For Yuna! (Whereishe). Continued Cuteness

[my_belfry_of_fun]

Title:Continued Cuteness
Who:Yuna and Alex Mercer
What:Cuteness in an evolving friendship
Open/Closed:Closed
Additional Details:Originally based on a meme, set in the Explorers setting.

Comments

Nightmares

[whereishe]

She smiled still trying to fight back her own tears. "I knew that you would understand. Maybe that is why I ended up coming to you." Her fingers lightly wipe away at her tears not wanting to let them fall. It wasn't a story that would usually bring her to tears but she was vulnerable.

"I can understand being angry also. I've had experiences when I was to angry to be scared." Yuna very rarely felt scared which was why it was so hard of an emotion for her to handle.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"It's often posited, and seen, that fear sometimes is covered up by anger. It's easier to deal with anger as an emotion, than to admit one is afraid, or to deal with the sense of vulnerability fear brings."

No judgement, just explaining, as he pulled to sit back, hands at his sides. "I think there are a few here who'd understand, but I also understand not opening up easily." He was definitely quiet, and often a privacy freak.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna just nodded. "Thank you for opening up to me. I really an honored." A soft smile pulled at her lips as she looked over at Alex.

"I'd like to open up to you also." She wanted him to know everything about her and she wanted to learn so much about him as well.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex gave a one-shouldered shrug, responding to both statements that way. "You weren't already, coming here with your nightmare?" Teasing in the tone, affection, as he didn't mind. "You already know I'm a good listener."

She could open up if she wanted to or not, as he wouldn't push. Alex only ever pushed if it was needed, for those few he'd actually come to have straddle the line between allies and friends. That was how Yuna had started out, before moving into what he would firmly consider the 'friends' category.

Then given her recent admission, which he was still puzzling out in his own mind, she was still in the 'friends' category--he just wasn't sure if there was going to be more.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna laughed softly before laying backwards on him bed. It felt good to stretch out and have her legs hanging off the edge of his bed.

"Back at home. When I was completing my pilgrimage. There was a man who wanted to use the power of the summoners to destroy everything. He had his sights set on me. I guess I thought I could do something about him." Yuna took a deep breath. "I found out that he killed his father in order to obtain power. When I went to confront him about it he gave me a choice. I could fight him or he would turn himself over if I married him. I went to talk to him and we ended up killing him but.. well, when people die in my world they don't always stay that way. A summoner must send them and I was not given that chance."

"So he got away and came after me again. I was kidnapped and then forced to marry him. I even played at marriage to try and send him but I failed. I guess, long story short is that I was married once. I was 16 at the time. I don't want to be used like that and.. I had been so angry and felt so helpless. I don't want to feel that way again."

She took a deep breath keeping her eyes on the ceiling. "Sorry I guess that was a little bit of a tangent."

Yuna was also angry that he had stolen her first kiss.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex had turned his head, mostly to give her some privacy. Rapidly clear, even if it hadn't been before, that she was less dressed than normal, even under his borrowed hoodie. He nodded, and made a non-committal noise, letting her know he'd heard her.

"No it...sounds like something you needed to get out." Had she told him she was married before? He thought she might have, but he didn't remember. Sometimes he forgot that while she was young, she'd seen and done a lot. She still remained optimistic, most of the time--which wasn't how most of the jaded people he knew, acted.

Quiet, sorting out his thoughts still, before responding. "I'm...still trying to figure out exactly how I feel, sort of, in terms of what you told me. I do know I wouldn't use you. I couldn't...because I know how that feels too. And I agree with you."

Maybe he hadn't been used in the same way, but he'd been betrayed certainly. Used to try and create a 'cure' for himself, ironically--by his ex. Never mind she was under threat from Gentek for her life, she'd still played on his faulty-memory and used, then betrayed him.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna sat up on her elbows and looked up at Alex letting the hood fall back. A light smile pulled at her lips as her inner strength rose to the surface.

"I trust you."

Even if he did hurt her it would be worth it for the chance that he wouldn't or at least, that was how she thought. She didn't take much notice to her lack of clothing if only because her underwear was still covered by his big hoodie.

Yuna didn't know what to say to him. She wanted him to figure out how he felt but she didn't want to push him. She tried to rise up from the bed but she felt tired.

"You don't have to rush." She was used to waiting. "I will wait for when you figure it out. I think it's worth it." Her smile widened at Alex.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Glancing at her, and his expression was mostly neutral. Clear that he still didn't think he was worth it, and was kind of still amazed at her optimism. "Just don't want you wasting your time." Mumbled, reaching up and brushing his hair back. He'd done it countless times when covered in his hoodie. Easier to see now, without that covering him.

"Feeling better after your nightmare?"

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Her smile softened. "It isn't a waste of time. I know this." And it was clear by her stare that he wasn't going to convince her otherwise.

"I do feel better but.." She paused. "Is it okay if I sleep here for the night?" Yuna knew that she would be out of his way but she also felt safer knowing that he was watching over her.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

A blink, and Alex's head tilted. Pausing, as he was considering his response. "I guess. I don't really sleep much, and was reading anyways." Moving to stand, and roll his head a bit in a stretch.

Then offering a half-smile. "I do enjoy your company. So make yourself comfy." Moving over to his desk chair after snagging his book. He'd make himself comfy too.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna shifts in the bed not really making an effort to cover herself. Her arms gather in front of her chest and for a moment she plays with the edge of the sleeves on his hoodie. She took a deep breath taking in his scent as her eyes fluttered close.

There was nothing wrong with asking, right?

"Will you hold me?"

Her words were soft and she kept her eyes closed as she asked. It's true that she wanted to be comforted but she also didn't want to make Alex feel uncomfortable.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

A startled blink, and Alex paused where he was, in resuming his place in the book. Clear he hadn't expected that request. Taking time now, to think, as he considered her.

Several long breaths in and out, heartbeats, and then Alex sighed. "I can't seem to deny you much." Quiet, resigned, but not in a bad tone as he moved. Shifting to sit on the bed, then holding out his arms.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

She smiled happy that he would consider her selfish request. It was okay to be selfish sometimes, was it?

Yuna wrapped her arms around Alex pulling herself close. Her legs fanned out across the bed and she did nothing to cover them. Her head rested on his chest and she nuzzled against him before settling into a comfortable position. She'd rather then lay down but he had given her this much and that alone meant so much to her. She knew how he was with things and she knew how much such an action was worth.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex tensed at first, and then tensed again with the nuzzle. Uncomfortable, because touch wasn't something he really 'did'. Not big on it, but as he'd said--he couldn't seem to deny Yuna. His brain had been trying to figure out why, and added it to the puzzle along with the rest of the recent questions.

Unlike her though, he was willing to move, and lay down. Shifting more fully, without dislodging her, to lay on the bed. Encouraging her to stretch out too, as one arm snagged the blanket and pulled it up to tuck around her.

"I'm...still trying to sort it out. In my head. A lot of this is all still new, and confusing for me. Dealing with people in general is. And I don't have an answer." His voice was quiet, spoken against her hair as she rested under his chin. "I do care about you though, Yuna. Certainly as a friend. I'm just...not sure about more--and I don't want to hurt you."

Admitting some of his puzzlement, and perhaps a bit of vulnerability. He really didn't want to hurt her, and valued the friendship they had. That alone, was rare for him--in the world he'd been in before, he really only could say that it had been him and Dana.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

She pulled him close resting her ankle across his leg as she snuggled towards his warmth. Her skin felt cold even with the presence of the blanket but she knew that she would warm up quickly lying so close to Alex. She could taste his scent as she closed her eyes and rested her head against his muscular chest.

"It's alright if I do get hurt." Her voice was soft as she spoke, her words muffled by his shirt. "I knew that I might. The moment I told you but I think it's worth it. I can't imagine living my life and never knowing what you might have decided. Never taking that chance. We will always be friends. No matter what happens because no matter what you are important to me."

Yuna didn't want him to feel pressure or like he needed to rush through figuring it out. She was good at reading people and dealing with them and she could tell just how thoughtful he has been. That was enough to make her happy to tell him, show him how she felt. She didn't want to push him even though laying like this she wanted to show him again.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

There was a brief moment of quiet, before a faint laugh shook him. Amused, and not unhappy, as he tried to stay relaxed where Yuna was curled against him. "There's a famous quote from my world, part of a longer poem, written by a man named Lord Tennyson. I suspect you'll agree with it, given what you've been through, Yuna."

Alex wasn't sure he agreed with it himself, but then--he was still figuring out a lot of things--not least of which who he wanted to be.

"The short version, and most well known, is this. Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all."

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna shifted slightly a little excited to hear him laughing. "I think I would agree." Her eyes met his as she snuggled a little closer to his warm form.

"It really is a wonderful feeling." She only hoped that Alex would be able to feel love one day as well. Even if it wasn't with her she wanted him to be happy.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"I think I have the full thing, in a book...somewhere in the piles." She was welcome to raid his books too, if she wanted. Alex had an active mind, and tried to keep it busy.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

"If we can find it. It certainly sounds like a fun thing to read." She felt her cheeks flush slightly at their closeness but tried to push it from her mind. The fact was that they were laying close together on his bed and talking about books.

Yuna nuzzled her face into his neck. "Will you tell me a story then?" Since he liked books so much.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

A deep breath in, and out, as Alex tried to not tense up when she did that. He did care for Yuna, and it wasn't that it wasn't unpleasant holding her. Just...not used to being close, or affectionate touch, on his part.

"What kind of story?"

Nightmares

[whereishe]

"A happy story?" She wasn't sure why she phrased it like a question but a small part of her wondered if Alex knew any happy stories. At least she knows he won't be as corner as some and make the story about a girl named Yuna like her.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex had to think, which meant he was quiet for a while. "Well, there's a play that would qualify, and I can probably find you a copy in my pile of books too, but here's the basic story." Keeping his voice low, and starting off by describing that the play, supposedly, took place ages ago in a place called Athens. It involved an upcoming Duke's wedding, two couples in a tangled relationship, a group of work-men who wanted to put on a play for the Duke, and fairies. Traditional fairies who messed with humanity and could be beneficial, or harmful, as their mood took them.

Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream counted as a happy story right?

Nightmares

[whereishe]

It was a strange story but the ending resolved its self nicely. Yuna sighed against Alex listening to the deep sounds of his voice as he recited the tale. Of course she could always read it but she wanted to hear it from him. To feel close to him even if it was only through the exchange of words.

Yuna kept her eyes closed as she pulled him a little closer. Her arm snaking around his waist while her leg tugged at his. Her motions were slow and sleepy as if it was an act only to get comfortable while she tried to sleep.

"I like that."

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"If you weren't falling asleep, or trying to, I'd make you tell me a story in turn." Keeping his voice low, since she seemed to be winding down. Also trying to not tense up as she shifted, breaths deep so he'd stay relaxed. It wasn't unpleasant being held and holding someone, just unfamiliar.

She smelled nice though, even if his brain latched onto one scent note that reminded him of something...glittery? Glittery, shimmery--something like that. Only way to describe it, and he couldn't puzzle it out easily.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

"I can tell you a story but I don't know any happy ones." Yuna only had her life experiences to draw on when it came to stories and she didn't have one with a happy ending. Her voice sounded distant as she spoke. It was like she was already dreaming even though she knew she was awake. It was comforting and heartwarming just to be held so closely by someone that she cared about.