puppycrush2 | week three

[ It definitely has his eyes snapping open again as his ears both lift up at the feeling of Ritsuka, warmer than usual from her soak in the hot spring, presses up against him. The hug is sudden, but he's taking that as a wordless thanks for the gift, without fully processing that it probably wasn't the tangible item that has her reacting like this.

It's more the shakiness of the sound she makes that has some concern lacing his own voice when he speaks. ]

Ritsuka?

[ His own arm moves to wrap around her loosely, a steadying hand on her upper back as his brows knit together. From this close it's hard to see her face, but he is turning to look at her. ]

[ She won't make it any easier for him by pressing her forehead against his collarbone. Similarly, he's much warmer, but it wasn't like she'd made this kind of contact when he hadn't had much on in the way of clothing. ]

I'm okay.

[ A little raggedly, quietly spoken just for his ears only. Maybe not fully okay, but nothing worth his concern. ]

I just... don't think you get how much that means to me.

[ Not the item itself, necessarily. But the fact that he'd tried so earnestly and so quietly to make her smile. ]

[ Okay seems like a stretch, given what had gone down just the other night between Ritsuka and some of the people she had been befriending. Even if she's feeling sentimental or touched by the admittedly fairly small gesture, he's not sure she would sound quite like this in expressing her gratitude if she was really okay.

But he won't press her on it. Arguing back and forth if she is or isn't okay isn't going to get them anywhere anyway, so he instead lets his hand slide to her side, his arm wrapping around her tighter in a quiet, securing gesture.

It's every bit as pointless and symbolic as asking for snacks to cheer her up in the grand scheme of things, but he remembers times as a kid he still wished he could experience this kind of secure and comforting gesture. ]

Maybe not, but you're getting the point across now.

[ It helps. It's an anchor. She can feel his arm tighten around her and it's grounding and maybe Ritsuka's laugh in response to his reply is a little watery, softer than usual, but it's still genuine. ]

Well, someone said once that "actions speak louder than words." It looks like that's true.

[ It seems to work especially well when she applies it to Lessing, who has said before that he isn't the best at offering advice or saying something encouraging, but that he would listen. Who really only speaks when he's asked something and then does it succinctly and rationally.

But then he sits with her in the darkness of a quiet and otherwise empty kitchen and it's more than enough.

With a quick breath, Ritsuka lifts her head to meet his eyes, smile present but sheepish. ]

But, sorry. We're supposed to be relaxing. I'm locked in now, I promise.

[ He's heard similar sentiments too, and while he isn't always sure that's true for every person out there, he knows that his words are often not going to be enough. If she can actually appreciate what he does have to offer, then...

The return smile is small, it's always small, he's never going to be someone that beams widely at anyone, but it's soft. She does look better than she did the night in the kitchen, but he does decide to be clear about one thing. ]

You don't have to be unless you want to. I said if you wanted to cry, you could. It doesn't change just because we're here instead of at the house.

Oh, I already cried under a table.

[ Matter-of-factly. ]

More importantly, I do want to enjoy this with you. You've been supporting me and sticking by me this whole time, and spending time with you is... [ One furry ear flicks, thoughtfully. ] ... important to me.

I know I could cry in front of you and you'd be okay with it, but more than that, Lessing, it's easier to smile when it's with you.

[ ... What.

He'll let the confusing table comment go though, because the last statement takes him by surprise. His eyes widen just slightly, his ears lift a little, and he stares at her like he's not fully certain how to process what she just said to him. ]

I don't think anyone's ever said that to me before...

[ While people have been relieved to see him when they can offload difficult people onto him, no one has told him that it's easier to smile around him. He gets called gloomy, serious, unemotional, and sorts of other less than flattering descriptions often enough that the idea someone is genuinely happier when he's around is...

It's strange, that's for sure, but he can feel the way his stomach tightens slightly at the thought. ]

Then you can count me as the first!

[ Complete with a smile, like she said. He's good company, whether he seems to believe it or not, though she'll spare them both and loosen her grip on him. ]

Probably not the last, but if that's the case, I'll proudly take that title too.

[ He feels like she'll probably be the last, but he appreciates the sentiment none-the-less. ]

Alright, I will...

[ He's quiet for a second, taking it in, her words, his concern for her, the comfort that's settling into this quiet moment in the hot springs. ]

Thanks.

week three | dates

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