Chapter Text
Wallet, check. Sunglasses, check. Am I forgetting anything?
Momo was finishing up getting ready when there was a quick series of knocks at her door. Figuring that was her companion for the day, she bounded over to the door and opened it. Xavier was indeed on the other side, fist raised like he was about to knock again. “Ready to go?” He asked, a smile lifting his mouth up as his hand dropped.
“Mmhm!” She hummed, exiting, the lock clicking shut behind her. “Let’s go!”
They could hear the chatter of people even before they got outside, the whole Linkon City out and about because of the festival, it seemed like. It was a festival celebrating the first successful exploration of the Deepspace Tunnel. It was a big deal, and the Hunter’s Association was also pretty involved. She was lucky both she and Xavier managed to snag the day off to attend together.
“Is it usually this busy during this time?” Xavier asked curiously. They were standing at the edge of the crowd, not venturing in quite yet.
“Yeah, have you never attended this festival, Xavier?” Momo fired back, raising an eyebrow.
Xavier shook his head no, a sheepish look on his face. “It didn't seem like something I'd enjoy by myself. I usually just work through this day.”
“Hmm, that's understandable, I guess.” Momo allowed. “Here.” She held out her hand expectantly. “Don't want to lose you in the crowd.”
Xavier’s hand was warm as it slipped in hers, and Momo had to admit, even if it was just to herself, that holding his hand was…nice. And so was the way his thumb ran over the back of her hand as they were clasped together.
He let her drag him around for a bit, seeming happy enough just spending time with her. There were an abundance of both food and game stalls, and they even got roped into a small, if dramatized, demonstration about Deepspace Hunters when some kids overheard them talking about work. (Listen, they had those excited sparkles in their eyes, how was she supposed to say no? Even on her day off?)
Xavier was a great sport about it, even kneeling down to encourage one of the kids who said he’d be a great swordsman and hunt wanderers someday too. Momo's heart squeezed at the sight, but it was a good kind of squeeze.
Afterwards, they headed back towards the food stalls. Momo had just taken a bite of the pretzel Xavier had bought her when she felt a few drops of moisture start to patter down on her head. She looked up, a frown taking over her face at the dark clouds spreading across what had been blue skies a few hours ago.
“Rain?” Xavier sounded disappointed as well. Shoving her pretzel back into its bag, they quickly scurried over to hide under a nearby store’s awning, attempting to escape the steadily increasing tempo of the rain.
Not even five minutes later, it was pelting against the store’s windows like the scratching of an irritated cat. The two of them had retreated inside the store, which turned out to be a coffee shop. Momo was seated at one of the corner tables, while Xavier had gone to get them something to drink while they waited out the bad weather.
She hadn’t been in the rain long, but her hair and shoulders were still damp, getting a sneeze out of her because of the shop's cool air. Suddenly, a jacket was placed over her shoulders, and a warm drink in front of her. The smell of hot chocolate wafted up to her nose as she pulled the warmth of Xavier’s white jacket tighter around her frame.
“Won’t you get cold?” She asked in concern, even as she did so. Xavier sat across from her, a smile playing on his lips. It was hard to tell whether he’d actually gotten wet or not, with the black turtleneck, but he seemed unbothered as he sipped his own drink.
“I’m alright. I’m more concerned about you not getting sick.” He hummed. His concern warmed her heart, though, when she sipped the hot chocolate, that was a pretty close second.
Her gaze quickly turned wistful as she looked out the window, a frown twisting her mouth down. “And we were having such a nice time too…” She said dejectedly.
Xavier’s answering chuckle got her gaze to move back to him. “A little rain isn’t enough to ruin the day.” He hummed. “Come on, where’s the unbridled optimism I usually get from you in a bad situation?” He reached over, lightly poking at her cheeks till she smiled again.
“Alright, alright, stop!” He seemed satisfied when she giggled, ceasing his attack on her face. “I suppose it could be worse. Maybe we’ll get to see a rainbow once it clears up!”
“That’s better.” Xavier whispered the words mainly to himself, but a smile pulled at his mouth when Momo’s cheeks flushed in response to them. It didn’t take long for the weather to clear, Momo pointing excitedly outside when the clouds parted and a rainbow formed, just like she’d hoped.
“Xavier, look!” If they hadn’t been in public, he was certain she would’ve been pressing her face against the glass of the window like a little kid in a bakery looking at sweets they wanted. “I was right, a rainbow!”
He took a glance at the sky, and yeah, it was nice, but it wasn’t long before his eyes were drawn back to her. He was no better than a moth drawn to flame, or a magnet snapping back into place. Inevitable. Her expressions were much more fun to watch, not to mention, much cuter. She took a few pictures, before turning back to him, and realizing he’d been looking at her the entire time.
“What is it?” She asked, that adorable flush coming back to her cheeks. “Not impressed by nature?”
“It’s not that.” He said with a minute shake of his head. “Rainbows are beautiful, but…I’d rather look at the stars. Or, one star in particular.”
Momo took a moment to process the words, before her blush got much darker. “Flatterer. The stars are much prettier than me.” She mumbled out, hands going to her cheeks to try and cover them. She averted her gaze, and Xavier immediately missed it.
He might be pushing his luck with the compliments, but Xavier truly desired for her to know the extent of his affection. It was so difficult to hold it back, so maybe it would be ok to let a little slip…see how it’s received?
What could go wrong? At worst, she’d write it off as him being nice, and at best, maybe…just maybe she’d get the hint.
He reached across the table, gently prying her hands away from her face. “You’d be the shiniest, most beautiful star in the entire galaxy if you were one. Don’t doubt yourself so much.” He murmured, voice lowering as if the words were for just her, and no one else.
Momo floundered for a response for a few seconds in her embarrassment. “Quite the compliment, coming from someone who loves the stars as much as you.” She eventually managed.
“It’s not just the stars I feel that way about.” The words were a barely audible whisper as he dropped his hold on her hands, looking away. That’s the best I can do without outright saying it… He thought, resisting the urge to start nervously chewing on the inside of his cheek as she processed that.
Which, understandably, took her a moment. “Xavier, are you-“ she fumbled, putting her drink down before she made a mess. “Do you mean…me? Really?” The last word came out as a squeak, which got him to meet her gaze again.
“Mmhm.” He nodded. He looked so sincere, and Momo didn’t think this would be something he’d joke about, anyways.
Twisting her fingers together in her lap, she couldn’t help the almost giddy smile that came to her face. “Can you say it? Just once? Please?”
Xavier chuckled, rising from his seat, and kneeling before her on one knee. It attracted a few eyes and whispers, but neither of them cared.
“Momoiro Kiyomi, I adore you with every fiber of my being. Being with you is the best part of my day. Even more so than fighting Wanderers. Aside from when we fight together, but still.” His little speech was slightly interrupted by their laughter, but he quickly continued.
“I want to wake up next to you. Every morning. Share every little accomplishment with you. Everything that makes you happy. I want all of it, as long as you do too.” Even before he finished speaking, Momo could feel her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
“I’m not dreaming, am I? This isn’t some fantasy I’m gonna be disappointed when I wake up from, right?” She would absolutely deny the way she was sniffling later, but Xavier didn’t seem to mind as she leaned down and pressed their foreheads together.
“If you were in my dream, I’d never want to wake up, my precious little Light.” His voice was bleeding affection. “As long as you stay with me, I’m happy.”
“I will.” An incredibly soft smile tilted her mouth upwards, just as soft as the way she pressed a kiss to his mouth. “As long as you do the same.”
Xavier’s blue eyes were full of endless possibilities, ones she wouldn’t mind getting lost in. “Of course. Always.”