Inbox;

[flaredo]

"Heeey, you've reached Yang! Well, actually, you didn't reach far enough, 'cause I'm not here right now! But don't yang up! Just leave a message on this baby, and I'll get back to you soon enough, okay?"

[ Please specify VOICEMAIL, TEXT or CALL. ]

Comments

[flaredo]

Finish your cocoa first! I can wait.

[masakados]

I will. I believe in your ability to be patient for-- a cuddle.

[Naoki laughs into his mug, drinking from it again.]

[flaredo]

I'm a big sister, after all! I'm overflowing with patience.

[masakados]

I've noticed. In-between the times when we're trying to punch each other.

[But, he doesn't take long to finish off the cocoa. Leaning forward, Naoki sets his empty mug on the table.]

[flaredo]

You're observant. [ with a grin-- but after a bit, she's finishing her mug and placing it down to join his.

Your move, demon lord. ]

[masakados]

Thanks for noticing.

[Grinning in turn. But no, don't leave the next move up to him! He's watching her out of the corner of his eye. But, once her mug is down, he aims a sideways smile her way. And then he holds open an arm in offering. C'mere.]

[flaredo]

[ ... Okay, Yang. Just remember, for this moment in time, he is only your friend and that is the only thought you should hold in your mind.

Platonic cuddling is totally doable, she's done that more than once in her lifetime, and so she scoots over just a bit and tucks herself under his arm, lifting her legs onto the couch. ]

[masakados]

[Naoki can feel a small lump in his throat as she tucks herself closer, under his arm, and curls it around her, hoping his smile looks the same as usual. His palm rests on her back as he turns slightly toward her, bringing them closer together.

This is totally fine. It feels pleasant and comfortable, and his heart's not beating really hard, it's just hugging Yang.]

[flaredo]

[ THIS IS WHAT FRIENDS DO!! And friends also rest a hand on their friend's chest while wearing their friend's sweater because friendship!!

Okay, right, natural reactions. ]

Didn't expect to spend the night holding a pretty girl, huh?

[masakados]

[The prettiest girl he's ever met--

Naoki laughs and hopes desperately she can't feel how hard his heart is beating when she rests her hand against his chest.]

Can't say I was. It's not usually on my agenda.

[flaredo]

[ ... Wow, just how fast is his pulse-- is she imagining it?

But the next question on her mind distracts her, as she glances up. ]

Do you think you'll be able to sleep again? You probably need it, Naoki.

[masakados]

[She's definitely not imagining it, he can't calm down no matter how many times he reminds himself they've been plenty touchy in the past--

Naoki glances down to meet her eyes with a blink, a thoughtful frown.]

I... think I will. [Now, after he's gotten a chance to calm down, to talk things out with her.] I'll try, anyway.

[flaredo]

Good. [ it's said on the heels of a quiet exhalation. ] You don't sleep enough as it is, I bet.

[masakados]

[Naoki laughs a little.]

Well, I don't need to sleep that much. And... [His hand smooths an absent circle over her back.] I haven't been able to completely shake how vulnerable it is, even if it's different here.

[flaredo]

You didn't sleep a whole lot in that other world, then? Even demons still need to sleep, right?

[ She's doing her best not to look like she's flustered (she's not, it's hardly anything) in this position, and also not like she's tired (she is, but she wants to stay like this for a bit and let him talk). ]

[masakados]

Nah, I didn't.

I'd get a chance to rest, occasionally... There were these fountains through the Vortex World I could heal or relax at. But aside from little naps when I thought a place was safer, I didn't sleep long. It was just too dangerous.

[Naoki can distract himself when he talks to her, can ignore how his heart still pounds. And he can ignore her scent, definitely, surely (he can't).]

[flaredo]

All the more reason to nap when you can here!

[ Captain Optimism. He's still young, and demon body or not, sleeping peacefully can only do him more good than harm. ]

[masakados]

[Laughing, Naoki gives in to an urge, sliding his hand up her back, lifting it away so he can sweep his fingers lightly through her hair. It's fine, she already knows he likes her hair.]

I've been trying. I mean, I've already found the most comfortable place to.

[Hand moving from her hair, he taps his finger against her shoulder. Right. Here.]

[flaredo]

[ Yang angles a glance at her own shoulder-- and manages to look faintly surprised. ]

Me? I mean, if you wanna use me for a pillow, I may have to start charging.

[ She's kidding. ]

[masakados]

[Snorting, Naoki slides that hand back around to her back.]

A charge, huh? That would make it more tricky to just ask you to be my pillow a lot...

[And he's rolling right along with it.]

[flaredo]

A pillow like me's gotta get something out of it, you know!

[ Okay, guys. Followed by an emphatic tap to the chest. ]

[masakados]

Guess there's no choice. I'll have to settle for right now until I save up.

[His hand tightens at her back and he leans in, tucking his chin over her shoulder, closer than before. He's not going to get any calmer, he reasons, this isn't because he likes her and wants to be closer or anything. But he can't act all weird or...

Realising he's trying to rationalise it to himself, he almost shakes his head, but just settles in instead.]

[flaredo]

[ Okay. Okay, she's got this. Naoki is just moving in closer because he's had a rough night, she's a good friend he trusts, and it's not like they haven't hugged or been this close before. This is just like any situation with any other friend who needed some good old-fashioned closeness.

Except any other friend wasn't this hot and tattooed and shirtless and emotionally vulnerable at times in a way that kicked her in the chest (well, maybe there were a few of those) and this isn't working.

She'll care later. For now, Yang's tired, Naoki's close, and she sighs under her breath, her hair brushing against his cheek as she nestles closer. ]

Tonight's a freebie. One hour.

[masakados]

[Naoki can feel his chest squeezing painfully (with affection, so much affection) when she nestles in after that sigh. He smiles softly somehow, though, turning his nose against her hair when it tickles his cheek.]

A freebie, huh... Lucky me.

[He closes his eyes.] I'll walk you home after that. [If he doesn't somehow doze off and sleep for more than an hour, at least.]

[flaredo]

I'll be okay, but I'll stick around until you're up again.

[ Yang's sleepy too, after all, but she'll keep an eye on him first. Just to make sure he can fall asleep. ]

... Can you sleep like this, though? Need me to move?