[ She takes the bag and he follows her into the room, still frowning. ]
Yes. [ And then clearly moving back to the original topic: ]
You shouldn't have to sleep on the couch. [ Though he's honestly not sure he would fit. It's fine. He's a guest. Taking her bed feels wrong. ]
We could just— [ He stops mid sentence, realizing what he was about to suggest. And then feels a blush work its way to the tips of his ears. Too forward. They've done it before, when they'd both been too drunk to go to their separate beds. But that had been a different circumstance.
Also, his bed was bigger. This would put them much closer. ]
[ he still seems ready to argue, and inej arches her eyebrows, ready to argue in return when he suddenly stops talking. and his cheeks become pink, and he averts his eyes, and inej realizes what he had almost suggested.
she should let it go. he’s clearly mortified. but some small part of her feels a certain want. remembering how warm he felt. and she hasn’t actually physically seen him in ages.
so— ]
What, share?
[ she ignores the blush for now, though she takes note of it. it’s cute, in a weird way. ]
[ He catches the unimpressed arch of her brows and is ready for the sharp retort. Or possibly for her to ignore the awkwardness and move on. Sometimes he couldn't tell when she was going to push or when she was going to let it slide.
Apparently this is one of those former moments. ]
I don't need that much space.
[ His face definitely feels like it's still burning. But as much as he's nervous that he's took it too far, he also wonders if she'll agree. It wasn't like that one time they shared was a bad experience. In fact it had been...good. Too good. He feels a familiar tug to pull her close, like they had been when they'd woken up after that night of drinking.
Though he's not sure friends would typically do such a thing. Maybe they would. Maybe he's overthinking this. As usual.
Because really this is just a logical compromise. He doesn't want her giving up her bed and she thinks he should sleep there while she takes the couch. Awkward. ]
[ she watches him for a moment before she shrugs her shoulders, inclining her head toward the bed. ]
If that is what it takes to make sure you don’t sleep on the floor with that leg of yours.
[ because that is precisely where he’ll be if he tries to sleep on that futon. but inej moves past that, patting his arm as she moves back into the living room, saying: ]
You are the color of the house next door, relax. Are you hungry?
[ The tension break when she shrugs, though he's still worrying about it. A bit. ]
I won't sleep on the floor.
[ He's made that mistake a few times with his leg, when he was younger. Never again. ]
A little. [ After, he swallows and takes a slow breath in. Calm down. She's not taking this as seriously. The breath is released just as slowly and he can feel his blush going away. ]
[ she moves to the kitchen, giving him the space to explore around the apartment if he so chooses. tugging open the fridge reveals a lot of packages of food, clearly leftovers of some kind packaged with care. but she fishes out a pitcher filled with some type of iced tea to set on the small counter, along with a container of small sandwiches. ]
Sit, you must be tired.
[ a little chiding, as she pours a glass of tea for them both, moving to set it on the counter. it's some type of mint green tea, clearly homemade, and she balances the glasses of tea on top of the container as she moves to sit on the couch, setting the glasses on the table with a smile in his direction. ]
You're going to need your strength if you want to tour Os Kervo, and Ravka. I have a full itinerary for you.
[ He does follow, a bit behind as usual, focusing in on the small details. What her textbooks are, how she's arranged the main living room. Briefly, he steps closer to the door to the balcony, peeking towards either side. Seems like a nice place to sit, though a bit too sunny for him to stay for any long period of time.
Which means, of course, it suits Inej perfectly.
Taking her gentle admonishment, he does finally take a seat, breathing out a low sigh as he stretches his leg out. Part of him doesn't want to be sitting, because he'd done that on the plane for long enough. At the same time, he'd been too worked up and there hadn't been enough leg room for him to properly relax. This is much better. Even if he's still thinking about whether it was a mistake to suggest that they share a bed. ]
[ nonchalantly, as she offers him a sandwich. it's some type of chicken salad, with cucumbers and a vinegary dressing on a rye bread. small enough to be a snack, more than anything else. he had said he was only a little hungry. ]
Bookstores, museums, the local market . . . we could take a train to the capital, if you really want to see it.
[ a bunch of high society rich people doesn't sound like a lot of fun to inej, but the architecture is pretty magnificent, along with the palace. ]
My parents will probably want to have dinner with us every night, so accounting for that, too -- you have a full week or so ahead of you.
[ Everywhere, she says, clearly having thought it all out. Enough that it doesn't phase her at all and she starts listing off places to go, as she hands over a sandwich. Which he takes, because coffee and a granola bar are several hours behind him. He takes a sip of the iced tea as well, feeling his stomach settle a bit. ]
Let's work through your list first. [ The capital could be neat but he also trusts her to know what he'd be interested in more. She's already got his interest with mentioning museums and bookshops. ]
They'll be over tonight, then?
[ Clearly that makes him nervous. He shouldn't be. But he is. He wants to make a good impression, since he's sure they're going to be wary of Inej's strange foreigner friend. ]
Or we're going over there? [ Somehow that makes him more anxious. ]
I thought we could go over there; they have more room.
[ it’s said easily enough, as Inej takes a bite of her own sandwich — but she knows Kaz pretty well. having lived with him, and witnessing his good moods and bad moods. he’s a naturally anxious person with a lot of weird tics, which suits Inej just fine. she’s not exactly normal, either.
at any rate, it’s because she knows Kaz that he can tell he’s nervous, for some reason. about meeting her parents. so she says: ]
[ It makes sense, to go over. Her apartment isn't exactly the most spacious. And even though she does have a kitchen table, it's a bit cramped in the corner. Definitely meant for quick meals or short stints of sitting.
There's also the matter of her introducing him to them. Which seems a bit silly to have them come over and do.
He reasons this out as he eats half of his sandwich, trying not to let the nerves get the best of him. Which they still are. But he's trying. ]
I believe you, just— [ He's anxious all the same. Inej is his good friend and he wants to make a good impression. And he's not sure he will, considering how awkward he can be. Meeting new people in a non-business situation is difficult for him. Not for the last time he wishes he had some of Jesper's talent with people. ]
[ ah, dear. kaz suffering from bouts of anxiety isn't new, but this seems to be a particularly nagging feeling that he's struggling with. so she turns to face him, tucking one foot underneath herself as she adjusts herself on the couch. ]
I can't help you if you don't tell me why you are nervous.
[ with a slight tilt of her head. ]
They aren't looking for anything other than an introduction, and to share a meal. That is it.
[ He knows she's trying to help, by having him talk through it. So he has to swallow down his natural defensiveness; he just feels so anxious. Taking another bite of his sandwich, he thinks about why he feels the way he does instead, sitting through the nonsensical logic. It doesn't necessarily make him feel better but it does help him clarify what it is that bothers him. ]
I'm not good with people. [ Which they both know. Inej has been gracious in navigating around his awkwardness. ]
I don't want them to think poorly of me. [ And by proxy, of her choices. Though it seems like they're just happy to have her in their lives again.
Still, he is from the country that did so poorly by her. He could see that being an issue. ]
[ she says simply, with a slight shrug of her shoulder, still watching him. and her brow furrows slightly, almost trying to understand why he's so anxious about making a good impression, when he already has.
it's important to him, obviously. why, inej has no idea. but: ]
They would never think poorly of you. If anything, they want to thank you.
[ for the most part, at any rate. her mother is overprotective and angry about what happened to her, and inej can't really blame her. but inej is certain she'll like kaz when she meets him, and gets to know him. her father generally likes everyone, so even if asena is standoffish, jardani will make up for it. ]
[ Well, he does have that going for him, he supposes. He paid her indenture off but he's also dragged her into a long lawsuit. She agreed to it, of course, but it's still—it worries him. Most things worry him, though. So maybe he needs to relax.
When it's over and done with, he'll feel better. Right now it's such an unknown he doesn't know what to make of it, despite Inej's reassurances. And despite his own mind producing the logical reasoning for the myriad reasons why her parents won't instantly hate him. ]
They should be thanking Jesper, really.
[ None of this would've happened otherwise. He'd been too resistant in asking for her number that one night. ]
Did you have something in mind before then?
[ He really needs to think about something else. Because the only controllable thing right now until he meets them is how well he can present himself. ]
Nothing exciting. I thought we could stay in for a bit so you can relax.
[ inej had assumed that kaz would be jet-lagged and tired from the trip, and want to just take it easy. so she offers him a slight smile before inclining her head toward the television. ]
Want to practice your Ravkan?
[ she sounds slightly amused. ]
I'll put on subtitles for you. And make popcorn.
[ maybe that will help settle his nerves instead of trying to take a nap. something inej can already forsee as being a failure. ]
[ A sliver of tension releases when she says she had planned to stay in. Not like he would've disagreed with another idea but the plane ride is starting to catch up, now that he isn't moving. His leg is also complaining, as it does when he has limited movement or can't stretch it out for long periods. ]
My accent's terrible. [ Honestly, truly awful. Practice would probably do him some good, even if it's more listening than speaking. Maybe then he'd know some more words. Or rather, retain them better. ]
It won't disturb any homework?
[ She's studious and knows her limits, but he does want to be sure. And maybe he would like it if she joined him. Like they usually did with movies. ]
[ pointedly, as she gets up to get their movie ready. she connects her laptop to the television with the hdmi cable, the set flickering to life. she'll set up a film to put on soon, but first moves to the kitchen to make popcorn. ]
And I have a clear schedule.
[ as she undoes the bag to pop into the microwave, pressing the button. ]
[ She's not wrong, about the practice. It's a bit embarrassing though, how bad his accent is. But she's been through the process in reverse, learning Kerch while living there under Heleen's thumb. She'll understand.
He feels a small flush when she asks why she'd want to do homework while he's here. It's a gentle reminder that he takes work too seriously as compared to virtually anyone else. Which he knew, a bit, since Anika frequently tries to shoo him out the door. Inej has pointed it out on many occasions. He'd gotten better about coming home earlier to catch a movie with her.
Then she'd gone off to school and it's like he reverted back. Well no, he absolutely did. Coming home to Lizabeta was nice, but he still felt the strange gap of where Inej used to be. ]
Wasn't sure if you had something due or important.
[ He says, as she finishes the popcorn and puts a movie on; something quintessentially Ravkan, he's told. A historic drama of some sort. He's busy watching the words go by at the bottom of the screen but has apparently started to lean towards her out of habit. Since he soon feels his shoulder touch hers. Drowsily, he settles back against the cushions some more, the earlier tension finally starting to fade. ]
[ the movie is, indeed, quintessentially ravkan. a lot of revolutionary activity, a lot of dramatic love triangles. and she's about to comment on whether kaz thinks the protagonist will get the girl in the end when she feels him settle against her shoulder.
he must be tired. the time difference is enough to disorient anyone. he really should lay down and rest, especially considering his leg. but she's loathe to have him move now, his weight warm and heavy against her shoulder, and her lips twitch into a faint smile as she continues to watch the movie.
she had known she missed him, but she hadn't realized how much until he was here next to her. ]
Do you want to lay down?
[ she murmurs, tilting her head slightly to rest it against his, the motion light and easy. ]
[ Really, he shouldn't be so tired. He's used to going to bed late and it isn't even the strange morning hours over in Kerch just yet. But having to deal with the airport and being on a plane had been a tiring ordeal. He'd also psyched himself up with nerves the entire time and he's feeling the downswing from it now.
Because he is comfortable. And likes the familiarity of Inej so close by. It almost sounds weird but while her apartment smells different than his, she still carries the same scent. Another thing that puts him at ease. So he finds himself jerking slightly and blinking when she taps her head to his. ]
Don't wanna get up.
[ He's just going to doze off right here, honestly. Definitely a first for him-he always makes it through a movie. ]
[ oh no, he's definitely on his way out. and she shifts a little bit so he can lean a little more comfortably, resting her head on his as she continues to watch the film, a soft laugh escaping. ]
You could relax much more comfortably on the bed.
[ but she makes no motion to move herself, letting him essentially use her for a pillow. but while she continues to watch the movie, she reaches out to gently take his hand, the movement impulsive as she squeezes his fingers lightly, tugging his hand and arm into her lap. ]
I have been worried that you have been working too hard.
[ she murmurs, eyes still on the television screen. ]
So you should take the chance to sleep while you have it.
[ It's true, he'd probably be more comfortable if he stretched out on the bed. But then that would interrupt his current drowsiness. He'd just be lying there, mind spinning again. Here he has the sounds of the movie floating in and out.
Most importantly, Inej is here, leaning against him as a counterbalance. The familiarity of it puts him at too much peace to want to disturb. She tugs on his hand and he lets her. In fact, he follows the tug and carefully lays sideways, head on her lap. ]
Long hours, lately. [ Partially his fault. And partially the workload. He hadn't wanted to think too much about things to be done while he was here in Ravka. Curling his fingers around hers, he gives them a squeeze, eyes half open as he stares at the screen. ]
[ he tips a bit too far over and rests himself in her lap. her lips twitch into a faint smile as she settles one hand on his shoulder, smoothing a wrinkle in his shirt while letting her other hand be held by him.
long hours isn't surprising. he has always worked too hard, and needed more sleep, but when inej moved into the apartment, she at least was a form of accountability. someone who would disapprove that he was working himself half to death. old habits die hard, it seems. and inej idly wonders how he's really doing, by himself.
kaz sort of answers her silent concern, when he quietly says that he missed her. it causes an odd tug in her chest (guilt, maybe?), before she runs her thumb over his knuckles, murmuring: ]
I have missed you, too. A lot.
[ and she gently squeezes his shoulder. ]
But I am here now, so you can rest.
[ and maybe release some of the tension that she feels in his shoulders, underneath her fingertips. ]
[ Truthfully, he's doing—well, he's not doing terrible. Sorta. At the very least, there's usually an effort to come home and enjoy some time with Lizabeta, so she isn't just stuck in her cage all day. It's nice to let her roam free and listen to her chirp excitedly as she went from room to room.
He definitely isn't coming home as early (or perhaps...on time) as he usually was when Inej was there. But he hasn't totally backslid. Mostly. Maybe.
She squeezes his shoulder and he sighs, trying to release more of the tension he's been holding onto. It works, because he blearily wakes up enough to get ready for bed at her gentle urging. The jet lag has fully caught up. His short nap barely made a dent and he crashes almost as soon as his head hits the pillow.
Even stranger, he doesn't wake up in the middle of the night like he was worried he would. Instead, he sleeps through until an early hour of the morning, right around dawn, the pale light from the sun starting to creep in around the edges of her curtains. He's used to this hour but only from the side where he's usually stayed up until now, not waking with it. Unlike Inej, who typically gets up with the birds.
Rubbing some sleep from his eyes, he glances over at her, met with the sight of her still sleeping peacefully. Her mouth's dropped open a bit, soft breaths making some of her undone hair flutter near her cheek. He has the strongest urge to reach over and tuck that lock behind her ear. It fights with how much he wants to roll closer and curl an arm around her middle.
Fuck.
He really shouldn't have argued about sharing the bed. Because he can't unsee her like this, completely relaxed and so beautiful it almost hurts to look. ]
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no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 01:11 am (UTC)Yes. [ And then clearly moving back to the original topic: ]
You shouldn't have to sleep on the couch. [ Though he's honestly not sure he would fit. It's fine. He's a guest. Taking her bed feels wrong. ]
We could just— [ He stops mid sentence, realizing what he was about to suggest. And then feels a blush work its way to the tips of his ears. Too forward. They've done it before, when they'd both been too drunk to go to their separate beds. But that had been a different circumstance.
Also, his bed was bigger. This would put them much closer. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 01:34 am (UTC)she should let it go. he’s clearly mortified. but some small part of her feels a certain want. remembering how warm he felt. and she hasn’t actually physically seen him in ages.
so— ]
What, share?
[ she ignores the blush for now, though she takes note of it. it’s cute, in a weird way. ]
Instead of having the bed to yourself?
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 01:53 am (UTC)Apparently this is one of those former moments. ]
I don't need that much space.
[ His face definitely feels like it's still burning. But as much as he's nervous that he's took it too far, he also wonders if she'll agree. It wasn't like that one time they shared was a bad experience. In fact it had been...good. Too good. He feels a familiar tug to pull her close, like they had been when they'd woken up after that night of drinking.
Though he's not sure friends would typically do such a thing. Maybe they would. Maybe he's overthinking this. As usual.
Because really this is just a logical compromise. He doesn't want her giving up her bed and she thinks he should sleep there while she takes the couch. Awkward. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 02:01 am (UTC)If that is what it takes to make sure you don’t sleep on the floor with that leg of yours.
[ because that is precisely where he’ll be if he tries to sleep on that futon. but inej moves past that, patting his arm as she moves back into the living room, saying: ]
You are the color of the house next door, relax. Are you hungry?
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 02:32 am (UTC)I won't sleep on the floor.
[ He's made that mistake a few times with his leg, when he was younger. Never again. ]
A little. [ After, he swallows and takes a slow breath in. Calm down. She's not taking this as seriously. The breath is released just as slowly and he can feel his blush going away. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 03:23 pm (UTC)Sit, you must be tired.
[ a little chiding, as she pours a glass of tea for them both, moving to set it on the counter. it's some type of mint green tea, clearly homemade, and she balances the glasses of tea on top of the container as she moves to sit on the couch, setting the glasses on the table with a smile in his direction. ]
You're going to need your strength if you want to tour Os Kervo, and Ravka. I have a full itinerary for you.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 04:27 pm (UTC)Which means, of course, it suits Inej perfectly.
Taking her gentle admonishment, he does finally take a seat, breathing out a low sigh as he stretches his leg out. Part of him doesn't want to be sitting, because he'd done that on the plane for long enough. At the same time, he'd been too worked up and there hadn't been enough leg room for him to properly relax. This is much better. Even if he's still thinking about whether it was a mistake to suggest that they share a bed. ]
Do you now? Where are you taking me?
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 07:43 pm (UTC)[ nonchalantly, as she offers him a sandwich. it's some type of chicken salad, with cucumbers and a vinegary dressing on a rye bread. small enough to be a snack, more than anything else. he had said he was only a little hungry. ]
Bookstores, museums, the local market . . . we could take a train to the capital, if you really want to see it.
[ a bunch of high society rich people doesn't sound like a lot of fun to inej, but the architecture is pretty magnificent, along with the palace. ]
My parents will probably want to have dinner with us every night, so accounting for that, too -- you have a full week or so ahead of you.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-18 08:33 pm (UTC)Let's work through your list first. [ The capital could be neat but he also trusts her to know what he'd be interested in more. She's already got his interest with mentioning museums and bookshops. ]
They'll be over tonight, then?
[ Clearly that makes him nervous. He shouldn't be. But he is. He wants to make a good impression, since he's sure they're going to be wary of Inej's strange foreigner friend. ]
Or we're going over there? [ Somehow that makes him more anxious. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 12:56 am (UTC)[ it’s said easily enough, as Inej takes a bite of her own sandwich — but she knows Kaz pretty well. having lived with him, and witnessing his good moods and bad moods. he’s a naturally anxious person with a lot of weird tics, which suits Inej just fine. she’s not exactly normal, either.
at any rate, it’s because she knows Kaz that he can tell he’s nervous, for some reason. about meeting her parents. so she says: ]
They do not bite, I promise.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 01:38 am (UTC)There's also the matter of her introducing him to them. Which seems a bit silly to have them come over and do.
He reasons this out as he eats half of his sandwich, trying not to let the nerves get the best of him. Which they still are. But he's trying. ]
I believe you, just— [ He's anxious all the same. Inej is his good friend and he wants to make a good impression. And he's not sure he will, considering how awkward he can be. Meeting new people in a non-business situation is difficult for him. Not for the last time he wishes he had some of Jesper's talent with people. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 06:15 pm (UTC)I can't help you if you don't tell me why you are nervous.
[ with a slight tilt of her head. ]
They aren't looking for anything other than an introduction, and to share a meal. That is it.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 06:45 pm (UTC)I'm not good with people. [ Which they both know. Inej has been gracious in navigating around his awkwardness. ]
I don't want them to think poorly of me. [ And by proxy, of her choices. Though it seems like they're just happy to have her in their lives again.
Still, he is from the country that did so poorly by her. He could see that being an issue. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 07:07 pm (UTC)[ she says simply, with a slight shrug of her shoulder, still watching him. and her brow furrows slightly, almost trying to understand why he's so anxious about making a good impression, when he already has.
it's important to him, obviously. why, inej has no idea. but: ]
They would never think poorly of you. If anything, they want to thank you.
[ for the most part, at any rate. her mother is overprotective and angry about what happened to her, and inej can't really blame her. but inej is certain she'll like kaz when she meets him, and gets to know him. her father generally likes everyone, so even if asena is standoffish, jardani will make up for it. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 07:43 pm (UTC)When it's over and done with, he'll feel better. Right now it's such an unknown he doesn't know what to make of it, despite Inej's reassurances. And despite his own mind producing the logical reasoning for the myriad reasons why her parents won't instantly hate him. ]
They should be thanking Jesper, really.
[ None of this would've happened otherwise. He'd been too resistant in asking for her number that one night. ]
Did you have something in mind before then?
[ He really needs to think about something else. Because the only controllable thing right now until he meets them is how well he can present himself. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 08:46 pm (UTC)[ inej had assumed that kaz would be jet-lagged and tired from the trip, and want to just take it easy. so she offers him a slight smile before inclining her head toward the television. ]
Want to practice your Ravkan?
[ she sounds slightly amused. ]
I'll put on subtitles for you. And make popcorn.
[ maybe that will help settle his nerves instead of trying to take a nap. something inej can already forsee as being a failure. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-19 10:18 pm (UTC)My accent's terrible. [ Honestly, truly awful. Practice would probably do him some good, even if it's more listening than speaking. Maybe then he'd know some more words. Or rather, retain them better. ]
It won't disturb any homework?
[ She's studious and knows her limits, but he does want to be sure. And maybe he would like it if she joined him. Like they usually did with movies. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-20 03:06 pm (UTC)[ pointedly, as she gets up to get their movie ready. she connects her laptop to the television with the hdmi cable, the set flickering to life. she'll set up a film to put on soon, but first moves to the kitchen to make popcorn. ]
And I have a clear schedule.
[ as she undoes the bag to pop into the microwave, pressing the button. ]
You are here, why would I want to do homework?
no subject
Date: 2020-10-20 03:32 pm (UTC)He feels a small flush when she asks why she'd want to do homework while he's here. It's a gentle reminder that he takes work too seriously as compared to virtually anyone else. Which he knew, a bit, since Anika frequently tries to shoo him out the door. Inej has pointed it out on many occasions. He'd gotten better about coming home earlier to catch a movie with her.
Then she'd gone off to school and it's like he reverted back. Well no, he absolutely did. Coming home to Lizabeta was nice, but he still felt the strange gap of where Inej used to be. ]
Wasn't sure if you had something due or important.
[ He says, as she finishes the popcorn and puts a movie on; something quintessentially Ravkan, he's told. A historic drama of some sort. He's busy watching the words go by at the bottom of the screen but has apparently started to lean towards her out of habit. Since he soon feels his shoulder touch hers. Drowsily, he settles back against the cushions some more, the earlier tension finally starting to fade. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-21 12:13 am (UTC)he must be tired. the time difference is enough to disorient anyone. he really should lay down and rest, especially considering his leg. but she's loathe to have him move now, his weight warm and heavy against her shoulder, and her lips twitch into a faint smile as she continues to watch the movie.
she had known she missed him, but she hadn't realized how much until he was here next to her. ]
Do you want to lay down?
[ she murmurs, tilting her head slightly to rest it against his, the motion light and easy. ]
You look like you will not make it until the end.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-21 01:22 am (UTC)Because he is comfortable. And likes the familiarity of Inej so close by. It almost sounds weird but while her apartment smells different than his, she still carries the same scent. Another thing that puts him at ease. So he finds himself jerking slightly and blinking when she taps her head to his. ]
Don't wanna get up.
[ He's just going to doze off right here, honestly. Definitely a first for him-he always makes it through a movie. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-21 08:54 pm (UTC)You could relax much more comfortably on the bed.
[ but she makes no motion to move herself, letting him essentially use her for a pillow. but while she continues to watch the movie, she reaches out to gently take his hand, the movement impulsive as she squeezes his fingers lightly, tugging his hand and arm into her lap. ]
I have been worried that you have been working too hard.
[ she murmurs, eyes still on the television screen. ]
So you should take the chance to sleep while you have it.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-21 10:41 pm (UTC)[ It's true, he'd probably be more comfortable if he stretched out on the bed. But then that would interrupt his current drowsiness. He'd just be lying there, mind spinning again. Here he has the sounds of the movie floating in and out.
Most importantly, Inej is here, leaning against him as a counterbalance. The familiarity of it puts him at too much peace to want to disturb. She tugs on his hand and he lets her. In fact, he follows the tug and carefully lays sideways, head on her lap. ]
Long hours, lately. [ Partially his fault. And partially the workload. He hadn't wanted to think too much about things to be done while he was here in Ravka. Curling his fingers around hers, he gives them a squeeze, eyes half open as he stares at the screen. ]
Missed you, Inej.
no subject
Date: 2020-10-21 11:40 pm (UTC)long hours isn't surprising. he has always worked too hard, and needed more sleep, but when inej moved into the apartment, she at least was a form of accountability. someone who would disapprove that he was working himself half to death. old habits die hard, it seems. and inej idly wonders how he's really doing, by himself.
kaz sort of answers her silent concern, when he quietly says that he missed her. it causes an odd tug in her chest (guilt, maybe?), before she runs her thumb over his knuckles, murmuring: ]
I have missed you, too. A lot.
[ and she gently squeezes his shoulder. ]
But I am here now, so you can rest.
[ and maybe release some of the tension that she feels in his shoulders, underneath her fingertips. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-10-22 12:21 am (UTC)He definitely isn't coming home as early (or perhaps...on time) as he usually was when Inej was there. But he hasn't totally backslid. Mostly. Maybe.
She squeezes his shoulder and he sighs, trying to release more of the tension he's been holding onto. It works, because he blearily wakes up enough to get ready for bed at her gentle urging. The jet lag has fully caught up. His short nap barely made a dent and he crashes almost as soon as his head hits the pillow.
Even stranger, he doesn't wake up in the middle of the night like he was worried he would. Instead, he sleeps through until an early hour of the morning, right around dawn, the pale light from the sun starting to creep in around the edges of her curtains. He's used to this hour but only from the side where he's usually stayed up until now, not waking with it. Unlike Inej, who typically gets up with the birds.
Rubbing some sleep from his eyes, he glances over at her, met with the sight of her still sleeping peacefully. Her mouth's dropped open a bit, soft breaths making some of her undone hair flutter near her cheek. He has the strongest urge to reach over and tuck that lock behind her ear. It fights with how much he wants to roll closer and curl an arm around her middle.
Fuck.
He really shouldn't have argued about sharing the bed. Because he can't unsee her like this, completely relaxed and so beautiful it almost hurts to look. ]
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