It was a kiss, a kiss on tanabata, surely no one could find such a thing improper, but it was also so much more. Under the glittering lights of the fireworks, Moriko closed her eyes and let herself drown. Casting her arms about Ryuu's neck, the little screamer mewling at the sudden movement, even as the air filled with distant pops and crackles, her fingers twined into his hair, silvery strands to ensnare her as surely as any spider web. The world tilted, and she could feel it, the heartbeat of the planet, the way it breathed, and her heart fluttered in her chest like the wings of a butterfly.

When he felt her arms wrap around his neck, it was instinct. She was hoisted, strong arms keeping her supported as he held her in the air against him. The sounds of the exploding fireworks were dulled by the sensation of the moment. Time faded to nothingness, and two were joined in the moonlight and glimmer of the spectacle above them.

Moriko felt dizzy as she was lifted up, disconnected from the anchoring presence of the solid flooring beneath their feet, so she held on to Ryuu. Her lithe form was pulled flush against his strength and, for a moment, she could feel two racing hearts before they fell into rhythm, beating in time, indistinguishable.

The kiss was finally broken, his breath shuddering as Ryuu pressed his forehead against hers. Trying to slow down the racing of his heart, the storm finally breaking the levees of stoicism. "Moriko-san..." he whispered her name against her lips, "... I know I should not have been so bold... but... this... this.. you and I..." the words lost in the waves thst crashed against his heart and mind.

Her fingers tugged gently against his hair. “Whatever happens, I love you, Ryuu-san.” It wasn’t the warm, comforting, romantic love celebrated by Benten, it was the raging, passionate fire of lustful love, but it was no less true, no less real, for that fact; and like fire it burnt hotly, a Phoenix ignited in full blaze.

"I love you, as well. I... know this... has to be worked at. To grow..." he whispered back, gently setting her down, a hand caressing her cheek. He had not been prepared for such strong emotions, but nearly two weeks of courting, of being with people that were all judging for potentials.

Love was never supposed to be a part of the equation. Yet it was always there, always on the periphery.

"I... we should... take a moment. Focus... be still. This is.. a lot." Yet he did not step back from her.

Back on her feet, feeling more stable, Moriko could no longer still herself. Tonight, of all nights, was for celebration, and she was overflowing with emotion. Arriving at her apartment, the girl had taken off her shoes and stockings, forgetting proprietary and going barefoot. She stepped back from her Spider love, scooping up Fu from his perch on her shoulder and cradling him in her hands, she tugged away the hairpin that struggled to tame her locks. Whirling in a circle, a wild forest spirit, her hair tumbled down, floating with her movement before settling about her shoulders, if it would just sit smooth it would easily reach the small of her back.

Turning back to Ryuu, she laughed for the simple joy of it. Tomorrow seemed an eternity away, a problem for tomorrow, for tonight everything was right in this little corner of the world. Light as an otori feather, Moriko stepped close to him once more, pushing herself up on tiptoe and setting a kiss at the corner of the serious Spider’s mouth, gentle as butterfly wings. “We’re missing the fireworks,” she pointed to the brilliant lights high above the city, slightly washed out by the light pollution below.

"I do not think we missed them." Ryuu replied with a tease, watching the Phoenix as she drew back, still overcome with emotion. Finally, he followed her finger as she pointed, looking up to the night sky, the explosions of color bursting above them. He adjusted, standing just behind her, an arm around her waist, as they looked up.

“I suspect you may be right,” Moriko laughed, settling the screamer back in the crook of her arm where he seemed most comfortable and resting her head against Ryuu’s shoulder, “but we can’t recreate those fireworks on demand.”

"No. We cannot." He sighed, contentedly. Then a grin. "We get to kiss on demand though." Ryuu blushed, as they watched. His arm gave a squeeze to Moriko in an embrace, and he leaned his head slightly to the side, against hers.

“Be careful with your words, Ryuu-san,” she teased, “lest someone hold you to them.” Moriko only wished for one thing, that Ten was with them instead of sulking in his pillow fort. On the other hand, the four of them could be in a pillow fort right now, but then there would be those other kinds of fireworks and, well, that was probably best avoided for the time being. So she leaned against him, enjoying the closeness.