[Within seconds he finds a comfortable way to nestle against her, grip tightening gently against her side as he buries his face against her chest and starts to relax. Short hair and even shorter stubble probably makes her bare skin tickle. He's far too tall to fit too snugly against her, but he does seem a lot smaller when he's a little curled up, knees bent and head bowed.]
That wouldn't be fair on you. [Although he doesn't clarify if he means her trying to shoulder the burdens of his nightmares or if she's going to carve out space in her home alongside all the other spaces she's already carved out for the other boys.]
I like this. [It's a quiet little admission, not only because he's apprehensive about admitting it to anyone but also because he's still working out what he's allowed to like, and want, and have. He does feel safe here, even without her making that explicit. He's good with her kids, not a danger to them, and she's never made him defend that. A part of him feels more at home here than he's been alone in his apartment.
He... likes her, too, but that takes a lot more courage to say aloud than he can muster up for the moment. Maybe give him more time. Another day. A different occasion, with just the two of them. He might be able to manage it then. For now, it comes out more like a joke.]
I like you a hell of a lot more than I like Sam. [Considering how much they bicker like an old married couple though, Sam's probably set a low bar there.]
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Date: 2021-10-29 08:16 pm (UTC)That wouldn't be fair on you. [Although he doesn't clarify if he means her trying to shoulder the burdens of his nightmares or if she's going to carve out space in her home alongside all the other spaces she's already carved out for the other boys.]
I like this. [It's a quiet little admission, not only because he's apprehensive about admitting it to anyone but also because he's still working out what he's allowed to like, and want, and have. He does feel safe here, even without her making that explicit. He's good with her kids, not a danger to them, and she's never made him defend that. A part of him feels more at home here than he's been alone in his apartment.
He... likes her, too, but that takes a lot more courage to say aloud than he can muster up for the moment. Maybe give him more time. Another day. A different occasion, with just the two of them. He might be able to manage it then. For now, it comes out more like a joke.]
I like you a hell of a lot more than I like Sam. [Considering how much they bicker like an old married couple though, Sam's probably set a low bar there.]