IC Inbox for Ryslig

[certaininequities]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, DR_OSBORN.

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<DR_OSBORN> You've reached Dr. Norman Osborn.
<DR_OSBORN> Please leave a message: I'll respond as promptly as possible.

Other Handles:
[Back2Formula] regular anon * [Pierglass] trolling anon * [LutinVert] Goblin/Alton Mode * [EpigaeaMemoriam] Support Group anon

Comments

For Bruno, backdated to Tanabata

[certaininequities]

[it doesn't take them too long to reach the Cube, and Norman doesn't bother wasting time programming in anything special. the simulation defaults to his penthouse suite, and as soon as they're through the door and Bruno's solid again, Norman wraps his arms around him in a tight, tight hug, pulling him as close as he can, one hand going up into his curls, resting his chin on his head]

I've got you. It's okay.

[sandinmyhair]

[And Bruno clings to him, arms wrapped around him, a flood of emotion crashing over his mind. He hasn't been a Shade again for very long, only a few days, and yet he holds on as though it's once again been years.

He tries to fight the tears that well up, but they break through anyway in sobs that seem too heavy for his small, narrow frame. His hands curl in fistfuls of Norman's shirt and he weeps openly. He can't even name some of the heavy emotion that grips his soul and forces these tears out--grief and sorrow, yes, but also something warm--that reassurance that, even for just a moment, he won't fly apart or fade away.

Later, he'll recognise that overwhelming gratitude and love, but for now it's just something that's opened the floodgates.]

[certaininequities]

[Norman holds him as long as he needs to cry, combing his fingers through his hair, soothing him. Once the worst of the sobbing has passed, he reaches up and wipes Bruno's cheeks gently. Long fingers sweep away the pain and replace it with tenderness, tracing his cheekbones, the line of his jaw. He speaks low, his voice soothing - the absolute antithesis of Alton's rasping egotism]

Oh, Bruno. It's alright. S'alright. I've got you, darling.

[the pet name slips from his lips before he's even considered it, and he leans down to kiss Bruno's forehead]

[sandinmyhair]

[And eventually the storm in Bruno's mind does blow over, leaving him panting for breath.
It hitches occasionally, a soft little hiccough like the last ripples of water in a pond after the waves from throwing something into it die down. He leans into the other's touch, eyes falling shut for a moment. His skin is hectic from all that weeping, flushed and a little damp, even making some of his hair cling to his forehead.

The words of endearment press something so warm and tender into his soul that he nearly starts sobbing again. As it is, he gives a shy, slightly wobbly smile.]

I don't hear things like that much, [he whispers.] But I think I'm gonna want to hear it more....

[He smooths the folds of Norman's shirt that he'd gripped and relaxes into his arms, small and soft and warm.]

Guess that breakdown really needed to happen, huh? [He's getting better--he's not apologising outright for his own emotions, now!

Bruno looks up, seeking out the other's face, hoping Norman's doing alright. It's a little worry that appears in Bruno's mind sometimes.]

[certaininequities]

You can hear it as much as you like. ... From Otto, too, I'm sure.

[he rubs one hand up and down Bruno's back, idly. he seems a little tired, but otherwise calm enough. reconciling with Chiaki earlier took a decent amount of weight from him, as did hanging his papers on the tree]

And yes, I suppose it did. ... Come on, let's sit on the couch. More comfortable than standing here.

[there's a cosy little fire burning in the large fireplace, and the balcony French doors are open, curtains billowing lightly in a soft breeze that's just cool enough to make the fire inviting]