darkinferno | [ic inbox]

When on Earth would I ever say that?

[She sits up a bit, moving her head off his shoulder to look him in the eye.]

[Oh, all right, fine. He'll take pity on her. Finally Dante lets the smile cross his face, nudging her with his shoulder.]

It was the morning after the party, you've probably forgotten. You were pretty hung over.

You were worried about how your father would react to his daughter liking women and decided you'd need to have an heir somehow...

That... sounds like something I would worry about.

[She squirms a little, suddenly uncomfortable that she would voice that concern out loud, and actually ask a question like that.]

Next time I'm drinking, just gag me, okay?

A couple problems there.

[Dante transfers his glass to the hand that's around Vera's shoulders so that he can tick them off on his fingers.]

One, if someone gagged you, you wouldn't be able to drink any more.

Two, that's pretty kinky. I don't think that sort of thing is acceptable in polite company, even if you were into guys.

[Did you really expect him not to take the opportunity to make the joke, did you]

God, you are just the worst.

[And she'll give him a jab to the ribs for his trouble. Not enough to hurt him, of course, but enough that she hopes he'll think about what a lame joke that was. Still, it doesn't keep the smile from creeping up her face.]

But... I guess that would be one way to make sure we'd never be alone.

[There's a small laugh from Dante as she jabs him in the ribs. He knows/i> it was a stupid joke. But it was worth it to see the little smile that comes to her face, to know that even for a second he was able to push away the waves of heartbreak and sadness.]

What would be, you being into guys? I don't think that's something you can just decide to change.

What? No. That's not something I'd want to change even if I could.

[Her arms wrap around his waist, pulling herself tight against his side. The feeling is different, but the warmth is there. That's good enough for now.]

Besides, I'm pretty sure what we're doing right now confirms that I'm gay.

[It's not a full-on laugh that escapes him, but a chuckle as he lowers his chin to rest on her head.]

What, cuddling with a friend? That doesn't confirm anything, cuddling is nice no matter who it's with.

[A shrug.] Though even if you weren't, I still wouldn't let things go any further than this. Rebounding can be nice, but only if you're aware that's what you're doing.

Edited (why can i not html today) 2017-07-06 20:16 (UTC)

[Dante's laugh draws a small chuckle from her as well.]

No, Dante, you know me. If I was into guys, there's no way I could do this without being a flustered mess.

[Instead of nuzzling into his neck with her arms tight around him.]

[Okay, yeah, he's laughing outright at that.]

You've got a point. Hang on.

[He's going to take another drink, then leans forward to put his glass on the table. Hopefully Vera's ready for anything, because he's going to reach over with the arm not wrapped around her and slip his arm under her legs so that he can lift her up bodily swinging his legs up onto the couch and settling her into his lap so that he can, finally, sprawl back and rest his head against the arm of the couch. It should hopefully put the both of them in a more comfortable position, and allows him to wrap both his arms around her in return.]

There. Is that any better for you?

[Vera lets out a squeal as she's unexpectedly scooped up and shifted around before landing in her best friend's lap. She would be upset about what just happened, but she actually is more comfortable now.]

Warn me next time, you jerk.

[She turns over, laying on her stomach and resting her head on Dante's chest. Part of her leans against the back of the couch to not put all of her weight on him while sort of straddling his leg to keep her balance. This is pretty close to the way Victoria would hold her when they went to sleep, though it felt very different.]

God, I think I never fully realized how much bigger you are than me.

[Had he even seen her without heels before today? She always knew she was short, but she feels absolutely tiny against his broad chest.]

[Dante doesn't say anything in response to Vera telling him off, smirk crossing his face. Does she really mind? Considering she's snuggling right up against him, he doesn't think so.

She really is tiny. Dante knows he's tall, and it's not like he's some sort of shrimp without any muscle, but he's also not barrel-chested like some of the guys he knows (lookin' @ u, terra). And yet Vera feels small and almost delicate in his arms, as though he might break her if he pushes too far.]

Is that a bad thing?

[He brings up his free leg to rest his foot on the couch, leaning his knee in against her hip. It's not a big change, but it's one more point of contact, one more attempt to make sure that she feels protected from the world outside and all the bad that's happened today.]

I guess not. [Her voice lowers as she gets comfortable, gripping onto his shirt.]

It makes me feel safe. Besides, I'm not getting any taller.

[Safe, huh? Dante will squeeze Vera a little bit tighter at that--he's never considered that he might be a safe haven for someone else.]

I'm glad.

Who knows, though, you might eke out another half inch or so.

You're glad I'm short?

[Her voice is low, nearly a whisper as she closes her eyes. She can't help but slip into her bedroom mindset, being held so tightly.]

I guess it makes me easier to coddle. If that's... a good thing?

[He chuckles, the sound low and warm.]

I'm glad that you feel safe, is what I meant.

I know.

[His voice is so comforting, right now. She's so happy that she's not alone, sneaking a little smile up at him.]

I've never had a friend like you before. You gave up your whole day just to keep me from being a sobbing mess at my apartment.

[What's there to say to that? Her expression is probably mirrored on his, a small smile as he looks back down at her.]

I wouldn't do that for just anybody. But people like us have to stick together, right? We're in the same boat.

[He pauses, and then, his voice a little more serious:]

If I were in your shoes, and it was Ari that had disappeared, I'd probably be blackout drunk in the woods right now. I know how it feels.

I don't know about the woods, but you'd definitely find me passed out in my studio.

[She reaches up and touches his cheek.]

But I'm glad you understand. We're like two sides of the same coin.

[In the woods, nobody can find him. There are too many people that know he lives here.

But he just nods in agreement.]

Yeah. Different circles, but the same hoops to jump through, the same expectations.

The same isolation.

[The touching hand gives Dante's cheek the lightest of taps. Now isn't the time to be talking about being alone, dredging up their awful childhoods can only make this day worse.]

But now I have you, and I don't feel so lonely anymore. Even if... Vic is gone. I know I'm not alone.

[Okay, okay, he won't talk about the negatives, no matter how they always prickle at the edges of his mind. Instead, he focuses on Vera's words, on what it is she's saying.

"I know I'm not alone."

He keeps his face composed, but internally, Dante wonders about that fact. Somehow, things have changed so much in the past five months, just from this simple app that's installed itself to his phone. Would those changes have come about if not for Retrospec? Does he somehow owe Retrospec for all of this? For having found people who, he might one day dare to hope, won't leave him behind at the slightest provocation?]

No. You'll never be alone, as long as I'm around.

[He only wishes that he could say it and believe it himself.]

[Hey now, who's supposed to be cheering up who here? She musters up the smallest of smiles, stroking his side idly with one hand. It's still amazing, to experience this level of intimacy was something she'd only dream of a few short months ago. Now, she's come this close not only with a lover, but with her best friend as well. Though the two sensations are very different, she can't help but feel spoiled that she can lose one, but still find warmth in the other. It's almost too easy. Does she really deserve this?]

Maybe I'll have your children after all.

[And just like that, the cloud that had been descending on him seems to lift and vanish. Dante laughs, shaking his head.]

Maybe? You'll have to hope that whoever I'm with at the time is all right with that, too. Even Ari might draw the line at me getting you pregnant.

There's a difference between artificial insemination and you actually knocking me up, you know.

[Pointing at him!!!]

God, I was joking, what am I even doing defending this.

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