forum Up for another one? (Closed~)

Started July 12, 2020 by @Rainy_is_back

tune

Laura smiled softly, scooting back so she was leaning against her pillows.
"Thank you, sir…" She mumbled, still holding onto his hand. "I- I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?"

"No, nothing at all. I have a free day, remember?" He smiled gently, folding his legs as he looked at Laura was a smile. He set his free hand in his lap, the other resting in Laura's.
"How are you doing, adjusting to all of this?"

"I know, but… I mean something you want to be doing." Laura mumbled, drawing her knees up to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees, looking up to him.
"And, I… I think I'm doing okay? I… I don't really know."

"The only thing I want to do right now is make sure you're doing okay." Ash shifted a bit, using his other hand to pat Laura's gently.
"And it's okay not to know right now. It's only been a day, after all."

Laura nodded a little, letting out a soft sigh.
"I… I feel funny when other people are around. I-I think I get nervous?" She mumbled, burying her face in her folded legs. "My tummy feels funny and… and my body freezes. I… that's not normal, is it?"

Ash was quiet a moment.
"It's not normal for other people," Ash started, "at least, not for people who didn't have a life like you. Do you remember the man we saw this morning, the one covered in scratches?"

Laura paused, remembering the tall man behind Mr. Alex in the halls.
"Yes sir, I… I remember…" She responded softly, looking up to him. She wanted to show she was paying attention, so she kept her eyes on him.

"Well, you saw how he was hiding behind Alex? He feels the same way you do whenever he is around other people, too." Ash gently patted Laura's hand. "It's normal for people who went through bad things." He spoke softly.

"Are… are you sure?" Laura asked weakly, holding onto his hand a little tighter. Though she was so small, it would be a surprise if he could even notice the difference.
"I-I don't want to be… different from everyone else… they'll- they'll think I'm weird…"

Ash moved a bit closer to Laura, raising his hand gently to her cheek.
"I'm sure," he said softly. He rubbed her cheek, keeping close. "You might be different, but that's okay, Laura. I don't think you're weird, and all the people here won't think so either."

Her eyes fluttered close at the touch, and she seemed to be leaning in to it.
"Y-you're sure?" Laura asked softly, still leaning into his touch. "I… I really don't… don't want to be." She mumbled as she further pulled closer to him.

"I'm sure," Ash confirmed. "It's okay to be different, Laura. Everyone is. No one is just like anyone else, I promise." Ash moved a bit closer, sittng next to Laura now.

Laura nodded weakly, curling up against him. She nuzzled up into his side, trying not to think about it too much anymore.
"I-I'm… I'm sorry for crying at the store…" She mumbled a little, keeping her face hidden.

Ash took this opportunity to wrap his arms around Laura, rubbing her back now.
"It's okay," he assured softly. "I was asking too much of you too soon, and I'm sorry for that."

Laura looked up at him, shaking her head a little.
“It… it’s fine. I- I shouldn’t have gotten so stressed about it…” She mumbled a bit, continuing to curl up closer.

"It was perfectly fine for you to get stressed in that moment. I was pushing you to make a decision you obviously didn't want to make today." Ash reached up, gently running his fingers through Laura's hair once.

She nodded a little, keeping curled up.
"Alright sir… if you're sure." Laura mumbled a little, feeling really tired all of a sudden. "Is… is there anything I need to do? I-I'm kind of tired, but- but I can help if you need me."

"There's nothing you need to do. Go ahead and get some sleep. Do you want me to stay with you?" Ash gently ran his fingers through Laura's hair again, holding her close as she curled up against his side.

Laura kept quiet for a minute, before letting out a soft sigh.
"K-kind of…" She mumbled, her voice barely audible. She felt bad about asking him to stay, but she hated the idea of him leaving her. Right now at least.

Ash listened closely, then nodded.
"Okay then. I won't leave, I promise." He shifted slightly. "Do you want to lay down? Or do you want to stay like this?" He reached up to gently cup Laura's head.

Laura had grown quiet once more, taking a moment to decide. Slowly she started to slide down so she was laying on her back, looking up at him.
"I-I'd prefer to lie down… but- um, you don't have to."

Ash gently slid down, joining Laura.
"It's okay…" He smiled gently, pulling the blanket up around Laura a bit.

As soon as the blanket was up, Laura curled up close to Mr. Ash, burying her face in his shoulder. She was honestly glad he didn't mind laying down.
"Thank you, sir…" She mumbled weakly, growing rather clingy.

"You're welcome," Ash said softly. He wrapped his arms around Laura again as they laid there, starting to hum softly. He didn't mind spending this time with Laura, or his much she wanted to be close to him. He understood it.

Laura focused on his humming, growing sleepier in his arms. It was really relaxing, and she was practically asleep in fifteen minutes. Though her closeness to him didn't seem to change, even in her sleep.