dappledleaves | meme for pocky /high school AU meme

[ Luckily for Sinclair, the shower curtain divides the two. Oria has it up despite the pitch blackness inside the bathroom. ]

I'll be fine without the candles, since I can't see much. Thanks though. It would be great if you could bring the kettle a bit closer so that I can grab it without leaving the tub.

[ It's definitely a moment of vulnerability, but he trusts Sinclair enough that he doesn't feel too bothered. ]

[ Oh, that's a relief. Sinclair fights a sheepish blush as he sets the kettle down just outside the shower]

I'll leave it here then. Um. Let me know if you need anything else.

[ He's aware of how awkward and vulnerable Oria must be feeling right now, so he tries to keep his movements quick so Oria can relax again.

He'll go back outside and wait in their room. He'll light some candles here since it's gotten ridiculously dark fast]

[ Even with their window, it's gotten incredibly dark outside, so there isn't much light. But still, at least there's something and the candles help a bit.

It takes a while with Oria and washing the conditioner out of his hair. He needs to be thorough and yet keep water efficiency in mind due to the limited amount he has, but he works with it. After that, he dries off, puts on an extra big t-shirt and sweatpants so that he can be incredibly lazy and lounge in the room. He doesn't see himself leaving any time soon. The contrast is quite something. ]

I'm done... what's that smell?

[ ... ]

Smells kinda homey.

Oh, the candles? Yuri gave them to me. She said she got extra and thought it'd suit me. It's nice, isn't it?

[Sinclair does Not Get it, but he does like the scent. It's a lot less intense than other candles, and it makes him want to curl up with a book under a blanket or something. If only there as enough light... He holds out the cup of hot chocolate for Oria to take. He had put it in the insulator bag and parked it next to the candle. It's not as hot as he would like it to be, but it's still pleasant to drink]

Here. I managed to keep it warm for you.

[It sure is something to see Oria with his hair damp and un-styled and Sinclair feels the urge to take a small towel and help Oria get his hair dry]

[ Sinclair experiencing a lot of things today and Oria is too, but for a different reason. Oria's smile is soft when Sinclair hands him the cup of hot chocolate. It's warm in his hands as he drinks some of it, sighing contently. ]

Ah... a nice, warm hot chocolate right out of the shower feels really nice.

[ And there's something about the candlelit atmosphere that feels cozy and comfortable. He wants to wrap himself up in a blanket or maybe hug Sinclair?

...

Anyway. His hair remains damp because all he could do was towel dry it and relatively brush it back so it doesn't get all over his face, but definitely unstyled. ]

Maybe you remind her of home.

You think so?

[He's a little distracted thinking why that would be the case. He motions for Oria to sit down and he gets up to get a small, fluffy microfibre towel to gently pat Oria's hair dry a little more. With his fluffy hair, he rarely uses the hairdryer, so he knows how to get it to dry faster without heat]

If your hair stays this damp, you'll definitely get sick.

[ He's a little wistful thinking of home. With Oria. This was home now]

You're a pretty cozy person.

[ Oria lets Sinclair touch his hair—the only other person in the world who can aside from a trusted stylist. It also feels nice when Sinclair cares for him like this, and he quietly breathes out. ]

I, for one, feel comfortable with you.

[Sinclair carefully lifts a section of Oria's hair, and pats it dry between the folds of the cloth. He knows how Oria is about letting anyone touch his hair, so he takes extra care; he doesn't want Oria to ever think twice about it. It's so silky...

His cheeks redden a little, and he ducks his head to hide his smile even though Oria can't even see his face.]

Cozy? Mm. I feel the same way about you. We've known each other forever after all.

[The urge to give Oria a hug from behind is almost irresistable]

Yeah? You're probably the only person who feels that way about me.

[ Oria laughs a little. Him? Cozy? Definitely not what people would call him, even after knowing him for so long.

It really is different with Sinclair. ]

[Sinclair leans into Oria a little, as he gently works his way through Oria's hair. The urge to hug him keeps increasing...]

That's fine too. [He can be the only one. It's a tiny possessive desire from a childhood friend. Nothing more] Other people can miss out.

"Miss out", huh?

[ He's not sure what this is supposed to imply. He didn't think Sinclair would have been possessive at all, so hearing that almost made Oria second guess what he heard. ]

On me being cozy? I'm sure they got other people to do that with.

Mmm, probably.

[It's a slip of the tongue; something about the candle making him thoughtless. Or maybe it's the cozy atmosphere. But there's a part of him that's relieved that only he gets to see this side of Oria. Sinclair hums in something like agreement, as he carefully sets the towel down. LOria's hair is now much dryer than before, smooth to the touch.]

All done.

Thanks.

[ He really means it this time, mostly because— ]

You really helped me a lot today. I'm so glad you're here with me.

[ Sinclair's expression softens and he smiles at Oria in turn. When he sits, it's just a bit closer to Oria. He wants to be near]

Of course. Always. [ He bites back his next few words; that Oria is one of the most important people in the world to him and he'd always come running. That they're friends because while Sinclair would do a lot for his friends, these small things were for Oria alone.

That

...

It's just the candle]

So, what are you gonna do? It feels like a waste to just go to sleep already.

[ It's not quite bedtime yet... definitely dinner time though. Oria takes another sip of the hot chocolate. ]

Mm...We should eat, but...

[With the power out, there was nothing warm to eat. He'd normally read in this weather...]

Nothing to cook, huh? That's fine!

[ Oria goes on over to kneel and drags something out from under his own bed. Ta-da! Snacks. ]

[Sinclair blinks and peers]

You sure have a lot still stashed away...

[Not even surprised]

Yup! Take your pick.

[ There are pringles, bbq chips, pop tarts, candy, whatever else. Oria himself takes a bag of veggie sticks, that aren't actual vegetables. It's just potato chips in stick form. ]

[Sinclair will grab the pop tarts]

Oh yeah, what did you go to the shops for anyway?

[He hadn't looked in the bag]

I went there to pick up something.

[ He bought new headphones too, but that's more of a byproduct. Either way, he finally takes the product out of the plastic bag, it having been untouched by rain because of Sinclair's efforts. ]

It's the new book you wanted. It's too bad you can't read it now, but you can later!

[Oh! Oh! Sinclair's eyes light up and he takes the book, but gives Oria a hug, unable to help himself anymore. Oria always knows what he wants somehow]

You really are the best. I was looking for that one...thanks.

Edited 2023-12-15 21:56 (UTC)

I had it on reserve!

[ He basically pre-ordered a book for Sinclair. Yeah.

But oh. Hug. There's a short pause before Oria returns it and gently pats his back. ]

And now you can read some more when you're able.

Mm. Hopefully I can get some reading time this weekend.

[Sinclair lets go, embarrassed but takes the book to put away for later. No getting crumbs or anything. The candle burns lower, and Sinclair thinks--maybe he should get out another candle just in case. Many candles? He bets he can read then]

...I wonder how many candles I need to read. [He wont. Probably.]

If you start reading books with candlelight, you'll probably get eye strain.

[ Then he might have to get glasses like Oria, but the guy is already technically near blind, so. ]

But we can light some more so that the room is a little brighter as a whole.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject