Anxiety Trials is a Pokemon Special sandbox RP. We are a friendly, no-fuss site where you don't have to worry about posting 24/7, but when you've got the muse. We are based loosely around the Pokemon Special/Adventures manga, though set in a slightly alternate universe. If you're looking for a fun place to explore what life with Pokemon would be like, hopefully we're the place for you!
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Hugh had returned Mei to Aspertia around eight o'clock in the morning after he'd rescued her, knocking on her door and having it opened where he was met with a look from her mother that seemed to border on eternal gratitude he didn't feel he deserved. He'd carried Mei to her room and given Mei's mother only a brief summary of what had happened and what he knew, telling her it would be best just to let Mei sleep for the time. She had agreed and took care of Mei while Hugh ran to his house, releasing his pokemon as well as Mei's and providing food and water for them all.
He ran back to her house as soon as possible, one particular pokeball still in-hand. He'd entered Mei's room, where her mother had tucked her in to bed only when she'd reassured him that Mei was fine. He'd sat by the side of her bed promptly, having quietly pulled up a chair before taking the hand left above her covers in his own gloved one. Her injuries had been tended to promptly and efficiently from what he could see - bandages taped on her face where it was injured, and he assumed her other injuries had been taken care of as well.
Hugh had glanced at his own injured hand from punching a door that wouldn't budge. His knuckles were dried with blood and his entire hand appeared to have become inflamed to compliment the apparent crookedness of one finger. He'd shaken his head, pulling that hand from Mei's and placing it in his jacket, resting it on the zipper seam that had been halfway unzipped like a makeshift sling. He'd take care of himself later, if he remembered.
The leather of his glove was pressed against Mei's palm as he curled his fingers gently around her hand, keeping them there even if he'd planned on trying to move. He wouldn't let go of her, at least not until she woke up and needed to move herself. The last thing he did was pull out his pokeball and release the tiny, still practically a baby, Eevee within. It glanced between its trainer and Mei before understanding instantly, curling up on Mei's side opposite its trainer, pressing its warm body against her shoulder.
After replacing his hand in his jacket, Hugh had only been able to keep his eyes open for three minutes longer.
"I just dont want to be alone right now. Would you stay, wherever we go?"
"I will."
Hugh hears his response to Mei's words echo through his dreams as he feels himself slowly coming out of the sleep he'd fallen into for the first time in almost two days. His first instinct is to fight it, as though it's compelled to wake up and go after his missing friend. No... he hears some part of himself answer, halting his rapidly accelerating thoughts in their tracks. He calms only when he remembers he saved her and brought his friend back to Aspertia. One red eye opens to look at the hand his own gloved one is clutching as though he's afraid she'll evaporate if he lets go.
Good...
He closes his eye again, sighing as he lets his body wake up more slowly, though not fighting it if he feels himself drifting off once more.
This post has 836 words and is tagged for Kane as Huuuuugh.
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It had been easy to fall asleep on the back of her friend's pokemon. Very easy. The thrum of it's wings had lulled her into a sense of security that Mei hadn't felt for weeks. It had clearly been a good choice of carrier for the brunette. Though exhausted to the point of sheer inability to move, when Hugh had left her in the capable hands of her mother she had stirred albeit very briefly. Her mother had coaxed information about the worst of her injuries from her.
It did help that Mei's mother had been a nurse at the pokemon center. Injuries weren't new to her, nor did they worry her the way they could. She instead instructed her very worn out daughter to indicate where she had been hurt. Mei had sleepily sat up on her bed as her wounds were dressed and cared for, before she had been allowed to let her head rest on her pillow and sleep. It was a relief, really, that Hugh had not been able to see the black and blue splotches that covered her ribcage from the Lucario's attacks. And another that her hand had already cleared some of the bruising thanks to Eliard's tending - it may have been fractured, but he had done his work well.
She was half-dozing as he came back in. Her eyes were closed but she could tell his presence the same way she could tell that of her mother. Too exhausted to respond to the fact that he held his hand, she fell into that precious deep sleep that she hadn't managed to gain for weeks.
Her dreams had been haunted with the dark, with cages where there was no door and with images of Hugh breaking through the bars. Fear and hope swirled around one another, neither one more prominent than the other. She couldn't fight either, they were both so forward in her mind. She couldn't and in a way didn't want to.
Mei had gone into the situation trusting. She had gone into it expecting everyone to be a good person, and eternally optimistic. Her fears had been realised however when she had been captured. Her gullible nature would be no more, always worried that the next person she talked to might be like Michael, a kidnapper and a liar who poisoned her mind.
Her sleep, despite plagued with nightmares, had been restful. Light spilled through the window of her bedroom and pulled her into waking. She was practically blinded by the sudden light and let out a soft groan as the hand that was un-held moved up to block the light out. She shuffled a little in her bed to flick sore, unsure eyes around the now almost unfamiliar place that was her home. It had been so long since she'd been there. One eye flicked to the clock and then to the warm patch beside her.
A sense of familiarity spread through her. It had been a long time ago that her own Eevee had slept so close to her. Her Eevee, now an Espeon, who Hugh had helped save. Wherever she was. Her free hand - quite bandaged thanks to her mother's tender care - reached to stroke through the small pokemon's fur. It was strange that she was so unsurprised that her friend had one of the tiny, sweet pokemon. Despite his boyishness, despite everything, he was still tender. That was just as apparent in the fact that their hands were locked firmly together, he keeping his promise not to leave her alone.
Mei slowly moved, doing her best to surpress a groan as pain shot through her body. She sat up a little ways, careful of her ribs and of straining or damaging all the bandaging and care her mother had taken. She was sorer than she remembered, but that didn't matter. Eyes cast down over her sleeping friend and she smiled. He would probably regret sleeping in that manner. He would probably be in a bit of pain himself. Not to mention the fact that he'd had an injured hand. She squeezed at the one holding hers gently in an attempt to stir him, unaware that he too had been checking on her very little before.
"You stayed," she mumbled, noticing for the first time how sore her throat was. She would never doubt the importance and wonder of water and hydration again after this. "I'm really home though." She chewed on her aching bottom lip as she glanced down at the Eevee, attempting to coax it into her lap in order to pet the pokemon better. Especially considering she only had one hand to do so with, unwilling to release the gloved hand of her friend.
"I can't believe it.." She mumbled to herself more than to Hugh. IT didn't feel real. The blinding light in her window probably didn't help either, casting a surreal light over everything around them. Maybe it really was just a dream.
The Eevee looks up when the girl slowly pushes herself up and disturbs its light slumber. Its long ears twitched slightly and it made a quiet sound, partly out of concern for her, and partly out of happiness to see the girl was recovering. It shows the Eevee that the person its trainer worked so hard to save appears to be better than she was originally doing. It stands and stretches happily when Mei gestures, placing its tiny paws on her lap before jumping up, circling around and sitting down. Its ears twitch when Mei speaks, and its large brown eyes turn to stare at its spiky haired trainer as he stays clutching the girls hand.
The Eevee’s tail twitches some when it realizes Hugh isn’t responding. It blinks before standing, half-pouncing on the near bush of Hugh’s hair, falling to the side before biting down lightly on his ear and tugging at it.
Automatically, a growl-like sound comes from Hugh, a complaining groan that seemed to spike in pitch slightly each time the pokemon tugged on his ear. ”Dzvezda...” he grumbles. He tilts his face toward the comforter upon Mei’s bed, ”...stop.” He pulls his head away from the Eevee, causing it to squeak as it stumbles forward, finally letting go and returning to Mei’s lap, watching him expectantly. ”I’m awake...” he murmurs, blinking open his eyes and turning his head back to face Mei, squinting against the sunlight. What did she wake me for? He blinks to adjust his eyes more before he realizes Mei’s sitting up.
”Mei!”
Hugh sits bolt upright in his chair, instantly awake now that Mei is as well. ”Mei...! You’re awake!” He silently grumbles to himself about falling asleep entirely hunched over, definitely feeling it in his sleep-deprived body. ”H-how are you?” he asks, glancing her over now that he’s gotten at least a shred more sleep. Her mother had done a wonderful job I bandaging her up. ”Do you need anything? How are you feeling? Are you alright?”
The questions tumble out of him, and his red eyes are alight with the want to help Mei however he can, putting on a helpful and willing mask above the turmoiled storm stirring within him – one of hate for the people that hurt her, for the people that hurt the world, fury at himself that had not managed to die (and probably never will), and frustration at feeling so helpless besides just holding her hand as he sat now.
This post has 714 words and is tagged for Kane as Huuuuugh.
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Mei couldn't have been more comforted than when the tiny Eevee crawled up into her lap, and her fingers slid into her fur, ruffling it a little as she smiles down at her - a genuine, much more Mei-like smile. It was warm and loving, something she hadn't managed in quite some time. She played with her paws, and watched as the little ball of fluff leapt at Hugh to wake him up. Mei even giggled softly, the sound somewhat foreign to her after such a long time near tears.
"I'm.. very stiff." She mumbled, eyes flicking over him as he sat up. She blinked a few times, wondering whether or not he'd need some kind of trip to a chiropractor or a physiotherapist for his own silly way of sleeping. She squeezed his hand gently, looking adoringly over at her friend. "You don't have to fuss over me, really, Huey," the childhood nickname was a real attempt to stop him worrying so much. She was probably sorer now she'd rested properly - and they always said the day after was worse again - but she knew that it was only getting worse before it got better. That was why she smiled gently over at him.
Hugh's face was always the hardest to read of their group, but if you looked hard enough it was his eyes that could capture you. She always forced herself to meet his gaze directly when she could - as embarrassing as it was when they were up close and all she wanted to do was squeeze him - because it was one of the only ways to see how deeply he was feeling at the time.
"I'm fine. I'll get up and get some water in a minute or something, you might have to walk with me cause I'm not sure how my legs will go." She mumbled awkwardly, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks as she finally managed to break her gaze away from her friend. His eyes were alight with all the things she could guess were going through his mind, and the last thing Mei wanted to do was to hurt him any more by making him think she was incapable. "On second thought, maybe you should take my bed for a bit while I go get a glass, you'll be able to stretch out better."
Because sleeping hunched over on a chair was probably not the best for his back. If it had been a regular day, she would have pulled him onto the bed with most of her strength and forced him to endure a massage. But her strength was so small while she recovered and her hands so weak that it would be practically useless to try and help him using her own hands. All she could do was glance down at their hands, held so carefully together even as he woke. Despite her reassurances not to fuss and that she was doing better, Mei's stomach pitted at the idea of letting go of his hand. He was there and she could feel it. He had been there the whole time, watching over her.
He was a guardian angel.
Honestly, he came to rescue her and then didn't take care of himself. She didn't know what to think of the boy. Her fingers slid between his and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, remembering the wounds she'd seen on the other the night before. "How's your hand, Huey?" She mumbled, concerned but not wanting to let go of the most intimate thing she'd done with Hugh. The hand-holding was nothing, really, but it made her feel connected to him and the innocent Mei of before her horrid encounter clung to the happy preteen crush she'd had on him in desperation, using it as a method of coping with the whole situation. Soon enough she'd be faced with talking about the whole encounter, but for now Hugh was there, and she could lean on him.
"I must have missed a lot while I was gone.. you're okay too, aren't you? Is your chest any better?" Yes, turn the questions of health back on him. That was a smart move.
Hugh manages to smile weakly with Mei's mumbled response, almost letting the breath he's held for a while out in a weak chuckle. Stiff... he thinks, amusement seeping in to even his thoughts, That's all... Of all the answers Mei could have given him, he's glad it's simply that. He glances down at her hand when she squeezes his own, and feels himself flush when he hears the name she's called him by for so many years before they each became trainers. Instantly the storm of worry that's been swirling in his chest since he first laid his head down seems to freeze, and he swallows, slowly managing to pick his gaze up again to look at Mei.
He straightens when she speaks, hearing his back crack with the motion of pulling his shoulders back slightly. He instantly volunteers silently to get the water for her rather than having her walk herself, but the thoughts don't get the chance to become words before he vigorously shakes his head to deny her worried suggestion. "I'm fine, Mei...you're in a worse state than I am. I can get the water for you in a minute." He looks to the left, then the right, blinking in surprise. "Oh wait..." He sees two glasses of water on her windowsill, both full. "...I guess your mother dropped these off for us while we were still asleep."
He stands up to move, but instantly feels something like a conscious kicking at the back of his mind. Stay holding her hand, loser. He flushes again at the thought, pulling his eyes away from Mei as he feels her fingers weave between his, giving his hand another gentle squeeze like the one earlier. After a moment's hesitation, he returns the gesture, and quickly pulls his free hand from where it was hung in his jacket to grab the glass, almost on cue with her question. He glances down at his appendage before shaking his head and reaching for the first glass of water and pulling it back to hold it for Mei to take.
"My hand will be fine." He tilts his head slightly, examining the scabs that have only recently formed where he bashed his knuckles against the wooden door repeatedly. Aside from the scabs there's little of note besides bruising on his fingers and the back of his hand, except the swelling of his middle first knuckle and the crooked set of his finger. "I might have broken a knuckle punching a door in that building --" he stops himself, not wanting to dredge up even so much as a refrence to the place Mei had been held, for her sake, "-- but I took some painkillers after I brought you home. It should be fine for a while yet." He pauses, realizing she'll insist he seek help for it even more unless he says something, "Maybe your mom can set it for me."
Silently, he's glad he's taken the glove off of that hand, as it would be terribly painful to do so now with the swollen joint against the tough leather.
He bites his lip, looking down as though suddenly interested in the color of her comforter to avoid answering her next question immediately. She's good...suddenly questioning me and getting my mind off her. He'll answer her, though - anything to see that she's keeping her mind off her experience until she's ready to speak.
He waits until she's taken the glass before moving the hand he's holding to the side, and turning to sit on the edge of her bed beside her, turned slightly forward to face her. His movements are jerky, only hinting at how awkward he feels. She'd want contact with a friend, right? After something like that? He kicks himself mentally for not being adept at picking up on this sort of thing.
"My chest is better, yeah." he tells her, getting back to her question. "In the time you were gone it finally finished healing." He grins a bit, actually happy with that fact. "I returned to full activity about a week ago. Took long enough for it to heal, though." He doesn't mention the fact that all that's left is what looks like a knot of scar tissue across the width of his pectoral muscles.
"Only thing wrong with me --" physically, at least, " -- is my hand now, and that's nothing compared to what this felt like." He places his free hand on the tight, long-sleeved black shirt rarely seen beneath his jacket, his grin subsiding to something like a smirk. "I'm back in action now."
notes if Mei wanted him to sit with his back against the pillow next to her so she could lean on him he would probably melt but wouldn't let himself say no >>[/classy]
This post has 714 words and is tagged for Kane as Huuuuugh.
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Mei had been used to being the one fussing for years. Bubbly and hyper she may be, the mothering nature that she had inherited maternally hadn't left her. She was more worried about everyone around her than herself, and even in her most injured, her mind ticked over and over about the injuries Hugh might have sustained by bursting in on the building. She was surprised he hadn't faced more opposition, but she supposed it was because they had already gotten what they expected from her.
Blinking at the sudden crack, waking her up from her state of mind and bringing her back from the place she'd been kept once more, she managed a small smile. "You still wouldn't have rested properly. You need proper rest and recouperation too.." Her gaze followed his to her window, and she praised her mother for her quick thinking. Then again, the woman had been around injuries for years prior to staying home to take care of business there. She had a knack for knowing what people needed. "Mamma is a quick thinker, she probably knew that we'd need them." She mused out loud, mildly distracted but not yet ready to drop the topic of her friend's own personal care.
His movements caused her to blink, and though she knew she should loosen her grip on his hand should he want to go somewhere, her eyes merely followed him to his standing position and stared, worried that he was going to leave now that he knew she was alright. If that was the case, she would be strong. She didn't want him to see her panic at the thought of being alone, and hurriedly turned her gaze away only to be reassured by a return squeeze. She softened instantly from the tension that had formed in her state. Mei silently cursed herself for being so needy. No one else would demand their friends stay by their side. Would cling unceasingly even when they should be let go. He saved you, the least you can do is let him go, should he want to. Maybe he'll actually go and rest. Her mind-voice coaxed, but still she held on.
Her other hand slid out of the sweet little Eevee's fur and up to take the glass. She took a long sip, relief flooding her face as it cooled her aching throat. Mei would never, ever complain about having to drink water again. It was blissful. She kept drinking as he spoke, wanting to agree with him but not yet ready to stop relieving her thirst. She half-nodded over the glass, breathing out as she lowered it. Half-empty now, she perched it on her knee and wetted her lips. "Punching buildings is never smart," she replied softly, letting her own eyes crawl over the injury. "I'll make sure Mamma takes care of it, don't worry. Your hand will be good as new."
Mei half -listened as he spoke and sat down on the edge of her bed. Surely that wasn't comfortable! She shuffled a little, doing her best not to disturb the Eevee too much from her resting place. Looking over at him and interrupting both of their thoughts breifly, she pulled on his hand, beckoning him to move and sit beside her. As much as she tried to tell herself that it was for his comfort, part of her was desperately seeking the closeness of a warm body. Someone to hug and curl up against, the way she had found herself the night before. Though it was doubtful that she would climb onto his lap to press her face into his neck, she could use a shoulder to lean on. "Come sit here, please?" She mumbled, "It'll help your back and-"I want to be near you.
Her mind was being very cruel in her wakening. Perhaps she ought to go back to sleep.
Releasing his hand finally - mostly to allow him to move, if she was honest - she followed Hugh's injured hand to its place on his shirt, reaching up to fold her own hand over it. "Good. I was worried I might have hurt you while you were carrying me last night.. I didn't want to aggravate it any, but you were insisting, and.." She mumbled. It had healed while she was gone. She hadn't really helped at all. And she had promised t take care of him. Some friend she was, being captured and not able to take care of him when he needed it.
Obviously more emotionally drained than she had realised, Mei felt hot tears prickle at her eyes and hurriedly wiped them away. "I'm really glad you're better." She managed, gulping down the last of her water to stop herself from outright crying. She didn't even know why she was so close. She should be happy he'd healed but her mind kept telling her that he didn't need her, so he could leave again. She hadn't helped him heal, she hadn't been around to make him food and take care of him like she'd promised. He had no real reason to stay around her if she was useless. He'd had to come rescue her.
Once more her hand closed around his and she tugged again, hoping desperately that he'd understand and sit beside her, wanting to at least be able to hug him while she still had him near. She managed to plaster a smile onto her lips even with her eyes threatening to betray her. "H-has Cheren and the others still been working on the city? No more storms have hit us yet, have they?" She mumbled, worried that the town might be worse for wear than ever before. Anything to get her mind off that place and off the idea of Hugh walking out and her not seeing him again.
[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 8px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 1px; padding: 5px; width: 126px;]Taking advantage of a boy's feelings~ xD Ugh I'm still questioning how she went from fussing to crying. Broken Mei is broken. xD
Hugh glances over at Mei when he finally notices she’s moved. He hadn’t even seen her actually move, and it took him until she released his hand before closing her fingers around it once more that she wanted him to sit next to her. He glances at their hands beforeb ack up at her, realizing her silent plea all but instantly. A nervous swallow followed by a ragged-sounding exhale are heard before Hugh nods slightly, beginning to move. This is Mei’s bed. Hugh thinks, scooting towards the head of her bed before turning, stepping on the heels of each of his red sneakers to pull them off without needing to bend over before pulling his legs up on to the bed as well, his outside leg bent as though he’s expecting to need to spring upward at a moment’s notice. He sighs when he leans back against the wooden head of her bed, glancing sheepishly at the unintentional space between them.
Now this is awkward. Fix it.
He leans forward again and shifts next to Mei, leaning back a second time – this time against the pillows she’d made room for him with, his shoulder brushing hers as he relaxes some once he’s situated. Oh Arceus... The spiky-haired teen feels a steady leak of heat into his cheeks as it slowly sinks in what sort of situation he’s in, his face slowly blushing as he feels his chest tighten. He swallows awkwardly before slowly moving his thumb gently against her hand. She wants comfort and human contact...or at least contact with me. He knows he’ll do anything for Mei, even it means fidgeting under the unfamiliarity of the situation and the uncomfortable blush across his face.
He glances to the side and down at her when her free hand moves from his injured one to the side of her face. She’s crying... he feels panic stirring in him, accompanied by a repeated, What do I do?! he hears his voice shouting in his mind. ”Mei...” he murmurs, adjusting his position to turn his torso to face her better, ”Mei it’s okay...” He can hear it in her voice, as well, when she asks about the state of Aspertia. He hesitantly raises his free arm before wedging his limb between the back of Mei’s shoulders and the top of her pillow, bending his wrist to comfortingly place his hand on his arm.
He’s seen something like this done in movies, with the typical saddened girl and the boy that doesn’t know her feelings for him trying to comfort her because he’s her friend. It works in movies, Hugh tells himself, giving Mei a gentle squeeze, like an awkward one-armed hug. Why shouldn’t it work in real life as well?
”Cheren and the other cityfolk are working to rebuild the City, yes. There have been no other storms and things are moving along quickly...for the repairing of a city.” He tilts his head down, as though to hide the bottom half of his face in his funnel collar before realizing it’s unzipped. Instead he shakes his head, causing some of his spiky hair to shadow over his eyes. He feels his voice drop some, closer to a murmur when he speaks again. ”Mei...you know I would go through any amount of pain for you, right?” He swallows, ”Even if my chest hadn’t been healed by then, I still would have done everything the same.”
He becomes painfully aware of his body beginning to tremble as he begins to think about the event itself, as well as every possible thing that could have gone wrong before he got there. ”I’ll do anything for my friends.”
This post has 820 words and is tagged for Kane as Huuuuugh.
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Mei was pretty sure that Hugh was uncomfortable. She knew he wasn't big on her cuddles at the best of times - he'd always put up with them without complaint, however, so - but today he was doing so because she needed them, not because she was being the needy child that sometimes her young, very teenage heart could lead her to be. He started out apart from her however, clearly nervous of the fact that he was a boy on her bed. But then, Hugh would probably be one of only a few boys that her mother might actually trust to be on the bed with Mei. One unlikely to take advantage of a convenient situation. Mei's mother had never quite thought the same about Kyouhei, but that was another story all together. Mei blinked at him as he perched, looking about ready to run away at the drop of a hat, and blushed herself at the whole strangeness of the situation.
They weren't even touching and it felt queer.
Stomach tied in knots - perhaps that was hunger though - she felt a strange sense of relief as he took her offer and scooted closer. Her shoulders sank a little, dropping her back to her usual, much-shorter-than-Hugh height as he moved into place and their arms were pressed together. Despite the fact that she had been upset and seeking closeness to begin with, somewhere inside the girl who had been hopelessly daydreaming about her best friend felt her stomach turn. The feeling was short lived as she realised just how tired she was and just how nice it felt for warmth - more than the electricity of a touch, she felt comforted.
His thumb's gentle caress was the only thing that sent the occasional spark to her heart, and she had closed her eyes to rest her cheek against his arm with enough time to conceal the blush that had sprung up to her cheeks at that. The fact that her hair had been brushed out of its matted pigtails to hang loose and long around her shoulders and back also helped as she hung her head to let strands fall over hre face.
Apparently Hugh was perceptive to a lot of things, because as soon as she started crying he had taken notice and made moves to comfort her - obviously struggling with how to act with a whimpering girl who was really on the edge of sanity. She stiffened for a moment as his arm slid around her, and caved in on herself - instantly regretting the action as her battered ribs let her know that she shouldn't be doing so ever.
Her tears didn't end even when she tried to smile. Smiling was painful and awkward when you just wanted to cry, and she moved instinctively to her knees as he turned towards her, this time moving to half-perch on his lap as her face found the black material of his shirt, pressing her face into his chest as her hands balled into fists in the same fabric. SHe clutched at him, shaking her head and hoping her tears would subside. She listened intently, telling herself over and over the things that he was saying. "I should have been here.. to help you. To help them." She sniffed out finally, "If I hadn't been so stupid.. I would have been able to take care of you and help them.. It wouldn't be taking as long.."
Her eyes sought his as he began to shake, and she clung tighter as she looked up at him, shaking her head hurriedly. "I don't want you to go through that much pain for me, Hugh. I don't want you to. I hurts me to see you in pain.. I wouldn't want you to sacrifice a hair on your head for me." Hesitantly the brunette reached up to pat the spiky hairdo he maintained, remembering how deceivingly soft it actually was. Particularly when slept on. "You don't have to do all this for me, I didn't deserve it.. I didn't even manage to take care of you before, when you were hurt. I only got you hurt again."
She split her face from against his chest, still half-leaning against his lap as she looked up at him. "You shouldn't risk anything for me. Especially not yourself. I won't be silly enough to let anything happen again.. it was my own fault." She nodded, soundly sure of the fact. "You just need to take care of yourself. That's what's important."
And hugging her right now. That was important too. She slid her arms around him properly, tightening them around his waist as she pulled herself closer once more. Emotional girls were strange indeed.
"I should be back out there, helping rebuild. I.. I should eat something, and then go out and help, right?" She mumbled against him, considering doing just that.
[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 8px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 1px; padding: 5px; width: 126px;]Lol, now she's all over the place. >> Hugh has to suffer through a lot. Bashing through buildings and now this.
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Last Edit: Dec 27, 2012 22:13:17 GMT 9.5 by MEI MORIMOTO
Easy, Hugh... he tells himself as he gets control of his thought process once more. Getting wound up just thinking about Mei’s experience would do he nor Mei any good in this situation. She just needed to stay calm, and not think or talk about her kidnapping until she was the one to initiate it. No details, no mulling it over, no causing a shitstorm in his brain and boiling his blood even moreso than it already was. He felt the temporary burden on his mind lighten when her cheek rested against his arm. Though his two layers of clothing prevented him from feeling her skin – which he hoped wouldn’t be feverish to account for healing injuries – it was still like a shock to his system. Oh Arceus... He closes his eyes to fight back the blush of color rising to his cheeks. Why is he even blushing this much in the first place?! It’s not like he’s embarrassed or anything! Just uncomfortable!
...right?
He swallows painfully when she moves, catching the faintest glimpse of tears streaming down her cheek. Please don’t cry... he silently begs her, not wanting to see such sadness or pain on her face. Not Mei’s. Not Mei, his best friend. Not Mei, the girl who he’s always seen as an ever-bright ray of sunlight that could clear up just about anything – quarrels between he and Kyouhei on their journey, inner turmoil he’d felt brewing within himself for some time from his personal vendetta against Plasma, his own fractured “rock” of a mind that was always there for others but had crumbled upon being reunited with his sister’s Liepard once again, the pain he felt in his chest after he’d returned from Sinnoh.
She was always there, and always seemed to have a smile on her pretty face. The least he wanted to do today was have her smile again, as she had made him do on the occasions when he’d felt least like doing so.
He almost gulps when she abruptly turns in place, half-throwing herself against him after practically sitting upon his lap, sobbing into his chest. ....oh dear... It’s a thought he can’t contain, and he feels his face light up to a color comparable to that of the jacket he’s never seen without, and he turns his eyes toward his bangs. If I can get through the day without being a useless lump AND making her smile I’ll be happy.
He curves his arms protectively around her bandaged body, closing his grasp firmly, though carefully, around her and locking his arms against her back when she speaks. He looks down at her when he feels her head turn upward toward him. His jaw tightens slightly to bite back an instantaneous response he feels rising in him at her objection to his words. Let her finish, he tells himself sternly. Your words can wait.
The teenager almost jumps when she places her hand lightly upon his head, patting his hair gently just moments after referencing it. Mei’s one of the two people capable of getting away with a feat such as this unscathed. He managed to maintain his silence until he found a break in her concerned words. He gives her a gentle squeeze of a hug before pulling his uninjured hand from behind her, and places his thumb gently against her lips, using the rest of his figners to easily turn her to face him.
He shakes his head.
”The most helpful thing you can do for the city, Cheren, me, yourself, anybody is recovering. We –“ he means their families, Kyouhei (he thinks), and Cheren, ”—have all been worried about you...we want you to be as healthy as possible as soon as possible, and that goal does not include returning to full work as soon as you can, particularly while injured.” He smirks a little, thinking back on what he did practically the day after returning from Sinnoh, realizing he’s not told her about that. Perhaps if he gave her an example, she’d be more inclined to take his word for it.
”I never told you, but soon after I got back to Unova from my time in Sinnoh I tried to help out with the rebuilding and heavy lifting. I only lasted eight minutes before the pain from straining my chest injury made me pass out.” He doesn’t like admitting this sort of thing, but he passes it off with a crooked smirk for Mei’s sake, as though making fun of is own recklessness. ”I would hate to see you do something like that to yourself. Being reckless is my job, not yours.”
His smirk fades into a more serious expression, a bit of a frown pulling at his lips, ”I’m willing to do whatever I can for you, Mei...you’re one of the most important people in my life.” His red eyes lose any sort of positive light they may have held seconds ago, ”That’s why I came to you as soon as I could. I was willing to do anything and everything I had to in order to get you back – even face a whole army on my own.” He swallows as he begins to tremble slightly again, looking at her eyes as though he’s afraid he’ll forget how clear of a blue they are. ”And I would have won, too...because seeing you again would have kept me going.” The spiky-haired teen pauses before continuing, ”...I don’t have many friends, Mei...I’m not a social, lovable Butterfree like you...so the few friends I have mean the world to me.”
He blinks, before glancing to the side. ”I...”
He ducks his head slightly, letting the shadow from his bangs cover his eyes. ”I don’t think I could bear to lose someone like you.”
This post has 1155 words and is tagged for Kane as Mr. Sexy.
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Mei was really taking advantage of the friendship at that moment. She hadn't meant to do so, not really, but the brunette knew he wouldn't be entirely comfortable with her snuggling up against him. It was just a generic need to be close to one of the few people she trusted - literally with her life - and the fact that it was the one she wanted to be the most close to just was a lucky convenience. It was as hard for him as it was easy for her, she was sure, considering that out the corner of her eye she saw the heat rising in his cheeks. She could have just as comfortably sat against him like this for any amount of time. She doubted with his flusteredness that he would be able to do the same.
However, her thoughts were not currently drawn to the fact that she had him in a rather vulnerable position, she was too involved in the emotions that had overwhelmed her and the comfort that could be found when you were in the arms of your best friend. Mei's heart tugged at her chest as he wrapped his arms around her in that way that only he could. It was comforting, a true relief, as she cuddled closer against him, closing her eyes to blink away the tears if she could. His brightly coloured face completely unknown to her as she nuzzled her way into his grasp, she barely realised how intimate the moment was.
It was too much about the comfort in that moment.
Mei was pleased with the embrace, regardless. He was holding her and making her feel well and truly home. It was comforting to know she was free. Free of that place. Her breath caught momentarily as she thought about it and a shudder travelled through her body. No, she couldn't think about it if she wanted to calm down. Instead, she made her mind focus on the gentle but firm grip that Hugh had on her. She wouldn't let herself be captured again. She didn't want to have to make Hugh come after her, to hurt himself or risk himself for her life. She wouldn't give him the opportunity.
Another nuzzle into his chest, eyes lidded as she looked out towards the window. She could only see a crack of light, but it reminded her that the boy - young man - she was sitting on, and is very comfortable, her thoughts added, was her reason for safety. He was her hero, he had risked himself for her. She would have done the same for him in a heartbeat, of course, but she wished he hadn't needed to rescue her. That she hadn't been a damsel in distress.
Mei managed to bite back any more tears as he guided her eyes up to his face. This time, despite the other flurry of emotions exploding through her mind, she blushed furiously. The touch on her lips kept her silent, and the guiding fingers that had turned her must feel the heat in her cheeks, but he was speaking and she had to focus on his words. Her own hands tightened on the fabric of his jacket, balling into fists to stop herself from reaching them up around his neck and embarrassing him further.
If she was good, if she didn't push it, he wouldn't move. And I can stay here like this, with him, a little longer. She thought, before tuning in properly.
The young brunette trainer was mentally objecting as he told her not to return to work. She wanted to help out, Mei had always been about helping people, and like this she was useless. His smirk confused her until he continued, and she blinked up at his face as she breathed out. The mothering side that had wanted to help him get well when he'd been home at first felt a pang of annoyance that he had pushed himself so far when he'd been so injured, but it instantly made her stop and thing. "I.. guess you're right. I don't like you being reckless either though, Huey." She mumbled, barely moving her lips against his thumb, though the movements send chills down her spine.
"I was scared when I heard you that there would be an army.. I wouldn't have wanted to see you hurt for me. You're just as important to me," She mumbled, biting back the further response, moreso, really, as she released his jacket with her own uninjured hand to place a hand gently on his cheek. Her cheeks flared once more with colour as he spoke again, and she shrank her body that little bit closer to his, as if it were a better hiding place should she need to retreat more quickly.
"You don't have to be a social Butterfree, you have me for that.. and you'll always have me," Mei nodded once as his eyes disappeared beneath his bangs, once more hiding in the way she had seen him do so many times in their life. This time it was her turn to use the hand on his face to guide his eyes back to hers. Her lips turned up - not into a smile, but close - at the edges as she shook her head. "You don't have to lose me ever, I promise. I'm never going to get captured or in trouble again. Because I don't want you to risk yourself for me, okay? We'll just have to fight together so that neither of us lose the other. I don't know what I'd do with myself if I lost you while you were trying to save me. I'd be a mess."
Blinking away any more tears that might have threatened her at that moment, she sat up a little ways to press her forehead to his. "I'll get better soon, I promise. I'll rest enough to get better so I can help again, and then you won't have to save me any more, and I won't have to worry about you risking everything for me. Or about you facing an army on your own. I'll be by your side," She realised then how close she'd gotten, and backed away to sit down once more, lowering her hands down to his jacket once more, "Cause that's what friends do. You protect me and I'll get stronger so I'll protect you too. Is that okay?" Yes, it had to be okay.
"We'll take them down together. They're going to regret everything when we work as a team." She bit her bottom lip, still not quite certain that he'd agree.
But she wasn't going to stand back during the fight. Not even if they all wanted her to. She was going to take them down.
[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 8px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 1px; padding: 5px; width: 126px;]xD That's okay, she has no issue with working on him to make him realise. >> Or at least trying to figure out if he feels the same. xD She won't force herself on him too much.
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Last Edit: Jan 3, 2013 17:56:45 GMT 9.5 by MEI MORIMOTO
He had been able to feel the temperature rising in her own face once he placed his hand against her jaw. Luckily the teen had managed to ignore it and continue speaking without the hesitation that wanted to stop his words all so easily. The faint twitch of his spine like he wanted to jump had been the only sign that he’d felt her lips brush against his finger, too, but he’d managed to keep his focus on his words and pass the sensation over as little more than a slight shiver. That feeling, though, had been dwarfed once she put her hand on his cheek. It’s a good thing I’ve stopped talking. he realizes, not looking back at her. Her touch – cool and soft compared to his own flushed cheeks that had sharp lines drawn in them thanks to his cheekbones – would have silenced him entirely.
The spiky-haired teen almost tries to resist the gentle guidance of her hand against his jaw, pushing against it determinedly for a heartbeat before he caves to his friend’s gentle touch, allowing his neck to be turned to face her. He lets her words sink in before the teen drags his gaze up slowly from where it has fallen to her sheets, now on his and her legs between their torsos and quickly up the length of Mei’s body until his red eyes found her blue ones once again. Hers are like water to the fire that burns day and night in his.
He follows her eyes as she pushes herself up some, momentarily higher than his before they lower and become level – and incredibly close – to his own. Her forehead resting against his causes him to blink once, keeping his eyes closed for a few seconds before slowly opening them once again. She’s very close now... he realizes, her words having much less effect upon him than they normally would have. I can see the flecks of different color in her irises now... He forces himself to swallow. Brown, green, amber... He almost leans forward some when she pulls away, finding himself wanting to count the colors in her eyes like shards of colored glass washed upon the beach.
He fails to realize that for the first time, he was entirely captivated by her gaze.
The young man nods when she finishes speaking, shaking the strange calm that had settled over him when she had her forehead pressed against his own. ”Yes...” he says, realizing that her resolve for this is solid, ”...we will.” He manages to match her expression, his lips pulling upward just slightly before he leans forward, adjusting his arms around her into a more proper hug, rather than a protective grasp. His wrists cross between her shoulders, and his palms lay flat, fingers gently curling over her shoulders as he rests his chin on the top of her trapezius muscle, eyes closed.
A strange, unfamiliar object forms in the corner of Hugh’s left eye before it falls, running out of its shape before it can even get to his lips and almost drying on the spot. It was the tear of relief, happiness, and pure exhaustion that has pent up over the past ninety-six hours. There’s no more where it comes from, instead leaving the friends uninterrupted.
notesI almost had Hugh show a bit more emotion fuck it I did it. // man that became conclusive even though that wasn't my intention in the slightest OTL want to have the last post then this thread wraps up and shirtless Hugh one begins?[/classy]
This post has 430 words and is tagged for Kane as Mr. Sexy.
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Mei's heart was literally thundering against her chest. She was certain he'd be able to hear it just as clearly as she - since the blood pulsing in her ears was enough to make her hear the pounding - and she was almost certain that their closeness was due to the fact that she was not well and he was allowing her a grace period where she could cuddle, cling and touch without him having to scold her. But Cresselia darn it if she wasn't going to love every second she could sit with him that close.
"Huey," She allowed his name to drop through her lips like a gentle coaxing as he met her gaze. She blinked her eyes a few times, amused that he seemed so distracted with her as close as she was. It was nice, however, that for once it was he who seemed so distracted and distant. Though tears still threatened her, and though they were close and she felt like her heart was going to explode, she laughed - a true Mei laugh - as he seemed to briefly follow as she moved away.
If the brunette hadn't known her friend better, she might have thought he was going to kiss her. Luckily, however, she knew him better. She fought to settle her racing heart as he agreed to her terms - without argument even! - and smiled warmly as she let her hands drop away from his face. She could shake the tears for now, so close to him. She could shake the problems that had plagued her. He was holding her, and though as far as she knew he had none of the same feelings plaguing him, she felt safe in his arms. Calmed.
Like she fitted.
The hug he had pulled her into was not the same as it had been, and Mei found herself fitting comfortably against his chest as her own arms slid up and around his neck, thin, idle fingers absently tangling in his hair and her head resting gently against his. This was a proper hug, more intimate than most they shared but barely registering on her heart-scale, considering their moments. This was a hug she was enjoying from the inside out simply for the sheer closeness of it all. Her eyes closed peacefully, forgetting the horrified (and probably still somewhat tired) tears she'd shed over her own stupidity.
Another smile tugged at the corners of her lips and she breathed out softly, focusing on directing it away from his ear so it wasn't particularly loud. "Thank you, too." She mumbled back, settling into the cosy embrace for as long as she could chance it.
There was tomorrow to start over. For now, she was comfortable where she was - and not about to let him run away in any hurry.
[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 8px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 1px; padding: 5px; width: 126px;]Right in the feels, Kane. Right in them. xD Now she's probably going to fall asleep on him all cuddled like that, you realise. I have such amusing, dirty cracky things I could think but I'm not going to say them. xD And just say edijffe some more. xD <3 I love you Kitaaaaane. Lot less words this time to end it.
