highfiving | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ 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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[ 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.]

I'm not ashamed!

[ though being referred to like that does make her feel a little... weird. is that how he sees her? but she shakes her head a little (no need to get caught up on such a small detail, even if she might press him about it later) and then continues: ]

It'd just be weird if I thought about you like that while we were just friends, right? I mean, it's not like you would've thought about me like that before we got together.

[ now it wouldn't surprise her much, but back then? she wouldn't have viewed it quite so casually. ]

...Well...

[Alvin can be pretty casual about this kind of topic, both due to the fact of his age as well because of his own personality. He can also understand how weird the notion is since he had to deal with it back when he was first realizing his feelings. So that's the only hint she gets that maybe he might be thinking otherwise to her statements.]

[ hint received! it takes her a minute, but her eyebrows shoot up, and she pushes herself up a little so that she's propped up on one elbow. so much for settling down and resting. ]

Wait— you weren't thinking about that stuff before we got together, right?

Only after I really realized my feelings, and even then they were cut short whenever they popped up. [Since. You know. Weirdness.] For the record, they were pretty tame.

[Mostly wanting to hold her. Or kiss her. Nothing past that, but usually it was the second part that made the metaphorical record screech and he had to mentally punch himself.]

But I know how weird it is. Even I was weirded out by it at the time at first, but they probably also helped me see the truth about things. [Because why else would he even have those thoughts then? Timing is key here.]

You know, the more you tell me about that, the more I wish I could go back in time and smack you.

[ because they both could have been saved a lot of trouble if he told her that he was thinking those things instead of pushing her away or hiding how he felt. but she can't be too mad, because she settles back down, curling her arm around him just a little tighter. ]

It does make me feel a little better, though. [ and she pauses for a moment. ] I thought about some stuff, too. But only a little bit, and it wasn't anything dirty.

[ so he doesn't need to get the wrong idea. ]

Haha...to be fair, you would have deserved every right to. I probably would have joined in, too, with a pretty hard kick.

[He knows he screwed up big time. He's done a lot of screw-ups, but that? It hit way high up there and that's saying a lot.

And while he could tease her about her admission...the thoughts about the weeks before has dimmed his early enthusiasm, so he just rests his chin against the top of her head as he continues to hold her.]

So which is better—the real thing or the imagination?

[...Okay, he can do a little teasing. But his voice has much less of that joking tone to it.]

[ she almost says something reassuring about how she's not mad or upset— not anymore, at least— or maybe even that she'd kick his butt hard enough for the both of them, but that second part... ]

Well, in my imagination you didn't pick on me so much. [ if it weren't for their position, she would grin up at him, but he should at least be able to hear the smile in her voice. ] But the real thing might be just a little bit better. I think the real you is a better kisser, too.

[ there. she can tease sometimes, too. ]

What? A little? [Again his tone isn't as robust as it was before, but he does pull her closer into a tighter hug.] Guess I'll have to prove you wrong.

Yep, only a little.

[ and now she shifts so that she can look up at him, bringing a hand up to press her fingers to his lips— just in case. ]

I wouldn't say no to you proving me wrong, but that'll have to wait. [ because even if they've kissed once, it wouldn't be a good idea to push it and do it again. she used to be a nurse. she knows these things well. ] Think you'll be able to manage?

[There's a slight look of surprise as he first glances at her and then at her fingers.]

It'll be hard. ...But I think I can manage. [And his lips may be slightly moving to lightly brush against her fingertips for a bit of a sensual (and a little bit of teasing) kiss.]

[ that gets another smile from her, and she (slowly, because she doesn't quite mind the feeling of his lips on her fingers) moves her hand. ]

All right! I have faith in you. [ and her smile softens a little as she lays her hand against his chest, giving it a light pat. ] It'd suck if you got sick because of me, anyway. You'd have to take time off work, and I'd have to take care of you, and we wouldn't be able to go out or anything.

[ that's extra incentive. ]

[There's a light grin in return as he resettles, enjoying the feeling of her against his chest like this.]

You know, not all of that sounded bad.

[Alvin, don't play hooky from your job. Fortunately he's apparently too professional for that.]

What, you mean the part where I'd end up having to play nurse for you?

[ of course, she realizes that he was probably talking about being able to skip out on work, but she's comfortable and the atmosphere is good, so cracking a few jokes couldn't hurt. ]

Exactly. After having to take care of you the past few times, I think I deserve a turn.

[Although, she had taken care of him once before. ...It had just been a rather awkward time back then, too.]

[ she would have taken care of him when he hit his head on their date, but he just had to be stubborn about it... ]

Well, don't think I'm gonna give you my germs just so you can have a turn. [ there's that happy tone in her voice again, but her face is getting close to being buried against his chest at this point, so he might not be able to see her smile. ] And if you call me up in a couple days with a cold, I'll just drop off some of that medicine you gave me and call it a day.

Aw, come on. No "tender loving care" treatment? Not even delivering it in a nurse outfit?

If you went and got yourself sick on purpose, then I dunno if you'd qualify for that treatment. [ though, that's not entirely true. she would probably try hard to take care of him, regardless of the situation, if he really was sick. ] Besides, I don't even have a nurse's outfit, unless you want me to squeeze into some of my old clothes.

...That's not exactly a bad image, you know.

[Girl in a too tight clothing? Never bad. Never.]

[ should she be horrified or impressed by his ability to turn everything into something dirty, though, is the real question. ]

Then consider it off the table! [ since the point is to discourage him from getting sick. ] Maybe I'll do what you said you'd do, and make Jude take care of you instead.