driftfleet | (no subject)

[She kisses his temple.] All I meant by bringing it up is that you aren't the only reason he's staying home.

That's -- making me feel better on one hand and so much worse on another.

That's my specialty, remember?

That's a joke, right.

[ because he really doesn't have it in him to be encouraging right now. ]

Since you asked and didn't laugh I'm not sure it deserves to be called that, but that was the intent. [She doesn't need encouragement. She kisses his temple.]

That's not a testament of your comedic skills, I still think you have a future there.

[ it's just an everything-is-going-wrong sort of day. ]

Good. I'm glad my dreams of being a comedian aren't dashed. [Gently touching his face. It's the last thing on her mind right now.]

[ the gentle touching brings a softer sort of smile out of him. ]

They endure.

[It's nice to see.] Just like the rest of us.

Just like the rest of us.

[ he's just gonna lie down and rest his head in her lap now, ok. today has been exhausting. ]

[She is going to gently stroke his hair. She loves this boy so much. She wishes she could do more for him. But she will do this for as long as he needs and if he falls asleep all the better.]

[ this does help. after a moment, he mumbles a little sleepily. ]

You still owe me a song.

[ if you thought he forgot about the wind beneath my wings promise, you are wrong. sascha could have tried to eat him again, and he still wouldn't have forgotten that. ]

[It takes her a moment to remember what he's even talking about and then she laughs lightly before she thinks a minute trying to remember the beginning of the song. They had to sing it once for a school play when she was very young otherwise this would be all chorus. It will still probably be mostly chorus and she sings softly to hide that she can't really sing.]

♫ It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind. ♫

[ it's one of those songs, the kind he never really listened to. wow, do those lyrics feel appropriate to his life.

he just lies there comfortably, listening. it's a pretty great distraction. ]

[She is also realizing how appropriate that is. Too appropriate? But she keeps singing and gently stroking his hair.]

♫ So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings. ♫

[ is it really lame that it's kind of making him feel like crying? it's been a hard night, and the power of cheese is great.

he doesn't cry, but his eyes do sparkle with the beginning of something. ]

♫ It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you. ♫

[She's about to hit the chorus again when she notices that sparkle.] Hey...

[ don't ask him why it's there, he doesn't even know if she sees that song as appropriate, she made a joke about singing it earlier so she's singing it now, but still hearing those lyrics from her hit him somewhere deep inside. ]

I'm pretty sure that's not part of the song - [ weakest joke, but he doesn't really know what else to say. ] but I could be wrong.

[She runs the back of her fingers across his cheek and starts humming before going back into the chorus more softly than before.]

[ he tries to take a discrete but soothing breath. ]

[She is very aware. She finishes the song and just watches him.] I love you, Winn. You're safe with me.

I know I am.

[ he doesn't doubt that. despite the fact the fleet is full of powerful and dangerous people, never has he doubted kitty's ability to keep him safe, if she happens to be around when he's in danger. ]

I wasn't scared. [ okay, he was, but not nearly as much as he thought he'd be. it was just a back-of-the-mind sort of fear, should the atroma decide to glitch sascha again. ]

What were you feeling?

[ the thought of telling her is stressful too. what if she'll think less of him? it'll seem so stupid if he wasn't afraid, won't it? will she understand? ]

Stressed. Overwhelmed. [ pressured, cornered. but how can he say that without seeming like he's pointing a finger? ]

[She doesn't think there's any wrong way to feel. She just wants to understand so maybe she can begin to help.]

Did you feel like that before we found out about Bigby or after?