life and its complications.

[putrefaction]

[It is a laundry day in someone else's mind.

He took extra steps to leave her alone to her task. She has quite a task ahead of her, and Nigel would only be in the way. Thus, he kept to cat naps, to shifting between waking and sleeping states.

Eventually, his throat demands a trip, and he emerges from his room with the intent to go to the kitchen. An intent that cuts short inches from his destination, when he catches sight of white-gold in the laundry room. Of skin he shouldn't be catching, a floral shape etched against the pale. White with a blue edge. Maybe. It's hard to tell with his sight.

Nigel halts, caught in an emotion unnamed. And as with all his awkward steps, he begins with words.]

A tattoo?

Comments

[putrefaction]

[She's closer than ever and speaks of, ironically, a simple thing. It resonates with the parts and pieces with him, and Nigel is frozen. He feels heat rise within his entire body.

This is new. Frighteningly new, and he wants to stay here.

But he has to breathe. To live. He begins to loosen his hand, allowing it to drop down to his side. He wonders how to separate them without offending her and comes up with nothing.

So he stays, unmoving. Silent.]

[purificatio]

[ The shift is felt, and she thinks he is obvious. She wonders how he doesn't know that.

She doesn't move. But she speaks. ]

You want to stay here. Stop trying to deny yourself.

[putrefaction]

[The response is automatic, despite whatever level of control is left to him.]

But it hurts.

[Is the murmur.]

[purificatio]

[ She slips backward at that, moves to look at him. Then leans her arms on his thighs to look upward. ]

Then show me how to help you. To not hurt you.

[putrefaction]

[He pauses at this, at the short distance. At the ways he could regulate and not make things harder for her.]

Could we talk about something else? Anything?

[A shuddered inhale.]

I just want to calm down.

[purificatio]

[ There is no missed beat or change of expression. ]

That line was awful.

[ The ice cream that never happened. ]

There was no way I wanted to stand with that many people.

[putrefaction]

[...Yes. Yes, that. That's so much better. He looks noticeably relieved.]

It was as if they had nowhere better to be.

[purificatio]

We should just have ice cream here.

[ But they are lazy and cheap. ]

I should learn how to make ice cream.

[putrefaction]

Isn't that more effort?

[It requires churning, from what he's been told.]

[purificatio]

[ Mmm, churning. ]

Efffffort.

[putrefaction]

[Okay. He can't help but smile a little.]

So allergic to effort.

[purificatio]

[ Snuggling onto thigh and laying her head on her arm there. ]

It's nice to be lazy sometimes.

[putrefaction]

[It's unconscious, but he is entirely affected by a little thing giving praise to laziness. That and how she's snuggled against him.]

Then we should sleep more.

[purificatio]

Is that a hint?

[putrefaction]

Well, yes. I'd coma permanently if I had my--

[Green eyes widen in realization as his cheeks suddenly flush red.]

Oh.

[purificatio]

[ The blush is charming. The rest also. He's wrong, but it's cute. The statement isn't as much. She leans forward and touches his nose with the tip of her finger. ]

Not allowed to coma. I'd miss you too much.

[putrefaction]

[Nigel might have hyperventilated, then, if Alanna hadn't distracted him. He looks at her, the color on his face gradually fading.]

That's why I probably will never have my way.

[purificatio]

You don't want to stay with me, then?

[putrefaction]

[He tenses.]

I want to stay with you.

[purificatio]

[ Touches nose again. ]

Then change your wants.

[putrefaction]

[It is guilt he feels instead of comfort.]

Sorry. I'm just tired. A lot.

[purificatio]

Want me to pet you?

[ This is said with no insinuations. She straightens, then pats her thighs and mimes petting, an offer to pet him to sleep in her lap. ]

[putrefaction]

[He watches her, settles his faltering vision on the motions of her hands, and then stills in abject horror.

His lips twitch first before the words, or word, come spilling out.]

W-W-What?

[purificatio]

[ Her head cocks in a manner not unlike a cat watching a bird. ]

Tired. Petting. Sleeping. Together.

[putrefaction]

[Oh. Okay. That isn't as bad as he expected. He exhales in mild relief.]

You're up for that?