drawsblood | { inbox for ximilia }

I know.

[Except that’s not true at all. Daisy has changed a lot back home, because it was actually possible. Now isn’t the time to talk about it though, because there’s no going back there.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Daisy wipes at her cheek with her free hand before squeezing his hand.]

Thank you. I needed to hear that.

[ He offers a shrug. ]

Usually I say the wrong thing so... it's good it helped this time.

[Daisy smiles at that, even if it hadn’t been his intention.]

That’s not true.

[She moves to rest her head on his shoulder if he lets her.]

You’re good at saying the right thing.

Well, I'm glad you think so.

[ He has no plans to move, so her head can go ahead and rest on his shoulder. Closing his eyes, he breathes in the scent of her hair and absorbs the quiet moment for what it is; not taking it for granted. Being alone for too long has meant that now as he's become reintroduced to the concept of society that it's too precious a thing to not appreciate. ]

You too, you know. You say the right thing.

[ He's speaking just in general, really. Even though their talks often led to sex or even just hair stroking in a hammock, he likes the talking bits too. ]

[Daisy tilts her head to look up at him with a tired smile,]

Like what?

[ Oh. Way to put him on the spot. He's silent a moment, trying to pin down something specific she's said. ]

You know, you... look out for me. When that asshole in the tavern kicked me in the ribs you wanted to get me ice. And when you said my idea about using the crab shells was smart. You always ask if I'm hungry and give me food.

[ There's a pause and he gently untangles his hand from hers, slipping it around her back to hold her. ]

When we were talking in that big forest about my people, you remembered my sister's name. I didn't say it then, but I appreciate that you did.

[Daisy’s smile turns a little sad when he lists off his reasons for thinking that. From the way he talks about it, it’s hard not to assume that he isn’t used to that kind of thing back home. Having others looking out for him, or acknowledging when he comes up with a good plan.

Leaning into him when he wraps his arm around her, Daisy rests her cheek against his upper arm.]

We all need to look out for each other here.

[And maybe it’s hypocritical of her to say that, considering she struggles with accepting that herself. But he doesn’t have to know that.]

Edited 2023-04-11 15:33 (UTC)

[ It hadn't been so long ago that these concepts were familiar to him, but he hasn't had anyone looking out for him before coming here, so he's been taking notice when someone does. ]

Mm hm. You're good at it, is what I'm trying to say.

[ He's quiet a moment longer before adding: ]

You sound tired. Do you want to sleep?

[Out of habit, Daisy almost dismisses him, but in all honesty she’s too exhausted to deny the fact that she is so tired. To the point that her body aches, the adrenaline having completely disappeared from earlier.]

Is it okay if I sleep here? Just for a little bit.

[She knows her room isn’t far away, but she doesn’t want to be alone.]

It is. You take the wall side.

[ It's simple habit. When a bed is pushed against the wall he wants to be on the outside in case there's danger. ]

When you feel like leaving, you can crawl over me. Or wake me up.

[ He gets up and moves so she can lie down first. ]

[Relieved that he doesn’t reject her, Daisy kicks off her toes out of her shoes.]

Are you going to sleep too?

[She’s starting to feel safe around him, and that became apparent to her when she had fallen asleep next to him in the woods. Laying down on the bed, Daisy leaves him as much space as she can. She wouldn’t turn down being held right now.]

I am.

[ He'd been trying to before her arrival, but now that these thoughts about the mission have been talked through, perhaps he actually will. Heading to the light controls, he dims them down to around nightlight level so she can find her way out if she does choose to leave. He wouldn't mind if she stayed. Then he gets into bed beside her, rolling on his side. ]

Have you ever had to share a bed with a sibling before?

[ The question may seem random, but he's curious. ]

[Rolling onto her side with her back facing him, Daisy stares at the wall. She’s told him she has a sibling, but she hasn’t told him how she had only just found out about her right before her arrival here.

She grew up in an orphanage, and she had spent nights holding the younger orphans when they had nightmares. But that hadn’t been his question.]

No. Have you?

Yes. When I was very young it was my older brother, but I've always needed to hold something when I sleep and he didn't appreciate it being him. He'd push me onto the floor.

[ He can say it with amusement now, even if the rejection (and crashing on the floor) hurt back then. ]

Years later, I shared with my younger and he wet the bed, so I ended up doing the same to him and pushed him onto the floor.

[ By now he's wrapped an arm around her middle and tucked an arm under his head. ]

He couldn't help it, of course. He did it in his sleep.

[ Looking back on those times, he can recognize it all as fond memories and not let them be tainted by the fact that his brothers are dead and gone now. ]

Anyway, I was just curious. You ask me a great deal about myself and my homeland, but I haven't asked you as much in return. I will ask more another time.

[ He presses a kiss to her shoulder. ]

Sleep now.

[Daisy finds herself smiling when he talks about his siblings, even if he can’t see it. Although it does fade a little when he mentions not knowing much about where she’s from.]

Is this your way of saying I’m at risk of getting shoved to the floor?

[She asks, holding onto the arm he’s wrapped around her. Keeping him close to her. Her eyes are falling closed, but she’s still awake. At least for now. Letting out a slow exhale, Daisy nuzzles her cheek against his pillow. It smells like him.]

No. You're up against the wall and that would be hard to achieve.

[ He exhales a slow breath beside her ear. ]

But I wouldn't anyway.

You’ve ripped apart a crab with your bare hands.

[Daisy points out sleepily, scooting back against him until her back is flush against his chest.]

[ His slow inhale and exhale will be pushing his chest against her back and his voice will vibrate through. ]

You really wish for me to admit that I'd toss you to the floor, don't you?

[ At least he sounds amused. ]

[Daisy lets out a soft snort,]

I’d like to see you try.

As I said, I wouldn't. I've no reason to.

[ He exhales a warm breath beside her ear. ]

Besides, I like holding you. It would be a punishment to myself to banish you to the floor.

[Smiling at his response, Daisy’s fingertips trail up and down the arm that’s wrapped around her.]

I like when you hold me.

[It makes her feel safe.]

Then I'll keep doing it.

[ He knows it can get hot or maybe the person he's holding might feel too confined, so he's not against loosening his hold, but he likes the connection. It's a comfort throughout the night. ]

[Daisy lets out a content sigh, feeling more relaxed than she has in the last however many days. He might even feel her relaxing against him.]

You don’t have a roommate?

No one has asked to be yet. It's fine. It's good to have privacy sometimes.

[ While it's rather rare to have privacy in the clans, he's been used to living out on his own in the wilds and the solitude was a blessing and a curse. For a man used to a much more social life it felt lonely, but as a man suffering from a magical affliction, it was good to be by himself. ]

Makes it easier to read.

[ And to take his pills without having to hide out in the bathroom from a nosy roommate who might question what they're for. ]

You need privacy when you read?

[Daisy asks, and even with her back to him he’d be able to hear the smile in her voice.]

What kind of smutty books are you into?

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