Aika's lips upturned slightly, into a soft and small smile. She plugged the other earbud into her ear, turning on the music and finding a comfortable volume. As she settled to listen, her hand found his, tapping his fingers twice before letting her hand rest near her knee. Making sure they were his, even though she knew they wouldn't be anything else. It was comforting, oddly enough. Having that contact. Something she didn't get much of.
Rory let out a soft but long sigh, finally letting himself sink into relaxation and near-unconsciousness. The bed wasn't the best, but Aika had been right when guessing that his previous chair and position wasn't nearly as comfortable. Added onto that was the music. He didn't listen to classical all that much, but it was a nice change and sound for his tired mind and body. Soon enough, he curled up a bit more without removing that slight connection between them with the contact, then drifted off to the lull of the music.
((Skip off?))
((yeah. where to?))
((Hmm….something angsty? I have a scene in mind of Aika starting to play her violin and suddenly being able to, causing a breakdown of sorts. Lotta pent up feelings there))
((Oooo. We've got angst for Liydar but this one could use some as well. I like it. Gonna bring out the protective sweetheart in Rory))
((Aaaww. But yes, this one needs some Sad. I can’t start us off rn, so if you can’t either, it’ll have to be done later))
((Doubt I'll be able to. Only sporadic normal replies here and there))
Chemo was hell, and Aika was alone. For once, her surroundings were somewhat quiet, her neighbor in the cafeteria and the doctors not needing to visit this hall often. Everyone was out. Busy doing things, being productive or visiting their family-
She shook her head. Best not to think about that. Instead, she would take the window of time before Rory showed up to practice. She’d been bad about that already, unable to bear setting up her violin. But she was doing it now, and glad she had. It felt familiar, the wood under her hands and strings on her fingers, even if she couldn’t see them.
As soon as she started to play, though, things turned for the worst. Dramatically so. It was like the release of the strings weakened the gates holding back the emotions she was refusing to feel, until suddenly, she was shaking, slowly lowering to her knees as she dropped the violin to rid her eyes of the blindfold. And, unfortunately, free her tears. All of her fears, her doubts and guilt and the feelings of abandonment, they all came rushing up. She was scared, just a scared teenager who’s father wasn’t there when she needed him, who’d pushed away her mother and everyone around her. Alone.
Rory was on his way to meet with Aika when he heard it: a violin. He paused and inched towards the corner he was near, peeking out to find its source. He was about to smile with pride when he saw the girl playing the instrument, fingers resting upon the wood like that of a practiced master. However, things went downhill very quickly, and he was quick to rush over to her.
His arms slipped around her waist and held Aika against his chest as he, too, fell to his knees behind her. "Hey hey hey," he whispered next to her ear, tucking his chin on her shoulder and gently rocking back and forth as he sat back on his heels. He didn't know what that was all about, but it was instinct for him to want to protect and comfort her. "It's okay. It's okay."
Aika's soft shaking grew, turning into shuddering sobs as she turned to bury her face in Rory's shoulder. Maybe, if she hadn't been so out of sorts, she would have found it mortifying to be caught crying. But now, especially with it being Rory, it seemed alright. Rory had never once judged her, and his presence, especially now, brought along a soothing and open energy. The kind of energy that let her cry her eyes out in front of someone else.
"I'm s-" A hiccup punctuated her words. "-orry. It just-" She tried to speak a few times, having to stop and let her words gather themselves before she could manage anything. "I'm s-so alone in here."
Rory wrapped his arms tighter around Aika when she turned, adjusting her smaller body so she was fully facing him and adjusting himself so he was sitting cross-legged, pulling her onto his lap. "Shhhh," he cooed as he pressed his face into the side of her head, speaking against her hair. His one hand came up to cup the back of her head, gently running in circles. "You're not alone, Aika, not anymore." With that, he started to murmur-sing a Korean lullaby he learned as a child, one he had been sung by his parents to help calm him down when he was upset. Didn't matter what about, if he was angry or crying, they always sang this particular song. So he, naturally, passed that onto Aika, using that as a way to calm her. His lips were right next to her ear, so he was careful to keep his voice low but gentle and soft.
“You’re not alone.”
Aika had been alone nearly all her life. Even surrounded by other people, by her family and peers and even just strangers on the street, she had always been alone. Self making and self serving. But here, she wasn’t alone. Gage was always willing to pop in and say hello and check on her. The doctors and nurses weren’t just there to work, but genuinely seemed interested in learning about her. And Rory…he was holding her right at that exact moment, something no one had done since she was a toddler. He was holding her and singing to her, offering comfort and making sure she knew he was there.
Apparently, all she needed to find something she needed was to lose something else she needed. An eye for an eye. Almost literally. But part of her….part of her was glad. At least, glad she’d found this.
Rory continued to stroke her hair as he finished the song, his voice tapering out until it was just a soft humming vibrato. When all was silent, he continued to hold her, continued to comfort her with his touch and presence. Is other hand, the one not in her hair, ran up and down her back, occasionally drawing Korean characters with his fingers that meant different things, such as strong, beautiful, smart, and amazing. There were more, of course, all words he'd use to describe Aika. He wouldn't let go of her until she was okay, that was a silent promise he made to her as he held her.
Aika's tears slowly subsided, her shaking becoming nothing but a small tremble eventually. There was something almost therapeutic about crying. Like she was freeing her soul from a cage full of emotions she refused to feel. Maybe bottling them all up as long as she could wasnt the best idea, though. Maybe talking to someone would be nice. The only problem was, that meant finding someone to listen, and actually….opening up. "I-I'm sorry. Still. I dont know why-usually the music helps. It's supposed to help."
Rory rubbed up and down Aika's back, holding her closer—if that was even possible. "Shhhh, it's okay, Aika. Sometimes things just don't work out the way we plan. That's just life. But we have to look at the good, you know?" He closed his eyes and let out a long and soft exhale through his nose, burying his face further into her neck and hair. "I'm here for you, whenever you need it. I won't let you be alone anymore, got it? You're stuck with me, for good or for bad. I'll be your eyes, but also your therapy dog. If you need to talk without being talked to, I can do that. Don't think you don't have any hope just because one little thing didn't work out the way it should."