pain_train | SANCTUM INBOX

"I love how you are with me," he mutters, feathering kisses over her eyelids. It's inevitable now, he thinks. The time's coming, sooner rather than later, when he'll just tell her he loves her rather than what he loves about her. He tries not to think too hard about it, because he never would have expected himself to get into something that developed this quickly, but after the way she was treated by the clone of his sister he knows he would never stand for her to experience difficulty or pain that he could prevent. And if that isn't love, he doesn't know what is.

He lets himself catch his breath, breathing in one last deep sigh, before smoothing a hand over her forehead. "Are you satisfied, or you want more?"

Wrath smiles, her thumbs still lightly caressing his cheeks as he kisses her. "Your face isn't really stupid," she murmurs. "You just make me feel stupid because I like you so much I can't think of anything else when you're around."

Tempting, to push it. She's never been one to say no to an orgasm, so it's very tempting. Wrath hesitates, then shakes her head. "I'm good. As long as you hold me now." Because it's been amazing, just feeling that close, and her stupid back not really getting in the way or making anyone feel bad. She'd rather keep this as close to perfect as it is than end on a sour note by going after something she doesn't really even need. She's satisfied, and warmed, and happy.

He smiles at her remark and closes his eyes for a moment. "It comes naturally," he teases gently, and gives her another quick kiss. Then he carefully rises, crawling away, and gets a washcloth out of the dresser to clean up with before lying back down beside her. "You feel like you can turn on your side?"

"I think so..." she reaches out to take hold of his arm, just for a little more support as she gets turned. Since there's a bit of talking they need to do, facing him seems to be a better idea, so she rolls toward him "Yeah, I think... this is okay." She lets go of his arm and rests her hand on his chest, stroking the skin lightly with her thumb.

He braces her with his hand at her waist as she does that, and once she's settled in he strokes her side. It kind of seems like a shame to start talking about the more unpleasant events of the day but that's really why they're here—it's really why he had needed the comfort of uniting with her in the first place. He drops his gaze for a moment, then leans in to kiss her. "So I met up with her," he says quietly.

She brushes her hand over his cheek when he kisses her, curls her leg over his. "Did it go okay?" she asks.

It's easy to sound neutral, even pleasant, just because he's already allayed a lot of the fears South put in her head. He's here with her, he was certainly interested in her, and he put up with her limitations without acting like it was a chore or like he was doing her a favor. In his arms, it's easy to believe that they're okay, better than okay, and everything that woman said to her had been complete bullshit.

And that means she can focus on North instead of just worrying about herself, and that's better.

"Not really, no." His hand smooths over her hip, down, back up, over her ribs. "She's not my sister, she's a copy that Bifrons made. A clone." He's not frowning, but he certainly does look subdued. "I'm not willing to talk to her about the things me and South need to work through, so she's upset with me. I don't blame her. Honestly I feel that saddling her with what happened wouldn't be fair to her, considering. But she doesn't understand. And I can't help that."

She moves slightly under his touch; it's a natural reaction when she likes his hands so much. But she keeps her gaze fixed on his face, listening, and strokes his cheek as he speaks.

Well, York had told her South was a clone, so she knew that now. She hadn't known it in time to tell North. "I'm sorry," she says quietly. For several things; for the stress on him, for her saying the dumb thing that kind of warned South about that. Does he know about that?

She shifts her hand down to rest on his chest again. "You're the one who's going to still be here. You have to protect yourself, when getting hurt wouldn't do anything."

Having her touch him like this is such a comfort. He keeps on rubbing her side. "That's the way I see it. I don't think that's keeping me from feeling a little guilty for the way I talked to her."

"Feelings don't like listening to logic." She falls silent for a moment, thinking, her thumb still moving over his skin. "I think I'd be worried about you if you didn't feel a little bad. Knowing that she's a clone with a limited lifespan doesn't change that she's still her in all the ways that matter to your heart."

Shit, the fact that she's a raging asshole that eventually thinks you're less important than a shiny new toy doesn't change the fact that you've known her all your life.

"It's a shitty fucking choice, and it's going to hurt no matter what. But I think you made the right decision." She kisses him lightly on the chin.

"I just need to remember it," he mutters. He sighs and scoots down a little so he can lean in and tuck his head in under her chin, resting his forehead against the hollow above her collarbone.

Wrath wraps her arm around his shoulders and rests her chin lightly against his hair. She strokes his shoulder slowly. "I'm sorry this happened," she murmurs. "But I'm glad you're taking care of yourself." And not letting her just manipulate you in to giving her what she wants, even if it tears you apart. She's starting to get the impression that kind of shit happened a lot. "And you're being as kind as you can be. I'm proud of you for that, too."

A hell of a lot kinder than Wrath could manage, that's for sure.

Edited (HTML WHY) 2014-12-27 00:41 (UTC)

He lets out a little hum and sighs again. That's all the more response he's going to give for now, snuggling up a bit closer and closing his eyes.

He doesn't have to keep talking if he doesn't want to. Wrath doesn't really have anything else to offer in the way of words, though, let alone words of wisdom. She's not that smart, and doesn't know what she could say to make him feel better. Hopefully this will help, though. She simply cuddles him a little bit closer, leg curling more against his, hand stroking his back, and nuzzles his hair.

This is how he can relax and he dozes a while before coming to again. "Mn," he mutters, then pulls back carefully. "I suppose we ought to track down some supper."

Wrath hadn't actually fallen asleep; she wasn't really tired. But she'd been happy to hold on to him and just listen to him breathe while he mind wandered. It as a new sort of experience for her, and she'd enjoyed it. "Are you hungry?" She flashes a brief grin with him. "I still want food less than I want to not put on pants, but if you're hungry I can deal with it."

"Ehh...not really." He smiles slightly and tucks his head back under her chin. "This is better. I'm just concerned about Theta coming home and wanting some dinner."

She combs her fingers lightly through his hair and kisses the top of his head. "Is there a time he normally gets home? Am I... am I being in the way again?" She doesn't want to get him in trouble with Theta again. Theta deserves better than to lose out just because she's greedy.

But she's not inclined to let him go, as of yet.

"Yeah, he keeps a pretty regular schedule—for the dog, you know." Which meant he'd be rolling in at about any time.

That still doesn't mean he's all that inclined to move either.

That... didn't really answer her question. Should she ask again? Maybe she just needs to be clearer. Wrath continues to stroke his hair. "Do you need me to get out of here before he gets home?" She likes Theta; he's really nice. She doesn't want to upset him or make him feel that she's... monopolizing North or osmething.

"You don't feel like he wants to avoid you, do you?" he asks with a little frown. He knows that Theta has wanted more of his time but Theta also understands they're seriously in a relationship and that couples spend time together.

"No. I... don't think so?" She hasn't gotten that impression. But she still also doesn't feel like she knows Theta that well, other than that he's really nice. "Do you think he does?" Oh shit. Or no, that's not what he was asking, was it? She might have just confused herself.

Okay, retreat back to facts. Facts are easy. "I'd rather stay with you. I always want to. But I know it was a problem, how much of your time I took up and I just worry." I know I don't deserve it because I'm nothing. You still have the mission and so does Theta. She moves her hand to stroke his cheek. "I just want to be sure I'm not causing you trouble, North. That's all. You're so important to me."

"It should be okay. I'll be sure to make sure it doesn't happen too often for him. We can balance our time to include him." He tilts his head slightly, partly to brush his cheek a little firmly against his hand and partially to give her a sympathetic look. "Don't worry, really. You're important to me, too."

"I wouldn't mind spending more time with him," Wrath offers. "If that would help. I'd actually really like it. He's so nice." And she is happy to have more friends. Theta is important to North, so that makes him really important to her too.

She strokes his cheekbone with her thumb and gives him a smile that's only a little uncertain. "I know. But you both have important things to do. I just... don't want to be a burden. I'm not that important."

It's not something she even intends to say; the words just come out automatically. And she realizes that it's wrong the moment she says it, but it's always there, in her head, even if it's getting slowly worn down by positive input from North and others, and distance from compliance.

The expression in his eyes becomes more serious. "You are. To me and to so many other people. You underestimate the influence you've had on people. And you know you're important to me, just as important as I am to you."

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action

Day 166 | Evening | Action