“I need a hug,” Gerou mutters, making a beeline for the couch and flopping face-first into it. His next words are muffled. “A six hour one. Or a two week nap.”
——
magicmonstersandmischief:
“Sounds pretty do-able.” Steph states plainly, a fond smirk pulling at her lips before making her way to the couch and sitting on the edge of the cushion, near Gerou’s head. Despite being close, and him verbally stating that he desired physical contact, her hands stayed in her lap. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to comfort him, but she simply wasn’t sure how. She wasn’t sure what sort of touch he really needed right now, an decided not to take the risk.
“Rough day?”
——
Gerou wormed his way forward until he could press the top of his head firmly against the side of Steph’s leg with a quiet sigh. “Yeah. I… mm. I dunno if I’ve ever mentioned Lani’s parents to you, but they’re fucking assholes.”
Gerou turned his head to the side so he could speak more clearly. “She finally reclaimed the last of her stuff from them today. Three years after she moved out. And I’m glad we could help her! It was just… exhausting,” he said. His expression was pensive, far less animated than normal, and his arms stayed folded tightly beneath his chest. “I wasn’t up to much carrying so I tried to at least run interference with her parents. But listening to them needle everyone the whole time was… I don’t know. I just don’t understand some people.”