squanderlust | IC CONTACT

[Well, that answers that question. Her hand is tense at first once it's placed against the darker skin, but after a moment it relaxes, and her pointer and middle fingers are drawing soft, feather-light circles over as Lina stares down at their hands with a serious focus.]

Yeah, fighting Eris in Between, with Lucina.

[There's a pause, and her volume drops slightly.]

I wasn't sure if it would be awkward for me to give that area attention or not.

[What goes unspoken is 'because I know you've got feelings for Lucina, and you got this while protecting her - and things seem to just be going south between you two lately'.]

[right. of course she's told Lina by now. she's told Lina a lot of things by now. her fingers trail up Lina's arm and her hand comes to a gentle rest on her shoulder.]

Because I got it while I was doing my duty?

[she's not stupid. not about this, at least.]

I was acting as one of her retainers when I got this. [she really hopes Lina isn't great at picking up on Severa's patented half-lies.] Protecting people is what I do. I would have done exactly the same for you.

[she can feel her ears getting warm.]

[Lina's hand remains on the scar, while she mulls over the things Severa's saying. She's a bit bothered that Severa's trying to dance around things, because Lina's not dumb. Even if she was Lucina's retainer and was acting out of duty, Lina is more than intimately aware with Severa's tendency to go too far with her feelings. And some of that knowledge doesn't even involve them!

On the other hand - like she was worried before, things haven't gone well between Severa and Lucina lately, and it's not any of her business to pry. Maybe it's just her trying to emotionally distance herself from those feelings about Lucina?

If that's the case, then by all accounts, Lina should feel better about this than she does, because that potentially takes a competitor out of the running, but it just makes her sad for Severa's sake. Even if on one level, she wants to be the only one in Severa's affections, she doesn't want Severa to get hurt for that to happen...

God, this is so complicated. Maybe she shouldn't have asked about the scar.

She nods, keeping a neutral expression.]

I see, and I know. I'd gladly leave my safety in your hands.

[She smiles a little, leaning her head over to rest her cheek on Severa's hand.]

[Severa should be satisfied with that answer, but at the same time, she knows that she hasn't been the best about this sort of thing. to Lucina or to Lina. there are... a lot of complicated emotions going on. and though she doesn't think that it would be easier to stay closed off anymore—she loves that there are people she trusts behind her walls for everything it means—it's. complex.]

[her own hand goes up to Lina's cheek, and for a second it might look like she's going to kiss her again from how intent her eye contact is. instead, she says something quietly, but with a degree of certainty behind it that almost surprises Severa herself.]

You should tell me what's on your mind.

[they've both been doing this too long. it won't work, Severa hiding her emotions behind getting physical with somebody she cares about. Lina will see right through it and Severa will just berate herself for it anyway.]

[With as much as she was content to let it go for now, Severa's words, and the tone behind them catch her off-guard, enough that her heartbeat jumps up and she feels the acidic feeling in her chest that comes with panic - it's not like she's done anything bad here, but she just wasn't expecting that kind of statement out of the blue. Her hand draws back from the scar, and both her hands rest in front of her, lightly rubbing each other. She stares down at them, because gods, this is likely going to cross uneasy territory.]

Well... I felt like there might have been more to that scar's story than just you doing your job. That's why I wanted to make sure you were okay with me acknowledging it, so I didn't carelessly step on someone else's toes.

[She pauses, then bites her lip for a moment.]

Our situation is pretty complicated, so anything I can do to not add to it needlessly is good.

[Severa's quiet at that, trying to think of the best way to defuse what she knows is a tricky situation. it's not like she's worried about Lina exploding at her or running off to the mountains; no, she just... wants to make Lina feel better. which means giving up more information that maybe she shouldn't be telling Lina, because it makes Severa herself look useless, but... damn it.]

I knew how I felt about Lucina long before Eris. I don't know if she knew it, and I know I didn't have the words for it until after we both came back to life. And I don't... when I really think about this scar, I don't usually think about any good feelings about Lucina.

[her hand comes away from Lina and she places three fingers on the scar gently, her head tilting down to look at it.]

The truth is that she died first. Before I could even do anything to protect her. So when I think about this scar, a lot of the time I just think about... that failure. How she might not have died if I'd been a little faster and how I can do better if it ever happens again.

[she looks back up at Lina.]

I'm okay with people paying attention to it because I'm... the two of us are the only ones who know what it means. [that's a deliberate choice of words.] The only toes you'd be stepping on are my own.

[Lina's expression stays fairly neutral and solemn for the most part while Severa explains things, and for a time, she manages to stop fidgeting her hands, and keep them still for the majority. As Severa finishes, though, she does look a bit more melancholy, and there's a knowing look on her face - something Severa might expect to see someone from home make when they talk about their wars.

Her stomach's dropped, and mentally she's kicking herself. She assumed too much for the sake of trying to avoid distressing Severa, and failed that in new and exciting ways. Her shoulders drop slightly.]

I'm sorry, Sev, I didn't know. The last thing I'd want to do is make you relive something like that...

Edited 2018-01-15 05:37 (UTC)

[but even though Severa is speaking very seriously, her expression is still soft. she doesn't want to make Lina unhappy by speaking her mind, and really, Severa was the one who invited this whole conversation to begin with. she recognizes something in Lina's expression, but stops focusing on it so intently when she speaks up again.]

It's okay. I relive it enough on my own that it doesn't really bother me when other people do it.

[her hands both move down to Lina's and holds them loosely, carefully. hopefully this is the right thing to say.]

I wouldn't mind making some new memories about it.

[Thankfully, Severa is a wonderful distraction from Lina's own rough train of thought, and she finds herself making an exasperated, but restrained sigh at her friend.]

Sev...! That's not really encouraging, same way as your point of view on the nightmares. Remember you're talking to a dumbass that's really invested in your happiness, you goof.

[She takes in a breath, slightly red-faced about how frank she just was, and steels herself as she lets it out, squeezing Severa's hands.]

So, new memories, huh?

I know.

[she's quiet with that reply, because she doesn't really know what else to say to it. Lina's right, and that's all there kind of is about it.]

I don't know what they would be, but I know you care a lot about me and you probably have something in mind already. And who knows? Maybe this bracelet is good at suppressing other bad things.

[That causes Lina to feel pretty warm and fuzzy inside, prompting her to smile and to pull their hands up and to the side, moving things about so that they're palm-to-palm, and then interlocking their fingers.]

I might have something, but it's nothing terribly fancy or flashy, which is a bit odd for me, so I hope you won't be disappointed.

[She leans in, scooting closer to cause skin-to-skin contact, and resumes the kiss from earlier with a soft hum.]

[holding hands. that's as nice a way to conclude that rough patch of conversation as it gets, and just before Severa realizes that Lina's going to kiss her again, she's smiling almost hard enough to crinkle the corners of her eyes.]

You can't disappoint me.

[she's figured out that the kiss is coming, though, and slips that in really quick before letting the kiss resume. whatever Lina has planned is going to be perfect for the situation. she's got a gift for that.]

[Between that smile and those words, Lina is very glad for the fact that she has an out to hide her face, at least in a manner of speaking. She actually fumbles on the kiss for a bit, and Severa can probably feel the heat coming off her face, and on top of that she's squeezing Severa's hands pretty snugly for several seconds before she breaks grip so as to wrap her arms tightly around Severa's shoulders.

At least she managed to not cry this time.]

[Severa barely holds back laughing while they kiss, but the corners of her lips are definitely curled upward until Lina wraps her arms around her. then they drop and her hands move again, one around Lina's hips and one at the back of her neck, gently pushing her more into the kiss.]

[she's very aware of the meaning behind what she just said and how often she finds herself saying things that are just... very, very affectionate. but she doesn't mind it with Lina. especially not if it ends up with the two of them making out on the couch with their shirts off. she finds herself thinking about the situation they're in again and then she's back to smiling into the kiss.]

[While she's not 100% aware that Severa's trying not to laugh, she honestly wouldn't be surprised, given her reaction to Severa's words. She wants to break the kiss and call her friend a dumbass, but she's way too ~~gay~~emotionally charged right now to form words properly.

So instead, she'll focus on pouring all that flustered energy into intensifying the kiss, pressing forward with her tongue back into Severa's mouth, and gently moving herself against the other woman, causing no small amount of skin-to-skin friction.]

[this is very good, too. she's enjoying this friction a lot, and the kiss, and Lina's company. she always enjoys Lina's company much more than she expects to, and it helps a lot that she sees Lina as someone she can be proud of.]

[she draws her own tongue back into her mouth and nips at Lina's lower lip, breaking the kiss very reluctantly, but with a soft, sultry giggle. and then her lips move and she's kissing along Lina's jaw, then down her neck. she has a destination in mind that she's about halfway to if Lina wants it to happen, but only if Lina wants it to happen. in the meantime she's pressing her lips firmly against Lina's skin, but not planning on leaving any marks.]

[The enjoyment is very mutual, though Lina generally always expects to enjoy Severa's company at this point, and has for... At least a year now, probably more, but time is hard and fake.

There's slightly labored breathing when the kiss ends, followed by a small smile when she hears Severa laugh. That's always a good sign. She tilts her head to the side in response, while one hand slides up, resting loosely in Severa's hair as she lets out a soft groan.]

Ah, Sev...

[Sev could probably find some other things that are hard and fake that they could enjoy themselves with, but she's a little occupied.]

Mm. How much do you show your neck?

[it's a quiet question, muttered against Lina's skin, and the reason she's asking becomes pretty evident as soon as she stops talking. her lips move down to just above Lina's collarbone and suck gently at the skin there, just enough to give Lina an idea. a start.]

[There's a quiet gasp, followed by a whimper when she feels the suction. Her head moves back over, resting against Severa's. Her fingers apply a bit more pressure to Severa's head, while her other hand moves to grip her shoulder. Eventually, she speaks again, in a low, but very affectionate tone.]

I can hide it for a while.

[when she's done there and feeling the pressure against her head, she pushes back against Lina's fingers and moves further up her friend's neck.]

Don't.

[and, like she's the one in control or something, she says that one word like a command and brings her lips down to a point about halfway up Lina's neck. this time, she's not playing around. she wants to mark Lina up before anything else happens.]

[The tone Severa takes, along with the sudden sensation make Lina's grip tighten, and a sudden, strangled whimper of a moan leaves her. Her face is beet red, and her shoulders raise up - such a feeling on one of her weaker spots is definitely overwhelming.]

[that noise immediately gives Severa another idea, and once she's done with the hickey on Lina's neck, she soothes the area with a gentle brush from the tip of her tongue, then starts moving her head up again. this time she's leaning forward and letting her breath come out over Lina's ear.]

Tell me what you want.

[it's as much a genuine request as it is Severa trying to be sexy. before Lina can answer, though, she leaves her lips parted enough to gently close them around Lina's earlobe.]

[If Severa keeps smashing buttons like this, there's not going to be much of a console left before too long. Lina makes a series of short, stilted gasping noises when she feels Severa's lips on her ear. At this point, Severa can feel Lina's legs and hips shifting about in stifled frustration. She breathes shallow and rough before taking one deep one, pulling her earlobe away from Severa, just to blurt out one word.]

You!

[With that, she wastes no time kissing Severa again, while her hands clutch Severa's head. It's certainly a much more hungry and needy kiss than before, but there's no lack of the previous affection.

If she could radiate hearts, she'd be letting them out all over right now.]

[not entirely unexpected, she has to admit, and it feels just... so, so nice to be desired like this. to be wanted, to practically be needed. she loves that she can turn Lina on like this, and her own kisses redouble in enthusiasm while her hands move down to Lina's hips.]

[then inward, spreading Lina's legs further to make room for one hand moving directly between them. maybe this won't be as raunchy as some of their other endeavors, but Severa can still get Lina off with just her hand over Lina's clothes. or however this plays out.]

[There's some small part in the back of Lina's mind that expected some kind of rebuttal or for things to come to a stop after what she threw out there, but that just doesn't happen. That's good.

Feeling the hand against her groin, Lina's hips start to work against it. It's not as satisfying as direct contact, but gods, it's easing the need she's feeling. She moves her arms to Severa's shoulders again, pulling away from the kiss with a gasp, if only just to let out a long, drawn-out moan of Severa's name with her head tilted back as she rides her friend's hand.]

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