drawsblood | { inbox for ximilia }

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?

What?

[ He puffs out a breath of warm air against her hair in amusement. ]

Why would I read about it when I could just have sex instead? No, I do better when it's silent. It's more difficult to concentrate on the words when others are talking or making noise.

[Her smile widens at his laugh,]

You never like to just fantasize sometimes?

[She keeps stroking her fingertips up and down his arm.]

Sounds like you read a lot.

Edited 2023-04-22 03:20 (UTC)

I can do that in my head; I don't need a book.

[ He falls silent for a moment as he soaks in the feeling of her fingers against his skin. When he next speaks his voice is quieter. ]

I do not. It is because I don't read often that I have difficulties focusing on it. My people told stories, sang songs, recited poems. Our skalds gift it all to us. Reading the words in my own head is different. I have a harder time with it.

Have you tried audio books?

[She explains in more detail,]

Someone narrates the story for you. Might be easier for you than reading a book.

No. I've not heard of those. Where do I find such a thing?

[ Before now he's sounded tired and ready to drop off, but now he sounds more alert and is fully interested. ]

[Daisy almost explains that there are apps for that, but it would be useless here. They don’t even own phones.]

We could probably ask for audio tapes.

[She moves her head to rest it against his shoulder, eyes still closed.]

What do you imagine? When you fantasize.

All right. If you will show me how they work, I would be grateful.

[ He adjusts his hold to the center of her back, thumb brushing against her shirt. Exhaling an amused breath, he quietly recounts some of the fantasies he's had, but stops himself before it gets too raunchy. ]

If I tell you any more neither of us will get any sleep tonight.

[Daisy smiles when he makes a valid point,]

I’ll just have to remember what you’ve told me for another time.

[But he’s right. Even if she wants to, and she does, she’s too exhausted tonight.]

Mm hm.

[ He moves his head to press a kiss to her forehead, not really thinking of it as anything beyond a way to finish the conversation and say goodnight with some affection attached. Then he closes his eyes and exhales a tired breath. ]

[Smiling at the feel of his lips on her forehead, Daisy rolls over to face him and winds her arm around his middle as she tucks herself against him.]

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