Double, Double Toil and So Forth...

[defystereotype]

He isn't certain when it happened. Or how, or why. He can't even be certain that he simply isn't hallucinating this whole disturbing affair but, whatever the cause or reason behind it, he knows that his shirt shouldn't be pooled around him like this, completely swamping him in untold amounts of coarse linen. Strange, he'd never thought the weave

Comments

[headofapin]

She's surprised they don't fall over, but it's a good thing, she reckons. She's holding him though. Clinging to him, as though she's afraid that if she lets go he'll start growing again, and they'll never have a moment like this again.

"I wouldn't want you to go anywhere else." The reply is slightly muffled, face still pressed against his neck, although she pulls herself away after another minute to get a good, proper look at him.

"Oh, you must be freezing," she says after the comment of her warmth, and quickly she bends down to gather up her bags, before taking his hand in hers. "Come on. I'll make you some tea and I have something you can wear..." Clothes left by an ex boyfriend that she hadn't gotten rid of that would at least suffice until they could shop the next morning. "You can shower, too. To get the warmth back into you." She was rambling a bit as she pulled him up the stairs after unlocking the front door. She wants to ask what, how this happened, but she doesn't yet. She wants to get him inside, first, and unlocks the door to her apartment, nudging him in first. "Now you get to see it from another perspective."

[defystereotype]

He follows dumbly after her, too bewildered, too fascinated by the interior of the building to think of anything even remotely intelligent to say. Letting her lead him up the stairs -- a stairwell for goodness sake! With electric lights and carpet and everything! -- and before he realizes it they’re at the front door of her apartment, the one he’d peered enviously into so many times before. He blinks stupidly as he steps through the door and, somehow, the familiar room looks entirely different from this side of it, though he can’t explain why. Brighter, somehow. More welcoming.

He curls his frigid toes into the rug, looking down at it as though to confirm that it’s really there, that he isn’t simply imagining all of this.

“I - I think…” He stumbles further inside, immersing himself firmly into her home and her life, the one that, just yesterday, felt so terribly far away. “… I think I need to sit down.”

[headofapin]

The walls of her living room, which is where they step in after she nudges him further into the apartment, are lined with books, shelf upon shelf crammed full, though she has more in boxes packed away. She's not saying anything, she's still in a slight state of shock as well, but she has her hands on him, having slipped off her winter boots now, to show that she's still shorter than him, though now only by a handful of inches. She does move away for a minute, just to get her jacket off, and in the closet, before she's behind him again, and though perhaps it is a bit forward, she slips her arms around his waist, pressing herself to him, and just...being close.

"Oh, oh of course," she nods, leading him over to the squishy chair that's in the corner rather than the couch. Next to it is a small table with a book sitting on it, and she gently pushes him into it, before she's moving to the couch to grab the blanket draped over the back to pack around him, because fussing over him is much easier when he's this size.

"Do you want something warm to drink? Tea? Hot chocolate? ...I think I have some brandy."

[defystereotype]

He stares unseeingly at nothing in particular, though his eyes do rove over the vast amount of books she has as he folds himself into the chair, one hand habitually going to the back of his head, a nervous gesture she’s seen often enough. He leans back into the chair, struck by how comfortable it is. He’s never known anything quite like it.

“I’m in your home,” he mutters breathlessly to himself, as though he can’t quite bring himself to believe it. He huffs an incredulous laugh. “I’m in your home. I never -”

Drawing the blanket around himself, he blinks at her suddenly, as though suddenly realizing that she’s there as well, that, strangely enough, he has to look up at her. “I’m not sure. Does - You can drink chocolate?” Of course, she should realize that since giving him his first taste of chocolate, that she’s created something of a monster. Not to mention that, human or not, he still looks thinner than he should, in danger of even becoming emaciated. The thought of something as luxurious and inconceivable as chocolate makes his mouth water.

[headofapin]

Of course she's seen it before, and she thinks it's sweet. It made him seem...humble, when he was the size he was before, and one of the many things that told her that he was unlike anyone she'd ever met before.

"Yes, yes you are," she replied fondly, reaching up to his hair to push it back off his face, though she does wrinkle her nose just a bit because it's cold and wet and well. Dirty, not that it's a surprise, though. It makes her giggle just a bit as she stands in front of him.

"Hot chocolate it is, then," she says with a grin, clearly amused at the reaction. Yes, she has noticed that he seems very, very fond of it. "I'll be right back." Though before she goes to the kitchen she rolls the space heater closer to him, because it would be horrible if he froze to death in her home.

She then went to the kitchen where she poured milk, whole milk because it made for far better hot chocolate, into a saucepan and set it to heat, as she rooted around to find the chocolate powder that she then put in a mug. While waiting for the milk to simmer she went to the cookie jar too, pulling out a few sugar cookies and setting them on a plate. The milk simmered and she carefully poured it over into the mug, stirring carefully until it was mixed, and for an extra treat she pulled out a can of whipped cream and topped it off, and then brought everything into her waiting guest, placing it on the side table.

"Here. Though you need proper food. Do you want me to make you something?"

[defystereotype]

He’s distracted from his limited but undoubtedly quizzical examination of the heater when she comes back into the room with her hands full. And, Lord, he can already smell the chocolate from here. Is there anything more delicious in the world? William seriously doubts it. Though, if she knows him at all, she probably already knows what his reply will be.

“No, this is more than enough. Thank you, dear.” Pulling the blanket closer around himself he doesn‘t reach for the mug she set on the table just yet, despite the very real and overwhelming temptation. He looks at her questioningly. “… Aren’t you having any?”

[headofapin]

She thinks it's sweet the way he's peering at it, prodding it and whatnot. It makes a small smile form on her lips that she tries to hide, but everything he's doing is just so sweet. It's like a kitten being brought into a new home, and exploring it for the first time. Speaking of the devil~, a small kitten is now climbing up the blanket to curl up in William's lap.

"But you look like you're starving. I really don't mind. I can make you chicken. Or I think I have a roast in the freezer, though that might take a few hours... What do you want?" She looks at him, and the cat. "That's the Beast. He's four months old." She shook her head, then. "I had a peppermint mocha while I was out."

[defystereotype]

“… Hello.” The kitten is shot a look of surprise as it kneads at the blanket covering his lap, its tiny claws flexing into the fabric. William’s so distracted that, for a brief moment, he almost forgets that Gabriella asked him a question. He lifts his head quickly. “Oh, erm. I honestly don’t mind. Anything that doesn’t cause you too much trouble, really.”

The kitten suddenly butts its head insistently against his chest and, uncertain how to handle the situation, he reaches for it, lifting it up in the flat of his palm much in the same way as he used to carefully cradle Gabriella. He tilts his head as the poor creature mewls in protest. “You’re a strange little thing, aren’t you?”

[headofapin]

Gabriella has to fight back laughter as she watches the interaction between William and the Beast, from the way he's so easily warming up to him like he's known him all along, to William's slightly confused reaction. "I'll...make you something light, at first." She finally concluded, that way he wouldn't have to feet guilty about putting her out, and it was probably best to ease him into eating again.

"He just wants you to pet him," she explained, now unable to stop her laughter as she watches him, and hears the mewing. "He's very demanding when it comes to attention."

She moved back to the kitchen then, to first of all get the aforementioned roast out of the freezer and into the sink, for the next day, and deciding that for now she'd make him eggs, bacon, and toast. Breakfast for dinner~ 

Two days feels like a lifetime D:

[defystereotype]

“Hmm.” Rather than setting the kitten back in his lap, he drops it gently on the floor before levering himself up to his feet, moving to follow her to the kitchen. The journey’s made more difficult by the kitten making a nuisance of itself as it dodges around his feet to stop in front of him every few paces. The bloody thing.

Though now that he's starting to thaw and the prospect of a decent meal in his belly has considerably lightened his mood despite this bizarre and, frankly, disorienting situation, he moves on to the next priority on his list. His modesty.

“Gabriella,” he says as he finally manages to dodge around the ball of fluff scrambling around his feet. Some things never change, eh? “I’m sorry to, uh, to trouble you further --” And now it’s determinedly clawing at the blanket trailing behind him so William does the only thing that he can think of to cure the problem. He scoops up the lively little creature in his hand and sets him on his arm, running his hand along his back. “But I was wondering if perhaps you had any spare clothes? It wouldn’t do for me to sit at your table dressed so, erm. Inappropriately.”

DON'T EVER LEAVE ME AGAIN BB

[headofapin]

Of course The Beast is a nuisance. Sorry, William. He likes attention. A lot of it, and since he's taken a keen interest in you, you're likely stuck with him.

Gabriella, on the other hand, is in the kitchen humming to herself the whole time, sort of lost in her own little world. It's a Christmas song, 'Angels We Have Heard On High' to be exact, because she went to church earlier, and saw the choir practicing.

She jumps a little at the sound of her name, but turns to him, and smiles, leaning with her hip against the counter. "Oh! Um. I do? I have a pair of sweatpants, and boxers, and a dress shirt, or two I think, from ex boyfriends. Oh. Dear I sound like a creep for keeping all that, don't I? But. You can loan that. I thought you might want to take a shower first, though." She paused to breathe, and bite her lip, and then smile at him; a sprinkling of red going across the bridge of her nose as she blushed. "And tomorrow. We'll go shopping tomorrow."

/clings!

[defystereotype]

Unfamiliar with the song -- in fact, music is a somewhat foreign concept altogether, except for the bits and pieces he’s managed to overhear on occasion -- William can’t appreciate the nostalgia and warmth of the season. His experience of December is one entirely lacking of everything to do with Christmas, more reminiscent of difficult times and unforgiving weather. Lean, is the word he’d use to describe. Very lean.

Her blush, though, makes him smile privately to himself and he nods his head gratefully, “Those should do wonderfully, thank you.” Of course, he’s always had some envious, wistful fascination with men’s clothes, the way fashion seems to change so drastically so frequently. And jeans. He’s wondered often about jeans.

“Shopping? You -” He might look a little worried about the prospect. “Do you think that will be strictly necessary? Who’s to say I’ll be… like this long enough to wear them?”

He hates to burst her bubble. Loathes himself for it, actually, but he supposes it’s better to get her to realize the reality of the situation, daft though it may be, before she gets too carried away.

[headofapin]

Naturally throughout this season he should get very used to music, then, both from her, from shopping with her, and the likes. She'll be taking him with her most places, after all, mostly because otherwise she would worry that he would get lost, or that something would happen to him. He is naive, after all, she knows this perfectly well, and now being the way he is, people won't be afraid of him, and she doesn't want him being taken advantage of. Of course this will mean taking him to work with her, but she's certain that he'll enjoy that. She works at a second hand book store, after all. She plans on putting him in a corner with some cocoa, and hope that he manage to entertain himself.

"Alright, come on then." She moves away from the counter, reaching out for a moment to take his hand - it feel natural to guide him that way, but realises that it strictly isn't necessary and drops it before they touch, the blush turning a darker shade as she leads the way to her bedroom. Oh dear. Sleeping arrangements. Oh she hopes that he won't mind if they sleep together, otherwise she'll have to sleep on the couch, and while not the worst thing in the world, she does prefer her bed. Oh well. That will be something to bring up when the time comes.

"Here you go," she says after a minute, having knelt down to open, and rifle through the bottom drawer of her dresser, and pulled out a pair of boxers, and a pair of sweatpants. She then goes to the drawer a few above, digging through it until she finds a shirt, and hands it all to him.

"Come with me." And with that she, holding the clothes still, slipped out of the bedroom again, and just across the hall to the bathroom, turning the light on, and smiling just a bit. "Here. You can clean up a bit, if you want."

She heard his question before. About whether or not it would be necessary to shop, but ignored it. Pushing it away for a moment, but now that they were in that small space, she was thinking more about it, and what else would be needed. "Of course I think that."

She hoped it. She'd been praying for this long enough. It wouldn't be fair if it was taken away from her right away. "We have to get you clothes. Nice ones. Some for relaxing around the house, and others for going out. I personally don't wear jeans, unless they're in skirt form, but I remember you being all...fascinated by them one time. So we'll get you some of those. And some slacks. And a suit. Yes. A suit will be necessary. We'll go tomorrow and see." She nods, determined to dress him, and dress him well. "You'll be very handsome by the time I'm done with you."

[defystereotype]

He follows obediently after her, somewhat baffled by her insistence that he’ll certainly need all of these luxuries. Because that’s precisely what they are, after all. He’s never experienced the ability to simply walk into a particular building -- or any building for that matter, Gabriella’s will be the first -- and be able to find anything and everything you could possibly want in life sitting on a shelf or hung on a rack. The very idea just overwhelms him.

But, of course, William’s attention is diverted to the bathroom. He’s never seen it before, if only because the window through which he habitually made himself a nuisance didn’t allow him to see this deeply into her apartment and all the various fixtures, with their knobs and buttons and instantly running hot water… Well. It’s all an absolute mystery.

“Erm… Gabriella, I’m not sure I --” What? That he’ll be able to do this himself? He absolutely cannot tell her *that*, it would be beyond inappropriate. And so he flushes red and follows her inside, holding the blanket around himself a little tighter. “That is, erm, you’ll show me how all of this works?”

WHAT HAPPENED TO NEVER LEAVING ME ;____;

[headofapin]

Of course she's going to remain insistent about it, too. She's been praying for this to happen since they met, and she found she enjoyed his company. So while the reason it has happened isn't one they can explain, she's not going to question it. Miracles aren't meant to be questioned - just accepted.

She'll see that it's a bit overwhelming by the end of the night, and probably decide to take things a little bit slower, but she wants to show him all the things he's always talked about wanting to see, and do, that he now finally can. If this is a temporary thing, she doesn't want him to miss out.

She's getting a towel out for him as he looks around, picking a new one - fluffy and big and white she sets it on the counter.

"Well. I'd offer to take one with you, but..." With that her aim is to get him flustered, which should be obvious with the grin that spreads across her face immediately after. "Of course, come here," she gestures for him to follow as she kneels next to the tub, and turns on the water. "The one with the H controls the hot water, and the one with the C controls the cold. See that?" She pointed at the switch under the faucet. "When you want to have the shower come on, you just flip it up. But I'm not sure how hot you want the water, so. Feel it, and you can adjust it. Shampoo, conditioner and soap are all in those bottles..."

My muse is one who left D: Blame him!

[defystereotype]

It does get him flustered. Very, in fact, if the suddenly averted gaze and rough clearing of his throat are any indication.

“No, no, that won’t be necessary.” He busies himself with reaching for the various bottles she indicated, ducking his head to hide his quiet grin. She does delight in teasing him, doesn’t she? Not that he minds. He’s just never certain how to respond.

“You just… turn? Hm.” He kneels next to her and reaches for the nearest tap, twisting it experimentally. “… I think I should be able to manage.” But that remains to be seen. “Shouldn’t you, erm --” It doesn’t feel right ushering her out her own bathroom but the tiles are cold beneath his bare feet and the steam starting to fog the room is making the water look all too tempting.