![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
"Good. That's settled then." Bela smiles, happy to go along with their decision to make some room for their belongings.
Stretching out a little, she makes a 'hmm' sound at his question. "Facing each other, I think. If you get bored of looking at me, we can switch to spoons instead." She laughs, clearly joking.
Stretching out a little, she makes a 'hmm' sound at his question. "Facing each other, I think. If you get bored of looking at me, we can switch to spoons instead." She laughs, clearly joking.
[ The kisses draw a soft look from her, appreciating them. She leans into his hand and smiles. ]
Alright, that sounds good. I will follow the doctor's orders. [ Bela teases. ] I'd like you to stay.
[ In case her thoughts drift back to what happened to her and she needs reassurance from him. Bela knows she will probably dream about it, like with other things she has experienced in this place. Aside from that, she still feels quite tired. ]
Alright, that sounds good. I will follow the doctor's orders. [ Bela teases. ] I'd like you to stay.
[ In case her thoughts drift back to what happened to her and she needs reassurance from him. Bela knows she will probably dream about it, like with other things she has experienced in this place. Aside from that, she still feels quite tired. ]
James gets comfortable, finding ways to fit against Bela like a proper puzzle piece and only waiting a few seconds before sighing with much pomp. "Alright, I'm already bored."
But he makes no shift to move, doesn't let her hand go or untwine himself. Just smirks and scoots enough to kiss her.
It isn't until James thinks Bela is asleep, listening to her breaths and judging from that, that he remembers they didn't discuss his drunken 'I love you', and he's only reminded now because he's been waiting for slumber to say it again. To say it and mean it in the faintest of whispers.
"I will never get bored because I love you."
But he makes no shift to move, doesn't let her hand go or untwine himself. Just smirks and scoots enough to kiss her.
It isn't until James thinks Bela is asleep, listening to her breaths and judging from that, that he remembers they didn't discuss his drunken 'I love you', and he's only reminded now because he's been waiting for slumber to say it again. To say it and mean it in the faintest of whispers.
"I will never get bored because I love you."
Then I'll stay. Tonight, tomorrow, however long you want or need.
[ He's at least comforted by the fact that she'll be well off without him, thanks to attentive suitemates.
James rises carefully, mindful of her wound. ]
I'll clean up, unless you want me to leave the tea?
[ He's at least comforted by the fact that she'll be well off without him, thanks to attentive suitemates.
James rises carefully, mindful of her wound. ]
I'll clean up, unless you want me to leave the tea?
You can take the tea away, it's fine. And thank you.
[ There's plenty more where it came from and she feels like she has had enough for the time being. Maybe her appetite will come back in a while. ]
Is a massage still on the table by the way? Even just my back and shoulders.
[ There's plenty more where it came from and she feels like she has had enough for the time being. Maybe her appetite will come back in a while. ]
Is a massage still on the table by the way? Even just my back and shoulders.
[ He clears the side table and is returning from dumping the mug's contents when James catches the question. His smile is soft, his response apparent. ] Yeah, of course. Do you have oils or even lotion?
[ He can make it work without, as well. ]
[ He can make it work without, as well. ]
I have some lotion; it's in the middle drawer of the bedside table. I think it's coconut scented? Or whatever the equivalent is in Hell.
[She ponders for a moment.]
Lying on my front on the bed should be fine for me. Oh, and the shirt will have to come off. Again.
[She ponders for a moment.]
Lying on my front on the bed should be fine for me. Oh, and the shirt will have to come off. Again.
[ James grabs the lotion but then turns, s l o w l y, to regard her with faux frustration, and in a falsely strained, near whisper repeats --- ] It has to come off again??! Tck, I don't think I can handle such an absurd requirement, Bela Talbot. (shakes his head) Mm mm mm.
[ Oh. He's cute. Which is why she decides to play along with him because it's fun and she thinks he will appreciate it.]
The great James Holden can't handle it? That's too bad. [ There's a mock sigh as Bela slowly peels off the aforementioned shirt, tossing it to one side. ] Oh no. Now it's too far away for me to put it back on again. Whatever shall we do?
[ Feigning a swoon before she falls back against the bed for dramatic effect, closing her eyes. ]
The great James Holden can't handle it? That's too bad. [ There's a mock sigh as Bela slowly peels off the aforementioned shirt, tossing it to one side. ] Oh no. Now it's too far away for me to put it back on again. Whatever shall we do?
[ Feigning a swoon before she falls back against the bed for dramatic effect, closing her eyes. ]
Ugghh, and I have to roll her over? Not at all what I signed up for...
[ This all delivered 'under his breath' as James talks to himself, sighing as he sets down the lotion, sighing as he delicately slides his hands beneath her to then move at a snail's pace to get Bela on her frontside, sighing as he climbs onto the bed and hovers above her. ]
Okay, but more seriously, are you comfortable?
[ This all delivered 'under his breath' as James talks to himself, sighing as he sets down the lotion, sighing as he delicately slides his hands beneath her to then move at a snail's pace to get Bela on her frontside, sighing as he climbs onto the bed and hovers above her. ]
Okay, but more seriously, are you comfortable?
During her sleep, she dreams. They are a mixture of both her life in Hell and the life she led in the suburbs. Brief flashes of memories and images that when jumbled together, don't make much sense. But at least they weren't nightmares though. Maybe the presence of James beside her - well, tangled up around her had prevented the nightmares from coming.
When Bela stirs the next morning, she is greeted by a familiar (and furry) sight. Her cat from home peers at her owner with an expectant gaze, looking more than comfortable on the bed. Sitting up straight, Bela blinks a couple of times to make sure her cat wasn't just a dream.
"How-?"
The cat meows and then moves to inspect Bela's bedmate as he sleeps, pawing gently at James' face. This makes Bela snort with amusement, surprised that her cat was being so friendly towards him.
She didn't like anyone but Bela.
When Bela stirs the next morning, she is greeted by a familiar (and furry) sight. Her cat from home peers at her owner with an expectant gaze, looking more than comfortable on the bed. Sitting up straight, Bela blinks a couple of times to make sure her cat wasn't just a dream.
"How-?"
The cat meows and then moves to inspect Bela's bedmate as he sleeps, pawing gently at James' face. This makes Bela snort with amusement, surprised that her cat was being so friendly towards him.
She didn't like anyone but Bela.
Sorry, darling. It's all part of the package.
[ Yes, she says this as her eyes remain closed. A smile tugs at Bela's lips as he oh so gently moves her until she's in a better position to get a massage. While they were having fun, it does mean a lot to her that he was being so careful. ]
I'm comfortable, James. Will let you know if that changes, okay?
[ Yes, she says this as her eyes remain closed. A smile tugs at Bela's lips as he oh so gently moves her until she's in a better position to get a massage. While they were having fun, it does mean a lot to her that he was being so careful. ]
I'm comfortable, James. Will let you know if that changes, okay?
[ James hums and sits himself on her lower half, though not all of his weight. He gathers Bela's hair to one side, presses a kiss to the bottom of her neck, and loosely braids the strands to keep them out of the way before beginning his attentive, affectionate ministrations. ]
He stirs without waking once Bela shifts upright but comes to once Bast makes contact, giving a mild jerk of surprise that comes with a slight snort. James blurredly blinks at the feline, waiting for his brain to catch up, and then laughs softly with both brows popping upwards. His tone is awed. "Holy Pluto, it worked..."
Now that James was awake, the cat seems less interested in him and makes her way back to Bela, rubbing her head against her arm and purring softly. Bela looks utterly delighted and confused at the same time, reaching down to scratch Bast beneath her chin. "Worked?" She asks, glancing over at James. "Did you have something to do with this? Because she means the absolute world to me."
He isn't offended, used to the whims of cats having had some on the farm. Besides, she's meant for Bela.
James yawns and rubs a hand down his face, then props himself onto one elbow. "I asked Emmanuel, when he was offering." He sort of shrugs, given the position he's laying in. "Figured it couldn't hurt and that maybe He'd give you a stuffed animal or a photo, because why the real thing, right?" Sure, He's Jesus/Santa/whatever, but they're still in Hell, in a punishment experiment.
James yawns and rubs a hand down his face, then props himself onto one elbow. "I asked Emmanuel, when he was offering." He sort of shrugs, given the position he's laying in. "Figured it couldn't hurt and that maybe He'd give you a stuffed animal or a photo, because why the real thing, right?" Sure, He's Jesus/Santa/whatever, but they're still in Hell, in a punishment experiment.
"I would have loved a photo, but having her here with me is so much better." Bela can't hide the look of utter joy on her face as she looks down at her purring cat, then back at him. "Thank you, James. Really. That is one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me and I -" she reaches over to touch his face with her free hand. "I do appreciate it."
Just then, a thought occurs to her.
"Could you have asked Emmanuel to give you something or is it a one time wish kind of deal?"
Just then, a thought occurs to her.
"Could you have asked Emmanuel to give you something or is it a one time wish kind of deal?"
His heart swells at the sight, at the knowledge that this gift went beyond his expectations. James had wanted a positive piece of home for Bela as well as the sort of companion only animals can be. He nuzzles against her touch, not unlike the cat (without realizing it), smiling ear to ear. But James is quick to bring up a finger in admonishment, angling his head downwards a bit and looking partially through lashes at her. "Don't do that. I wanted to do this for you, Bela. I would do it again."
Maybe James could have asked for more, but it didn't feel right, nor did it feel like an available option. He'd wanted something from home for Gabriel as well, and he could certainly think of something for himself, and yet when he'd stepped up to Emmanuel, Bast and Bela were the first things on his mind.
Maybe James could have asked for more, but it didn't feel right, nor did it feel like an available option. He'd wanted something from home for Gabriel as well, and he could certainly think of something for himself, and yet when he'd stepped up to Emmanuel, Bast and Bela were the first things on his mind.
By now, her cat has jumped off from the bed and starts to explore her new surroundings, sniffing around every surface and object in the room. Such a curious creature. It doesn't surprise Bela that Bast was like that.
She listens carefully to his reply, feeling touched when he said that he would do it again. Ever since their conversation last month Bela thinks her feelings have deepened towards him, though she can't quite put them into words; even so, they were absolutely there.
"Then I won't say anything more other than being forever grateful for your kindness and generousity, James." She replies softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Then Bela shifts closer to James, slipping an arm around him at the same time while her other hand fully cups the side of his face.
She listens carefully to his reply, feeling touched when he said that he would do it again. Ever since their conversation last month Bela thinks her feelings have deepened towards him, though she can't quite put them into words; even so, they were absolutely there.
"Then I won't say anything more other than being forever grateful for your kindness and generousity, James." She replies softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Then Bela shifts closer to James, slipping an arm around him at the same time while her other hand fully cups the side of his face.
He presses into her touch while settling both arms at Bela's lower back, his cheeks taking on a faint tinge of pink. "You're welcome, Bela. I'm happy to bring you one ounce of joy in this place because you deserve it more than you think you do." James shifts forward to kiss her softly, speaks in a hushed tone. "I care about you."
Bela releases a slow breath after he says that to her, needing a moment to process them. She also takes another moment to consider what to say in response, wanting to echo his sentiment. "For the longest time I didn't think I deserved anything like this. Or anyone like you."
She gives him a gentle kiss in return and remains as close as possible. "I care about you too."
She gives him a gentle kiss in return and remains as close as possible. "I care about you too."
James nuzzles his nose against hers, steals another kiss in the process. "I've been wanting to ask about your name back there, but you can tell me about when you're ready. And you can be the first person here I reveal my middle name to."
Like an exchange, but also the sort that deepens their bond by exposing more information, more personal details.
Like an exchange, but also the sort that deepens their bond by exposing more information, more personal details.
"I'm ready now." It is something that Bela always wanted to tell him, but there was an uncertain feeling within her every time she thought about it. She does trust James without question, even more so than when she told him about her father a few months ago.
"Abby is my real name. Short for Abigail. When I decided to embark on a career as a professional thief, I couldn't use my real name. I had to create a completely new identity to make sure the authorities were unable to get me." It's a practical reason, one she think he will understand.
"I had a more personal reason for changing it too. That name carries a pain that I don't know if I can fully let go of. My parents gave it to me and they were awful people. I didn't want the name to hold power over me, you know? So I chose something for myself that no one could take away."
"Abby is my real name. Short for Abigail. When I decided to embark on a career as a professional thief, I couldn't use my real name. I had to create a completely new identity to make sure the authorities were unable to get me." It's a practical reason, one she think he will understand.
"I had a more personal reason for changing it too. That name carries a pain that I don't know if I can fully let go of. My parents gave it to me and they were awful people. I didn't want the name to hold power over me, you know? So I chose something for myself that no one could take away."
"No, I get that. Obviously, the first being the wisest option for protection and in case you needed to move and change it again. And then the other, that's absolutely fair. Some believe words and names hold power...I'm guessing there's a bit of that where you're from as well?" Beyond how she meant it, that is, what with the whole supernatural elements.
He's also curious about the origin. "Where did you come up with it?" The dropped "l" he's used to seeing in Bella, the surname. She seems like she was always Bela, the name fits that well.
He's also curious about the origin. "Where did you come up with it?" The dropped "l" he's used to seeing in Bella, the surname. She seems like she was always Bela, the name fits that well.
Page 6 of 7