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: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

"That doesn't sound very fair. You should got to lay down too." Yuna was used to sleeping on thin mates and on a hard ground. It wouldn't bother her so much and she still selfishly wanted him to stay close to her.

She watched him collect the bowls as she laid out the bedrolls. She laid they side by side so that there was room for him to lay down if he wanted too. She could be just as stubborn as he was.

"There, space for both of us." She smiled laying down so that he eyes were staring up at the ceiling.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

It was easy to clean up, even if he walked the bowls and dishes a bit away before rinsing/wiping them down with water and then a cloth-with-sanitizer on it. Coming back and packing them in the bags, but not tightly. "You're sure you don't want the double-thickness?" Alex asked, crouched and head tilted as he looked at her.

Then half of his mouth quirked up in a faint smirk. "Why I am even asking, you're stubborn.' A head shake of amusement, and after securing the bags but leaving the water out, he came over and sat on the bedroll. Legs stretched out, back on his elbows as he looked up at the cave ceiling too, with it's glowing moss or fungi or whatever it was.

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Yuna watched him clean things up snuggling under the thin blanket. It was a little cold but it wasn't so bad. She let her head rest against the bed roll as her gaze shifted up at the glowing moss with a smile. "Just as stubborn as you."

She looked over at him grinning widely before closing her eyes. She didn't think that she would actually fall asleep, more so with Alex so close but she tried anyway. At least she was resting.

"So the plan" She spoke softly with her eyes closed. "Carefully remove the block. Secure a camp and then explore. Do you think water will be hard to find?"

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"Depends." Alex replied, the half-smirk remaining as moved to give her his blanket too. Then settled for stroking through her hair--she seemed to find it comforting, and he knew this had been not the most pleasant of missions so far. Not bad, just boring.

Besides, he kind of liked being able to comfort her that way at least. She was his friend. Looking up at the glowing whats-it on the ceiling, he hmm'd to himself. "Water really shouldn't be too difficult. While biological functions and rules aren't quite as universal as Physics laws, I'm willing to bet that that stuff wouldn't be growing without some form of moisture. This looks and feels like the wrong kind of rock to be the soul source of it, too."

Closing his eyes, the better to focus on his other senses, he took a deep breath. Then pulled his hand up, away from her hair for a moment and took another. Mostly because the first time, he'd not counted on how the fine strands through his fingers would make the association of her scent stronger. He still hadn't figured out what the shimmery-faint-scent-note was either, under more normal notes.

The second breath had him focusing instead. The air felt and smelled moist, and he held it...listening to try and hear echoes, movements of the air. Several breaths, and heartbeats, before opening his eyes. "I don't think water will be hard. We might have to purify it, but it should be there."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

She mumbled softly a smile pulling at her lips as his fingers laced through her hair. It was comforting, a soft touch that sent shivers down her spine and always brought a smile to her lips. Though it was a little distracting from sleep. Her eyes fluttered open looking at Alex for a moment as he spoke.

He was always the right person to ask because he always gave her a straight answer to his question. "I... don't think I can sleep."

Yuna let out a slow breath fidgeting under the blanket. "Maybe if I changed?" She lightly tugged at her uniform. She really didn't like these things.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Eyes opening again, he pulled his hand back and passed her his bag. They'd already had this discussion about her borrowing his hoodie. Shifting, he made sure to turn and let her have privacy, his back to her now.

"Some people put a lot of stock in clothing, and what they're wearing. I think if you're uncomfortable, that's a good reason to change. Otherwise, I don't really care what I wear. Appearance is kind of fluid, when you're a shape-shifter."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Yuna enjoyed wearing cute stuff but comfort was most important. She slowly slipped out of the uniform and then tied her belt with her sphere grid around her waist. It felt better having it with her than not. She pulled his hoodie over her head covering herself completely. She trusted him not to look around though she wasn't sure if she would mind anyway.

She curled back up on her bed roll wrapping the blanket between her legs and then hugging it like a curled up dragon. "I'm decent. Thank you."

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex turned back, going back to how he'd stretched out his legs before, leaning his elbows. A one-shouldered shrug. "Still having the nightmares?" Hey, if his hoodie brought her comfort, that was an easy thing to do for a friend right? His tone was gentle, letting her know she didn't have to answer. He wanted her to though, as he understood.

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

"Sometimes."

Her nightmares were dark, every terror that she had faced coming back and playing against her thoughts but this time she failed. It was hard to explain because it was more of a feeling than it was just watching a scene in a play.

"It's not as bad when I'm on a planet though. I think its because I can feel the energy here." Yuna placed her palm against the hard rock with a smile coming to her lips. She could feel the life flow through the planet and it was a comforting feeling. There was magic everywhere if one knew how to look for it.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

A slight frown, corners of his mouth as he thought about that. "Still...worried their memories somehow?" Tilting his head, and turning to look at her.

Then blinking, and flicking his eyes away. What was with her and having her legs bare? Somehow, he was and wasn't surprised--he had seen her in her normal outfit other times. And in the back of his brain, he pondered of why it mattered, now...

"Like...magic? You feel energy?" His head tilted again, eyes still not turned towards her. Clear he was trying to understand, and was puzzled. Magic was something Alex was still trying to wrap his brain around beyond just its existence.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Yuna didn’t really care for wearing pants. She didn’t mind shorts or skirts but something about having fabric wrapped around her legs made her uncomfortable which was really her only issue with the uniforms they were issued. She understood that it was practical but that was about it.

She looked up at Alex with a relaxed smile. “Yeah.” It wasn’t the easiest thing to explain but she was going to try. “Energy or magic comes from life. I can feel the souls of the dead as well as the energy of the living. I use my own energy when I cast.” Which was why she would pass out if she over taxed herself but then Yuna also had talent. Those with talent have a little something extra that Yuna wasn’t able to explain though it might account for the shimmer he saw around her.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

His expression was deliberately neutral, after listening to her. He understood the theory but it didn't make sense as to the 'how'. It was something he wanted to measure, test, record, take notes... Investigate as a scientist.

As well, as the disquieting thoughts she could feel the souls of the dead...huh. "How...would you feel the souls of the dead?" Alex asked carefully, hesitantly dropping his guard a bit. They were friends, and Yuna wouldn't hurt him. Not deliberately, right?

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Yuna's eyes opened slightly watching Alex curiously. She hadn't gone into to much details about that part of her and there was a very specific reason as to why but then there wasn't any reason not to trust Alex. He wouldn't try to use her like others have.

"I have to focus. If I pray I can speak to them and feel them around me." She wondered if she should continue and quickly decided that she might as well. Yuna closed her eyes. "I learned this because one of the many jobs of a summoner is to guide the dead to a resting place. It involves feeling the souls and opening them a way to the farplain or afterlife. With this skill I can also harness the powers of the dead and use them except.. well, when you do that the spirits never get to rest."

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex blinked, and his eyes narrowed as he thought about that. He could tell it wasn't something Yuna shared easily, and he felt oddly touched.

But then, he rarely let his guard down--and Yuna had seen that a bit too. He liked her--she was stubborn, and strong-willed, but she had a good heart and wanted to help people. She wasn't jaded, despite all the misery she'd been through and troubles. He admired that, honestly.

"...I understand the idea of spirits never resting. Very well." His voice was low, quiet, and he took a deep breath. "I understand about your nightmares, too." A half-quirk for all of a second of his mouth twitching into a brief smile. "Go ahead and try and focus, Yuna." Ultimately, he was going to offer her a big sign of trust and friendship, if she wanted to take it. Because while he couldn't say he returned any feelings of romance yet, he DID care for her deeply as a friend.

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

"Focus, I?" She was going to ask why but stopped herself. She slowly rose from her position on the bed roll and moved to her knees. She didn't have to but she didn't think she'd want to this laying down. With her eyes closed she focused letting her own walls down so that the dead could feel her presence as she reached out towards them.

The sensation hit her hard and it took everything she had not to cry out. She could feel them, hear them and see them contained within Alex. There was so much death. She hugged herself, her fingers digging into her skin as she began to shake. It was just like those battle fields where everyone was crying and screaming at once. Their sorrow, pain and confusion filling her as they reached out towards her. She was silent but she couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down her cheeks.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"Yuna." Alex said firmly, reaching out and his fingers were gentle as he cupped her face. "Shut it down. You felt enough." His voice calm, quiet but authoritative and steady. Offering his her support, even as he was regretful that he'd caused the pain.

Once she was calmer, not reeling as much, Alex nodded. His voice a little shakier, while still firm. "This is why I understand."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Her two toned eyes looked up at him while tears clouded her gaze. It was a lot harder to stop than it was to start and she knew what it had meant for him to share such a thing with her. She didn't know what to say to but she was sure that she didn't want to go to sleep anymore.

Her hands were covered by his long sleeves as she reached out towards him. Her fingers gripping the front of his shirt. "Alex?" Yuna knew that he didn't much care for touching but right now she needed something to ground her or the feeling would overwhelm her. She closed her eyes focusing on his hands as they cupped her face.

After a moment she wrapped her arms around his waist pulling him close to her. She didn't know what to say so she didn't say anything.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

He was already tense, and let his arms wrap around her in turn, encouraging her to lean against his shoulder and hide. Pulling the hood up over her hair, for more security. A deep breath in and out, as Alex consciously relaxed.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry for that." Sincere, he meant every word, voice still quiet. "But yes, you can come to me, and I understand."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Her fingers pressed into his back and she buried her head into his shoulder. She wasn't crying anymore but she didn't want to let him go either. Even knowing that he didn't much care for physical contact.

After a moment Yuna pulled away her lips pulling into a smile as she met Alex's gaze. "Thank you."

She wasn't always strong willed when it came sendings or her gifts as a summoner. She left herself open and she felt everything like it was her own pain. She didn't know if Alex knew the full extent and she didn't elaborate. She was happy that he had told her such a secret and she knew what it meant.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex nodded, letting her make the decision if she wanted to move away or not. As it was, he just shifted to sit, letting her curl against him still and half-in his lap. Kind of like when she'd been freezing. "I...see them. Hear them. When I close my eyes. It's why I don't sleep much. They're all a part of me now." Tucking her under his chin, arms still around her and voice still quiet.

He didn't share easily; Yuna know this. Just like Alex knew that Yuna knew and would appreciate and understand in turn. What he'd revealed.

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

Yuna curled up on his lap resting her head against his chest. She tugged at his sweatshirt to make sure she was covered before bringing her knees almost completely to her chest. It was comforting being so close and listening to the deep tones of his voice.

"I'm sorry. Would you want me to tell you a story then?" She wasn't sure where she made the leap in her head but when she had nightmares he had told her a story and it had soothed her just listening to his voice. It might not work the other way around but she was willing to try, even though she didn't know many stories that weren't about herself.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"You don't have to. I...didn't really show you, out of a need to get comfort. Not for me, anyways." Alex had made reasonable peace with the monster he was, monster he could be. He'd never forget; but he'd try to be better. He might not succeed, but he'd try.

Resting his head against the top of Yuna's hooded one, where she curled against his chest. Absently stroking one arm up and down her back, where he held her. A few moments where they just breathed, and then he let out a little laugh. A chuckle, low in his throat. "Worse comes to worse, you can use me for a battery for your magic, right?" It was a funny thought to him at least.

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

She shifted moving to look up at him. "Would you want me to do that?" Possibly in dire situations but she didn't think that would be a comfortable feeling.

Yuna thought about it and she knew that she could do more than just tap into him as a power source. She could talk to each spirit and send them to rest but it would tear Alex apart. As far as she was concerned he was himself even if himself was a composite of many souls. Each one of those souls made him who he was and she liked him, that wouldn't change.

Re: Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex's face was his usual neutral expression, albeit his eyes were clear. Thinking that through and meeting her own, before he blinked and shook his head. Then encouraged her back under his chin, holding her still.

"Not unless it was really desperate and could mean life or death for us. For you. I don't imagine it'd be pleasant--and I've had enough pain to deal with before. Including something trying to un-make me, as it were."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

"I wouldn't want to do that." She nestled against him against focusing on the pressure of his hand as it ran up and down her back. It was comforting and while she couldn't sleep she slowly began to relax in his arms. Her shoulders loosening as she leaned against his chest.

Yuna brought her arm not pinned to his chest down and rested it on her thigh. It was comforting to have pressing on her skin as if it brought her back and made her realize that she was really here. It was strange but being so close to Alex felt like a dream.