[It took her only moments to air that protest before her words locked in her throat. She could just say them. Just to have gotten them out. It wasn't as if anyone else was going to hear. They had all been ragged, pushing themselves to their very limits. The only person who would hear was the one set of ears who actually needed to hear.]
...It... isn't like that at all. I mean. Y-yes, of course I want to protect everyone. But that's not what I was... That's not at all what I was saying.
[And most of that was lost to her murmur and the telltale flush of her cheeks. What he followed up with sobered her almost immediately. Assuming she wasn't already like so to begin with. Pointless. She didn't think anything she had to say was pointless. She didn't like that he thought that of her. But he must have meant it in some way. Or truly believed it.
His touch found her shoulder and for some moments, she found herself looking at him almost imploringly. Until he coaxed her to his lap and after a moment's consideration, she conceded, a softening of her expression, somehow hardened by their experiences and yet so fragile beneath the strength she had to portray for others. Setting her attention back onto the fire, as she carefully made herself comfortable, taking a similar amount of care with her horns, she lifted a hand, a slender arm, and carefully curled her hold about his leg. Perhaps tighter than he would have liked, but enough for her to feel secure.]
...I just want to lie here with you. I just want to be close to you. I feel safest like that. I won't talk anymore if that's what bothers you. Just let me stay with you, Astarion.
no subject
[It took her only moments to air that protest before her words locked in her throat. She could just say them. Just to have gotten them out. It wasn't as if anyone else was going to hear. They had all been ragged, pushing themselves to their very limits. The only person who would hear was the one set of ears who actually needed to hear.]
...It... isn't like that at all. I mean. Y-yes, of course I want to protect everyone. But that's not what I was... That's not at all what I was saying.
[And most of that was lost to her murmur and the telltale flush of her cheeks. What he followed up with sobered her almost immediately. Assuming she wasn't already like so to begin with. Pointless. She didn't think anything she had to say was pointless. She didn't like that he thought that of her. But he must have meant it in some way. Or truly believed it.
His touch found her shoulder and for some moments, she found herself looking at him almost imploringly. Until he coaxed her to his lap and after a moment's consideration, she conceded, a softening of her expression, somehow hardened by their experiences and yet so fragile beneath the strength she had to portray for others. Setting her attention back onto the fire, as she carefully made herself comfortable, taking a similar amount of care with her horns, she lifted a hand, a slender arm, and carefully curled her hold about his leg. Perhaps tighter than he would have liked, but enough for her to feel secure.]
...I just want to lie here with you. I just want to be close to you. I feel safest like that. I won't talk anymore if that's what bothers you. Just let me stay with you, Astarion.