highfiving | (no subject)

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[ it's a few days after their trip to the hot springs, and leia has come down with a cold— it's nothing serious, just sniffling and sneezing, the occasional headache, and a slightly-higher-than-normal temperature— but considering all of the good things that the trip brought, it's a small price to pay. resolving the problems she had with alvin and taking the first (admittedly really big) step toward having a relationship together was probably worth a few days of feeling less than stellar.

especially since she can bug him without feeling too terribly guilty, since she's not just his friend anymore. that's still a really novel idea, given that this is her first real relationship, and she... may or may not have been taking advantage of that by talking to him a little more than usual. it's nothing too ridiculous— since she's sick and she can't drop by his place and bother him in-person, she's just been sending more texts and calls than usual his way— but still. considering how bad things had been between them before the trip, being able to talk to him freely feels pretty nice.

it's also something she does when she's starting to feel a little stir crazy from being cooped up inside. it's only day two of her cold, but calling into work sick and not having anything to do gets old fast for someone like her; she's quick to get restless. she's already jotted down some ideas for her next big article and talked to all of their friends about her new relationship (elize and elle wanted details, specifically). she's watched all of the shows she's behind on, done some light cleaning— which was probably a mistake, since it leaves her feeling worse than before— and now she's lounging around in bed, wrapped up in blankets and surrounded by a small army of pillows and stuffed animals.

so, naturally, she texts alvin. she'd call him, but it's closer to the middle of the day than the evening, and she's not sure if he's busy with work, so... it's probably better to play it safe. ]

hey!!! ☆ﾐ(o*･ω･)ﾉ im still sick and i could use a little company |･ω･｀) its getting pretty lonely around here! (シ_ _)シ feel like dropping by?? ♡(*´∀｀*)人(*´∀｀*)♡

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[...And now he's feeling a little awkward because he knows she means that. And the whole concept is still really sinking in.]

A lot, huh?

[It's still kind of teasing, but there's a little less of that humor in his voice, instead replaced by something of a more contemplative tone. His hands might also be moving a little so that his fingers play with her hair a bit, as if to distract himself from that awkwardness. But it's not a bad feeling. He finds that he likes the idea.]

[ that gets her to deflate a little— a small part of her was expecting the worst, like him being put off by that, but the way his voice sounds coupled with the feeling of his hand playing with her hair are reassuring, in a way. ]

Yeah, a lot. [ and now instead of just plain awkward, she's starting to feel flustered. there's another brief pause before she continues: ] That's okay with you, right?

[There's a small, light chuckle as he closes his eyes.]

We're dating, aren't we? I'd think it'd be part of the package deal.

[So there's his pseudo-joke response, but he'll give her a real one, too.]

But yeah, it's fine. It's kind of nice, actually.

[ and there goes the last of the tension she was holding onto. she even scoots a little closer to him so she can slip an arm around him again. ]

That's a relief! I was kind of worried for a second there. [ the fact that she can actually admit that to him is probably proof that she isn't anymore, though. ] I thought it might be a little soon to say stuff like that.

[ because even if she was only alluding to it instead of actually saying it, it's still a big step for someone like her— both in regards to her romantic history prior to their relationship, and because the relationship is still new in general. ]

Were you really worried about something like that? [Again comes the teasing. But he has his arm around her now.] I thought you would be the type to say what you feel a lot. [Unlike him, who usually expresses himself through roundabout ways or jokes before he really gets to the heart of it, and usually only during really deep or serious moments. Again, easy to say things carelessly, but not so much when he really means it.]

Hey, this is still new to me!

[ and she ducks her head slightly, because this is still embarrassing, even if he's not running off on her or anything like that. ]

Just wait 'til I get used to it. Then you'll hear it all the time.

[ which is partially her puffing herself up, and partially the truth. even if she's more open about her feelings than he is, after spending so much time chasing someone who definitely didn't feel the same (and then briefly chasing alvin, in a way), she couldn't help but hesitate. then again, if it's always as easy as this, there's not really much to lose. ]

This is kind of new to me, too, you know.

But this is actually a side of you I've never seen before...gotta admit, it's kind of cute.

[Let's see how many times he can call her "cute" and get her flustered.]

What, you mean the "totally adorable, loving girlfriend" side of me?

[ she's trying to be cheeky or maybe even joke around with him a little, but the fact that she's definitely starting to blush probably doesn't help much. ]

Maaaybe.

[Although hearing her say it like that also made him feel a little awkward.]

It doesn't feel too different from the usual you, but I do wonder what else I'll get to see.

I dunno! I guess you'll just have to wait and find out.

[ because it's not like she's going to show all of her cards right off the bat, so to speak. she might be affectionate, but she still has a ~*delicate maiden's heart. ]

Though, I've gotta admit, this makes me wonder if you have a super-secret loving side, too.

[..."Delicate," uh huh—]

I'll find out sooner or later, that's for sure. As for my secret side... Well you already know one of them.

[Devious grin.]

[ she is the most delicate! ]

What, the side of you that's a total perv? [ because that grin just looks lecherous to her. or maybe that's just his face. zing. ] I'm pretty sure that wasn't a secret, you know.

[Ouch, the sting.]

Secret enough. It's not like you really knew about it at first, right? It counts.

[What a way to stretch the term "secret."]

It does not!

[ he can't just change what words mean like that, okay. ]

I knew that before I knew any of the important stuff about you, so it's not a real secret.

Really? Now when you say you "knew," do you just mean the general idea of how great I am or are we talking about some other details that you some snooped up?

I didn't know anything about that! [ which might be playing into his hand, since she's not denying anything about him being great, but. that's not important. ] I just meant that it'd be kind of hard not to tell that you were into stuff like that!

Now I'm starting to wonder what you did think about and what preconceived notions you might have had.

[They had such a loving, touching moment and it reverted back to this. Such is their relationship. Such will be their life.]

I dunno! I guess I just figured that you'd know what you were doing. It's not like I thought about it a bunch beforehand or anything.

[ ... and she's turning red again. why is he always like this. maybe she should just go back to pining for jude while she still has the chance. ]

[The question of why she likes him springs eternal.]

Not even one little naughty daydream during your little crush?

[He probably should stop teasing her, but he's too far on a roll to notice any real discomfort he might be inflicting.]

[ plot twist: she doesn't actually like him. it was all a lie. ]

N— no way! Why would I do something like that?!

[ except now she's turning even redder, so it's entirely possible that he has hit the nail on the head. please put her out of her misery. ]

[Wow. Now who's the liar and traitor?

But he's noticing that deep flush and he's not thinking it's a fever. A hand moves from its idle resting place down to her side, his voice lowering just slightly.]

Now why do I find that hard to believe? But if you don't want to tell me, maybe I can try guessing.

[Via "recreating" a few basic moves and gestures he could easily imagine she thought about while teasing her at the same time.]

[ she's quick to pluck his hand from where it's resting on her side and hold onto it tightly, in hopes of discouraging him from putting it back there. he's really pushing it, and even though she isn't mad (yet), she's definitely getting more flustered by the minute. ]

There's nothing to tell you, and there's nothing for you to guess, either! And even if I did think about any of that stuff, it wouldn't be any of your business, anyway.

[ except it probably would be, since he would be the focus of her thoughts in this clearly completely hypothetical scenario. ]

[—And there's his clue, whoops.]

Whoa, okay. I was just teasing you a little.

[Or a lot. He expected some resistance or protest, but not quite that much.]

[ just like a charm, she deflates and loosens her hold on his hand. she doesn't quite let go (though he could easily pull away from her if he wanted to) but she's not squeezing it anymore, either. it's more like it would be if she were casually holding his hand. ]

Yeah, well... you made me sound like a total creep! And it wasn't even that funny.

[ if she weren't the target of his teasing, it would probably be a lot funnier, but that's her life. ]

Aw, come on. [He doesn't move away, his hand naturally shifting to take on more of that hand holding position.] Nothing to be ashamed about. It's natural! Especially among growing adolescents reaching adulthood.

[Although it is a little odd referring to her age like that due to the age difference thing still a little bit of a "touchy" subject for their new relationship, the jokes also helps him play down the potential awkwardness. Well, for him at least.]