Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[discard]

[...Oh....

For a long moment, nothing happens, though he's very much aware of that offer. There's just a long, hesitant pause--

And then he shuffles closer a little on the couch, shifting bit by bit, and slowly... he leans. He ends up curling up on the couch just short of her lap; it doesn't seem like he's bold enough to do anything else--but. Well.

He wanted to, for a moment there.]

[mombastic]

[ at least he's... resting. And Otome can still rest a hand on his head, so you know what, she's accomplishing something anyway. Sixteen-year-old boys probably don't spring for lap pillows, after all. ]

[discard]

[Probably true, even if he's starting to get really attached to mom. Either way, he doesn't actually shift away from her touch, and he'll doze off there, eyes sliding shut again. Overall, his breathing does sound better, and his temperature has gone down; seems he's just sleeping off the rest as best he's able, curled up in a little ball of blankets and messy hair.]

[mombastic]

[ Otome will let him sleep, keeping one hand on his hair as she gets back to working on her lessons. Like this, she can keep an eye on him if his breathing changes, or his fever returns with a vengeance. And most importantly, she can be right here if he needs her. ]

[discard]

[Neither of which will happen, thankfully; it seems like he really is out of the woods for the worst of the illness at this point. But...he does shift in his sleep despite himself, as if fever dreaming; there's a mildly discontent noise, until Leon shifts enough that his forehead gently bumps against Otome's leg.

He blearily opens an eye, looking around hastily--and his eyes fall on Otome.

And just like that, the tension drains away, and he curls up contentedly to go back to sleep--because with Otome there, he feels perfectly safe.]

[mombastic]

[ ... Her heart. Her heart. It's such a simple gesture, and coming from anyone else, that's all it would be-- cute, but simple. Coming from Leon, it's something unexpected and a very undeniable sign of trust, and that's what makes Otome's throat go tight.

Never is she going to regret bringing him home with her. Never is she going to regret working hard to integrate him into a world not his own. Not when she has him, and he's here and safe.

And maybe, she wonders, maybe he's happy. ]