4.1

[sighsheavily]

I can't believe this... I actually like these.

[these being reference to what clothes she's picked at within the room they're holed in for hours indeterminate. she's pulled on a pastel gown and finished fiddling with the fiddlier bits, smoothing out the drapery in front of the floor-length mirror.]

The color is a shame, and I doubt this'd be of use if I get dropped in that bloody maze again, but still...

[it's nice. it feels nice! no more denim and excess buttons...

gads, the rhinestones making cactus blossom patters are kind of tacky, though. she oughtn't complain; it's a step in the right direction.]

Comments

[sighsheavily]

[being connected in this way is profound and comforting, even after the rush comes and goes. with the tension gone there's more space for their forms to relax against each other, and the weight of him isn't quite so stifling as Darin would fear. still, it's nice to be able to breathe, she supposes.

after a bit of adjustment (her hair gets everywhere) and they can ease out of the moment into something still comfortable, winding her unpinned arm around his shoulders (gently, as to not suffocate him against her), still warm and tingling in waves; being self-conscious or embarrassed feels so far away.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He shivers slightly at her touch; a good shiver. He's especially sensitive now and her touch is like butterflies on his skin. He shifts a little to look up at her with a warm, loving smile.]

I think...we both needed that...

[sighsheavily]

Mmn. [her eyes are still closed, but her mouth is curved up.] Yes. I missed you, dear. All of you.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I missed all of you too...

Sleeping alone...I don't know if I can do it anymore.

[sighsheavily]

No? [she opens her eyes and tilts her head to peer his way.] You sleep so lightly as it is... I take it there was little of that to be had near the end there.

I'm sorry. Not that it was my responsibility to fix, just... [that he endured it at all.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It's not your fault I just...I hadn't realized...

I hadn't realized how comforting your breathing is...the sound of your heartbeat...

[sighsheavily]

[what about the way it skips at those words.]

"Comforting" is...not one of the words that jumps to mind when I think of myself.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, it's the truth. No matter what craziness we deal with out there...

When we're in bed it feels almost...normal.

[sighsheavily]

Which means... So long as I keep around, you'll continue to get a proper night's rest?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It definitely seems that way, doesn't it~

[sighsheavily]

Hm. Hmm... [she lays her head back down, idly tracing a finger along his chest.] Protecting that sense of normal...I'm quite invested in that, I think. I do hope whatever nonsense or madness lay ahead will respect it as well.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...If we have to fight for it then...I'm ready.

[sighsheavily]

Let's try hoping we only need to negotiate this time around; perhaps Palamedes and I can make some headway with...with any spirits which may linger here even still.

Though...maybe that has changed, too. [add it to the list of things she needs to check on later! sigh.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Mmn...you're...gonna be okay? With Pal?

[sighsheavily]

[quieter:] Question ought to be...if he'll be fine with me, isn't it?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Why wouldn't he be?

[sighsheavily]

[she shifts so she can sit up; it doesn't feel right to talk about such things while laying as she is. feels...disrespectful to the memory, somehow.]

Well, consider that it was his visage that did the carnage...and I'll be a walking reminder of that, won't I? You can say that's why I should be disturbed, and yet...I already knew.

I won't be the one walking with the guilt in this case. [the way she walks with it for Flynn's sake. for Yuri's.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yeah...he'll...probably be more wary of me than he will be of you...

[He sits up as well and runs a hand through his hair; a nervous tic.]

[sighsheavily]

[she watches him with a faint frown.]

Was that moment...the last you saw of him? That whole time.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...We didn't cross paths after. I don't know what happened to him.

[He fiddles with the bed sheet.]

Pretty sure watching someone pick apart the person who looks exactly like you is gonna be a hard thing to gloss over.

[sighsheavily]

[softly, pained:] Oh, Darin... [she puts a hand on his arm in a consoling fashion.] I wish such a terrible thing...didn't happen. [because of her lack of foresight.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I just...the anger was so intense.

It was focused and pointed. There's killing someone and then there's...

...What I did...

[sighsheavily]

[she can't fix it. she can't cast a spell to heal it.

...maybe, should she honor the role she'd sworn to on that epitaph, he could be free of the memory. but the cost would be great - maybe greater than she'd be willing to pay for him.

as if she has a right to! those are his memories, his torments...]

My carelessness...led to that. And I'm sorry. I know you won't let me share that burden, but frankly...that's not entirely your call.

What was your call, though...was coming back from that anger. Back here. And thank goodness you're a strong enough man to do that; I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here, scars and all.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I...I didn't do it alone. I had help...

Emerald and Ruby...Aizawa...they gave me some perspective when all I could see were my failures...

...You and I both know that this place is the real cause of the pain. We're gonna make mistakes...

[sighsheavily]

[her hand slides down to lay atop his wrist, letting her lean against his arm, head against his shoulder.]

And we'll suffer for them. But we must get back up, help each other up, yes.