11 - Appeal

[tamchronin]

CCS, Sakura/Tomoyo, apple season
for uminohikari

Notes: Nothing came to me for apple season, so I just went with apples and took it from there.



Appeal

"That apple is wonderful," I said, looking at how Sakura held it up, smiling to myself as my mind wandered. No, a costume shaped too much like an apple wouldn't be very appealing. It wouldn't show the delicate beauty of her shape. But, I think I'd seen fabric with apple blossoms at one of my favorite fabric shops, and it would look lovely with an apple appliqué perhaps in the front. Perhaps little matching ones on the sleeves. I'd look to see if there were apple themed trims anywhere online, for the bottom of the skirt.

"I know," Sakura said as she set it on the counter. "It seems almost a shame to cut into it, but it just looks so delicious!"

"That's just like you." I had to resist the urge to give her a hug to make her feel better about cutting into the poor little fruit. "You're always so thoughtful."

She made a confused little sound, and I knew my thoughts weren't clear to her, but she was so adorable when she was confused. I couldn't help myself sometimes.

"Nothing," I said softly as I shook my head. I started thinking about the dress I wanted to make for her again as she sliced the apple into quarters and cut out the seeds. I filmed her, happy that this was the assignment we had. A video presentation on how to make something. She was making little apple bunnies, and she explained every step of the way very clearly. Sakura was amazing, and the apple bunnies were so cute.

Just like she was.

"What are you going to do for your assignment?" she asked when we were finished.

"I'm making a dress," I said. "I haven't filmed it yet, because I've been writing down all of the steps I need, and I keep adding things."

"It sounds complicated," she said, frowning.

"Oh no! Not at all! I just keep forgetting to add little steps because I've done it so often that I don't think about them anymore." I smiled and took her hand, suddenly having an idea. "Can I get your help with it? You can be my model, and it will be just like before, except without the magic."

She blushed adorably. "T-Tomoyo," she stammered. "I don't know if I'd be a very good model."

"That's not true at all," I said. "You'd be perfect. I'd just be filming things I haven't before, like when I take your measurements and when I have you try it on. Please, Sakura?"

I was afraid she'd protest again, but she gave me a hug. I must have looked sufficiently tragic at the thought that she wouldn't do it. "Of course," she said. "Anything for you."

"Wonderful," I said, kissing her on the cheek in my enthusiasm.

She blushed a soft pink and moved back just a bit, looking at me for a minute. It looked like she was going to say something, but instead she shook her head and smiled. She took my hand and we walked upstairs to her room. She told Kero about the apples, and said he could have them while we started my project up here.

I almost corrected her, because I would need my tripod and I hadn't brought it with me. It would be too hard to measure her while I was holding the camera. But, she squeezed my hand and I fell silent, a little confused. I fell silent until we were alone, and she shut the door. "Sakura?"

She mumbled something awkwardly, blushing and stammering over whatever it was, and then she squared her shoulders and took a step closer to me. Her eyes were closed tight, and she grabbed me clumsily.

And she kissed me.

Our noses bumped as we tried to adjust the angle together and guessed the wrong direction. My eyes were wide open. Her lips were tight and a little dry. She held me a little too tight, and her hands were trembling.

We've kissed many times since then, and we've gotten better at it with practice.

But to me, it was the best kiss ever.