Excuse For a Hug?

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As Yachiru and Orion rejoined the group, all eyes turned to Orihime, who was next in line. A few chuckles rippled through the class as she pointed toward the Merry-Go-Round, her choice earning her some playful teasing. "Really, Orihime? Out of everything, the Merry-Go-Round?" Morgiana remarked with a teasing lilt.

The corners of Orihime's mouth tugged into a small smile, trying to hide her true intentions behind the playful choice. But the light flush painting her cheeks and the expectant twitch of her eyes betrayed her excitement. She just wanted an excuse to be held close, even if it was in the innocent context of a Merry-Go-Round.

Orion caught on quickly. They had flirted in the past, and even though their interactions had reduced over time, he was quick to pick up on the unspoken invitation in her demeanor. The twinkle in his eyes spoke of mischief and playful tease. "I must say, Orihime, you do have an interesting choice. But there's a certain charm to the classics, isn't there?" he mused aloud, deliberately ignoring the undercurrents of her choice.

Orihime's response was an almost inaudible mumble, "Well, it's… um, different."

Mikasa, always one for a quick remark, chirped in, "Different, indeed! Most of us were looking forward to the thrilling rides, but I guess some prefer the gentler rhythms."

Before Orihime could reply, Orion smoothly stepped in, "Well then, shall we?" offering his arm with a playful grin. She gratefully accepted, and they made their way to the ride, leaving behind the teasing remarks of the class.

As they approached the Merry-Go-Round, Orion, without missing a beat, gently guided Orihime to one of the beautifully adorned horses. The duo seamlessly took their places, with Orihime seated up front and Orion sliding in right behind her, arms gently but firmly encircling her waist to keep her steady. It was a cozy setup, allowing the two of them a fleeting closeness without crossing any boundaries.

They began their ride with a gentle sway, the world outside blurring into a cascade of colors and sounds. Orion leaned forward, his lips close to Orihime's ear, and whispered, "You do have quite the strategy, don't you?" The amusement was evident in his tone.

She bit her lip, suppressing a giggle, "It's all about perspective, Orion. Some might see this as just a child's ride, but others might see it as an opportunity."

His laughter was low and teasing, "Oh, I see it. And I must admit, it's quite clever." His breath ghosted over her neck, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

The carousel played its cheerful tunes, and the horses pranced in their perpetual dance. Orihime, snugly fit in front of Orion, allowed her fingers to lightly draw invisible circles over his hand, securely wrapped around her waist. Their bodies were close, and every breath Orion took brushed against her ear, a teasing whisper mingling with the lingering notes of the music around them.

His voice murmured into her ear, filled with playful mischief, "Never took you for the strategic type, Orihime, drawing circles on my hand. What's the endgame?"

She chuckled, her voice a soft melody, "Who said there's an endgame? Maybe I'm just enjoying the ride," her tone was teasing, making the air around them dance with shared laughter.

"Oh, enjoying the closeness, are we?" his voice, laced with playful banter, resonated softly in the enclosed space around them, his words tangling with the fragrances they wore, creating a unique scent of the moment.

She replied with a flirty giggle, "Perhaps. It's not every day you get to share a ride with Orion, surrounded by this melody of laughter and light."

The horses continued their playful prance, and the world outside remained a blur of colors and voices. Their playful banter flowed freely, a gentle dance of words and laughter, mingling with the subtle fragrance of each other's scents.

Orion's teasing voice played in her ear, "Feeling special, Orihime? To have the privilege of my company on this charming ride?"

She swayed slightly, allowing the playful rhythm of the carousel to lead their dance, "Oh, incredibly. I might even say, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Their laughter echoed around them, harmonizing with the playful tunes of the carousel, creating a symphony of shared joy. The outside world seemed like a distant echo, their shared warmth and playful banter creating a cocoon around them, encasing them in a moment of fleeting intimacy.

Orihime could feel the vibrations of his laughter against her back, the sound a sweet serenade to her ears. "You're full of surprises, Orihime. Who knew behind those sweet smiles hid a master strategist, capable of maneuvering her way into close quarters?" His words, a teasing echo, caressed her ear with every syllable.

She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his, a playful glint dancing in them, "Well, it takes two to tango, or in this case, to share a carousel horse."

His eyes met hers, the playful sparkle in them reflecting her teasing demeanor, "Touche, Orihime. So, who's leading this dance of ours, or are we just moving to the rhythm of the carousel?"

She laughed, her voice mingling with his in a sweet duet, "I'd say we're making our own rhythm, blending with the carousel's, creating a dance that's uniquely ours."

They continued their playful dance of words, their voices creating a melody that entwined with the carousel's tunes. Every glance they exchanged was a step in their dance, every laugh a note in their symphony. The world around them seemed to slow, allowing them to savor each moment, each shared laughter, each teasing remark.

As the carousel came to a slow stop, the playful bubble around them seemed to linger, reluctant to let go of the shared warmth and laughter. Orion's hand slowly unwrapped from around her waist, yet the warmth remained, a sweet reminder of their shared moment.

They rejoined the group, the playful glow in their eyes and the shared laughter lingering between them. Their classmates were ready to embark on another adventure, the amusement park teeming with excitement and possibilities.

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