crushed_pearls | Come Sail Away IC Inbox

"I could never mistake you for something helpless, love."

(Peters -)

NOT NOW.

Erin pulls away just far enough to give Valdis her best version of eye contact. "But...I am still on the same death march with you, to the versions of ourselves that can be happy. I'll be there when you falter."

"You make me happy."

In a different way than with Max, but no less important. Valdis leans forward to press her forehead against Erin's.

"And I can only assume the opposite is also true, because that's the second time you've called me that."

If Erin was hoping she hadn't noticed the first time, well, she had.

Ah, there's the intense blush on that pale face. Erin can't even hide her expression from Valdis with their heads together like this, but her wings do tighten, hiding them from the world without in a warm embrace.

"...You do. And you frustrate me, and you worry me, and you comfort me, and...and I'm never gonna have something simple, y'know? There's no endgame where I marry a pastor's daughter and raise two point five dogs and an adopted kid, that's just not happening. You've been trying to tell me to keep my distance but..."

A shaky breath. Erin nuzzles her nose against Valdis's. "I don't expect anything back. But I wouldn't trade this life with you in it for any other without."

"Well, I'm always going to frustrate you, and I doubt you will ever stop worrying, because I never stop worrying about Max, and there is definitely isn't any future in which we raise half a dog."

Unless the Captain saw fit to create half a dog, but he seems quite averse to creating life that might harm the reality he has created.

"There is never going to be anything simple about loving a non-human who will outlive you in the real world, but that doesn't mean we can't try. As long as we both realize that there will come a day when the Nothing comes for one of us and the one who is left will have to survive despite that."

This is a lie. If someone she loves, Max, Ari, Klaus, Nobunaga, Yato, Erin, were to vanish, she would tear a hole in this reality to get them back and go through anyone who tried to stop her. Because here, coming back is possible.

"I know that loving a warrior means making peace with losing her," Erin murmurs softly. "...No promises about not going on a rampage, but...I know."

Hesitantly, face still so very red, Erin dips closer. Valdis can't feel her emotions right now, and Erin dares to hope that maybe, just, maybe, that means this is...not uncomplicated, but straightforward. That Valdis will say yes, or no, to a kiss or to more without being intruded on.

She never thought she'd be falling into this particular trope, but Erin's closeness seems like a clear invitation, so she leans in the rest of the way.

Erin's lips taste of strawberries; the kiss she offers is gentle, but not hesitant. A low sound, relief and affection and wonder, floats from low in her throat as she holds Valdis close.

She's dreamed of this moment, at times when her dreams were too strong for her to banish them as fantasies she shouldn't entertain.

It's sweet, tender, but also hungry, even without knowing what Erin is feeling those three things are clear. She wraps her arms around Erin neck, careful to not touch the black wings curled around them, leaning into the kiss with a little more pressure.

She's not sure how far she wants to go, but they can have this kiss at the very least.

Erin has to come up for air eventually, and when she does she tightens her hug, shaking faintly with a mix of emotions that has her feeling like someone hit her with lightning. She cups Valdis's cheek, smiling, amazed, and for a moment she can only breathe.

"I think," Erin murmurs at last, smiling, "this is when I ask if you'd like to go dancing again sometime."

"Yes, I think now would be a good time for that." She replies when Erin breaks the kiss, though she still leans into her touch like a cat, "I promise to not put you on the floor without permission this time."

Is that too much teasing?

"Careful love, I already ripped the band-aid of ending up at the photo joint off, I've got nothing to lose." Erin opens her wings, at last, before they can cramp up terribly, but the look on her face is all dazed happiness. Emboldened, she carries on: "Friday night, storytime optional? I do believe I promised you the tale of Vasilia the Beautiful."

Valdis laughs, "Well, I want to keep my reputation off of Photos at Sea, not quite as bold as you are."

The light floods back in when Erin opens her wings. She doesn't mind the light, but she didn't mind the darkness either.

"Friday is great, and I can't wait to hear the story."

She will have to find a dress that isn't too overboard, she can't tease Erin the way she teases Max.

Valdis please, destroy her, Erin's so goddamn thirsty all the time.

She takes Valdis's hand and kisses her knuckles softly. "I know there's more to tell, but...I think...I need to go onto the decks and scream like a little girl for a bit. I'd do it here but people might be napping."

Erin is, in defense of that statement, still all but vibrating.

Valdis' brow furrows momentarily in confusion, not entirely sure which part of what happened Erin needs to scream about. But knowing Erin, it's probably the kiss. The second kiss, a brush on the back of her hand, reminds her so much of others she has met throughout her life. But so far, only three have gotten anywhere near her heart.

"I certainly don't want my roommate running back to the room worried I've done something again."

Not that she's going to relate any of those events to Erin right now.

"There will be time for more later."

That takes Erin right out. Blushing furiously she retreats out the door.

A delighted squeal escapes her before she can be heard running for the deck.

It's probably a good thing she doesn't know what Erin is feeling, but she can guess because the woman isn't exactly good at hiding her heart. None of that had gone the way she expected, but she's not sure that's a bad thing.

How are you holding up? I haven't heard anything concerning recently, so I can only assume everyone is recovering, her included.

In place of a well thought out reply I would like you to imagine a crow that has just had a divorce in which she lost the house on the roof of a bar screaming into the uncaring voice. You?

That is a very specific way to tell me that you are doing bad.

Do you need anything?

[yes, she's just skipped over the question. shut up.]

Do you have soul therapies fit to combat the work of a dark god and or a kitten?

About a minute later.

Sorry the snark is high in me it is stress it is not you you are a treasure. Some company would be nice. If you are anywhere near Sand Dollars I would not object to said company also including a cinnamon roll and like a caramel mocha.

I can bring both, as well as a new friend who might offer some slight comfort, though I wish I had a kitten as well.

And because she is going to wrangle Erin's location out of her, she's going to be there soon enough. Two mochas - one for each of them - a cinnamon roll which is handed over first, and after Erin takes the roll, a bunny is also placed in her hands.

It's no kitten, but it is soft, so it could help.

"Bunny..." Erin whispers. She'd meant to say 'thank you' and this is what comes out of her mouth instead. She nestles the rabbit in her lap where she's sitting just outside Daisy's door, getting some air but not enough rest. She sounds tired, so very fucking tired. There is sipping of the coffee and then the tiniest nibble of her cinnamon roll.

Let's try that again: "Thank you, Helena. It's been. A lot."

"I don't doubt it. Everyone wrapped up in this...you know them, don't you?"

Sitting down across from her, she sips her own coffee, patting the rabbit on the head. Be gentle, because this friend doesn't have a name yet.

"You've had them all on your mind."

"All but one unlucky bastard, yes. I don't doubt that Daisy was, on some level, trying to return to her lone wolf bullshit. I will drag her ass into the abundant world kicking and fucking screaming." Another little sip, with a sigh of - not relief, exactly, but coffee is very much what she needs right now. "...And you, little bird? I can't imagine this is doing wonders on your ability to feel safe here. You're high on the list of people close to me. Cass was bad enough, the thought of you too..."

"I was fast asleep, in the presence of two people who I know would have done what they could to keep me unharmed. If you really wish to know, I'm more surprised something like this didn't happen sooner."

That keeping a count of the days she's been alive here hasn't stopped, Erin. She still expects to die sooner rather than later, and it's still better than what she left. There's a scant few places she feels safe on this ship, and she doesn't want to jinx them by saying them aloud.

Come Sail Away IC Inbox

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a few days post Daisy Day.

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