week three ♡ match ceremony

[loveauthority]

For a third, and perhaps a last time if they've picked right, the match ceremony is nigh.

Two lights are lit up already, thanks to Du Ruo and Sherbet's successful matching the day before, and they'll be able to join Hong Lu and Frieren in those cozy, cozy loveseats reserved for Perfect Matches. The beach area is pristine. There's no trace of storm in the sky, the worst of it well-past leaving only the calm of the sun's dying hours to keep the ambience nice.

How many more might be lit up tonight? Just one once more? Or maybe all of them?

Your hostess seems confident regardless, but she always does, doesn't she? Anna's spent her evenings with them time and time again after Truth Booths as they discussed their next moves, has seen first hand just how hard they've worked, and... despite her role, could never help but offer her point of view when she could after Match Ceremonies, too. She more than anyone else knows how stressful this can be -- as a contestant, yes, but also as someone wanting to find love anew too.

"What a beautiful evening to totally HIT THIS OUTTA THE PARK, am I right?! We've got one, we've got two, so let's get the rest!" Her energy softens a little, and she speaks far more maturely than she seems. "You've all done so, so much these past weeks -- short as it feels, and as it is, lives only take a moment to change completely. Mine did. And I'm really happy to be able to hear your stories too, for what it's worth."

A beat, and then she'll raise her hand again--

"So let's get this show on the road! Will you get your happy end?! Or will you be forced to spend another week here in those hammocks?! Team Non-chan, let's find out!"

Sponsored art this week is by Rushifaa.

Comments

[9999]

[ oooh this is embarrassing for sure and being called lovebirds doesn't help, but being embarrassed probably isn't so bad. Despite how on-edge he's seemed this morning, Gustave still can't help smiling at Date's heartfelt words. For a few moments longer, he can let those sentiments buoy him up out of his anxieties; after all, Date's been that for him this whole time - a warm shelter from the storm of his disastrous Expedition, a beacon of adoration in a world eager to throw him away.

He's also very corny, and Gustave has to admit that he kind of loves it. The power of the double dad pairing. ]

You really are sentimental. [ even if Date tried keeping it short to spare him, Gustave still looks bashful as he walks up to join him - but he doesn't hesitate at all accepting the rose. ] Thank you... for saying all that. You're wonderful, too.

[ on the cusp of all these mixed emotions, Gustave kind of feels like he should kiss him?? But that would definitely be embarrassing in front of all these people, so he just settles for grabbing his hand again. ]

[gumai]

[ If they get this right, then this is the last time he's being put on the spot to say something so sweet and kind to someone who has been exactly that to him. So, he wanted to say... something even if he's also withering inside a bit at the public nature of his affection.

He doesn't deny being sentimental, doesn't reject Gustave's response at all. Just smiles warmly at him and he feels the urge too to kiss Gustave but god, doing that in front of everyone is just...

He'll do a middle ground which is that, when Gustave takes his hand he'll lift it up to press a quick kiss to his knuckles before letting their hands drop again, squeezing his lightly. ]

Just a little sentimental. Just a lil. [ He grins. ] But it's worth it.

[9999]

[ "It's worth it." He has to believe that, no matter what. That's always been his motto, in a sense, hasn't it? No matter how things end, all of it meant something. ]

Yeah, it's worth it.

[ his smile's a little warmer as Date, once again, gets all chivalrous on him, treating him like he's a prince or something and not a doomed one-armed nerd. But when he tucks the rose into his breast pocket, maybe he looks a little more princely anyway, gazing at Date with gratitude. ]