it's still Valentine's Day in one of our timezones

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Who: Lily, Winter
What: Anniversary. The other one. And maybe something plotty. POSSIBLY? We shall see.
Where: Around and about Vegas.
When: February 14th, Evening

Lily is determined to not let anything ruin today. Today is important. For her and Winter both. No matter how much just meeting Winter may have changed things for her, today a year ago was the day she took the step that made certain of that. It was one of the most frightening things she had ever done, but the level to which it had been worth it couldn't be measured.

Of course, she'd sort of done the ultimate thing she could do when celebrating the day they met. As well, they had been reeling from the events in Lapland, Winter's injury, and... those doubles. She's well aware of how dangerous they may be - or how they might be in this city.

This is why as the couple is out and about today, Lily's purse has a certain jangling weight to it, from her transformation items. Winter's finally able to move about, at least for a bit, and the poor girl has been trapped inside for weeks - Lily's agreed to give her a night on the town, at least as far as she can stand it. She'd been given strict instructions for Winter to not get into any trouble, and Lily was fully prepared to keep that promise - she'd already worried April enough as it is.

Exploring the city following its reconstruction is something they hadn't done yet - they'd been too busy with Europe, or with actually helping that reconstruction wherever they would be allowed to. It's something she very well thinks Winter would enjoy seeing, so... She hopes that's right, and either way it gets her some fresh air, as she aims to not be keeping her indoors as much as possible - even opting to eat at a place for the evening that has its tables situated outdoors.

As they move, Winter will likely find Lily holding closer to her than is normal even for her. A large part of it is affection, but there is a dash of wanting to protect her in there too. Even without that promise, even accepting that bad things are going to happen to them sometimes... Her most precious person in the world had been hurt, and there are now things out there lurking around to hurt them. That, and making sure Winter actually has a good time, are - and have to be - her biggest motivating factors as they move about town. Anything less just won't be acceptable.

But... in the end, it is still about having a good time, right? Lily's aware of that, and even in spite of that resolve is looking in lighter spirits than she has all month, and is dressed the part. After all, she may not dress up often, but for this, and for her? She would (and has) without question, and put her all into it. She wants this to be her responsibility for the rest of her life - she's said that much. In her mind, this is just her acting on that particular resolution, and she couldn't be happier but to do so.

Comments

[peacefulwinter]

This morning had been decidedly weird. Her mother had taken the day off work, and was helping her into a dress; not the one she'd worn for their last anniversary date, but a different one she'd had in her suitcase, which Lily had been kind enough to retrieve for her. Even as she worked an arm through a sleeve gently, so as not to pull anything open, April continued to remind her of the terms of her release. "Honey, I know you don't need me to tell you, but... you're still not healed from everything that happened. If you weren't off the antibiotics by now, I wouldn't be letting you go at all. Please, try to be a little careful? And whatever you do, you can't fight. Run away if you have to, but if you fight like this, it's going to be a real fight to put you back together again, Winter."

"I know, mama," Winter whined in return. "Lily should be strong enough for the both of us, anyway." She let out a breath as she got her other arm into the garment, and shrugged her shoulders experimentally. "This fits better than I'd expected, considering I'm still wearing a roll of bandages or three."

Stepping back, April looked the garment over critically, before smiling. "Yes. Yes, it does, and I'm very glad for it. You look beautiful, Winter. And I hope you're able to enjoy your date tonight. You've earned some peace, I think." She'd been trying not to cry, but she hadn't done a terribly good job of it, and Winter laughed lightly before she'd just given her mother a hug.

Of course, that'd been this morning; some time's passed since then, and Winter's nerves are... not terribly strained, but she's not exactly calm. She's aware of her limits, but she's also aware of Lily keeping her close. She felt a little bit like an important woman whose beautiful bodyguard was making a special effort to protect her today, and it's certainly not a bad feeling. Lily is just as important to her now as ever, and she wants to make sure she knows that fact, being open with affectionate words, and reaching for her when she thinks she can get away with it. Walking through the city like this, hand in hand, not having to worry about whatever terrible plot is going to end the world this week... she needed this.

She recognizes little bits and pieces of projects she'd helped with, and as they walk around, she points out little things. Objects she'd put back together, things she'd learned, landmarks she knew the significance of. The fresh air was doing her a lot of good, and the largely positive looks around people that recognized Cure Diamond were gratifying. She'd worked hard to help put this city back together, and she wanted to be able to enjoy it.

Mostly, Winter's just glad Lily is taking advantage of the day to let some of her concerns and frustrations out. It would be a while yet before things were back to normal, but for now, Winter was happy to just go on a date and see where the day would take them. As she sticks close and maintains skin contact, she doesn't say anything right away. She just smiles, looking around, focusing on Lily from time to time.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

That's because you are an important woman whose beautiful bodyguard is making a special effort to protect. Not just today, of course, but - for as often as Winter has saved her, Lily can never not feel like Winter's protector. It's how she should feel, right? She suspects the sense is mutual, and she's accepted that after the last year. Lily was so used to feeling like she had to protect her family, it took her awhile to understand that sometimes she needs her heart and body both defended as well.

She smiles and laughs along with everything Winter points out as they go about. Of course, Lily had pitched in when she could - but she'd also recognized that it was something Winter needed to do herself, sometimes. To set her mind at ease.

"I have told you how beautiful you look tonight, right?" she asks, as they stand at a crosswalk, hand-in-hand. Of course, she had. Several times. She just wants to make sure she reiterates it. She would anyway, but... she knows from personal experience that such appraisal can help one's mental state after such traumatic experiences. Not to mention, physical injuries. Lily had felt so ugly and broken after her own injury, and having Winter's attention so much then had been a much needed bandage on that feeling. "I really am glad you're able to - that April thought you were able to - move about today. Just... make sure you tell me if you're starting to hurt any, okay?"

She reaches out, and down, to poke her in the nose lightly, even as she smiles widely. "I mean that. No stubbornness allowed."

[peacefulwinter]

"You have, but I still like to hear it," she replies lightly. Really, she does - even if it's something she knows Lily will always remind her of, she's still a girl. She still like being told she's attractive, and she knows she's way too pleased to hear it, but she doesn't care. After having her midsection peeled like an apple, she just appreciates being able to walk normally. Being told she's pretty, even if it's only because she's covering her stomach, and because it's Lily.

Squeezing her partner's hand tight, she looks up at her as they stand and wait to cross; she knows what the taxis are like in this city, and cutting in front of them is a good way to wind up in the hospital. Which is somewhere she would rather not be again anytime soon. "I'll let you know if I'm hurting. There are... some things I know better than to argue. But I feel pretty good today! I think the power of our love is helping me." Corny, but not out of character. She makes a soft sound of protest when she's poked, but she grins all the same. "I'll be good, I promise. So let's have a great night, hmm?"

The crossing light chirps, and Winter steps forward, swinging their linked hands back and forth, trying not to look like a girl in love and falling miserably. "I think the only girl prettier than I am out here is you, Lily. I've really missed nights like this where I can just admire the girl I love, and remind myself how lucky I am that she chose me, out of every girl in the world."

[alilyinthemoonslight]

"Then I'll just have to say it again and again." And again, and again, and again. Honestly, she may be saying it more often than usual lately, no matter how tired, drugged up, or in pain her lover's looked at any given time of the day. She means it, of course - she always has and always will. No matter what happens, Winter is the most beautiful thing on the planet to her.

However, she has the distinct feeling Winter might not be feeling like that lately in some respects. So... she wants to remind her of that.

She gives her a look as she says she'll be told if the other girl is hurting, hoping it's enough to get the point across that she'd better, though she otherwise keeps a good natured expression following that.

As they start to walk across the road - indeed, probably looking a little silly. With her increased strength, the height difference, and Winter's current state, she has to be a little careful as Winter swings their hands. So... she kind of just lets her arm hang loosely, allowing Winter to do as she will with it. She grins, regardless.

"As much as I appreciate it, if you insist I'm prettier, we might have a fight on our hands," she says in a matter-of-fact manner, though she fails at keeping her face straight. "But I don't think I'd look at it so much as luck, as I just have impeccable taste, now."