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

[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.

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

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"If it meant your life, and mine though, I'd rather you did. But let's hope it doesn't come to that." Half of his mouth twitched up into a smile, as he lowered his voice slightly and kept stroking her back. "I'm pretty hard to kill though, you can heal people, and we're both stubborn. I think we'll be alright, Yuna."

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

[whereishe]

"I think so too." She sighed contently letting herself relax against him. They should probably head out soon and complete their mission but part of Yuna would never want to leave Alex's side, even if it was ever for just a moment.

Her breathing slowed into its regular pace and her heart stopped racing frantically in her chest. The pressure of his hand was to relaxing even if they talked about depressing matters. "We can keep going now if you want. I'm alright without sleep."

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

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"You should rest while you can, Yuna." Came the quiet reply, as Alex didn't seem to mind her still being curled up against him. Honestly, he was kind of getting used to the idea, at least.

"Even if you don't sleep, just quiet times sometimes helps. That's why I usually have all those books. I don't like sleeping, but I need some way to rest my mind. 'm not really one for meditation, either, although I suppose that'd work."

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

[whereishe]

"Yeah."

Her voice was quiet as she curled up and stayed leaning against Alex. After a moment goose bumps cover her legs. She was comfortable but her blanket laid crumpled up and out of sight. She didn't want to move to reach it and Alex's chest was warm even through the hoodie that covered her.

She closer her eyes letting the silence sooth her worried thoughts.

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

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Alex did his best to not dislodge her, reaching over to grab the blanket and pulling that around her where she curled against him. Several minutes of silence passed except for the sound of their breathing. Then it was broken gently by quiet and amused laughter.

Deep in his chest, low in tone, and Alex clearly finding it humorous. "It's funny. You keep getting me to do things I'm not usually inclined to do." Like physical touch, and yet here he was cuddling her against him. He wasn't upset...

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

[whereishe]

Her eyes remained closed but a smile pulled at her lips. It felt good to listen to him laugh though it vibrated her torso. Her fingers twitched and shifted as she spoke. "I'm sorry." Her tone was light as if the words were more automatic than actually feeling sorry. Yuna thought it was better for people to not always do the same thing over and over though in this case it wasn't something she could explain.

She wanted to get close to him and she felt in that moment that she had put herself there. It's true that he had let her but she instigated each time they touched because it was something she wanted to feel.

"You're warm." It was an after thought that she lightly commented on with a smile.

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

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"You're not sorry, don't even try to fake it." Alex responded, smirk in his tone and his voice. He did get it; Yuna was 'sorry' he was uncomfortable, but not for the rest. Nor did he mind--if he minded, he'd just not do it.

So, the interesting thing, was how somehow he'd gotten to the point of 'not-minding'.

Alex snorted slightly, amused by her comment on body temperature. "Not always. Not in personality, anyways."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

She giggled softly curling a little closer to his chest. "You're right about being sorry." Her tone was light and distant as she leaned against his chest.

"But you are warm." Yuna smiled. "When you aren't grumpy." He didn't really get grumpy in a traditional sense but Yuna wasn't sure if there was a better name for it. Even when Alex was standoff-ish she enjoyed hanging out with him.

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

[lessandmorethanhuman]

Another amused snort, Alex rolling his eyes even if she couldn't see it. Trying to not tense, as she curled closer. After all, this time he'd initiated contact--no fair if he tensed.

"Trust me, if I was really grumpy, you wouldn't find me."

Dungeoneering mission!--a week or 2 later

[whereishe]

"Are you so sure? I'm really good at finding things." That and she could sense him now. If she really needed to find him she could, of course she would also give him her space.

"I think I'm going to nap for a bit."

Yuna kept her eyes closed and slowly he lulled her into a light sleep.

[ooc: figured we could jump to her waking and then fighting and stuff.]

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

[lessandmorethanhuman]

"Nap, Yuna. You know I'll keep you safe." He did sound amused, and perhaps he'd realized that yeah--she could find him, given what he'd revealed about himself. Or maybe he'd suspected she had other ways of finding him anyways, with her magic.

Didn't matter. She was his friend. A deep breath in, and out, and Alex closed his eyes. Letting himself 'rest' a bit, and her scent lull him into trying to figure out just what the glittery-shimmery-note was, while they enjoyed the peace.

[OOC: I shall make a new thread for that soon as I can brain it.]