drawsblood | { inbox for noctium }

Huh?!

[ There’s not much she can do when those ridiculously large arms of his scoop her up like she’s a pillow. Her face gets a bit warmer from embarrassment, not wanting to cling too much to him—-

Until he mentions starting her off on her back. ]

A-already?!

[ Now she’s digging her nails in like a cat being dragged into a bath. ]

[ He winces at the bite of her nails, stopping with the water just over his knees. Not expecting her to be so frightened, he gently moves down with her, getting first on one knee, then both. The water is shallow enough that it shouldn't go past her chest with her seated on the bottom. Still, he holds onto her. ]

Here; it is not yet deep enough to go over your head.

[ He lowers her carefully, slow enough that her grip begins to loosen as they sink just enough for the water to hit her hips. It’s cool against her skin, but pleasantly so, the waves brushing against her gently. Maybe it’s because she has someone sturdy behind her.

Curious, and a little more comfortable, she reaches out with one hand, amazed at how it was clear enough to see the bottom. ]

W-wow..

[ He finds he enjoys her reaction, and he has to admit that for all the beauty of mountain lakes, this is the clearest water he's ever been in outside of a bath. ]

I've not seen its like before either.

[ He moves his arms back in forth in a slow, swinging motion, almost as if rocking her. ]

You let me know when you wish to go farther in.

[ He's not going to complain out loud, but these sea stones are really digging into his knees. ]

[ Her reaction is a but delayed, but she realizes that he’s not in the most comfortable of positions. ]

Oh god— Yes! We can! I’m sorry, Joric…

Don't be sorry on my account.

[ He pushes himself up — and her with him — noting how the water makes her harder to lift but still having not too much difficulty with it. ]

I would think the scars I bare from battle would show that I am used to pain. This was hardly anything.

[ It's meant to set her at ease, those there's no telling if pointing that out will do so. It's a simple statement of fact to him. The scars are clearly exposed across shoulders, arms, and chest. But now he moves them farther out, the water up to his waist this time. Should he set her down, her feet would still touch bottom with her head above water. ]

It's relaxing out here.

[ They've happened to end up at a spot without screaming kids or teens playing splash games. It's the perfect environment to ease her into the water. ]

[ Her attention goes to the scars that litter his skin, something Alex had noticed, but had gotten distracted by…other things. ]

Doesn’t mean I’d want to put you through any more of it…

[ Nicolas had similar scars, or at least, a similar body covered with them. And she had just a preview of how he got them. Was it the same for Jorick? ]

Do…you want to go back?

[ To a place that’s put you through so much? Her fingers brush lightly over some of the older ones on his shoulders. ]

Already? We've only just started out.

[ He's clearly misinterpreted what she means, but he stays in place in case she doesn't wish to go out any further. Besides, it's nice to stay still and let her touch him. ]

Ah—No, that’s not that I meant—-

[ Maybe that was too serious a topic to keep going towards anyway. ]

Um… I can try going down now. I think I’ll be fine. Just please don’t let go.

[ She’s not that ready. ]

All right.

[ He gently lowers his arms down into the water until her body becomes mostly covered, but he's still touching her so she won't be afraid. ]

Try and stretch out to see how well you float.

[ Her legs slip beneath the water, her hands remaining on his shoulders until she goes deeper, sliding down to his chest. She glances up at him when he instructs her to stretch out, some uncertainty on her face. ]

Just…flat on my stomach?

It would be easier on your back. Just try to keep your face above the water surface.

[ His movements are oh-so-gentle and not very like his typical heavy handed way of doing things. But he wants to be sure she feels safe with him. ]

[ Was that better or scarier? Like a trust fall exercise. But…Alex had no doubts that Joric wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

So she turns around leaning back into the water—or at least trying to. It takes a few tries what with her reflexively stiffening in the water, but eventually, with Joric’s coaxing, she manages to somewhat relax, though not floating on her own just yet. ]

Please let me pay you back for this somehow later…

[ Joric’s shown her more patience than most men have in her life, and that’s been eating at her. ]

What do you have in mind?

[ His arms remain beneath her, pressed against her skin. It's hard to tell how well she can float on her own while he's still holding on, so he glances up at her face to gauge her reaction. ]

I'm not going anywhere, but I can lower my arms to see your buoyancy. If you start to sink, I will catch you.

[ It was reassuring to have Joric there, to have him be the one to teach her something new like this. She tries to focus on his voice, her eyes closing as she tries to relax her body and allows the water to hold her up. ]

Whatever you want? Maybe to eat something? We can either go out or I can try to make it for you. Or if there’s an item you might like or need? Or an errand? I’m pretty good with chores too.

[ She realizes after a moment…that she sounds like she’s either asking him out or giving him a resume as a housewife. ]

…B-basically my treat to you!

I am easy to please.

[ There's a brief look of confusion at how she stutters. ]

I like food. Making it or taking me out to get it is fine by me. I'll eat anything.

[ And as he speaks... he slowly lowers his arms away from her. ]

[ So focused on coming up with ideas, Alex doesn’t even notice that he’s withdrawn his hands. She taps on her chin thoughfully, unaware of her body floating all on its own.

Simply pleasing him didn’t sound satisfying enough for her. She wanted to do more than that,
to really make him smile. He’s been so nice to her…and she wanted to repay that tenfold. ]

Alright…I’ll figure something out. Are you usually really busy? When can I call you?

I'm rarely busy. You can call me in the late morning all the way until sunset.

[ His lips twitch with a smile. It seems she has yet to notice that she's floating on her own. But he thinks if he points it out that she may panic. ]

Do you enjoy cooking?

You shouldn’t spoil me so much.

[ She chuckles. ]

Yeah, I think it’s fun. I’ve been taking classes here to—ah!

[ Feeling herself drift further away, she reaches out to take a hold of Joric’s hand. A beat and she realizes…if she’s holding his hand, then how is she..? ]

Was I really floating by myself?!

[ She stands up abruptly, looking around to see that she really was doing that on her own. ]

I don't spoil people.

[ At least he doesn't think he does. He assumes spoiling means lots of gifts or something and he hardly ever gives those, mainly because he doesn't know what a person might like. ]

You were. Easy once you forget where you are, isn't it?

[ It seems they have different definitions of spoiling. But she laughs at both statements. ]

It’s… a lot like flying.

[ Which seemed to give her a bit more courage. ]

Can we go a bit further?

[ Plus, she felt bad holding him back like this. ]

It is, yes.

[ Since they both can compare it to that, they may as well. ]

We can. Do you wish for me to carry you again?

Nah, I got it.

[ Was it overconfidence? But she felt pretty good right now, already tugging him by hands towards the ocean. She doesn’t know, of course, that the sand can dip, and one step out has her dropping down. ]

—!

[ He feels a surge of surprise from her through Synchrony and he slides an arm around her waist, pulling her close. ]

You're all right. I have you.

[ The surprise is quickly swept away and replaced with a sense of security, and while she might be clinging to him like a drenched cat, she does look up to chuckle meekly. It was a humbling experience. ]

See? I totally got it.

[ He really was so attentive, something she wasn’t accustomed to. Such a kind soul for someone who initially looked so intimidating. Now she can’t even imagine him that way anymore.

She doesn’t pull away just yet, staying close as she regards him. ]

You really do spoil me.

[ And that was a dangerous thing, to rely on him like this. Alex knew well how she could attach to people, something she wants to unlearn. ]

{ inbox for noctium }

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