001

[gunite]

Characters: Irvine Kinneas (gunite) and Quistis Trepe (whiplashings)
Location: Lobby → B208
Rating: PG
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed
Summary: Following an offer over the BBS, Irvine and Quistis take a walk.

Comments

[whiplashings]

Due to the fact that her dormitory was located on the second floor of Garden, the ride down the elevator delayed Quistis' arrival to the lobby for just a few minutes. The blond wasn't surprised to find that the Cowboy had reached the rendevouz point before herself, and upon seeing that familiar hat and trench coat, she couldn't help but smile.

"Irvine." Quistis called out as she made her way down the steps which lead to the directory. Though the smile she wore brightened up her complexion somewhat, it was obvious by the sallowness of her under eyes that the SeeD hadn't been getting much sleep lately. "Glad to see that you made it here in one piece."

[gunite]

Vision obstructed by the hat's rim, he lifted his head when he heard the familiar voice calling out his name. A smile graced his features, and upon sighting Quistis he gave his trademark wave. Taking a couple steps in her direction, it was at that moment Irvine better saw the telltale signs of her lack of sleep. Still, her smile was a treat.

"Hey, Quisty," he said with the tip of his hat, opting to use her old nickname for the occasion. Tempted as he was to humor her in his usual ways -- On the outside, sure, but I lost my heart and I think you have it -- he let the chance pass. "I could say the same about you."

[whiplashings]

She closed the distance between them, and with an arm stretched out, Quistis pat his shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Being thrown through time and space? Hardly something to worry about-- I'm stronger than that." Quistis joked, the corners of her lips curled into a small smile. Her eyes swept over his features, and as she took in that familiar smile and the slight twinkle in his eyes, Quistis felt a small surge of relief, his actual presence soothing her mind from the other sight of him she had to endure the past several days-- bloodied, trapped under debris, lifeless eyes.

Fuelled by the realization that he wasn't dead as she had imagined in her nightmares, Quistis curled her other arm around his shoulder into a small, brief hug, before pulling away just as quickly as it was initiated.

"I'm glad you're here, Cowboy."

[gunite]

Similarly, he felt a tug on the corner of his lips at the joke, though the urge to widen his grin subsided as Irvine opened his mouth to respond. His words failed to come, however, for the hug initiated by Quistis left him, if only for a fleeting second, marginally stupefied. His mouth snapped shut. The chance to return the gesture was missed by the time he recovered, and Irvine found himself vaguely disappointed -- he made sure it didn't show.

Both his hands twitched. Irvine shrugged away the spastic jerks and the disappointment, after which the giddiness from the show of intimacy settled in. "After a reception like that, I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't, either."

Then he himself seemed to settle, his grin becoming less curved and more straight until it was gone. "Though I can't say I feel the same about you losing sleep."