decorator | a stolen fruit; a childish sin has taken root

[ It'd been just a few weeks ago that the weather had stung with a wintery bite and Ai had foolishly assumed that the seasons were going to make any sense whatsoever. Now all of a sudden it's blazing hot out, just as bad as Tokyo in the dog days of summer and Ai's resigned herself to understanding this city about as much as she did when she first arrived, which is too say, not in the least.

But it's not all bad - even if Nagiko had made a point of ominously warning her and Hibiki that summer was supposedly "a cursed time" for Servants and Masters. It's a little hard to believe that when the weather's so nice and when a beach that absolutely, definitely wasn't part of the city before is having some kind of open-invitation party with free food and drinks.

It's been entirely too long since she was allowed to go to something like that outside of work, so of course Ai's going. Of course she's wearing a cute two-piece swimsuit. And of course she made it very clear to a certain somebody that she'd be very upset if she had to pick out a different swimsuit for any particular reason.

Speak of the devil, though... ]

Are you really not about to pass out like that? I know you're probably sensitive to the sun, but...

[ She feels a little nauseous on his behalf just looking at that hoodie??? ]

[ "Cursed" is an apt description for what summer is for Servants, especially in the case of Oberon... seeing as how he is, somehow, still standing despite his objectively incredibly poor choice in wardrobe for this season.

To which this is, supposedly, the fault of Ai somehow? As if the forced lack of his form of intimacy has increased his sulkiness tenfold. He could at least unzip the hoodie and not cover his head (not that it would change the fact that he's wearing dark heavy clothing under the beating sun), but instead here he is, somehow even grumpier than usual.

Truly, a stark contrast to Nagiko, who shortly after warning Ai of the dangers of summer, has begun claiming herself to be a "delinquent" with 30% more of her usual boisterousness... while riding a skateboard and swinging around a hammer.

~~Is it weird that this makes more sense than her being an Archer?~~ ]

Mmph...

[ Which would be worse to see? Him passing out from heat stroke? Or his pale skin turning bright red under the rays of the sun? Unless having a Servant body made of spiritrons grants immunity from sunburns, a very specific question that is unfortunately hard to definitely answer currently. ]

[ Cursed really is the word for it... she's so used to Oberon looking like... well, exactly what you'd expect a Servant like him to look like that seeing him just looking like a totally normal guy is all kinds of jarring.

It's better than Faerie King Oberon, at least. She got one look at what he was going to be wearing to the beach and half considered using her last Command Seal if she had to get the real thing to come with her instead.

She huffs and folds her arms across her chest. ]

Don't sulk like that. [ ... She says, knowing he's just going to sulk harder out of contrariness. ] Is it really asking the impossible for you to try and have a little bit of fun with me today?

[ It is. Absolutely it is. ]

[ He would again argue that she's crazy for wanting to have him at her side like this when the contrast between them is even more jarring than his change in appearance, but that's already been established, hasn't it? It's also fortunate that having only one Command Seal is, ironically, more than enough motivation to keep him obedient than anything else. They need that thing for when it's important, damn it! He can't just let her use it on any little thing!

In any case, she's right. He does sulk harder out of contrariness... and it is impossible for him to try and have fun. ]

If you want fun then you should've asked for the Faerie King. I've been devoid of fun for a while now.

[ ~~Oh shut up you drama queen.~~ ]

[ Yep, she saw that coming. ]

Really? I didn't want to come here with him, though. I invited you for a reason.

[ She heaves another sigh. It's definitely a little put on, but... ]

I just thought it might be nice to have something like a normal date for once...

[ Is the way she's fidgeting bashfully with her fingers an act? Definitely. Are her puppy dog eyes when she peeks at him from under her lashes totally calculated? Absolutely.

Is it ten times as effective anyway, thanks to the swimsuit?

Just take a guess. ]

Do you really not want to enjoy it with me?

...! Don't you give me that look!

[ Maybe this is the real reason why he tried to hard to keep his feelings under control. The fact that Ai knowing how weak he is to her is far too dangerous. How the hell is he supposed to handle that!? He's never been this horribly attracted to someone before, and now that someone is in a swimsuit. ]

Ugh...! Fine, fine! I'll go along with... whatever the hell you wanna do here!

[ He has never been a beach person, how the hell do you have fun in a place like this?? ]

But when shit goes sideways, you better not complain when I say I told you so!

[ Well, as long as they don't have to deal with a multitude of Cernunnos showing up out of nowhere and burning down the city/whipping up a typhoon/whatever the hell the third one did, it'll probably be at least manageable. ]

Heehee.

[ And just like that, she's beaming again - she snapped back so quick you could practically hear the "ping"... ]

Honestly, I've only ever been to the beach for work... So I only kind of know what I'm doing. But if we pick a nice spot and maybe get something to eat, we can figure it out from there.

[ She offers him her hand. Yes, hand holding right out here in front of everyone. The scandal. ]

So why don't we go?

Ugh...

[ What was it he said about her way back when? That she was a handful? Yeah, that statement still applies, actually. Especially now that she's holding out her hand to him... something that he can only respond with his own hand, taking hers and holding it.

Holding her hand. In public. In front of everyone on this crowded, crowded beach.

The theater of their dreams is nothing compared to this. ]

Alright...

[ Admittedly, her hand in his does improve his mood a little, but not for the reason you'd expect. Instead, his mood is improving... because he's keenly aware of their surroundings, and can spot every single guy on this beach who had their eyes captured by the sight of Ai suddenly gnashing their teeth to powder as she holds the hand of the gangly, clearly-insane (since he's wearing all black in this weather) creepy-looking dude at her side

He almost considers flipping all of them off, but probably best not to instigate anything right now. This is already the kind of sight that would go in every single tabloid if Ai were still a famous idol here. ]

[ The contrast is made all the worse by the fact that one he takes her hand, Ai practically starts sparkling. Her smile's so bright that it's suddenly almost a little hard to look right at her. It's impossible to tell if she's genuinely oblivious to all the staring or if she's just so used to it by now that it doesn't even register. ]

Alright! We'll head down nearer the water! It should be a little cooler down there...

[ And with that, she starts cheerily pulling him along by the hand, still twinkling away.

Maybe it's a little silly for her to be getting this bubbly over a little handholding but she can't help herself. It's not something idols are allowed to do in public or really, full stop. Not unless there's a time limit, a handshake ticket and hundreds of thousands of yen added to the exchange. But here where she's not somebody anybody cares about, where she can at least playact at being a normal girl, it's totally fine for her to indulge in something like holding hands in front of everyone.

She directs him down to a spot a little ways away from the water - someone or something has politely set up a number of beach towels and umbrellas and she takes up under one with a satisfied sigh. ]

See? Isn't that breeze nice? And there's a little shade here for you, too.

[ Honestly, if they aren't staring at Ai, then they're staring at the utter insanity that is a man wearing all black at the beach. The sheer contrast is making them the most eye-catching couple on the beach, and while Oberon is a little annoyed at that...

He supposes he can put up with it for the sake of Ai's wishes. Even if walking around with his hand in hers disqualifies her from being a "normal girl". ]

...I guess.

[ Besides, wouldn't he be a hypocrite if he judged anybody for staring? After all, his own eyes can't seem to leave her either. He's a little annoyed that she's lacking in his marks, but she's still blindingly beautiful. ]

[ In a playful imitation of his dour tone: ] "I guess," he says.

[ Then back to grinning. She plops herself down next to him and reaches over to give his cheek a poke. ]

You're really determined to be grumpy today, huh. I guess that's no different from usual. Heehee.

[ Maybe it's just the sunlight, or maybe it's the summery energy but she's especially bright today and a little more animated than usual. It is just Servants that get their personalities amped up during summer, right? ]

Don't worry. I'm not gonna make you run around and break open watermelons or any of the other stuff you're supposed to do at the beach. You'd prefer just laying around and eating snacks, right?

[ The most cheerful woman ever and her dour grumpy boyfriend... the fact that their compatibility is so high just makes this pairing even more baffling, doesn't it? ]

Mmph... well, at least you understand that much.

[ Well, of course she does. The idea that she wouldn't understand what her Servant is like is absurd at this point. Meanwhile Oberon can't help but still be baffled by the effect summer has on people, though at this point he doubts there's a person alive who understands what Summer does to Servants and their Masters.

Still, isn't he letting her have his way with him a bit too much? ]

You're right, I'll be staying right here. Sorry to disappoint.

[ Ai just laughs. ]

That's fine by me. Honestly, if you suddenly decided you wanted to go splashing around in the sea or playing volleyball or something I'd be all kinds of concerned...

[ She's keeping her expectations moderately realistic, at least for the time being... ]

Then how about I go get us something to eat? Someone's grilling up some yakitori and I just know somebody'll be selling yakisoba, too. It's summer, isn't it? Ah, or maybe you want something sweet? I definitely saw a ice cream place on the way down here.

[ it's like she's trying to make up for all the summer energy he doesn't have... ]

[ God help everyone when the Servants start playing volleyball... ]

Yeah, yeah... ah, if you get something sweet, look for melon flavor. Melon.

[ Hey, she's definitely doing a good job of it. Besides, it's not like she can't have fun just because her Servant is a grump... he's sure she'll get roped into some kind of shenanigans with the other Masters and Servants, though he'll of course have to keep an eye on her just in case.

He's content to just kick back and relax. Personally, he'd prefer doing that in the comfort of their home, but if it makes her happy, he doesn't mind doing it at the beach... even though his outfit clearly conveys an utter lack of desire to even touch the water. ]

[ For the first time since they got to the beach, her sunny disposition falters a bit and she huffs at him. ]

Tch. Party pooper. Not that I was expecting anything different, but...

[ ... her words aren't necessarily a lie, but they ring with the tone of something insincere, anyway. Almost like they're covering for her actual feelings. But before they can leak out any more, she stands up. ]

Fine, fine. Melon soda and yaki-something coming up. Laze about here as long as you want.

[ And off she goes. It's a busy day, so she's probably going to be gone for a little while.

... a little while, I said. Sure, the beach is busy but... isn't she taking just a little bit too long for something this simple? ]

[ Honestly, he finds himself reaching a feeling of concern far before it reaches the point where she's been gone for too long. She's not in any danger, he knows this... and she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself. That's what he tells himself as he lazes about, but... ]

...Blanca, watch our things.

[ Nevermind the question of what a silkmoth would be doing at the beach, how long she should be taking stops being a factor, as Oberon is finding it impossible to even relax without her with him. Thus, with his trusty silkmoth watching over their belongings, Oberon starts to look for his Master.

He imagines he'll have to deal with more teasing from Ai for this, but oh what the hell. ]

[ She's not too hard to find, at least - there's a section of the beach pretty thoroughly dedicated to food and drinks so if she's anywhere, of course it'd be there. The crowd's pretty thick and Ai's plenty small so spotting her is a bit of a chore but eventually, the throng of people parts at just the right time for her to be visible, with her back to him.

What makes this image less encouraging is that she's been... cornered, let's call it by a pair of guys who seem to be doing a whole lot of talking. Over the bustle, it's hard to hear what they're saying but going by their expressions and... well, the fact that this is Ai in a swimsuit, it's not that hard to guess what's going on here. ]

[ God. Damn it. He should've seen this coming. Rage flares in his chest and his hand twitches, but... he can handle this. He shouldn't have let her go off on her own in the first place, he's realizing, and that frustration mixed with his rage at those who have cornered her almost makes him want to take... drastic action, but no.

No, he can handle this in a better, more satisfying way... and hey, maybe even get back at Ai for all the teasing before she starts. ]

Oi...

[ From the perspective of Ai and the pair of guys, it's like he appeared out of nowhere... reaching a long arm past and dragging his Master out from where she's been cornered, pulling her into his chest and wrapping an arm around her waist. ]

You aren't harassing my woman, are you?

[ Oh he's picking his word-choice intentionally, isn't he? He's even flashing his creepiest grin. ]

[ As he approaches, it's a little easier to pick up on the conversation - the taller guy seems to be coming out with something about not letting a cute girl wander around on her own, talking pretty neatly over Ai's polite but increasingly strained protests that she's very much not on her own -

At least until she's pulled back against Oberon with a little help. The drinks she'd been carrying jostle in her hands but thankfully, she manages not to spill any. ]

Oberon...? Ah, um, I thought you were...

"Uh, now who's harassing her?" [ So says the slightly shorter guy who has the energy of someone who doesn't know when to shut up. ] "Is talking to a girl at the beach a crime now?'

Uh huh, a heinous crime, especially talking to one who's already taken.

[ Oberon's tone is jovial as usual, as if this is all just one big joke, something to laugh off... and yet somehow, it's still clearly dripping with venom.

His arm wraps around Ai possessively, holding her tight and frankly invading her personal space far more than they were, but unlike them he's allowed to do that. His tone remains jovial, but. ]

Let's cut the crap, shall we? How about you move along and I won't remember your faces, hm?

[ The fact that he still sounds so cheerful should make it obvious, at least to Ai, how pissed he is. ]

[ For just a second, it looks like things might escalate - the guy with the doesn't-know-when-to-shut-up vibes snorts derisively and squares his shoulders a little. But it's the taller guy, surprisingly, who makes the wiser call. He squints at the two of them for a second and clearly does some kind of mental math before deciding that the whole thing is simply not worth it. ]

"Drop it. C'mon." [ He directs that to the shorter guy, taking a step away as he does. ] "There's other girls."

[ And with that, the two of them retreat while doing their very best to not look like they're retreating.

Ai stares after them for a long moment and once it's clear they won't be turning back around, she lets out a long slow breath as if she'd been holding it this whole time. ]

I guess it really only counts when the guy says you're taken...

[ She peeks up at him - and then gives him a little grin. ]

"Your woman", huh?

[ "Nobody like this one" Oberon thinks, but chooses not to say. He had been considering a few things to do to them if things escalated... a few less than pleasant experiences, so it's a good thing that the other guy wisely chose to turn tail. ]

Bye bye!

[ His uncharacteristically joyous voice is probably more mocking than is necessary, but he doesn't particularly care to be polite. Still, he lets out a sigh as he drops the facade. ]

Seriously, I can't let you out of my sight for a second...

[ That's humanity for you, he supposes. Granted, it's not like she's being held by the most upstanding guy right now either. Surprisingly, though, he grins down at her when she brings up his choice in words. ]

Yeah, you're my woman. What, don't like it? Too cliché for you?

[ And Ai just beams at him in response. He, uh, was trying to get out ahead of the teasing here, wasn't he? ]

No, not exactly. I guess I was just a little surprised to hear it, that's all.

[ "Surprised" sure is one word for it. Surprised that she likes the sound of it, maybe. Not that she should be encouraging him to be any more clingy or possessive than he already is, but...

She belongs to everybody else as an idol. That was the whole reason Ai of B-Komachi even existed to begin with - for everybody else's sake but her own. The idea of Hoshino Ai belonging to just one particular person by contrast...

It's nice.

So she turns in his arms as best she can. It's just busy enough that nobody's paying them any attention and she only feels a tiny twinge of embarrassment in her belly when she rises up on her toes and presses a kiss to his cheek. ]

You sure moved pretty fast after you said you were staying over there all day, huh. ... But I'm glad. Thanks.

[ She really shouldn't encourage further possessiveness... she shouldn't and yet that's exactly what's happening, isn't it? Especially with that kiss to his cheek. ]

You should be. Such a high-maintenance Master you are... maybe I should mark you again so nobody else gets the same idea.

[ He is trying to get out of being teased, so he'll be going on the offensive, leaning down and lightly biting her ear. She thinks kissing him on the cheek in public is embarrassing? Try this on for size... ]

[ Entirely unsurprisingly, a surprised little squeak comes out of her - sweet and girlish and definitely embarrassed. ]

Wh- hey...!

[ She immediately grabs his face, smashing his cheeks in her hands. No biting!!! ]

Who's calling who high maintenance? I really wasn't kidding when I said I'd get mad, you know!

[ Huff puff, pout pout. It's a little hard to take her all that seriously in the cute swimsuit, but still... ]

If you're that worried, actually come with me instead of sulking off by yourself!

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