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They were soon in a hot air balloon, hovering a little distance above the ground, the multi-colored fabric billowing above them in a canopy of wonder. Orion had managed to convince the workers to let them ride alone, assuring them of his safety knowledge, and using the fact that his mother, Elara, was a recognized hero of Twilight City. He assured them that pilfering a balloon was not on his list of things to do. He wanted private time with Vivi, and any third party would disrupt the intimacy of the moment.
Orion and Vivi stood at the edge of the basket, the vibrant cityscape of Twilight City unfurling beneath them. Orion stood protectively behind Vivi, his arms encircling her waist, her back leaning into his chest, his head resting on her shoulder. He followed Vivi's gaze, listening as she pointed out various landmarks of their city, their shared memories adding a personal touch to the painted scene below them.
"Look!" Vivi exclaimed, extending her arm to point towards the west. "That's our school over there, right? Near the football field?"
"Yep," Orion affirmed, a gentle squeeze of affirmation making Vivi giggle. "And there's the arcade where we beat the high score on Dance Revolution."
Vivi laughed at the memory, her body shaking lightly against his. "Oh, and there's the park where Luna, Aurora and I had that epic water balloon fight last week!"
Orion chuckled at the memory, his breath tickling Vivi's neck. "Luna's face when you drenched her was priceless."
They fell into a comfortable silence, the mellow hum of the burner keeping the balloon aloft the only sound apart from the distant hum of the city. The higher they climbed, the more distant their world became, as though they were in a bubble separate from reality.
Orion broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper as he said, "You see that building over there? The one with the green roof? That's my home."
Vivi turned in his arms, her eyes searching his face before following his gaze to the mentioned building. Vivi hummed in agreement, her eyes lingering on his face before turning back to the vista. "I can see my house from here too," she said, pointing to a cozy house with a blue roof towards the east of the city. "Right there."
"Ah, the place where I've had the best chocolate chip cookies ever," Orion said, a teasing tone coloring his voice.
Vivi playfully swatted his chest, laughter echoing in the air. "My mom would be thrilled to hear that."
For a while, they just stood there, arms wrapped around each other, drinking in the sight of their city bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. The buildings were awash with hues of orange and pink, and the city seemed peaceful, serene from up here.
The tranquility was disrupted by Vivi's soft mutterings. "I never realized how beautiful our city was," she said, a sense of awe lacing her voice. "Everything looks so... different from up here."
Orion nodded in agreement, squeezing her closer. "That's the beauty of perspective, Vivi. It can change how we see things."
He wasn't just talking about the city. He was thinking of her, of Hinata, of Tatsumaki. Each girl was different, and each brought out a different side of him. Each perspective was unique and equally enchanting.
Vivi, however, seemed lost in her thoughts. "You're right, Orion," she mused, her voice barely a whisper. "Perspective really does change things."
She turned around in his arms, her eyes reflecting the hues of the sunset. She looked up at him, her expression serious. "Like how I see you."
Orion's heart pounded in his chest. He met her gaze, his hand coming up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "How do you see me, Vivi?"
She was silent for a moment before she broke into a grin. "As the guy who brought me up here, in the middle of the sky, in a hot air balloon. The guy who never fails to surprise me. The guy who makes me happy."
She reached up to cup his cheek, her thumb gently tracing the line of his jaw. "You know, Orion," she began, her voice filled with warmth, "I didn't think anyone could ever make me feel this way. But you...you've done it."
A myriad of emotions flashed across Orion's face – surprise, happiness, and something else – a deep affection, perhaps. He leaned in, closing the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a sweet, lingering kiss.
"Vivi," he murmured against her lips, "As long as I can make you happy, I'd bring the moon down for you."
"Really?" Vivi questioned, her voice a soft whisper against the silence that cloaked them in their private world.
"Really," Orion confirmed, his voice a hushed murmur as he leaned in, his lips catching hers in a sweet yet intense kiss.
Their surroundings faded away as they focused only on each other. His arms were securely around her, drawing her closer, her hands buried themselves in his hair, tugging him closer yet. The world was reduced to just the two of them, sharing a moment of intimate bliss high above the city they called home.
Just as Orion started losing himself in the moment, he felt Vivi stiffen in his arms. Her hands, previously tangled in his hair, stopped moving, her body rigid against him. His heart pounded with sudden worry, he pulled back, looking down at her. Her eyes were wide, not with fear, but with surprise, pinned over his shoulder.
"What is it?" He turned to follow her gaze, heart skipping a beat. He expected a sudden portal, an anomaly, a threat, anything that could rip them away from their perfect moment. But what he found was a sight so awe-inspiring, so magnificent, he momentarily forgot to breathe.
There, hanging in the twilight sky, bathed in the soft hues of the fading dawn, was the moon. It was full and close, so close that for a fleeting moment he wondered if he could reach out and touch it. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before, the moon's ethereal glow illuminating the sky, casting an otherworldly glow over the city beneath them.
"How?" Vivi's question echoed his own thoughts. How indeed. It was an inexplicable phenomenon, the full moon in broad daylight, a sight neither of them had ever seen before.
Orion was speechless, his eyes fixed on the spectacular sight before them. A chuckle bubbled up from his chest as he turned to look at Vivi, "Well, my love for you did it," he said, his tone light and teasing.
Vivi giggled, her eyes shimmering with amusement. "You're ridiculous," she said, swatting his arm playfully. But her smile said something else entirely, it spoke of the awe she felt, the amazement at the strange and beautiful sight before them. She didn't believe it was possible, but in that moment, she felt like the universe was sending her a sign, a sign that Orion was the right person for her, that their relationship was meant to be.
If only she knew that this was partly due to Orion's superpowers, that it was indeed his love for her that had caused this rare phenomenon. But even Orion wasn't fully aware of it, not yet. He couldn't explain it, couldn't rationalize it, but he accepted it. For that moment, for that unforgettable morning, it was a magical occurrence, a testament to their feelings for each other.
Their laughter faded into comfortable silence as they turned their gazes back to the mesmerizing sight before them. The moon, luminous and colossal against the backdrop of the sky, was a breathtaking sight, a moment etched forever in their hearts.
Vivi nestled against him, her head resting on his shoulder, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest. Orion tightened his hold on her, his eyes never leaving the moon, his heart filled with an inexplicable mix of awe and love.
The balloon operators were buzzing with energy as Orion and Vivi touched down. Each individual engaged in their duties, hurrying around in swift, urgent movements that made the scene feel all the more chaotic. The sharp tang of propane, the low hum of inflating balloons and the riot of voices filled the air.
Orion studied the scene with an arched eyebrow, his arm securely wrapped around Vivi. "What's going on?" he questioned, his deep voice cutting through the chatter.
A man, dressed in a jumpsuit that marked him as one of the operators, rushed over. "Haven't you seen the moon?" he asked, his face flushed with excitement. "It's all over the news! Scientists are saying it's an optical illusion because the strange close proximity of the moon hasn't affected the gravity, while others think it could be a portal of some sort. We're just taking precautions."
Orion nodded, understanding seeping into his features. "Standard procedure. Of course," he agreed. With a wave and a warm farewell, he and Vivi left the team to their tasks.
The ride back to Vivi's home was filled with a silence both comforting and contemplative, only broken by the soft hum of Orion's scooter. As they pulled up in front of her house, Orion couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. The day had been unforgettable, and now, it was coming to an end.
Vivi turned towards him, her eyes filled with an emotion that mirrored his own. "Can't you come in?" She asked, her voice soft and hopeful. "My mom will be out for Pilates with the neighborhood mothers."
Orion's heart leapt at the idea, but a sigh escaped his lips. "I wish I could, Vivi," he confessed. "But I promised my mom a day out. We've got a date." He flashed her a boyish grin, his eyes filled with a promise of another day. "Though, you've certainly put some ideas in my mind that won't be leaving anytime soon."
His words drew a giggle from Vivi, her smile bright and teasing. "Mission accomplished," she said, her voice holding a note of satisfaction.
Orion watched as she leaned in, her eyes fluttering closed as she pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. As they broke apart, he caught her hand, holding it tightly for a moment longer. It was a silent promise of their intertwined futures.
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