[ His reaction doesn't go unnoticed, what with it seemingly the first time she's Nier flustered. The calm and collected facade he's kept started to crack, and Alex's curiosity about what was behind it only grew.
But just as his gaze returns to her, so does his focus and words. Maybe both of them didn't know what to do with compliments. ]
Because you showed me there was nothing to be afraid of.
[ After he left her that night, she thought back on their interaction, and it became apparent to her that he made sure to come off as harmless as possible. At least, as much as one could when covered in blood and carrying around a giant weapon and corpse.
She sees his hand shift closer, not menacing, not expecting. More like offering, and giving her a choice.
Brave isn't a word she'd use to describe herself, not with all the cowardice she's shown throughout the years. But Nier seems to look at things so..so differently. She may not be able to fully accept the compliment, not just yet, but she does move to rest the tips of her fingers on top of his, the difference between their hands stark against one another. How many had he helped with these hands? ]
And you..have gone above and beyond. More than you need to, for someone you just met.
[ She smiles, softly, sincerely ]
That's one of the kindest things I've ever seen someone do.
[ It's something she hasn't seen enough of, not until she came here. Her fingers stop half way over his hand, not really as brave as he claims her to be just yet. ]
[ as her fingers hover over his, his eyes flick back up towards her; they're brimming with surprise, a dash of bashfulness, his features a little uncharacteristically meek for a change. she thought far too highly of him, but he's selfish enough to very gradually ease his hand into hers. the gesture's delayed just enough that she can pull away if she so chooses to. ]
...You reminded me of myself.
[ of when he was afraid — of everything and everyone, just as he told her. ]
In the future...if you're afraid of me, that's alright. I'll prove that you don't have to be as many times as I have to. We're freinds now. And you have friends who aren't just me, too.
[ he lets his fingers delicately trace over hers. the corners of his lips furl, like a flower in bloom. ]
You think you're a burden to other people. [ it's a statement. a presumptous one, surely, but it's in the way she speaks, in the way she worries and frets at any given opportunity. ]
But there are a lot of people here who really like you...when I was at your booth, I saw them. You might not see what I do — but that's why I have to tell you, right?
[ and then he uh, pokes at her forearm with his free hand. just a little teasingly. ]
So if you're lonely, talk to someone. And if you don't, I'll just have to come see you.
Alex had a hard time thinking Nier would be anything like her--but, she can't deny that she has felt something familiar with him. Maybe that was why it felt so easy to talk, too easy even. Sometimes, it felt like he could see right through her.
Her fingers twitch beneath his touch, the gentle way his battle hardened hands grazed over her skin tickling her. She hears the truth in his words, some she herself didn't give attention to, as well as something else in the way he says things.
The merrow turns her hand over, catching some of his fingers between her own. ]
You're not a last resort.
[ Her eyes look to him now. ]
And I..also want to prove that you're not someone to be afraid of.
[ she is kind; far kinder than he deserves. he relaxes into her touch, allowing her to thread his fingers in between her own. against his own skin, she is warm like the summer, and smells of spring. ]
I know I'm not a last resort. [ it's admitted with hesistance for fear of sounding conceited. but it's not about that, not quite. ]
A lot of people...made sacrifices for me. Big ones. [ even though they knew how the story would end. even they though they knew it was pointless. they still did it for him. ] They loved me enough to do that. I've befriended good people. You're one of them.
[ a moment passes, and his eyes flit towards her hand, staring hard. ]
But you have an entire life ahead of you, Alex. I want you to get to share it with those you care about.
[ There he goes again, making it about her. She listens to what he has to say, his words are sincere and from the heart. And yet..there echoed that loneliness again.
Alex dips her head, catching his gaze with hers. ]
You make it sound like you're not part of that....but..I'd like you to be.
[ She has lost so many friends already--people she didn't have the courage to call her friends before it was too late. She didn't want to make that mistake again. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
But just as his gaze returns to her, so does his focus and words. Maybe both of them didn't know what to do with compliments. ]
Because you showed me there was nothing to be afraid of.
[ After he left her that night, she thought back on their interaction, and it became apparent to her that he made sure to come off as harmless as possible. At least, as much as one could when covered in blood and carrying around a giant weapon and corpse.
She sees his hand shift closer, not menacing, not expecting. More like offering, and giving her a choice.
Brave isn't a word she'd use to describe herself, not with all the cowardice she's shown throughout the years. But Nier seems to look at things so..so differently. She may not be able to fully accept the compliment, not just yet, but she does move to rest the tips of her fingers on top of his, the difference between their hands stark against one another. How many had he helped with these hands? ]
And you..have gone above and beyond. More than you need to, for someone you just met.
[ She smiles, softly, sincerely ]
That's one of the kindest things I've ever seen someone do.
[ It's something she hasn't seen enough of, not until she came here. Her fingers stop half way over his hand, not really as brave as he claims her to be just yet. ]
no subject
...You reminded me of myself.
[ of when he was afraid — of everything and everyone, just as he told her. ]
In the future...if you're afraid of me, that's alright. I'll prove that you don't have to be as many times as I have to. We're freinds now. And you have friends who aren't just me, too.
[ he lets his fingers delicately trace over hers. the corners of his lips furl, like a flower in bloom. ]
You think you're a burden to other people. [ it's a statement. a presumptous one, surely, but it's in the way she speaks, in the way she worries and frets at any given opportunity. ]
But there are a lot of people here who really like you...when I was at your booth, I saw them. You might not see what I do — but that's why I have to tell you, right?
[ and then he uh, pokes at her forearm with his free hand. just a little teasingly. ]
So if you're lonely, talk to someone. And if you don't, I'll just have to come see you.
no subject
Alex had a hard time thinking Nier would be anything like her--but, she can't deny that she has felt something familiar with him. Maybe that was why it felt so easy to talk, too easy even. Sometimes, it felt like he could see right through her.
Her fingers twitch beneath his touch, the gentle way his battle hardened hands grazed over her skin tickling her. She hears the truth in his words, some she herself didn't give attention to, as well as something else in the way he says things.
The merrow turns her hand over, catching some of his fingers between her own. ]
You're not a last resort.
[ Her eyes look to him now. ]
And I..also want to prove that you're not someone to be afraid of.
no subject
[ she is kind; far kinder than he deserves. he relaxes into her touch, allowing her to thread his fingers in between her own. against his own skin, she is warm like the summer, and smells of spring. ]
I know I'm not a last resort. [ it's admitted with hesistance for fear of sounding conceited. but it's not about that, not quite. ]
A lot of people...made sacrifices for me. Big ones. [ even though they knew how the story would end. even they though they knew it was pointless. they still did it for him. ] They loved me enough to do that. I've befriended good people. You're one of them.
[ a moment passes, and his eyes flit towards her hand, staring hard. ]
But you have an entire life ahead of you, Alex. I want you to get to share it with those you care about.
no subject
Alex dips her head, catching his gaze with hers. ]
You make it sound like you're not part of that....but..I'd like you to be.
[ She has lost so many friends already--people she didn't have the courage to call her friends before it was too late. She didn't want to make that mistake again. ]
Is that okay..?