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

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.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

That made Alex frown slightly. He'd known Yuna had a difficult life, and her world had been through a lot, but to not know any happy stories? That made him sad for her, hence the frown.

Likely happily for her, Alex pulled her closer. Tucking her more under his chin, letting her curl against him. Definitely feeling more protective, heard in his voice. "...none at all?"

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna felt her cheeks flush brightly as he pulled her close. She wasn't really expecting the gesture. Her heart began to race and she could hear the soft rhythm of his breath as they lay entangle with one another.

"It all depends on where you end the story. Doesn't it?"

Her voice falters only slightly as she speaks. There could be happy endings out there but it all depends on where it ends. Yuna found that once she fixed one problem only more arose.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"Definitely." Alex usually was not the optimistic one, but he would be for Yuna in this case. "It also depends on what you define as 'happy'. From all I've learned you make your own endings." Perhaps not the most reassuring, but it was honest.

He refused to lie to Yuna unless it was necessary--and he didn't feel this was necessary.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

"That's true." The truth was something that Yuna valued greatly. She was happy that he was still trying to comfort her though she didn't see a need. She knew what happiness was but he story wasn't over yet.

Her voice sounded distant as she fought off sleep. She wanted to spend more time in his arms but it was late and she was exhausted from her nightmare. Even so, she fought to stay awake.

Re: Nightmares

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex let one of his hands thread up through her hair, keeping her curled close. "Go to sleep, Yuna. You're safe, I'll be here." Voice low, encouraging. He'd guard her at least this way, even if he couldn't help in others.

Nightmares

[whereishe]

Yuna sighs softly as she completely relaxes in Alex's hold. It was comforting to be held so close and she couldn't stop herself from quickly slipping into the sweet embrace of sleep.

"Thank you." Her mind wandered as she thought of words that she couldn't tell Alex; at least, not yet. Her eyes closed and her breaths softened into the constant rhythm's of sleep.