The All-Afternoon Date (Phae)

[Price]

(Note for our readers: This thread is quite directly continued from this one, in case you've been keeping score at home. Thanks and Goodnight.)

"Yeah, go for it, if you're just too damn prideful to admit that you can't stay away from me, make all the excuses you need, Lucky."

Price smirked and allowed a small chuckle to escape his lips as Phae had him by the hand and lead him toward the nearby movie theatre. This in itself was a surprise to Price, as he was by now convinced that this crazy place called Babylos was so completely magic-ified that such normal occurences such as going to the movies were replaced by something crazy and magical, like, well, Price didn't know, some empath beaming the movie straight into your head. As interested as he was in this whole magical ordeal, however, there were some things Price liked the 'old fashioned' way, and movies were one of those things.

Once they got the the area they were headed, Price went ahead and took the initiative, surging ahead, this time pulling Phae in tow as he went to the box office, glad to find that the movie he had been wanting to see was indeed showing here. He took his hand from hers for the moment to help him deal with the attendant at hand.

"Howdy," Price said to the kid behind the box office window, letting out a little of his Texan descent just this once. "Two for The Protector, if you don't mind..."

The attendant told him the cost of the tickets, and Price pulled out the required money, paying and getting back his change. He was given the tickets, and he thanked the attendant and turned back to Phae, putting his arm around her shoulder and grinning over at her. "Come on, Lucky, we've still got some time before the movie starts, but I'm sure the theatre's seating."

He walked with her into the theatre, heading towards the appropriate room wherein the movie was to be played.

[Phae]

Suddenly she found herself being hurled forward and she laughed as she ran next to him her skirt flaring slightly as she did so. She couldn't help it. He was just so fun to be around you couldn't help but be lighthearted and happy when hanging out with Price.

He got the tickets and she had heard of the movie before. Honestly, so long as it wasn't gory she was pretty easy with movies so whatever he really wanted to see was fine with her. His arm came around her shoulder and she leaned into him slightly.

Together they walked into the theatre and they were definatly one of the first to get there. Only three others in various seats where sitting in the semi dark room. She took his hand and slipped out from his arm for the moment and led him up to the back of the theatre. Down the back isle she led him and into the center of the theatre so though they were far they would still get a good picture.

She sat down in the chair and let go of his hand to move the cup holder and arm rest between the two seats out of the way. She looked up at him and after he took his seat she leaned against him slightly.

"So Blacky, a marital arts movie. Classic. Bet you're one of those guys that picks the movies apart." she said with a grin as she looked up at him.

[Price]

Phae suddenly took the lead again, heading into the theater and finding the very spot she said she would earlier: A nice spot in the back. With as few other moviegoers as there were at the time, it wasn't hard to find a good spot, anyway. Price smirked faintly as they found their seats, and she immediately removed the armrest, or, as it was at the time, the barrier between them. As she leaned on him, Price went ahead and went the whole way, putting his arm around her and holding her close to him. She spoke something about the movie they were watching, and Price just had to reply. Quietly, he spoke over to her, correcting her mistake.

"Nah, not quite. I won't pick it apart so much as I'll let you know just how much better than this guy I am," Price said in his usual cocky manner. "So, what about you? Don't tell me you don't dig these martial arts films, these things are priceless!"

[Phae]

His arm went around her shoulders and she smiled as she leaned into him further. Her head lay softly on his shoulder and she was about as comfortable as she could possibly get in a movie theatre. It wasn't crowded but a few more people came in and found their seats.

Phae's hand reached over her left taking his left and entwining her fingers in his softly. It might have seemed stupid but she never felt happier nor lighter then when she was in contact with Blacky and right now it was going to be more than an hour of contact.

She chuckled at his comment and looked up at him by moving her head slightly. They were very close now and her face was mere inches from his own as her blue eyes looked up into his.

"You're right, it will be fun to watch this movie. And to have you telling me just how great you are.. well it wouldn't be a date with you if you didn't." she chuckled. She didn't take her eyes away from him she couldn't help but get lost for the moment in his eyes.

[Price]

"Yeah, well, I mean, when you're as great as I am, it's hard to NOT want to talk about it." He grinned and laughed quietly, interlacing his fingers with hers as she brought her hand closer to him. He was fully wrapped up in Phae right now, both physically and mentally. It was almost a drag to Price, as well, because he really wanted to see this particular film.

But somehow, even so, that really didn't matter at this point.

Phae had looked up at him to say what she had said, and the two were then locked into a gaze that neither wanted to break from. Even Price's little smirk dropped, and for those long few moments, he couldn't hold his usual composure together. Almost as if his body had refused to be controlled by his mind, he simply sat there, staring into Phae's beautiful azure eyes, longingly. Finally, he leaned in a little, resisting the obvious action as much as he could, and gave her a light, but slow, kiss on her forehead. Returning his head to look at her again, he couldn't help but whisper to her, still stuck in this rediculous 'loving' attitude.

"You're beautiful..." He whispered quietly, still inable to break this gaze between the two of them, and completely unsure why he couldn't bring his usual self back into play, like he always could. It was disturbing, but then again, it was really nice, too.

[Phae]

His gaze locked on hers and she saw the grin that seemed engraved into his face slowly loosen and fall completly as they stared at each other. Slowly, he came in and her breath caught in her throat. Her heart raced as her eyes looked right at him. She swallowed her heart back into her chest and she felt his lips placed gently on her forehead.

She closed her eyes as she shivered from the touch of his lips on her forehead. This was the second time he had kissed her like this yet this one was so different from the one before. There was something in it. When he pulled back she opened her eyes and immediatly her eyes went to his again.

Her breath actually shuddered when her body did when he whispered to her. Her eyes widened. She could look in his eyes and tell that he meant it. She wanted to kiss him to feel his lips on hers but .. but Junpei.. wasn't it wrong? Yet, she was on date after all but still.. wasn't it wrong..

"You're amazing." she whispered as she pulled his head down gently with her hand on his chin and returned the favor. Her lips lay on his forehead softly and gently as she let it convey some feelings. Pulling back her eyes instantly went back to his and she smiled slightly.

[Price]

Phae pulled Price's head down for a moment, and Price almost audibly gulped at it. Here it was, the moment he'd been hoping and waiting for. Was she going to kiss him? He'd danced and skirted about the idea of doing it himself since he'd met her and she'd first gave him that initial, but mostly playful, kiss from before. He wanted to, oh, how bad he wanted to simply feel the girl's soft beautiful lips against his own one more time, and this time for an extended time, with feeling, but yet, he resisted. No, if he were to kiss her now, it just wouldn't be the same. Yet, at the same time, it was becoming increasingly harder just to pull his eyes away from her. The rest of the crowd had been gradually trickling in, filling maybe a quarter of the theater. As it were, no one had yet wanted to sit in the farthest back row with the couple.

Thankfully, Phae had given Price the exact two words he need to hear to snap him out of his loving gaze. It wasn't that he disliked staring into her eyes like this, it was just that... if he did it any longer, he wouldn't be able to resist her any more... and that was something he had to save for later.

That usual smirk slowly formed on his face, as his eyes took on their usual glint. "Yeah, well... what can I say? Some people have it, some people don't. Right, Lucky?" He grinned and couldn't help but lean in and give her a quick kiss on the cheek, one last moment of affection before he sat back in his seat, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder as it was before. Letting out a little, contented sigh, Price then resigned to leaning his head gently onto hers, smiling that same silly smile that he always got around her. Thankfully this time she couldn't see it.

"The movie should start soon," he whispered quietly, watching the lame trivia games play across, occasionally shouting out the answers rather obnoxiously.

[Phae]

Phae couldn't help but feel disappointed when the smirk came back to him. She wasn't happy about that at all. There had been something about his seriousness that had touched her. But now the old Price was back and though she wanted to see the new Price more she still liked this one.

She chuckled and settled against him again only now noticing that the seats had filled up even more. She felt Blacky lean his head softly on hers and a smile spread through her. She liked this. This cuddling but denying it thing. Her hand firmly entagled with his her head on his shoulder. There was no where she would rather be at this moment than with him.

She heard his whisper and new that they would most likely be actually watching the movie. Because they weren't even kissing yet, so making out was not really an option and he was back to the old Price so staring into each other's eyes for an hour and a half was out of the question.

"Good, lets see who in this movie can kick your butt." she said with a grin as she squeezed his hand softly her thumb began running over the back of his hand so softly.

[Price]

"Hah, try none of them," he said softly, but it was obvious that his heart wasn't in the jest. In all honesty, he would probably rather be making out with Phaedra than watching this movie, but still he resisted. After all, if he were to simply make his move now, he couldn't be sure if she would just be responding to him, or truly wanted the same thing in her own mind and heart. He let out a little laugh, more to his own benefit than anyone else's.

"Hey... Lucky..." he began as the lights dimmed and the opening previews began to start.

"I... really enjoy being here with you... ya know that?"

[Phae]

The lights began to dim and there was a low whisper in her ear. Her new nickname and she listened. The words he said made her heart pound in her chest. Those words had touched her. Not only because they were sweet but because they had come from Blacky. He was normally so cocky and laid back but this time there was something in his voice.

Her head slowly turned to look at him her eyes wide with feelings and a bit of shock. She just looked up at him for a minute. Her free hand rose up and touched his cheek her thumb stroking it lightly.

"Hey.. Blacky..." she whispered her eyes locked on his. Her own eyes were wide and trusting yet in some ways vulnerable as they stared into his beauiful eyes in the darkened theatre. "I'm .. really having .. the best time with you today."

Her hand never left his face, and her eyes never left his. Staring at him in the dark she moved just a little closer as if to kiss him. Yet, she wasn't sure he wanted it to so she stopped. Her eyes never leaving his as she just.. lost herself. Suddenly, there were no people in the theatre aside from Blacky and Lucky. Two people, who were lost.

[Price]

Staring deep into her eyes as she returned the sentiments toward him, Price could hardly move, could hardly even breathe. The way he felt for Phae was so strong, with or without Junpei being around, and he didn't know he could hold it in anymore. Looking into her eyes, the rest of the world disappearing from sight and from mind as his world became nothing more than the beautiful girl sitting next to him.

"Phae... I..." Price was truly speechless, giving in to himself and simply gazing at her as if there was nothing more he wanted to do in the world. Closing his eyes, Price committed himself, leaning in that last tiny amount of distance as his lips closed around hers...

A loud booming sound broke the kiss as well as Price's little mini-universe he'd created for himself as the movie began, jarring him back to reality. Jumping back in surprise, Price bit his lip, smiling regardless, looking down at Phae with some degree of apology.

"Eh heh... movie's starting..." he said, again returning to lean back in his seat again, ready to watch the film presented.

[Phae]

Her name. Her real name, not the endearing nickname he had given her but the name that she had been born unto. Her very name came out of his lips and she shivered slightly as he began to come closer to her.

It was finally going to happen. He had taken her cue and come in. His lips barely brushing hers when a loud noise sounded and she jumped not expecting it and the moment was broken. Thanking God it was dark he couldn't see her eyes watering slightly but she could feel the sting.

"..right.." she said with a subtle nod.

Her hand fell from his face and she turned back around in her seat pulling one leg up to her chest she hugged it gently to her and lay her chin on her knee. Her eyes were staring at the screen but she wasn't really watching. His arm was still around her and her hand was still entwined with his. But though she watched the screen she did not watch the movie.

The movie started and eventually she actually began to watch it. Relaxing slightly as she paid some attention but for the most part she wished that she could take back that moment and just go right on and kiss him. But she couldn't and it was fine so now she just watched the movie.

[Price]

Price let out a long, deep sigh as he sat back into his chair, hearing the utmost disappointment in Phae's single word. He knew he was getting too close, to this girl who's even got a boyfriend, yet he went and tried to go all the way regardless? Wait, why did Price even care about the boyfriend? It's not like that whack-job deserves a girl like that anyway. Shaking his head, Price resigned himself to confusion for the time being. He hadn't the slightest idea what was driving him here, and why he wasn't able to keep himself controlled like he was always able to, but he couldn't bother on it now.

His left arm, wrapped around Phae's shoulders, squeezed her gently, the only placating gesture he could think of, and he resigned himself to watching the movie as well, though admittedly a LOT less interested than he had been merely moments ago. Not even a snide comment about the stunts and fights on the screen came from his lips as he silently looked on.

-Roughly two hours later...-

Price, still quiet, took Phae out of the theatre, gently holding her by the hand. He was leading, and she was behind him, so she couldn't see the rather sad look on his face. He was disappointed. In himself, in his actions, both in moving in for the kiss in the first place, and for breaking it off as he did with nary an explanation. The two left the entire building, heading back towards the Academy. Turning back suddenly, Price's head swiveled over his shoulder, his self-control regained and a little grin on his face as he looked back at her.

"Hey Lucky... I'unno about you, but I'm not exactly feeling dinner right now. How about we just head on home, it's already getting dark, and try out this whole 'star gazing' thing you're so keen on?"

He smiled and awaited her answer, discontinuing his forward movement to wait to see what she had to say about it.

[Phae]

The movie ended and the lights began to come back on. The arm left her shoulder and her hand left his as they stood. His hand came and took hers as they walked out of the theatre. Silence fell upon then as they walked and Phae felt bad. She had wanted to kiss him but it seemed that he did not want to kiss her. She shouldn't have made the move, but there was a connection between them and she had acted on it. She was going to have to make a lot of decisions when she went back to her dorm tonight.

They walked down the streets hand in hand as they headed back to the academy. Phae was lost in her own thoughts. No longer centered on the reason the kiss didn't last but more what she wanted to do with her life now. Things had changed lately between her and Junpei, and then she had met Price and now she felt so close to him. Holding his hand, nearly kissing, lunch, breakfast. Telling him about her issues even the ones Junpei didn't know.

He turned to look at her and she smiled as the telltale grin greeted her. He said he wasn't ready for dinner and truth was she wasn't either. And screw dancing in a club she would rather be with him under the stars. She smiled and caught up to him quickly leaning against him slightly.

"Let's go then." she said with a smile as they grew closer to the Academy.

On the campus she did not leave his side nor drop his hand. She didn't care who saw. That might have been bad of her to think so but it was true. She had been hurting a lot lately and only now that she had met Price had she felt herself once more. Entering the academy again she looked up at him.

"Lead the way." she said with a smile.