(Untitled)

[always_a_liar]

SnapThe ocean, the veil, it was all gone in a sudden flash of stifling black. He could not breathe. Shifting violently for a moment, he raised his head from the pillow, raising himself up off his chest with his arms, then he turned and sat up in bed

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[shelley_winters]

"...H- muh?"

Shelley squeezes her eyes tighter shut in confusion as to what had jostled her out of sleep. It takes her a moment - her head hurts dimly, and her thoughts are hazy, what-?

Oh. The fall, the bleeding, and him...

She opens her eyes reluctantly to the darkness.

[shelley_winters]

Shelley swallows, increasingly discomfited.

"Th-thanks."

So maybe if they both pretend everything is okay, they can go back to sleep and it really will be. Maybe.

Some hope.

[always_a_liar]

His chest heaved--violently as if he were going to be sick. Fighting with all the force he could muster the rising sensations inside him.

Elan could hear the voice of his father in his head Son, I love your mother very much, but it is important to keep matters in perspective and as he parted his lips--Love them for who they are--No, no, strong--he had to be strong--Trying again, he opened his mouth to tell Shelley something--anything--but only a ragged sob emerged, quickly bitten back. No crying, son. You are a Morin, and how shall the common folk know strength if you do not show them?

Elan tried again--but he could barely breathe and keep it all in--no use speaking.

[shelley_winters]

Shelley knows it's a really bad idea.

Really, really bad.

But she had already turned halfway around to look back at him, and seen the tears, and the look on his face. And... well, it's not like she's going to get back to sleep anyway, and he's hardly in any state to try anything... well, untoward. So she shifts over, turning to face him, and --

She pauses, unsure how to proceed because he's crying, yes, but it's still him, and that's distinctly terrifying that to reach out seems entirely impossible.

Arm. Arm is safe. She rests a hand just below his shoulder, light and awkward, vaguely wondering if she should pat him.

Oh dear no.

[always_a_liar]

Turning slightly into the embrace--however tentative--Elan bowed the warm Summer air his head and his hand reached out to curl in Shelley's pajama-top--clinging as if he would drown. His chest was tight and half-thoughts boiled within his mind.

His breath choked in his mouth as he tried to speak--a slight salty spray from the tears pooled on his lips.

[shelley_winters]

O- kay...

Shelley gulps and tries to lie still, with the vague hope that he might fall asleep again. Her hand pats his back once, tentatively. She can't pull it back without twisting awkwardly, and he doesn't seem likely to let go any time soon, so she rests it on his shoulder, hand curling loosely around the back of his neck.

"S- such a baby," she mutters, feeling helpless, and distinctly defensive.

[always_a_liar]

He smiled into her breasts as through tears he tried to reply. Focusing on her voice--he could hear and feel it in him as close as they were.

"Th-think... you--so?"

His other hand wiped at the tears that would not cease from flowing. Her voice and touch and smell and warmth was soothing.

[shelley_winters]

"It was just a dream," she says.

This is really uncomfortable. Shelley chews absently on her lip, then stops and tries to reach behind her for the box of tissues on the bedside table. It might take a moment.

[always_a_liar]

His hand remained under her breasts, but relaxed as she stretched for the tissues. He could think more clearly now as she handed him the tissue and he wiped his eyes.

"Thank you."

After a moment, he kept breathing deeply, regaining something resembling calm. His hand had shifted upwards by her motion alone--he noted with dispassionate interest.

[shelley_winters]

Shelley nods, still uncomfortable.

"W-well. You were crying on my shirt."

Yes. That'll work.

She is incresingly tense. His self-control is getting better, and that has rarely boded well for her.

[always_a_liar]

His hand shifted down her body at the tensing, his breathing calming slightly. Wiping at his eyes one more time with the tissue, Elan found himself reasonably cognizant though still possessed of a dull ache in his heart.

"My apologies to your shirt."

[shelley_winters]

It seems a little pointless now, to bring up the no touching promise. She started it. This time.

But Shelley rather wishes she could.

"...I'm going back to sleep."

She shuts her eyes quickly, with determination. It feels cowardly, but she's not being drawn into a talk.

[always_a_liar]

He nodded and could feel sleep calling, but there was little he could do to resist the smell (pomegranates) and warmth of her.

"Then, goodnight."

Smiling slightly, he inclined his head upward and kissed her on the lips--not without the warmth of gratitude, and other thoughts.

[shelley_winters]

Shelley flinches at the touch of his mouth on hers, tensing and pulling back, unwinding her arm stiffly from around his shoulder, but at a loss where to put it without twisting around him.

"Stop it," she mutters, almost hissing as she tries to put space between them.

Can't encourage him. Can't.

[always_a_liar]

Closing his eyes, he took a final, deep breath before muttering a small reply--almost a benediction. He had meant her no harm or disturbance.

"May you rest easy."

His body seemed leaden after the visceral response to the dream and sleep would not be long in coming.

[shelley_winters]

Shelley wishes that didn't sound quite so like a funeral prayer.

But she closes her eyes again, distance gained, listening warily to the sound of his breathing as it evens.

And waits to fall asleep.