Pictures in the Dark

[formidable]

General PSL/FUNBOX post for aurajen and formidable. Lots of OC shenanigans. ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

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[infusion]

[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!

[dilatory]

[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...?

[infusion]

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?

[dilatory]

[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.

[infusion]

... 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!

[dilatory]

[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.]

[infusion]

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.]

[dilatory]

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.]

[infusion]

[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!

[dilatory]

[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.

[infusion]

[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?

[dilatory]

[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?

[infusion]

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.

[dilatory]

[He arches a brow, looking at her like such a thing couldn't really be possible.] I think you'd have to try really, really hard to scare me away, Iona.

[He's curious about her, too, of course. He supposes he could make an educated guess at the answer, but since they're talking about it now, he decides to ask.] So, um, what about you?

[infusion]

... Yeah. I've been in one.

[There's no point trying to skirt around it. Iona sinks a little bit more into Michael. She's missed this kind of warmth.]

I was serious about it, but in the end we just drifted apart naturally.

[dilatory]

...Ah. [That would have been his guess; most people around his age had dabbled in a relationship by now, serious or otherwise. Iona, who had such a magnetic personality, well, he figured that she would have little problems finding someone who would appreciate her as the person she was.

(Of course, that doesn't stop him from holding her just a little closer, without really thinking about it.)]

That's just... life, you know? I didn't really expect your answer to be the same as mine. And it doesn't bother me, either.

[All of the above is true. A part of him wants to ask for more details, but he decides against it. That wasn't the point of this conversation, he figures.]

[infusion]

[Iona grins cheekily.]

Well, in any case, that means, I'm your first! I feel lucky.

[And there she goes, saying whatever she wants!]

[dilatory]

[Ah, she's making him flustered again, and he can't hide it as well when he's this close to her. He makes an attempt at a joke to try to hide it.]

Just remember not to be too rough on the newbie.

[infusion]

Ah, I'll try to remember, but I make no promises.

[iona what does that mean!?]

[dilatory]

[What does that mean, indeed?! He doesn't know how to approach that, and his lips quirk into a grin.]

That's not very reassuring. Should I be scared?

[infusion]

We'll see! I'll start off easy with you though. This?

[She pats his arm around her.]

This is easy.

[dilatory]

Hey, and I'm acing it.

[A beat.] What's considered difficult, then? [That's not a legitimate question. He's not being naive; he's been flirty, in his own little way.]

[infusion]

[Iona's quiet for a few seconds before she turns around to face Michael, and she puts her arms around his neck to caress his shoulders.]

I think this could be! Depending on how you feel of course?

[She says this oh so sweetly.]

[dilatory]

[O-oh, he wasn't expecting that. She's really close now, facing him, and he once again finds himself in a position he's never had to deal with before. Her scent alone is enough to make his heart beat faster in his chest, as much as he tells it to calm down.

Not that he dislikes this at all. Quite the opposite. Her sweet tone is complimented to his, which is low and a little flustered.]

I like this. [His other free arm moves to embrace her fully, without him really commanding it to.] I think I can handle it, maybe more.

[infusion]

Feeling your cold go away yet?

[She's joking, but isn't breaking her gaze away from him. This is sweet, he's sweet, and his shoulders are just a little broader than hers. They feel supportive like he is and that's what Iona is treasuring at this very moment.]