noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

Exactly.

No, harvest festivals are all pumpkin spice and apple picking now.

[She stretches and yawns.]

If you're tired don't let me keep you awake. I can clean up here, it's only the two glasses.

You already cleaned up everything else, I can manage two glasses.

Are you not tired?

How about we split the difference and each take one? You can even take the bottle and tip it for the last drops, I won't judge.

[He shifts to the end of his seat, leaning forward to grasp one of the glasses.]

Maybe a little. I don't know that I can even tell any longer.

I am already feeling judged.

[She grabs the other glass and the bottle, she's still giving a bit of a smile and a tease]

You are welcome to try and sleep, I'll make a wall of pillow.

With admiration only, let no food or drink go to waste.

[He follows after her into her kitchen, moving to her side to wait for his chance to rinse out the glass. It's been a very long time since he last sat down to eat and drink without either rushing or interspersing it with work. It's been even longer since he shared a bed, and never with someone who wasn't family. There's a part of him that wonders what it might be like now, a part that craves crossing the bridge back to fully stand in the land of the living. Another part, the part that knows how restless his sleep is, that knows if he lets her help means relinquishing some control, that fills him with nerves.

He's faced down death and even this sliver of intimacy is terrifying.

If he says no though, he can't pretend he isn't a coward. Not any longer after his flaws have been pointed out to him by his friends.]

Maybe try it. Though you might want to kick me out. I dunno if I snore.

In that case.

[She rinses her glass and then tips the bottle to her lips to finish it off.

Stella is aware that what she is suggesting is a huge decision for him, which is why she doesn't want to pressure him at all. She will do everything she can to provide an accommodating space for him to move at whatever pace he needs to.

And she has all the time in the world for that progress.]

If you do, I'll send you to the sofa.

[It also gives him an out if he feels he needs it. The sofa is there, with a throw blanket and everything.]

I'll hold you to that.

[She hasn't pressured him at all, merely left a window open. An offer on the table, to speak more in his terms. And while it makes him nervous, while he can't plan ten steps ahead right now, he takes it. An act without a net, but not without contingencies she doesn't mind helping put into place.

He rinses off his glass after her, wiping his hands on his pants and gives a little nod. He licks his lips, a sign he's steeling himself, but the nod is sure.]

After you. I don't know which side of the bed you prefer.

[She nods. In a long life you meet all sorts of people with all sorts of trauma. Stella usually has a good grasp on when she can push someone just a little to try and help. This seems like a good opportunity. It's a little trust exercise that he is able to leave at any time.

She leads him to her bedroom, she is already dressed comfortably enough. She hops up onto the left side and starts arranging her decorative pillows down the middle.]

This reminds me of building pillow forts.

[She's set up a neat little wall dividing the bed in half. Even split it is larger than the single one in his office.]

[He watches in a little amusement at the pile of pillows on her bed that are neatly arranged to provide a comfortable barrier. It’s nice to talk right now to focus on something other than his nerves.] Who did you build pillow forts with? Your human family?

[It doesn’t escape his attention that her bed is infinitely nicer than his. He still has the same bed he’s had since the secondhand furniture was shoved into the Slat years ago, and it’s the same pillow he’s had, too. Singular. Kaz spares no effort or money on his own comfort. With that said, he can still notice it, and as he cautiously sits on the edge of the bed, the cushions give way without a groan and spring felt beneath him.] You’re spoiling me, you know.

Both them and my sisters on Olympus. Give children pillows and it seems a universal that they will build and fight with them.

[They are fond memories of hers, a lot of her childhood was quite good.

Most of her furniture is second hand, but her bed and her shower were things she splurged on. They are places of comfort and calm for her.]

Maybe that's been my plan all along. That and to convince you that maybe you need a pillow that isn't as old as you.

I can't say that assessment is wrong. Though perhaps not always limited to literal children.

[Has Kaz ever smacked Jesper with a sofa pillow or vice versa? Yes. There's really no excuse for it like he could with Jordie. They're just immature like that sometimes when it's just their inner circle.]

If you fold it in half it's less flat. Perfectly still usable.

[He leans his cane against her bedside table, then slowly lowers himself to lie on his back on the right side of her bed.]

You pillow fight at the Slat don't you?

[She tucks herself under her blankets and lats down. It feels odd to have someone close but feeling far away.]

Well, now I know what I'm leaving in your office. A real pillow and a bunch of little hearts.

Sometimes I sit down and someone sits beside me and they say something that requires a targeted pillow redirect.

[He says it very professionally, to what amounts as a pillow fight. Though it normally is more of a short smack each way than a long battle.

It is a little strange, lying in bed with someone. Not bad, but odd, and his fingers twist together as they rest over his stomach. His fingers like to keep busy, always. Shadows play against her ceiling, soft in shades of black and gray from the moonlight. He smiles a little at her threat.]

I could always retaliate with your office at the university, you know.

So less combat more a singular attack.

[She has made herself comfortable, laying on her side facing him to be able to hear what he says better.

It is odd, but easier than she expected. After spending a whole evening together, this really does just feel like a sleepover.]

You also know where I live. But then I'd retaliate. And there would be a full on war of small thoughtful gifts.

[Kaz remains lying on his back, but it’s mostly because that’s the most comfortable position with his leg. Lying on his side for too long makes it ache. Her voice carries well enough for him to hear her though, even if his own is as usual raspy in return.]

I do know where you live, and should I take that as an open invitation to return? Because I can pick a window lock, you know.

[He tilts his head to look at the wall of pillows where she lays on the other side.]

I can smell your shampoo on your pillows.

[He knows what it smells like now, thanks to having used it in her shower.]

You can probably pick the lock on the door as well. You are welcome to return. Especially if you're bringing food.

[She never turns down a dinner. She can see the tip of his head as it turns towards her.]

Is that good? I rather like the smell of it.

[It’s nice to hear that he’s welcome. She’s already told him, but sometimes, it’s nice to hear more than once. He’ll definitely bring food and wine. Kaz likes to take care of people, and providing them with basic needs being met is one of them. It’s much easier for him to show than to tell.]

You still have a lot of food in the Barrel to try. Some of it’s really well made. I’ll make sure your fridge has some when I visit. And yes, I could pick the door’s lock. When I’m not trying to be more covert.

[He rubs his cheek a little against the soft pillowcase. His voice is slowing down a little due to tiredness.] It is a nice smell. Though I can’t quite place it.

[She likes the dinners and wine as his way of caring, it is sweet.]

Thank you. I will trust your food choices.

[She also sounds a bit slow and sleepy.]

Has some hyacinth to it. Good night, Kaz.

I'm told I have a goat stomach because I eat anything, but... yeah, I do know meals that are hole in the wall but well received, and by chefs who deserve the business.

[He fights his way back from slumber to go over a few details, that annoying side of him wanting reassurance.]

I just fall asleep? That's it? There's no...

[What? Spell? He feels foolish for even asking, but he's not sure how this works.]

What you've gotten me so far has been delicious.

[She nods before realizing he can't really see her.]

I can try to summon something for show, but it really is just falling asleep. I just focus my energy a little.

[She does a little focus exercise to make sure that she is aware of him and that he is close enough. It seems to be helpful. She has lived with many insomniac artists and she's always been able to help them just by giving a little focus to it. Some have said it feels a bit like a blanket, warm and comforting.]

No. No show is necessary. I just... like to know how things work.

[He's glad she doesn't have to enter his mind for it. Even if she's dealt with trauma equal if not worse than his with others, it's still hard and personal for him. The fact that it's just a peaceful feeling that settles over him is surprising, yet indeed comforting. He tenses at first, then slowly eases into the warmth. He can't remember the last time he felt anything like this when preparing to sleep. Either he has horrible nightmares, or he pushes himself so hard he passes out and doesn't recall a thing. He feels his eyelids drooping, exhausting settling over him without the usual bone-griding fear alongside it. Drowsily he manages.]

G'night, Stella.

[She is glad that he seems to settle into the sensation. She hears his breathing change and then she is quick to follow into sleep.

The wall of pillows ends up with her hugging them, but she maintains a respectful distance.]

[Kaz remains on his back, not tossing and turning and drenched with sweat. It's the first genuinely decent night of sleep he's had since he's been nine years old. It's a deep sleep, and when he rouses, he's disoriented. His bladder feels full and there's light shining through the windows, both clues that he's been knocked out for quite a few hours now. Sleepily he rubs his eyes and shifts up on one elbow, glancing to his side to notice Stella hugging the pillows. He quirks his lips up in a private little smile that slips off his face as fast as it appears. Gingerly he reaches over and doesn't touch her, but tugs up the blankets a little to cover her better.]

[Stella is still out cold when he wakes, though she snuggles in a little more when he pulls up the blanket for her.

She will be thrilled to learn that her magic did work for him.]

[ooc- these two are just so cute I can't stand it.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

They're so sweet, OMG. <3

I know! I love them

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject