has tried to rest more in case of her condition. Whether his slightly improved sleep debt meets her approval remains to be seen, however.

For now, he blinks at the plush in her grasp as he tries to see the vision.]

Does he truly resemble my visage so?

[ With 100% certainty: ]

Mm, you have the same eyes.

[ Sleepy looking and half lidded....

She says it all with a fondness, though, putting the toy back where she found it and returning to the task at hand: Mickey ears. Theres about a billion and one options — even one of Mr. Eeyore's ears. ]

Though you're looking less tired today. Sleep well last night even without my help?

[ There's an overtly flirtatious tone to the question — playfully tossing a smirk his way while she looks through the options for a suitable headband for him. ]

[He looks into the donkey's melancholic eyes before the plush is returned to its home on the shelf. Is that how he appears when people look into his eyes?]

Mm.

[He steps closer to watch Yingying rummage through the assortment of headbands. After passing a number of fellow park guests outfitted in these accessories, he understands it to be a custom of some sort. To Yingying, he answers with the utmost sincerity:]

As I knew there would be an outing, I ensured that I would manage a few additional hours of sleep than the norm, particularly in case you might find yourself in want of more time.

[ As ever, his response to what was supposed to be suggestive teasing is so earnest and kind. He really went to bed early all for her, huh? She's touched, and she tilts her head over to knock it onto his shoulder briefly, an appreciative show of her affection. ]

...Hehe. You're too sweet for your own good.

[ She's sure his reasons for doing so were mostly practical, even if fueled by his feelings, but she's still besotted over it. She's really.... really happy, right now, cheeks flushed and smile bright. ]

I'll let you know if I start to feel tired, [ She assures him, picking out this set of ears for him and already trying to reach over and place it on his head. Yi Sang babygirlification hours start now. ] But I'm fine right now, really. Do you think I'm a fragile little sprout?

[His shoulder tingles where her head made contact, and continues to warm while she places the headband on him without complaint on his end. More than anything, he's pleased that she seems willing to entertain the thought of keeping herself awake—to want for herself, so he shakes his head seriously at her question.]

Perish the thought. I simply would like you to enjoy yourself.

[Her joy is his joy. Discovery is his passion, and the air is all the clearer and sweeter when he can share in the experience with her.]

I am, [ She answers confidently, satisfied with the way the headband looks on him. Cute... there's something adorable about putting something cutesy and pink on someone with such a serious affectation like him. ] Aren't you?

[ a rhetorical question, while she turns back to the rack. She could match with him.... or he could pick something out for her, maybe. She moves each headband on the rack like she's showing him too, including him. ]

But I don't really know about places like this, so I'm not sure what we should do after we get settled. I learned a little bit about those... what are they called.... "thrill rides," when I went to the fair. Do you like that kind of thing? It looked really fascinating, though I didn't try any.

[There are more designs than with which he knows what to do. As she speaks, he pulls out a purple headband to run the pad of his thumb against the embroidered daisies on an ear.]

Miss Poppy and I visited a theme park afore. The rides there were certainly thrilling . . . almost as if we were airborne despite being seated. Would you like to try them this time?

[ She stops pawing through the rack when he starts showing interest in the one with daisies, blinking back at him with patience and curiosity. ]

Mm, I want to try it with you. [ For the fun of it, of course, but also because she can't help but wonder what sort of reaction he might have on a ride like that. If he were stoic the whole time, that might be more entertaining than the alternative. ] And everything else, of course... it's our first real date, after all. Hehe.

[ The first one after expressing their fondness for one another, and after kissing again... if she has her way, there'll be plenty more today, at all the most opportune moments. ]

[He will look mildly surprised the whole time, caught between the exhilaration of soaring and the horror of moving at breakneck speed.

At this very moment, however, he glances at Yingying with a bashful smile. All of this is still new to him, feelings and labels both, but he knows for certain that he wants this to be a memorable occasion for both of them. And so, he holds the headband up.]

Ah, what do you make of this? Though the blooms are not wisteria, I wonder if this shade of violet is suitable.

[ Perfect. Can't wait to take their Space Mountain picture back as a souvenir. ]

Spring flowers, hm? This sort of color is my favorite.

[ Not surprisingly, she's been fond of all shades of purple for as long as she can remember. It came with the territory of being rumored to be a child of the wisteria, but over time, she's begun seeing the color as symbolic of all those fond memories she has of the village before.

It's not like she'd ever really shoot down an idea of his, anyway, especially not when offered with a bashful, somewhat boyish smile. Seeing him speak up and choose things with a bit more confidence only makes her want to nurture it more, to draw it out more. She can be encouraging in her own way, praising where necessary and leaving breadcrumbs for him to pursue. Tipping her head in invitation, she smiles coyly. ]

Well, go on. No need to be so shy. You can touch me, [ It'd be... nice, she thinks, if she could coax out more of him reaching out to her, like he had underneath the wisteria. New to it like this, though, a little reassurance for him can't hurt. ] Unless you're satisfied just looking from afar...

[Thank goodness. His shoulders slump minutely with relief upon hearing that she doesn't dislike his choice. With her blessing, he tucks in a stray strand of her hair behind an ear and moves to slide the headband on without disturbing her part as much as possible. Then he motions to the nearby mirror, positioned there for guests to appraise their news looks.]

I have looked from afar long enough. It is pleasant to see the colors of flowers so vividly up close, as opposed to merely admiring their fragrance.

[How Dongbaek had longed to see flowers in their vibrant glory again. Although she isn't here, he can also admit to missing such things. That, and it's a sign of how he and Yingying presently walk the same path, which he won't take for granted in the slightest.]

[ She follows him along to the mirror, cuddling in close so they can both fit in the reflection. With that settled — and the production managers sent off to go pay for their goods so the two of them don't have to waste time — a mischievous glint returns to her eyes, smile coy. ]

Uh huh.... and which is more beautiful now that you've seen both up close, the flowers, or me?

[ Much like the fey she's so commonly associated with, there's always a playful air about her, simply having fun teasing him and coaxing out cute reactions. That's all this is, too — as if she needs any sort of reassurance about her beauty. It's a question posed solely for the sake of knowing how he might look and act while he answers. Stuttering and unsure? Or condident? Either is charming in its own way. ]

[Even now, he hardly has a clue as to what he should do when faced with such proximity. It's exciting and new, though he suspects the novelty of it will always be there. And because of the intense surge in fondness, it takes him a moment to gather himself before he tentatively grasps her by a shoulder and looks at their reflection, where they now sport a fresh pair of ears each.]

The bloom I wish to see the most . . . would be you.

[See how she shines in the mirror. It isn't a direct answer, but the sight of Yingying like this, untethered in her joy, is breathtaking indeed.]

week four | dates

🫏

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject