[ LAY ]:ย ย ย ย ย ย the sender lays down in the receiverโs lap to let them play with the senderโs hair.
Seated on the sun-warmed grass with her knees up and her palms bracing her weight behind her, she tilted her head back to stare up at the clouds. They drifted lazily across the blue expanse, unbothered by the way it was slowly fading in brilliance as the sun began its descent. The afternoon was soon to be over, but still, warmth continued across Lisanna's skin like a lingering embrace, one she would always be grateful for.
A peaceful sigh slipped from her lips as the faint breeze gently tousled her hair in a soft caress. There was nothing quite like being outdoors on such a fine day, especially with friends and those she cared about. Tilting her head down again, her eyes sought her companions and the reassurance of their presence.
To her right, Lector lay on his stomach with a book open before him. Sheโd come to find the exceed was quite the voracious reader, and heโd been rather excited to come across that particular book when theyโd passed through the town earlier (it was something about Stellean history, or maybe recipes? She wasnโt entirely sure, but Lector would no doubt give a full review or recount once he finished it anyway).
To her left, Sting sat in a similar position to her own. His legs were slightly bent to bring his knees up, only instead of leaning back against his hands, his arms rested loosely draped over his legs. His fingers idly twirled a long blade of grass heโd plucked.
She watched as a yawn slowly overtook his features, and she was reminded rather strongly of a cat with the way the motion started off rather cutely and ended with reminder of danger, the flash of sharp canines. She briefly touched the tip of her tongue to her own teeth, tracing the noticeable points that had developed from overuse of her magic. There had been times when she had been too self-conscious to smile fully around people, but that was certainly no problem around Sting.
He yawned a second time, pulling her from wandering thoughts to focus on the current moment. Perhaps heโd had a rough night? She stretched out her legs before herself and shifted one hand to lightly pat her lap.
โYouโre tired,โ she said, a soft smile forming, โWhy donโt you lie down for a bit?โ
As he moved to reposition himself and rest his head upon her lap as indicated, Lisanna fought to keep her smile from growing too wide. But oh, she loved having him close. Her stomach fluttered as he settled, and her hand instantly moved to comb lightly through his hair. The physical connection tethered her to the moment, loosening the tendrils of anxiety that always hovered in the back of her mind, ready to grab her.
She focused on the softness of his hair, the way it slid between her fingers and gleamed in the sunlight. Warmth unfurled in her chest like a blooming flower, serenity soaking into her soul. Even the animals within her seemed to relax, she imagined them all curling up for a peaceful nap together, tempting her to close her eyes too, yet she resisted.
Her attention stayed on the task at hand, her nails now lightly raking across Stingโs scalp. She eased her weight forward to allow her other hand freedom, wiping it against her side to free it from any grass clinging to it.
โThe fireworks display isnโt for another hour or so at least,โ she commented, beginning to use her now-spare hand to trail her fingertip down his forehead and along his nose (ending, of course, with a light boop). โSo, you can sleep until then if you want.โ
She followed the line of his jaw with her finger in a gentle stroke, before fitting her hand to the curve of his cheek, thumb brushing across his skin, luxuriating in the warmth of it. There was something about the sight of him relaxing that both tightened and eased her heart all at once, leaving an ache and a wish. Having gone through so much in life already, he deserved a break, she thought, a sanctuary where he could be himself and be free of worry.
โYouโre safe,โ she said quietly, โIโll protect you.โ
As the last words fell from her lips, she paused, heart skipping and breath catching. Her hand in his hair tightened for just a moment, as thoughts became scrambled in her mind. Sheโll protect him? Why did she say that?
While she might typically say such a phrase in a lighthearted manner (for really, her being able to protect anyone was surely a joke), the way it had come out now was as an unmistakable, solemn promise. It had been all too natural to say, to reassure, the conviction and burning truth was seared into her heart, after all. She would protect Sting. From anything she could.
Including her own, foolish and embarrassing, heart.
She cracked a smile and shook her head with a laugh, as if she had indeed meant her words as a joke, in mock seriousness. Removing her hand from his face, she rubbed her cheek a little sheepishly. โIโll wake you; I mean. So, get some rest.โ
