Valentine's Day }{ Open post

[asap]

WHO || Characters in the log [open or closed]
WHAT || VALENTINE'S DAY
WHERE || ALL AROUND THE CASTLE
WHEN || 2/14
HOW || DO WHAT YOU WANT

It's Valentine's Day! All around people are happily snuggling up with their loved one or drowning their feelings in booze and/or ice cream. Give out cards or chocolate or commiserate with other single people! Whoo Valentine's Day!

Comments

[valdrin]

Reassurance? [ he sounds completely taken aback by the idea. WHAT DID HE DO THAT YOU NEED REASSURANCE ABOUT ]

[socialgraces]

[ she easily reads his reaction because she knows him too well, and moves in quick to reassure him ] It's nothing you did. Gods, you've been nothing but wonderful. [ her hand moves to his face, as she secretly wishes she had poured herself a drink before she brought this up ] And so accommodating to all my... shortcomings.

I just so desperately want this to be more, more than just enough. [ which is probably as direct as she's going to get when referencing the conversation she inadvertently curtailed with her gross sobbing all those months ago. she pulls her hand from his cheek, searching for his hand instead and intertwining their fingers. ] I need you to reassure me that I'm not just making you more miserable by trying, than I would if I just... left.

[valdrin]

[ what's wrong with me - julia stone

he looks pained at her implications, fingers crooking into hers nearly with a spasm. ] Miserable? You think--

You're the one who told me... that you wouldn't be able to force yourself to--

[ nope, not going there ] You think things are miserable?

[socialgraces]

[ his expression makes her ache all over, and she clenches her eyes shut as she shakes her head, pleading for him to understand ] I'm not miserable, not at all. Please don't think that.

[ she squeezes his hand tightly, pushing herself an inch closer to him ] I was just so afraid you were. You're so good at... putting up these walls, and you wouldn't let me in. So, of course, I... assumed the worst. [ which feels foolish now, and she shakes her head once more before looking back up at him ] But I don't need to force myself to-- [ she cuts off, bringing her free hand back to his cheek before continuing, her voice as affectionate as her touch ] I love you. I've no doubt of that now.

[valdrin]

[ /rolls sense motive like a great boyfriend.

he tries not to let his doubt show, but having her point out how he puts walls up doesn't really help that. it's everything he's always wanted to hear her say, but he can't stop himself from second guessing it, if only because he knows exactly how capable they both are of deceiving others - and themselves.

either way, he can't stop himself from asking the clincher, raising one hand to her cheek. ]

And only me?

[socialgraces]

[ she wasn't lying, she does love him. but she's also in love with someone else, and she should have known it would come to this; perhaps she was just convinced his fear of the answer would keep him from asking. but with all she's asked of him, she can't bring herself to lie about this either.

but she's not brave enough to actually deny it out loud, and instead looks down, brow furrowed, and simply shakes her head, her grip tightening on his hand in hopes he won't pull away ] But it's... different. What we have is real. I still choose to be with you ... This is still what I want.

[valdrin]

[ his fingers brush off the edge of her cheek, his other hand lying almost limp within her grip, not pulling away, but not responsive either. his lips press together tightly. ] And that won't change, I imagine.

[socialgraces]

It might. [ she honestly sounds hopeful, in this moment, even if history has proven otherwise ] I don't-- If I knew how to shut it off, I would have... a hundred years ago.

[ she lets his hand fall from hers and gives him some space, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. her voice is strained as she focuses on her hands folded in her lap. ] I don't expect you to-- [ care, understand, stick around... any of those would fit here, but she can't seem to force herself to say more. ]

[valdrin]

Ever be in love with the fact? [ his wording isn't accidental, and neither is the light sarcasm. ] I can't say I'll ever be very comfortable, any time I'm... reminded of the fact. But a little discomfort is a small price to pay.

[socialgraces]

[ she wants to believe he's really as okay with all this as he claims to be, if only to ease her own conscience, but she'll never let it rest if she doesn't know for certain (sense motive 33) ] It's honestly worth it to you, to make this work? [ she's clearly dumbfounded at the prospect of that level of desire and commitment being directed toward her, especially after everything that's transpired between them, even in the last few minutes ] You still... want to be with me?

[valdrin]

[ he looks back to her, eyes searching her face, but there's something off in his expression and her sense motive picks up on that, even as he raises a hand to brush back her hair and say: ] Darling, there's nothing I want more.

[socialgraces]

[ she gives him a small smile, leaning into his touch, and she wants so badly to just give in and move on, terrified of what he might be holding back ] ...But you don't think it's possible, to make this work?

[valdrin]

I never said that. [ /aggressively doesn't... not say it. DOUBLE NEGATIVED ]

[socialgraces]

But you're still holding something back. [ and she just look s-so sad ] I can tell.

[valdrin]

I was under the impression that relationships were about compromise. I'm attempting to give you precisely that. [ and he sounds a little testy about it ] I can't make myself happy with the fact any more than you apparently can dissuade yourself from your feelings. But so long as we accept that, then very well.

We're even.

[socialgraces]

You're right. [ she sounds embarrassed and slightly less sad, but she does reach for his hand, holding it in hers } I never expected you to be happy about it, but I do want you to be happy. So, as long as you believe I can make you happy - that you'll be happy with me - then that's all that matters... to me, at least.

[valdrin]

Wonderful. That's all settled then. [ forever :| he rubs the back of her hand with a thumb, pulling her closer ] You make me ecstatic, darling. Never believe anything less.

[socialgraces]

It'll be better, once I'm back from this mission. We're just always apart and I spend all that time missing you, and worrying about you.

[valdrin]

Worrying about me? [ well now he just sounds amused. ] Do you fear I'll be throwing myself headlong into danger?





Because, yes, that does sound precisely like me.

[socialgraces]

[ she chuckles, ducking her head a bit ] I worry about everything, I can't help it. But I know how I get when left alone too long with just my thoughts, and I feared you might be feeling the same.

[valdrin]

I think I'm the one who should be worried, considering what you're involved in.

[socialgraces]

I thought that was why you gave me this. [ her free hand reaches for the diamond at her throat ] So you wouldn't need to worry.

[valdrin]

That was the plan, yes. But now I worry that someone will take it from you. It's very inconsiderate of the plan to have such a loophole.

[socialgraces]

Oh yes, so very inconsiderate. [ she can't hide that she likes that he worries about her. It means he cares, ok ] But I do promise to protect it, with my life... quite literally. And I've been keeping it hidden, just in case.

[valdrin]

It doesn't look so hidden right now. [ which he sounds... pretty pleased with. ]