sweethymns | Pictures in the Dark

[It doesn't take Michael very long to fall asleep once he allows the drowsiness of his medicine to morph into full-blown sleep. It's a sound sleep, and the young man barely moves from his initial position, his comforter strewn across him haphazardly.

It's a lengthy nap, too, the kind where when he wakes up, he has to blink away his sleep for a few minutes before he can awaken fully. He rubs at his eyes, heaving a sigh; it takes him a moment to remember that Iona and Oren were here as well, when he hears faint footfalls coming from the main living area.

At least he feels a bit better. He has more energy, too.

He plans on getting up to see how they're doing, but right now he's just gonna sit up and stretch out his arms.]

[It doesn't take long for Iona to poke her head in with a tray with a small bowl of the porridge, napkins, and a cup of hot tea.]

Hey there, Sunshine! Just woke up?

[Oh, hi Iona. Michael looks over at the doorway, seeing her smiling face. He gives a lopsided grin in return.]

Yeah. I'm feeling a little better now. Though I probably could have slept for 12 more hours if I really wanted to.

What you got there?

Some chicken rice porridge and some tea that will hopefully lessen that cold of yours. [She's also dragging in a chair with her other hand so that she can put it next to Michael's bed before she sets down the tray on a flat surface, such as the dresser table.]

It should be easy for you to eat since it's nothing complicated or solid. But it'll make you feel better.

[He sits up straighter, resting his back against the headboard as she draws closer. Now that his sense of smell isn't so clogged, the tea and porridge wafting in his direction is beyond inviting.]

Hey, thanks... [He offers, though it feels like the word isn't enough to really show how much gratitude he's feeling. Maybe it's the newness of the relationship, but he can't help but feel eternally lucky every time he so much as gazes at her.]

I struck the cosmic lottery jackpot, you know that? [It's a random statement if you're not following his line of thinking, but the exclamation is related to his previous thoughts of being a very fortunate young man right now.]

You're welcome!

[Her brand of kindness was directed towards everyone and it could be overwhelming; Oren has said as much to Iona. Sometimes it made her wonder if she does try too hard seeing as how she's expressed this insecurity towards Michael already.

But now she and Michael are something else. And Iona, like with everything else in her life, wants to put effort into this, to show that it really is serious and that it matters.

So when he makes that remark, Iona blinks at him and lightly chuckles as she seats herself next to him.]

You think so too huh?

[They really are lucky. She feels so fortunate to have met him.]

[If his heart skips a beat at hearing those words, he's totally ignoring it. Instead he jokes lightly, scooting a little closer:]

Yeah, I'm sure you feel really lucky having to take care of me like this. I'm real exciting, taking long naps and breaking a world record in how many tissues I'm using to blow my nose.

[She rolls her eyes playfully and pokes his cheek with her left finger.]

Don't get too fired up now. I'm sure there's only so many tissue boxes in the world to keep up with you.

And besides, I don't mind. It's a good first step as any!

[He gives a scoff, but it's good-natured.]

Maybe, but I still owe you one for this. Take a raincheck on whatever you want to do in the future, once I'm over this cold. [He has to show his appreciation somehow.]

Edited 2016-06-16 20:24 (UTC)

You know, we're always doing whatever I happen to come up with. So I could say the same to you.

[She hands him a cup of tea, green with a touch of honey and lemon, first.]

And considering we just started... Checking up on you is the least I could do.

Everything you've come up with so far has turned out just fine in the end. [How can he complain about the Ferris wheel, after all? Still, he acquiesces, nodding.] But maybe I'll figure out some kind of outing just for us, soon.

[But for now, he takes the tea, sipping at it. The warmth is comforting and also seems to clear up his sinuses enough to help him breathe properly.]

How's Oren doing out there?

[Speaking of which, the both receive a text from the golem at the same time.]

Went back.

[Iona stares at the text on her phone screen. And then looks up at Michael. Back at the screen. Vice versa.

Ah.]

Oh. So. Just us!

[He hears his phone buzz and leans over to grab at it, since it's nearby on the nightstand. He blinks down at the text, and comes to the realization around the same time as Iona does.]

...Oh. Yeah, just us.

[Suddenly knowing that it's just him and Iona, in his bedroom no less, and no Oren wandering around outside of his room makes him a little more self-conscious of the situation. He's totally casually taking another sip of his tea before putting his phone down, not shy at all, nope.]

Hope.... that he didn't get bored cleaning...?

He should be done! There wasn't that much to clean although it is kind of an improvement. You'll really like it when you see, I'm sure!

[Iona, calm yourself!? She's also suddenly self-conscious although, she is trying to just sit in her place and not shift her feet.]

Um... The tea. The tea's good?

Edited 2016-06-17 03:59 (UTC)

[Let's both be self-conscious and awkward together!]

The tea's great. It's helping unclog my nose. ...Er, information I'm sure you didn't have to know, but still.

[Agh, why does he have to be so awkward? He doesn't have enough experience with this whole dating and being a boyfriend thing, so most of the time he doesn't know what to say or do when it comes right down to it. He fidgets a bit too, his heart beating a little faster, taking one more sip of tea and setting it down on the nightstand next to his phone.

He glances at Iona, searching for words. The least he can do is not delegate her to sit in that chair all day, if they're going to spend some time together. It hardly seems right, or all that comfortable for a long period of time.]

You can, um, sit where ever you want. That chair's got a wobbly leg, anyway... [He clears his throat, not wanting his next statement to be taken too boldly; he's just trying to be nice.] The bed might be more comfortable.

... You know what? Don't mind if I do!

[So she gets off of her chair and sits right next to Michael on the bed. Whether it was awkward or not, Iona didn't seem to mind, just that he's letting her be close to him.]

You're right. This is comfy!

[Oh man, she's so disarmingly cute when she's eager and enthusiastic like that, and Michael bites at his lower lip, completely at a loss -- because let's be real, he's never given any real thought to the possibility of Iona sitting this close to him in his bed. He tells himself not to overthink it, but it's easier said than done.]

It's a mattress that's... served me well...?

[An internal groan follows. Really, self? He closes his eyes and sighs, then gives her an apologetic smile.]

That came out weird. Sorry I'm so awkward, I'm just not used to being this close to a pretty girl.

[At least he can make a quick little save with a compliment that also doubles as the truth.]

Ah? [She's not helping with that teasing look of hers as her legs dangle a bit off the bed.]

I'd be surprised if you of all people made an intentional innuendo towards me. And thank you for calling me pretty.

[He gets rewarded with Iona leaning against his arm briefly before she straightens back up.]

It was definitely not intentional. Definitely accidental. And I only called you pretty because it's true.

[When she leans against him, his embarrassment doesn't make him shirk away; it just makes him feel odd little butterflies in his stomach, a sensation he supposes he's going to have to get used to for awhile. And when she straightens, he's almost disappointed she didn't stay closer longer.

He swallows. He told himself that he would work on being more courageous, and he doesn't see himself doing that right now. So he makes a decision, and reaches out an arm to draw her closer to him, a clear act of affection.]

[There's a small, "Oh!" when Michael puts his arm around her and Iona while definitely surprised, happily obliges him by scooting a little closer and placing her hands on said arm as if she's giving him a hug from where she is.]

This is nice isn't it? You're so nice. That's what I like about you!

[Yep, holding her closer is definitely the source of the butterflies in his stomach, but it makes him happy -- and it makes her happy too, which is probably the best part of the whole thing.

He laughs lightly.] It's the least I can do. [He feels like she's helped him a lot in his own personal growth, even if it's only just starting, and holding her close to him is really the least he can do.] You've already done a lot for me.

[She nuzzles her nose into his arm, thinking. It's all well and good, dreamlike even to be able to spend time with him like this. But Iona knows that if she's going to be serious, one can't just leap head on into all the sweetness and affection (it's always the good part though).

It's important to know anyways, so she asks...]

Is... Is this your first time being in a relationship Michael?

[The question isn't one he's expecting, but he isn't exactly surprised to hear it. If he thought about it, it was likely to come up at some point in time, and with the two of them alone like this, it's as good of a time as any.]

A... relationship that I'd actually like to be serious about, yes. [He's had the odd date or two in college, and while he had nothing against any of them, they just didn't work out. Iona had an understanding of him that he hadn't allowed anyone else to possess in a long, long time.] Like I said, I don't have a lot of experience in this sort of thing... [He hesitates.] Is that going to be okay?

That's totally fine.

[Her voice is firm, showing that he didn't need to have any doubts right at that moment.]

It helps knowing where you're coming from actually. That way I don't have to scare you too early.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject