strongroots | [thecity] inbox

Thank you. [ Yes, he knows that they're dating, and maybe he doesn't need to say that as sincerely as he does--but he's going to, anyway. Drawing away from her in a small way, just to give her room, to move his limbs back to himself.

He has to remind himself that this is the right thing to do, especially as he stands up, looking over at the doorway out with the knowledge of--if he went out there right now, would he end up at the haunted house?

And wouldn't that be a good thing?

...it might've distracted him from the fact he wanted to come and collect the spare blanket with her than just make Tsuruno do all the work........... ]

[ Yeah, how dare he make his girlfriend carry this Extremely Heavy blanket and Even Heavier Fluffy Pillow, how negligent of him. Which is what she lugs back after a minute, after moving away from him (reluctantly). She, at least, isn't experiencing that kind of impulse but she can only worry about him, about leaving him potentially alone to deal with it, but at least Tsuruno tries to be swift about it.

And maybe he's still standing there (and ideally he isn't getting closer to the front door) when she returns, arms full with acquired sleeping materials. ]

... Okay, I think--are you a one or two pillow kinda sleeper?

[ Her magical girl arms are in overwork this night. Robby is failing feminism.

But he is still standing there, not having moved, but he has a hand over his eyes, held there more in the way that someone might do when suffering a headache or dizziness than pressed too closely. Not noticing she's returned until she speaks--and his head shoots up, a confused look on his face. ]

Uh--yeah, sure.

[ That's not what she asked, Robby. ]

...

[ Oh, boy.

Tsuruno looks him over, very clearly concerned and not bothering to try to hide it. What's the point in fooling someone who's just as worse off as she is, if not more?

So instead, she offers him the blanket. ]

This might sound a little weird, but is it okay if I stay out here with you until you fall asleep?

[ tsuruno, why can't you just ignore every signal that he's not doing well right now. :(

Even if Robby knows he wasn't hiding it well, he still manages to look ashamed when she makes her request: biting on his lower lip and clearly struggling with wanting to accept it. He's taken the blanket from her, standing there a for a moment until he does set it down onto the sofa, though he's slow to move--he hasn't answered her yet.

Ugh. ]

I don't want you losing sleep 'cause of me. [ He knows, he knows how she is, and yet--maybe they both have their habits. The blanket may be on the sofa, but he's still holding a part of it, fiddling it as he admits: ]

I'm just feeling bad about tonight.

[ Because Robby is important :( ]

[ One hand closes over his, warm, a detriment to fiddling. As always, she's warm. ]

I wouldn't be able to sleep until I knew you were asleep, anyway. [ Honesty for honesty. Robby's always concerned for her, always thoughtful, but this isn't a one-sided sentiment. ]

We're here for each other, right? You're staying here with me and I want to stay with you for now. That'd make me feel better, too.

[ It's hard for Robby to argue, especially when the argument he has left is silly in the face of Tsuruno's concern, her warmth. His concede comes when he looks at her, pinching his lips into the vague shape of a smile. ]

...okay. [ Okay. ] I...hope your chair isn't uncomfortable.

[ As we said, it's a silly concern....but also valid!! But if this is where he needs to be a good boy a sit down, he can--just, let him give her a peck on her cheek before he does.

He wants to do that. ]

The floor's plenty comfy, actually! I used to make a blanket nest when I started out living here because it felt too weird to use the bed.

[ And Tsuruno says it brightly, reassuring. This she can do. This, she's used to, and when Robby kisses her cheek, she squeezes his hand and only lets go to plop down on the floor with her back propped against the couch. ]

It's almost kinda nostalgic now.

[ Well now, you know he's got to ask her-- ]

Why was the bed weird?

[ Also, why pick the floor over the seat, Tsuruno!!! ]

Because for the longest time, it felt like someone was going to come back to their home at any minute and I didn't want to steal their bed...

[ she mumbles this a little, aware it sounds ridiculous. But also shh the floor is comfy. ]

[ ...

we're sorry, Tsuruno, but Robby can't help his laugh. It's small, light and soft, accompanied by a very warm smile after the fact. He's brought his legs up and tucked them under the cover, though he's still resting on an elbow. ]

That's a special kind of thoughtful. I'd have taken the bed.

[ It's not said in an insulting way, at least.......... ]

[ This is just their relationship, he laughs at the things that come out of her mouth and he's valid for it. ]

Yeah, well, you already knew I was weird.

[ And you decided to date that, goes unspoken. If she's sulking at all, it's very lightly so. ]

[ He likes that response. Should he? It makes his smile widen temporarily anyway. ]

You can always sleep in my bed, even if I'm not in it. [ His smile hasn't gone, and with a pause: ] You can sleep with me here, too.

[ This is also a part of their relationship: Robby proposing an offer that might not sound entirely sincere. ]

[ It's true, she's lifting her head a bit to blink at him, because she can never really tell at first processing whether he's teasing her or not, trying to get a reaction out of her. ]

Wouldn't that just make it harder for you to sleep, anyway?

[ He seems to think about it for a second, before lifting his shoulders. ]

Dunno unless I try. Depends if you wanna try. [ But, with a small chuckle in his voice-- ] Wouldn't be as comfortable as sleeping in your own bed later, though.

[ So, you know. He'd get not wanting to squeeze up on a sofa with him compared to a bed all on your own, later. ]

[ The thing about her is that yes, she will always put proximity with Robby above all else, including a comfortable bed, especially when they're both rattled and uncertain, so after a short pause, Tsuruno climbs back to her feet and then moves to join him on the sofa. ]

Wouldn't know unless I try, right?

[ Everything about what's happening here is done on the fly--that is, Robby definitely wasn't planning this. Just like when he suggested Tsuruno ask him out, and that led to him sincerely offering it, even if there had been some teasing involve.

He watches her now get up, and there's a giddiness in him, something unexpected but not disliked, and he moves himself to make room for her, pulling back the blanket, trying to push into the back cushions to make as much room for Tsuruno to work with. For them both to figure out, once she gets on. ]

Is this okay? [ He asks in particular, when he brings his arm that would be pinned between his body and the couch out near her shoulders; and then bringing it around, to hold her across the chest.

Or, you know. he can let it sit somewhere by her stomach. Wherever that isn't pinned under himself. ]

[ has she ever slept on a sofa with another person? Yes, technically, if Felicia got herself worn out and hadn't wanted to go to her own room at Mikazuki Villa, but this is markedly different.

All the same, Tsuruno finds it more reassuring than awkward, fitting herself back against Robby and pausing to consider where his arm is before huffing lightly. ]

Works fine for me. Is it okay for you?

[ he's not really getting the luxury of space here. ]

[ Is it...more than a bit of a squeeze? Sure. But along where that one arm goes... ]

Sure. [ ...he's putting his other over her waist, securing her. Almost-- ] You're like one of those body pillows people use.

[ Robby is not thinking of the otaku kind, mind.

But he is quite enjoying snuggling up to her like this. Her presence against his. ]

Thanks, I think.

[ she is going to choose to believe that he's not referring to her as one of those. She is not a waifu.

But he's warm against her and it's a snug fit, not all that uncomfortable, and one hand moves to cover the one near her waist. ]

Get some rest, okay?

You too.

[ Was this meant to be Tsuruno just hanging around until he fell asleep? Sike, life. This is now two dorky partners cuddling together on a sofa.

.....instead of just going for a bigger bed.

Because sometimes, you're weird. And that's okay. ]

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