[At this point, seeing Ren again would just make Nora more afraid that the cycle of loss would simply repeat itself. Why was she a more permanent fixture in Empatheias, but Ren came and went without warning?
But Steven was right, about this not being right. Nora understood the need to save this world, but she wished it didn't require such heartbreak every time a person disappeared and merely became another name on the Wall of Names.]
I just want to talk. [Talking also somewhat reassured her that Steven was here. Not about to vanish.] You told me it's okay to talk about stuff like this, right?
[ it’s a question that Steven wish he had the answer to, but he unfortunately does not. he’s seen this happen with friends of friends before - Lunafreya never seemed to be a longtime Verensian, bringing grief whenever she came and inevitably left. he wants to take th spin away from Nora, but simply willing it so isn’t enough. ]
Of course it is. No matter what you want to talk about, my ear is yours.
[ for as long as he can help it, he isn’t going anywhere. ]
[ he's not sure if he likes the tone that she's using - it's not like how she is normally, and stands as proof of how much this is affecting her. he wants to do whatever he can to help, even if it's minor in the long run. ]
You hardly need to ask, and you can stay as long as you'd like. I'll be waiting for you.
Thanks, Steven. I'll let the others know I'll be over at your place for a bit.
[Nora wastes no time in heading off to visit Steven as soon as she lets her housemates know she'll be going for a while. Once she's at his doorstep - ]
[ he's made both of them some hot cocoa, which he's setting onto a tray when she reaches out to him. he leaves it there so that his attention is completely on her when he answers the door, greeting her with a calm, sympathetic smile.
[When Steven answers the door, he will find Nora standing there with her head bowed and hands knotted together. She slowly looks up to meet his eyes and reaches out to take his hand.
One split second later Nora just throws her arms around him in a big hug and buries her face in his shoulder. Though she quivers a little, she doesn't cry. Perhaps she has cried all the tears she could for the day. She stands there, leaning on him, holding him tightly.]
[ he doesn't like it when Nora looks meek - it's not an emotion that suits her, and seeing it brings a heaviness to the air that he wants to sweep away from her. their relationship has progressed enough to know exactly what to expect when she takes his hand, and he immediately returns her embrace to comfort her in the way that he knows she needs. unlike how he once was, there's nothing distant about the gesture.
they stand their for a long moment, with Steven hoping that he's providing some form of comfort to her. he won't pull away from it until she does, prompting him to speak softly while still holding her in his arms. ]
I'm not going anywhere.
[ it's a general statement that he hopes will bring some semblance of stability to her in the moment, though he technically can't promise that it will be true tomorrow. for the time being, however, he'll stay with her as long as she needs. ]
[Her voice is soft and has a trace of a sob in it. She clings to him tightly...but when she finally looks up and relinquishes her hold, Nora just manages to give Steven a sad, grateful smile.
In the back of her mind, Steven may very well be the next to go, but she puts that thought away quickly. She would deal with that if it happened.]
That’s good. I wouldn’t want the hot cocoa I made to go to waste.
[ he smiles back, hoping to bring a little more joy to hers. he doesn’t want to send her off with just a quick hug - that wouldn’t be right. even as she pulls away, he gives her shoulder a short, reassuring squeeze. ]
[ he gives her a wink before stepping aside to usher her in. it's actually Iris' stash, from whom he has gotten permission for a small sampling - he just wants to play along with the joke for a little while. Nora deserves that much, and the way that his proposal makes her smile is worth it. ]
Only the fact that you're here. I think that's something special in itself.
[ considering how easy it is for people to come and go, having Nora next to him is something that should be acknowledged and celebrated, even if it's only with hot cocoa. there are two mugs waiting for them in the kitchen as promised, with a small dish of marshmallows ready for plunking into their drinks if desired.
he takes her mug into hand, making sure to warm it up to a proper temperature with Dunamis before handing it to her. he takes his own as well, holding it close to offer her a toast. ]
Aw, really? [That's a sweet gesture.] I'm glad I'm not just someone mooching off of Ignis' hot cocoa.
[But to her, Steven was also special. How long had they known each other already? How much had they shared?
When he gives her the mug of hot cocoa, Nora hesitates a moment before scooping up some marshmallows and dropping them slowly into the drink. She inhales deeply, taking in the aroma before responding to Steven's offer of a toast. Her mug clinks softly against his.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice;
24/8/18 15:26 (UTC)But Steven was right, about this not being right. Nora understood the need to save this world, but she wished it didn't require such heartbreak every time a person disappeared and merely became another name on the Wall of Names.]
I just want to talk. [Talking also somewhat reassured her that Steven was here. Not about to vanish.] You told me it's okay to talk about stuff like this, right?
voice;
25/8/18 05:54 (UTC)Of course it is. No matter what you want to talk about, my ear is yours.
[ for as long as he can help it, he isn’t going anywhere. ]
voice;
25/8/18 13:55 (UTC)[Her tone is tentative, like a child about to ask for an additional favor and hoping she doesn't get chastised for it.]
Can I come over? I won't be long, you and Ignis will barely notice I'm there!
voice;
25/8/18 14:13 (UTC)You hardly need to ask, and you can stay as long as you'd like. I'll be waiting for you.
voice;
27/8/18 06:14 (UTC)Thanks, Steven. I'll let the others know I'll be over at your place for a bit.
[Nora wastes no time in heading off to visit Steven as soon as she lets her housemates know she'll be going for a while. Once she's at his doorstep - ]
I'm down here.
voice;
27/8/18 14:39 (UTC)he says nothing, but holds out a hand for her. ]
action;
30/8/18 14:25 (UTC)One split second later Nora just throws her arms around him in a big hug and buries her face in his shoulder. Though she quivers a little, she doesn't cry. Perhaps she has cried all the tears she could for the day. She stands there, leaning on him, holding him tightly.]
(no subject)
30/8/18 14:50 (UTC)they stand their for a long moment, with Steven hoping that he's providing some form of comfort to her. he won't pull away from it until she does, prompting him to speak softly while still holding her in his arms. ]
I'm not going anywhere.
[ it's a general statement that he hopes will bring some semblance of stability to her in the moment, though he technically can't promise that it will be true tomorrow. for the time being, however, he'll stay with her as long as she needs. ]
(no subject)
2/9/18 08:35 (UTC)[Her voice is soft and has a trace of a sob in it. She clings to him tightly...but when she finally looks up and relinquishes her hold, Nora just manages to give Steven a sad, grateful smile.
In the back of her mind, Steven may very well be the next to go, but she puts that thought away quickly. She would deal with that if it happened.]
I don't think I am, either.
(no subject)
2/9/18 13:58 (UTC)[ he smiles back, hoping to bring a little more joy to hers. he doesn’t want to send her off with just a quick hug - that wouldn’t be right. even as she pulls away, he gives her shoulder a short, reassuring squeeze. ]
Come inside. I have a mug with your name on it.
(no subject)
5/9/18 14:18 (UTC)[Her smile widens a little. She clasps her hands together.]
That'd be great. I just hope I'm not taking any hot cocoa from Ignis' stash or anything.
(no subject)
5/9/18 15:00 (UTC)[ he gives her a wink before stepping aside to usher her in. it's actually Iris' stash, from whom he has gotten permission for a small sampling - he just wants to play along with the joke for a little while. Nora deserves that much, and the way that his proposal makes her smile is worth it. ]
Besides, I think this is a special occasion.
(no subject)
6/9/18 13:48 (UTC)She inclines her head toward him.]
What makes it special?
(no subject)
6/9/18 15:13 (UTC)[ considering how easy it is for people to come and go, having Nora next to him is something that should be acknowledged and celebrated, even if it's only with hot cocoa. there are two mugs waiting for them in the kitchen as promised, with a small dish of marshmallows ready for plunking into their drinks if desired.
he takes her mug into hand, making sure to warm it up to a proper temperature with Dunamis before handing it to her. he takes his own as well, holding it close to offer her a toast. ]
To Ren?
(no subject)
7/9/18 16:33 (UTC)[But to her, Steven was also special. How long had they known each other already? How much had they shared?
When he gives her the mug of hot cocoa, Nora hesitates a moment before scooping up some marshmallows and dropping them slowly into the drink. She inhales deeply, taking in the aroma before responding to Steven's offer of a toast. Her mug clinks softly against his.]
To Ren.
[And she takes a hearty swig of her cocoa.]
He would've loved to try some of this.