[He huffs, ready to get irritated, but all is forgiven and forgotten when Rita takes his hand. How did she know this is just what he needs when Natsuno himself didn't know until a second ago? But maybe he shouldn't be surprised, because she's - ]
A genius, [He murmurs in the same tone as if reassuring himself, and wraps his other hand around Rita's. Natsuno raises their joint hands, stroking Rita's fingers gently with his thumb. Are his hands warm enough? He hopes so. His face is definitely hot.]
[He's and in denial about it--Rita doesn't know how happened, but he mentioned being with the Dioscuri before, and--
Wait, what? Rita's face burns red. There's just--something about the combination of what he says, how he says it, the soft touch, and his flushed face--it all makes her mouth feel dry of a sudden.
Which is--silly! It's Natsuno! He just...obviously needs some help, here...]
Y-yeah...that's me. Let's, uh...let's get you sitting down and...maybe some water.
[She'll just tug him in the direction of 110, then, since Shi Qingxuan is currently out, and she doesn't think they need any heckling from Jade over...well, it's clearly nothing, but...anyway!]
[Still, Natsuno follows along readily, because that means he gets to keep holding Rita and spend more time with her. He sways more than before, but it's fine - his thoughts just are too full of Rita to concentrate on walking straight (it doesn't occur to Natsuno this means that he is, in fact, intoxicated).]
But you're sweet, [He remarks as they step into 110.] for worrying about me.
[Oh no, he's swaying--everything he says is making her palms heat up more, but embarrassment aside, she puts her other hand on his arm to try and keep him steady.]
Of course I worry about you! [Huff.] You're--important.
[She leads him to the couch, nudging him to take a seat.]
Here... You're not very steady on your feet for someone "not drunk".
[Natsuno sits down, though he's not letting go of her hand. In fact, he looks up at her like he's expecting her to sit as well.]
You too.
[A pause.]
Important. Not drunk. And neither I am. [He squints, brow furrowing in an expression of outmost concentration. Is he "not drunk"? He doesn't think so, but Rita is a lovely and beautiful genius, so if she says so - ] Maybe just a little.
[...It's nice that he specifies that she's important, if also a little amusing that he then continues. Not that either of them actually need to say it to know, by this point. Oh, and finally making a little concession, huh?]
Just a little, huh... What did you drink?
[...He's also not letting go. Well--that's fine, she can keep holding his hand while she stretches to reach a water bottle on the floor. It's obviously something that brings him comfort--she never would've guessed that for him, but there's something...sweet about it.
Like a cat. Oh, yeah.]
Here, kitty kitty. Drink up.
[Water bottle reached! She straightens up and holds the drink out for him. Clarke had tried to message her to drink water so she'd feel less awful the morning after, but she'd gone to sleep without reading it. That's some misery Natsuno doesn't need, especially not with heightened senses.]
Diwine. [Wait, that doesn't sound right. Give him a moment to separate the mashed up syllables - ] Divine wine.
[Because the Dioscuri are gods, see. Natsuno reaches out for the bottle obediently - not only is Rita an amazing genius, Clarke had asked him to do her a favor by drinking a full bottle of water. So it's very important that he drinks up.
He's having some trouble uncapping the bottle, though, because he insists on doing in with one hand. Gotta keep holding Rita with the other!]
[The corner of her mouth twitches into a small smile as she lets him have that moment to untangle the words.]
Must've been something if you drank enough to get like this.
[At least he seems...to be in a good mood. It might not be worth it come tomorrow's hangover misery, but Natsuno deserves some happy moments. It's just--she'd also rather see him be happy while sober.
Well...for now, she watches him struggle with the cap for a few moments before reaching out with her free hand to unscrew the cap for him.]
[He says it like it's the most obvious thing. Really, Rita, keep up! Natsuno only spills a little water as brings the bottle to his lips, drinking more than half in a few large sips.]
Thanks. [He places the bottle back on the floor - thankfully without knocking it over - and tugs Rita's hand.] C'mon, sit.
[He really just doesn't want to let go, and that's all, huh... Well, it's...it's fine! She doesn't mind sitting with him anyway, plopping onto the couch next to Natsuno--hands still linked (and warm, very warm), but a few inches of personal space between them.]
How are you feeling? How much of that wine did you drink, anyway?
[...Yeah, keeping track once he got started was probably difficult. It's kind of a moot point anyway--he's drunk regardless and....
...And being cuddly. Rita's face burns red all over once more; he's warm and close enough she can smell the sweetness of the wine on him again, and now she's being reminded of the embarrassing texts she sent him about his warm hugs, and yet--and yet, he seems really content like this (and so is she, because it's the best reminder that Natsuno is here and not vanished or possessed)--and oh, like she could ever shove him away.]
Y-you...you really are a great big kitty cat...
[Getting all surprisingly cuddly like this after they became friends...]
Edited (wait adds a tiny bit more) 2022-11-19 17:34 (UTC)
[Natsuno snuggles close, tucking his head more comfortably against her shoulder. Once he's all set, he closes his eyes and lets his other senses take over hazily. The smell of Rita's shampoo and the tickling sensation of her hair against his head, the sound of her breathing, the warmth of her body and the gentle movements of the couch (the latter is probably just the wine).]
[Wow, he's really getting in close to cuddle. She's never--had someone cling to her like this. Not even Estelle, who still had too much of a sense of propriety from her royal upbringing, and now Rita doesn't know exactly what to do--
Wait, what?]
Uh--if you're...I mean...
[She can't actually tell whether or not he's joking now. ...It was kind of nice when he was stroking her hair after coming back, so--what the hell, why not! They're...just doing the kinds of things really close friends do. Estelle had offered to wash her hair at the hot springs and everything--
Ahem. Anyway. She reaches up and tentatively brushes her other hand through his...surprisingly soft hair. Huh.]
[The second her fingers run through Natsuno's hair, he practically melts into the touch, sighing softly. He can do without the good boy, but it feels so nice he's not about to complain. A warm, tingling sensation that has nothing to do with the wine spreads from the roots of his hair down to his neck, his chest. Did Rita feel it when he stroked her hair? He hopes she did.]
That's nice, [He murmurs.] Can you keep doing that?
[...He's so relaxed and content, how could she stop? Pleasant warmth radiates from her chest and their linked hands until it envelopes her entirety. She runs her hand through his hair, gently finger-combing out any tangles, glancing sidelong at the expression on his face. It would...be nice if he could be happy like this while not drunk.]
I don't know if you'll remember this tomorrow...but...y-you know, I'll...I'll do this any time you ask, if you like...
[It might make her die of embarrassment, but at least she'll go out happy? (Yeah, fluster aside, this is--nice. It's warm and cozy and one of the only good things that happens on this boat.)]
[Good thing she keeps going, though, because Natsuno is a little concerned that she thinks he'll forget it. Surely he's not that drunk, he's just... slightly tipsy, and only because Rita kept insisting on that.]
I'll do that for you too, y'know. And I'll be a blanket. If you want.
[What does she even say? He's bringing up her texts after she told him to forget it! Or maybe she's dug this hole for herself after what she just said...huff...]
Well...thanks... Before anything else, though-
[Sorry, Natsuno, critical levels of embarrassment here in combination with remembering some of the pills Clarke left behind for her--she stops stroking his hair and leans away to reach for the medications, even as the air that fills the space where his head was just leaning feels unusually cold, what the constant weather on the ship.]
H-here--take, uh... [Hang on she's gonna read the label real quick.] One or two? Two, then--here, and wash them down with water.
[...This cap is really stupid and she can't open it one-handed.]
...You'll have to let go of my hand. Just...for a bit, okay?
[Rita stops and suddenly all the nice, relaxing warmth goes away. Why did she stop? Natsuno opens his eyes to stare blearily at her, confused and a little anxious.
She wants him to... let go of her hand. But -
Oh no. Clarke told him not do anything she would do. Clarke is also touchy-feely. Does that mean he made a mistake snuggling against Rita, holding her hand and asking for head pets? Natsuno thought he'd be fine avoiding knives and rails, but at the end it was cuddles that led to disaster...
Yeah, he's definitely disappointed, but since Rita asked lets go reluctantly.]
...is that ib - bupp. Aye - boo - pro - fen?
[Clarke told him to take some! Quick, he needs to take two and wash them down with water before there will be more consequences for not listening to her.]
[She had a feeling he might be disppointed, and yet--the look on his face is somehow even worse. Ugh. Don't make her feel bad for trying to prevent a really terrible morning! How is it making her feel so guilty over...disturbing his peaceful moment of rest and contentment...dammit...]
Y...yeah, it has a stupid name like that... Clarke said it would when I--so you don't get a hangover, I guess.
[She retrieves two pills from the bottle, then holds one out for him to take; once he's washed it down, he'll get the other one.]
I'm surprised you could get drunk at all... I wonder if these will work.
[Oh, Clarke said it to Rita as well! Then it is extra important not to make a fuss and take the pills. Natsuno bravely puts his disappointment aside and does as instructed; he even manages to not spill any water this time.]
It's not s'pposed to work. Maybe the wine's magic.
[The pills, however, are definitely NOT magical and he sure is going to be hungover tomorrow. Hopefully he can recover quicker than most humans...]
Can we...
[Natsuno reaches for her hand again, giving Rita a hopeful look.]
Yeah, maybe... Or maybe some worlds just have weird wine that affects even you...
[It's something to keep in mind, at least--they nver know what they could encounter in the future--but for the most part, she's just focused on making sure he's taking those pills. Even as she worries he's still going to have a hell of a time tomorrow.
She nods satisfactorily as he finishes his medicine, and then--oh...oh no, something in her is, like, simultaneously fluttering and melting at that look?! What is going on... What is that expression and how can she possibly say no...]
O...of course. I just--wanted to make sure you took that medicine...just in case it might help, you know?
[She takes his hand, lacing her fingers with his, even as her face burns all over again. Is this always something he's wanted, or...did being in the nothing make him crave the contact?]
...Want me to, uh... I mean, we can go back to...before.
[Him relaxing and getting head pets. You know. Close...comforting things.]
[Oh, he knows. Rita's looking after him, because she's a kind and sweet genius. Also pretty. With soft hands.
Natsuno's expression softens and he hums a content affirmation, snuggling against Rita once again. It's nice to feel looked after - it's been so long since he could relax like this. Tohru-chan would do that, letting Natsuno crash at his place and even putting a blanket over him when he was too exhausted to move...
Oh.
Natsuno shifts, bringing his other arm around Rita. Good blanket.]
[He's...really, really happy like this, huh... Even--oh, he's getting even more cuddly now?!]
C...comfortable...?
[Don't mind if her voice raises a couple octaves in embarrassment. Rita's going to start wondering if it's possible for spontaneous human combustion to occur with just how hot her face and chest and--everything feels--even as it's not an unpleasant warmth, and also Natsuno sure is...everywhere right now. Her heart rate sure is picking up, too...
She swallows. His hair was soft, and he was so relaxed when she was running her fingers through it... Tentatively, she brings her free hand to his head again. She can't quite seem to say anything about it this time, though. Her voice doesn't seem to be working properly...]
[With his eyes shut and his head tucked against Rita, Natsuno is blissfully unaware of the impending combustion. He can hear her heartbeat picking up, but somehow it's comforting, another reassurance that she's here and alive.]
Yeah...
[Natsuno smiles to himself, letting out a small sigh before he stops thinking about anything and just relaxes, leaning into the touch. He's so glad Rita's here with him...
It's not long before he falls asleep. Rita is free to scoot out whenever she wants - it's unlikely he'll wake up for the next several hours.]
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[He huffs, ready to get irritated, but all is forgiven and forgotten when Rita takes his hand. How did she know this is just what he needs when Natsuno himself didn't know until a second ago? But maybe he shouldn't be surprised, because she's - ]
A genius, [He murmurs in the same tone as if reassuring himself, and wraps his other hand around Rita's. Natsuno raises their joint hands, stroking Rita's fingers gently with his thumb. Are his hands warm enough? He hopes so. His face is definitely hot.]
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Wait, what? Rita's face burns red. There's just--something about the combination of what he says, how he says it, the soft touch, and his flushed face--it all makes her mouth feel dry of a sudden.
Which is--silly! It's Natsuno! He just...obviously needs some help, here...]
Y-yeah...that's me. Let's, uh...let's get you sitting down and...maybe some water.
[She'll just tug him in the direction of 110, then, since Shi Qingxuan is currently out, and she doesn't think they need any heckling from Jade over...well, it's clearly nothing, but...anyway!]
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[Still, Natsuno follows along readily, because that means he gets to keep holding Rita and spend more time with her. He sways more than before, but it's fine - his thoughts just are too full of Rita to concentrate on walking straight (it doesn't occur to Natsuno this means that he is, in fact, intoxicated).]
But you're sweet, [He remarks as they step into 110.] for worrying about me.
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Of course I worry about you! [Huff.] You're--important.
[She leads him to the couch, nudging him to take a seat.]
Here... You're not very steady on your feet for someone "not drunk".
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You too.
[A pause.]
Important. Not drunk. And neither I am. [He squints, brow furrowing in an expression of outmost concentration. Is he "not drunk"? He doesn't think so, but Rita is a lovely and beautiful genius, so if she says so - ] Maybe just a little.
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Just a little, huh... What did you drink?
[...He's also not letting go. Well--that's fine, she can keep holding his hand while she stretches to reach a water bottle on the floor. It's obviously something that brings him comfort--she never would've guessed that for him, but there's something...sweet about it.
Like a cat. Oh, yeah.]
Here, kitty kitty. Drink up.
[Water bottle reached! She straightens up and holds the drink out for him. Clarke had tried to message her to drink water so she'd feel less awful the morning after, but she'd gone to sleep without reading it. That's some misery Natsuno doesn't need, especially not with heightened senses.]
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[Because the Dioscuri are gods, see. Natsuno reaches out for the bottle obediently - not only is Rita an amazing genius, Clarke had asked him to do her a favor by drinking a full bottle of water. So it's very important that he drinks up.
He's having some trouble uncapping the bottle, though, because he insists on doing in with one hand. Gotta keep holding Rita with the other!]
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Must've been something if you drank enough to get like this.
[At least he seems...to be in a good mood. It might not be worth it come tomorrow's hangover misery, but Natsuno deserves some happy moments. It's just--she'd also rather see him be happy while sober.
Well...for now, she watches him struggle with the cap for a few moments before reaching out with her free hand to unscrew the cap for him.]
Here... Did you forget you had two hands?
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[He says it like it's the most obvious thing. Really, Rita, keep up! Natsuno only spills a little water as brings the bottle to his lips, drinking more than half in a few large sips.]
Thanks. [He places the bottle back on the floor - thankfully without knocking it over - and tugs Rita's hand.] C'mon, sit.
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[He really just doesn't want to let go, and that's all, huh... Well, it's...it's fine! She doesn't mind sitting with him anyway, plopping onto the couch next to Natsuno--hands still linked (and warm, very warm), but a few inches of personal space between them.]
How are you feeling? How much of that wine did you drink, anyway?
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[Glass, he means glass. Not that he needs a lot, when the wine is an offering to the gods, strong enough to intoxicate monsters and demonic beasts.]
I feel fine, though. Better, now you're sitting...
[He scoots closer across those few inches of personal space, and rests his head on Rita's shoulder.]
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...And being cuddly. Rita's face burns red all over once more; he's warm and close enough she can smell the sweetness of the wine on him again, and now she's being reminded of the embarrassing texts she sent him about his warm hugs, and yet--and yet, he seems really content like this (and so is she, because it's the best reminder that Natsuno is here and not vanished or possessed)--and oh, like she could ever shove him away.]
Y-you...you really are a great big kitty cat...
[Getting all surprisingly cuddly like this after they became friends...]
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If I'm like a cat, shouldn't you pet my head?
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Wait, what?]
Uh--if you're...I mean...
[She can't actually tell whether or not he's joking now. ...It was kind of nice when he was stroking her hair after coming back, so--what the hell, why not! They're...just doing the kinds of things really close friends do. Estelle had offered to wash her hair at the hot springs and everything--
Ahem. Anyway. She reaches up and tentatively brushes her other hand through his...surprisingly soft hair. Huh.]
...There's a good boy.
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That's nice, [He murmurs.] Can you keep doing that?
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[...He's so relaxed and content, how could she stop? Pleasant warmth radiates from her chest and their linked hands until it envelopes her entirety. She runs her hand through his hair, gently finger-combing out any tangles, glancing sidelong at the expression on his face. It would...be nice if he could be happy like this while not drunk.]
I don't know if you'll remember this tomorrow...but...y-you know, I'll...I'll do this any time you ask, if you like...
[It might make her die of embarrassment, but at least she'll go out happy? (Yeah, fluster aside, this is--nice. It's warm and cozy and one of the only good things that happens on this boat.)]
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[Good thing she keeps going, though, because Natsuno is a little concerned that she thinks he'll forget it. Surely he's not that drunk, he's just... slightly tipsy, and only because Rita kept insisting on that.]
I'll do that for you too, y'know. And I'll be a blanket. If you want.
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[What does she even say? He's bringing up her texts after she told him to forget it! Or maybe she's dug this hole for herself after what she just said...huff...]
Well...thanks... Before anything else, though-
[Sorry, Natsuno, critical levels of embarrassment here in combination with remembering some of the pills Clarke left behind for her--she stops stroking his hair and leans away to reach for the medications, even as the air that fills the space where his head was just leaning feels unusually cold, what the constant weather on the ship.]
H-here--take, uh... [Hang on she's gonna read the label real quick.] One or two? Two, then--here, and wash them down with water.
[...This cap is really stupid and she can't open it one-handed.]
...You'll have to let go of my hand. Just...for a bit, okay?
[In case he gets disappointed?!]
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She wants him to... let go of her hand. But -
Oh no. Clarke told him not do anything she would do. Clarke is also touchy-feely. Does that mean he made a mistake snuggling against Rita, holding her hand and asking for head pets? Natsuno thought he'd be fine avoiding knives and rails, but at the end it was cuddles that led to disaster...
Yeah, he's definitely disappointed, but since Rita asked lets go reluctantly.]
...is that ib - bupp. Aye - boo - pro - fen?
[Clarke told him to take some! Quick, he needs to take two and wash them down with water before there will be more consequences for not listening to her.]
cries how is he so cute
Y...yeah, it has a stupid name like that... Clarke said it would when I--so you don't get a hangover, I guess.
[She retrieves two pills from the bottle, then holds one out for him to take; once he's washed it down, he'll get the other one.]
I'm surprised you could get drunk at all... I wonder if these will work.
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It's not s'pposed to work. Maybe the wine's magic.
[The pills, however, are definitely NOT magical and he sure is going to be hungover tomorrow. Hopefully he can recover quicker than most humans...]
Can we...
[Natsuno reaches for her hand again, giving Rita a hopeful look.]
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[It's something to keep in mind, at least--they nver know what they could encounter in the future--but for the most part, she's just focused on making sure he's taking those pills. Even as she worries he's still going to have a hell of a time tomorrow.
She nods satisfactorily as he finishes his medicine, and then--oh...oh no, something in her is, like, simultaneously fluttering and melting at that look?! What is going on... What is that expression and how can she possibly say no...]
O...of course. I just--wanted to make sure you took that medicine...just in case it might help, you know?
[She takes his hand, lacing her fingers with his, even as her face burns all over again. Is this always something he's wanted, or...did being in the nothing make him crave the contact?]
...Want me to, uh... I mean, we can go back to...before.
[Him relaxing and getting head pets. You know. Close...comforting things.]
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Natsuno's expression softens and he hums a content affirmation, snuggling against Rita once again. It's nice to feel looked after - it's been so long since he could relax like this. Tohru-chan would do that, letting Natsuno crash at his place and even putting a blanket over him when he was too exhausted to move...
Oh.
Natsuno shifts, bringing his other arm around Rita. Good blanket.]
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C...comfortable...?
[Don't mind if her voice raises a couple octaves in embarrassment. Rita's going to start wondering if it's possible for spontaneous human combustion to occur with just how hot her face and chest and--everything feels--even as it's not an unpleasant warmth, and also Natsuno sure is...everywhere right now. Her heart rate sure is picking up, too...
She swallows. His hair was soft, and he was so relaxed when she was running her fingers through it... Tentatively, she brings her free hand to his head again. She can't quite seem to say anything about it this time, though. Her voice doesn't seem to be working properly...]
congrats, you unlocked the one happy smile
Yeah...
[Natsuno smiles to himself, letting out a small sigh before he stops thinking about anything and just relaxes, leaning into the touch. He's so glad Rita's here with him...
It's not long before he falls asleep. Rita is free to scoot out whenever she wants - it's unlikely he'll wake up for the next several hours.]
HAPPY PRECIOUS SMILE