We Can Make It If We Try! Visell and Dedestra become a couple! Pt. 1

After years of compromise, reluctance, turmoil, and drama, after an extensive series of operations performed by Visell's mother granting her military-grade prosthetic limbs along with intense training. She becomes Visell's official handler and Apostle Fantasy's primary bodyguard and secretary on the day. A short time after her Visell would talk about finally becoming a couple after a few outings, reintroducing themselves to each other. After Dedestra is done doing some work around the temple and Visell is done training with her uncle Visell texts Dedestra:
They meet up and adjourn to their favorite Mochi Shoppe and eat it while eating mochi In Visells car on top of a ridge overlooking East Shinetown. Amber and Auburn leaves fall into the car seat from the tall Nokvu Oak hanging over them. A nippy breeze whispers through their hair, a call of the impending season. Accompanied by that the inclination to scoot in closer, to share in mutual warmth while they enjoy their childhood treats whisks through both the young women’s minds, but the intensity and impact of the conversation spur them apart. They banter back and forward content with the warmth of each other’s company watching the ant-like train of cars on the highway and the all-encompassing dusk that burns the sky golden around the city of eternal autumn.
"MM! God damn!! The peach ones are the bee freaking knees! You should try some, shit's pretty dope. Oh, wait I forgot you're a freakin, vanilla loyalist." Visell smirks over at Dedestra staring down at the box of mochi on her robe-clad lap. Dedestra looks back over at Visell "I feel like I made a miscalculation." "Whatcha mean? you didn't get the flavor you wanted? Come on, have some of mine." Dedestra stares at Visell with her deadpan glare. Visell raises an eyebrow. Her heart skips when she realizes that Dedestra is reluctant to remove her mask.
"Oh! Well, Ahem!.” Visell straightens her back and crosses her legs, “Geez! Zempai, you can't really keep the thing on all the time; like, logistically speaking, ‘specially around me! I mean we tend to use our mouths when we chill'' She proclaims unconsciously imitating her mother’s regal reprimanding diction “We're always eating out and talking and - Get those damn dirty thoughts out of your head !!!” She blushes intensely. Dedestra chuckles a little. “You're sure this is a clothes-on sort of date?”
Visell sticks her tongue out at Dedestra with a hiss, before retreating with a pout and frantically eating another Mochi. Dedestra responds with a chuckle. Visell blushes “*gulp* “I mean, It's not like we ever really did anything lewd (!) and we do, like, kissing stuff with our mouths, too, duh . . . perv. And we only ever did tops before(!)” Visell claims in a flustered mutter, her mouth filled with ice cream. “Indeed, it has been quite a while considering . . .everything.” Visell turns back around to face Dedestra and asserts nervously, “Well, that’s what we’re here to talk about ain’t it?” Her eyes meet Dedestra's then retreat. “Us? I mean, Geez. I've barely seen you since you’ve been back . . . Between being mad at you, the Yakuza crap, Bushido stuff and you running off with Mother after . . .”
Visell nervously glances at Dedestra’s arm and looks away with a blush. “*sigh* N-Nevermind, It’s just been messy as hell. Visell looks out to the city. “Anyway, shit’s calm for now! More of a reason to at least figure things out!” Visell asserts almost defiantly as she looks down at her feet. “I’ve missed my dummy, smart girl. Even after four years of BS and anger!” She clasps her hands around the circular glasses hanging around from the collar of her hoodie.
“All I wanted was to see you, At least to ask you why or at least so you could see me cry or at least to spit at you! And now here you are again. Here we are again. And now all I want to do is talk. After everything . . .” She sighs hard and ruffles her hair! And shit just keeps happening! And I feel like, as soon as it seems like we can finally just figure it out . . .either some bullshit happens or . . . you make an excuse(!) For a while now I’ve wondered If you even want to figure it out, you know?” Dedestra sits silently staring down at her lap, as the soft breeze pushes tides through her afro. “I’m starting to feel like a puppy, scratching at your heels! If I’m being honest; like a burd-”
Dedestra interjects “No! I mean . . .yes . . .um. Yes, Symown, Yes! I’m still quite interested, In . . . . you and . . . Us. I think about you all the time, thinking about you got me through the last year, the last four years, particularly the surgeries. Don’t ever call yourself a burden (!) I won’t allow you to scold yourself like that, I will be the one to honestly and caringly berate you when necessary as your personal Weishu (Handler/ Intimate Supervisor), long time confidant, and *ahem* repeatedly reluctant romantic interest.”
Visell blushes. “Thanks, Zempai . . . I appreciate that.” “Of course,” Dedestra replies. They sit in silence for a second. Visell brutishly consumes another mochi in contemplation. Dedestra looks at her box of mochi. Visell crosses her arms and looks up to the sunset-burned sky, using one hand to play with her hair. Visell- “So, you’re still interested, right?” “Indeed, And you’re still interested in me?” “Hell Yeah! More like crazy about you, dude.'' Visell contemplates for a second as they sit in silence again. The wind and leaves rustling and whispering their own conversation. Visell stands up and stretches her back. Dedestra gets deteriorated by Visell’s figure captured in the sunset and the sight of her prominent abs tightening and projecting, lewd thoughts pang her mind.
[Goodness, her training has been quite . . .fruitful. She’s considerably fit and stalwart. Hm, a “clothes off the call” . . . Is it bad praxis to discuss the finer points of a relationship after taking someone’s virginity?]
Visell abruptly leans over and gets right in Dedestra’s face with her natural scowl, staring into her eyes. Dedestra, gasp a little. Visell’s stare lingers . . . Dedestra poignantly asserts with nervous candor, “Ahem, you . . . smell like cinnamon, it’s very pleasant, mixed in with your sweat . . .” Visell scoffs and blushes “Thanks . . .” She doesn’t break the line of sight. Dedestra begins to become concerned. “Okay, I'll indulge you. what are you doing?”
Visell still staring “Promise, you won’t take this the wrong way?” “*Scoff* Well, now I have to know.” Dedestra inquires. Visell retracts and says with her politician-like, bassy voice, as she looks away with a sassy pout “I was waiting for a caveat, an excuse, a dodge. I know we’ve been through a lot and I don’t wanna be the asshole here, I just had to make sure. Because we’re gonna figure this crap out, right here - right now!” She ruffles her hair “And if you’re interested you’ll benefit from figuring it out too. No more running away, no more evil bitches, gangster assholes plus Togisa and Mother are out of the equation! I freaking like you and I’m putting my foot down, dude! And apologies if that’s bratty of me but I feel like . . . there’s a chance now.”
Dedestra looks down nervously. “I see, I appreciate your candor, just know I’m still a tad paranoid . . . and I curse myself for it! But, I do want to discuss this, openly and honestly. We’re interested so perhaps . . . No(!) I’ve gotten enough concessions and my mind will just muck up everything if I start! So, you have the floor or . . . driver seat . . . All I hope is that on the other side of this conversation is something . . .sweet. For lack of a better word.” Visell scoffs sits down and twirls her hair thinking, pondering, calculating. She looks over at Dedestra blushing with her natural scowl, looking meekly at Dedestra. Dedestra feels a little nervous and excited from her intense glare.
[Good lord, this is physically impossible for multiple reasons but why do I feel like if she keeps looking like that, I’ll end up pregnant!?!? Why hell did I just say - Please, says something crass or reprimanding, Symown. Save me from my own terrifying libido . . .!]
Visell takes a deep inhale and exhales. “Zempai . . .” Dedestra snaps out of her lustful trance “ Y . . .Yes, Soulmis-kuna.” She continues playing with her hair, blushing and flustered - she sits straight up, crosses her arms and legs, again imbued with the glowing confidence of her mother steeped with the vicious glance of her father.
"I think we should just go for it! No more waiting and no more complicated labels. We've both been through some terrible, weird shit and honestly, I think it's made us stronger! Shit, we're both still alive, eating mochi just like we used to! And yeah I know there's just another cavalcade of bullshit going on but . . .even after everything, I still . . love you, Zempai. I want you, and now I need you, No two ways about it..” Dedestra’s heart jumps, Her metal fingers curl around the door of her robe as if trying to stop her heart from breaking through her rib cage. [She needs me . . . ?] “And hey now we got a lot of catching up to do! What better way to get to know you than to start dating, right?"
Dedestra's eyes downcast at her metal fingers grasped tightly around the cheap Styrofoam mochi box on her lap. [She . . needs me . . . ] She desperately tries to bat away the shadows creeping in her mind.
"Symown, I . . . want you, too. I've wanted you for a long . . . long time. I want to love.” She looks down at her almond-colored, metal fingers as they curl on her lap. “And God as my witness I will love you! But, can it be that it is all so simple?” She sighs heavily and the wind follows likewise and looks up at the golden-brown sky as her hair sways.
“Symown . . . I fear the demure little lady you fell for in high school perished with her heart. All that remains of her are the demons of her antiquity and they won’t permit me to be felicitous! After all the turmoil, the death, and the pain we’ve endured. And now our future is also in question. Frankly, I’m afraid . . . I‘m afraid If I love you eventually I’ll push you away, I’m afraid the rot inside of me, we’re a heart that used to be, will boil over; It’ll infect me, It’ll infect you and then . . . I’ll have nothing! A poison without a remedy! I’m constantly ruminating and how can I make this work!? She looks down at her hands. I surmise I’m about halfway there but . . .
She puts her hand on Dedestra’s leg and looks into her eyes. "First of all, you were never little. I think you got taller with the augments- I haven't grown a freaking inch since you ran away! Dedestra scoffs “Indeed . . .” “and second; we've both changed, remember? Geez, I’ve been with you through it! And that stuff. The scars in your head, never really go away, not completely anyway. But they’ll always be healing! So let’s. . . help each other heal together! We're new people in a new chapter in life! And even after all of it . . . we still have each other. All that bullshit got us here but it doesn't have to be us. What defines us is how we move forward!” Her eyes downcast for a second. Her eyes shoot back up to meet Dedestra’s. Her heart jumps at that passion glower. “So . . . Let's start over!” Dedestra raises an eyebrow "Hm(!?)" Visell with fire in her chest "Yeah! Let's just start over!''
Dedestra chuckles nervously "I'm not quite certain what you mean, Symown. Do we pretend we never met and talk to each other like it's the first time we're meeting?" Visell scoff "Hu-What!? No! That some dumb, hipster, coming-of-age, movie bullshit! But, well, I mean . . . . kinda!"
She sighs stiffly, ruffles her hair in frustration, and stands up on the car seat abruptly, basking in the saturated light dusk. Her hand on her hip shifted to the side like a model, she points at Dedestra enthusiastically.
"You're not the old Dedestra, I'm not the old Visell!" Dedestra interjects in hushed tones “God, I still despise that name . . ." Visell retorts, "Shut it! Look! We're both not the same people we knew, I'm different, you're different so, let's put it behind us or at least help each other do so. ProZu, communes, augments, jail time, secrets and all. If there’s anything you need to put away in the past, I’ll be there to slam the door in its face, you heard!? And besides that, we just do what we do; Just chill and enjoy each other, changes and all!” She squats down on the seat beside Dedestra.
“So, No! I'm not interested in the highschool you! I'm interested in the cool, gunslingin’, sexy cyborg monk you! Are you interested in dating Zumurai Visell, The Domestic Terrorist?" she says pointing at herself with her thumb and a slight cheeky smirk. Dedestra stares at Visell for a second then chuckles a little. “That's a beautiful sentiment . . . I’m certainly interested in courting a real Zumuari." Her shrouded cheeks perk and her eyes dim to reveal the signs of a smile. "But . . . not to be too pessimistic but that system is very. . . conditional, but we do have new goals and ambitions;
I am now your Handler; Moving forward with mutual support and a new outlook sounds . . . nice. . . .” Visell interjects with a snicker "Right!? And like, I mean, It's not even that we can or should forget everything! We just . . . focus on each other, make it work, and keep moving forward. No two ways about it!" Visell places her hand back over Dedestra’s, relaxed calmly on her robe. Dedestra asserts longingly "Just like the butterfly's wings . . .'' Visell blushes she scoots over until press her shoulder pressed against Dedestra’s “Yeah . . . we can, you know, finally spread out and . . .''
Visell cranes her neck up and moves closer toward Dedestra’s lips concealed by her mask, closing her eyes, face reddened, pursing her lips for a kiss. Dedestra grasps lightly and pushes Visell back slightly, and covers her face with her hand. Visell catches her balance, “Shit! What's wrong, Did i . . . !? Dang it! I’ve had years to practice!” She ruffles her hair. “No no! You're quite alright, just caught me off guard! My jaw is very tender and . . . uh, well." Visell caresses her face "Zempai it's okay . . . whenever you wanna show me it's fine." Dedestra tenderly grasps Visell’s clenched hand, curled tight on her lap.
“My gratitude, Symown . . . but to the matter at hand. What you offer is quite suitable . . . It’s just a bit to process thoroughly but If these are the terms . . .” Dedestra looks down at her hand wrapped around Visell’s and then into her longing, waiting, baited gaze, and her pursed lips. Her grip tightens. “Symown . . .” “What's up?” “You already know my answer. But before I accept these terms, I beg of you, do me two favors, ask me no questions, and a foundation will be firmly set!” Dedestra looks at her with that deadpan glare, she pulls her robe open slightly and reaches in the fold. Visell face gets bright red. "Wait, You actually wanna do It!? Like, right now, In public!?" Her eyes dart to the side and she covers her chest while picking with her hair.
“I mean . . . geez, Dude! Especially since we're so loosey as an item! The freaking nerve! That’s mega coconuts! I mean, at freaking least, like, get me in the mood first or sumthin’! And, people walk past here like all the freaking time and you know I get loud whenever we try to-'' Dedestra intercepts, bursting into a furious giggle.
Visell pout, “What!?" "Clothes on call, huh? Goodness, Symown. What dirty thoughts have been slumbering on your little mind since I’ve been away?” She says cheekily as she unfolds a small map. [She read my mind but there are more important matters . . .] “Save them for the honeymoon. But, first, this we must adjourn to this location” Her eye indicates a smirk. Visell crosses her arms still blushing; she sticks her tongue out! “Yeah, yeah!” She pouts. Dedestra straightens out the map. "Starts driving, little perv."
Visell looks away in embarrassment and swiftly turns to Dedestra to blow a raspberry at her and starts the car. Dedestra snickers and then solemnly looks down at the red circle, liberally drawn on the map. Her eyes trail down to the neatly scribbled name at the bottom margin of the map.
Benjamin Ballasoros . . .” Dedestra sighs softly as the light of the sunset subsides behind her. Her eyes drag over to Visell then down to her lap. She slowly scoots closer to Visell. She slides her free hand over to Visell's and curls around it tight. Desperate to feel its warmth.