[D9, EE, Garden Park, closed] Small hopes

[Korvin Hikarrin]

He looks down at the bench and shakes his head.

"I'm glad you're getting that freedom." He looks back up. "I wish... I wish maybe I could have helped you get it sooner." There's a sad smile.

He takes a heavy breath, and there's a look in his eye that Dhel hasn't seen much. It isn't serenity, but maybe... certainty?

"So I'm going tomorrow, for you and for Petra, and you're not getting rid of me. I know..." The one sentence comes out confidently, but as he moves to the next thing, his voice wavers. He takes a deep breath, then continues, voice quivering. "I know that, at some point, you're going to break up with me, because you don't need me like I need you." He looks down and tries to take a steadying breath, but it comes out pretty ragged. "And that's, uh... That's going to be really hard." He squeezes her hand, holding tight for a moment, and he's able to take a solid breath. "But, um, I'm trying to... get ready for that."

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

She scoots closer beside him, curling her legs up beneath her with a small shrug. "I found it when I found it. And those are skills I'll keep using where I need them." Her hand cups his cheek, gently easing him into a kiss that's gentle, slow, with the passion that runs just beneath almost all of their time together.

When she pulls back, it's not far, rubbing her cheek against his as she says, "you don't need me the way you think you do. Want, yes. So much wanting." Settling back, she adds..."But what's breaking up when there's not a commitment in the first place? Like...I kick you out of my life? I might leave, I guess. The ship's a home now and won't be here forever. We stop kissing because it's boring?" She doesn't bother with things like...capture or death or whatever else might happen tomorrow. Those thoughts keep being pushed right underneath the shivery 'everything will be fine, becasue we don't deserve to have bad things happen' rug in the back of her mind.

[Korvin Hikarrin]

Korvin slips easily into the kiss, never a hesitation there, and his eyes stay closed but he smiles as she nuzzles his cheek.

As she winds down her questions, he starts to speak. "It'll never get boring," he says with conviction. "And, uh, all kinds of things could be in our future, right? But, uh... I think, one day," he pauses to lick his lips nervously, catches that little extra taste of her, and has to pause another moment. "One day, I think, you'll find what really makes you happy," it comes out a little awkward, but he calms a little before finishing, "and, uh, hopefully... I'll be around to help." The smile he gives as he looks into her eyes seems hopeful, though if she's watching closely she'll see a tiny quiver of his lips.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

She rests a finger against his lips with a soft smile before nuzzling up against his temple, eyes closed. "mmm, whatever that is, it's not...I don't think I'm capable of the sort of, I don't know...attachment? that seems normal. Not like you, or like Raven when she's talking about her husband."

"But for now," her finger brushes down to his chin. "There's this rainy little garden, and dinner, and...back to my place?" Tomorrow's uncertain, after all.

[Korvin Hikarrin]

Korvin could easily forget his own name as Dhel's mix of nuzzling and little words pushed aside all but the most essential concepts.

"You are very hard to argue with," he mutters before catching her chin and drawing her into another kiss. "There is one other place in the park, that I might show you. Very secluded... private even on a busier day..." He raises one eyebrow to pose the question as his lips form a mischievous smile.

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

She happily let's him guide her into that kiss, arms wrapping around him. At his suggestion, there's a tug of something a bit sorrowful in her eyes, as she rests her head on his shoulder and hugs him tighter. Her voice though is warm, as she murmurs. "In the rain? Out in public?"

"Sounds about perfect tonight." Dhel uncurls from the little bench and rises, offering a smile full of promise.

[Korvin Hikarrin]

If there were any hints of sadness that Dhel let slip through, Korvin was certainly not sensitive enough to catch them. Physical contact from Dhel was both calming to his spirit and engaging to his heart, and he thrilled for a moment in that hug.

With her assent to his crazy idea, Korvin smiles and rises, wrapping one arm around her shoulders as they take a short walk through the drizzly park. Holding to their unspoken agreement not to talk about what happens after tonight, he gives her a strong squeeze as they walk and murmurs, "Making tonight just about perfect... Glad I'm feeling energetic..."

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

Dhel wraps an arm around his waist, leaning into him gently. "Did I tell you we picked up a kitten for the ship?..." she says as they wind their way into the gardens

[Korvin Hikarrin]

"Ah, no, I think I'd remember," he says, not sure what to do with this revelation. "Is that 'we' like all of you, or...?"

[Dhelih Dotaivi]

"Well, Manny and I found it, or she found us, or...mostly Manny since she kind of dove on him." Dhel grins. "But it's not like she's going to stick to any one part of the ship so...everyone's cat."

Her hand at his waist tightens gently. "Just didn't want you surprised if she tackled an ankle or something when you're over."

[Korvin Hikarrin]

The squeeze and the mention of coming over returns Korvin to his grin. "Sure. It'll be good to meet her," he says warmly but clearly moving to other thoughts.

He leads her off the path, skirting between a small hill and a very large but slightly bedraggled-looking yellow-green bush.

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/scene/ftb?