folklorist | ϡ - Appointments Post

[Seven days since they last spoke. Seven days of discomfort and mostly-isolation and mulling over the billion-and-one things troubling Robert since the end of that thrice-damned experiment.

Bloody hell, he was lonely. Really lonely - it's strange, he used to be so afraid of people, but... But he was really lonely.

Lonely and... and afraid that, like with Ami, this had changed his relationship with Helios forever.

He attempts a very uncomfortable, ashamed little message today, because he misses Helios so damned much right now.]

... Helios...?

... C-Could... Could I... v-visit you today?

I... I would greatly a-appreciate your company...

[ Oh, oh dear not a message he was expecting at all. There's a small pause of silence before an answer. ]

Robert? Is...is everything alright? And-yes...yes of course. [ He can't help but acquiesce because you sound so lonely and Helios has been meaning to talk to you but you know. He just...couldn't bring himself to contact you. ]

Ah, w-well, I'm alright. J-just... I m-missed you.

[And he's been alone in his house for a week pretty much.

Yeah, he's completely psychologically fine! ... Only, not really. Though he's doing it to himself.]

... A-Ah, thank you.

I will... be over as soon as possible...

[And Robert gets up to go over to Helios' house. He's still a slow bastard, so expect him to take awhile. At least Helios can talk to him over the journal still?]

... I, e-er, wasn't certain if you wanted to s-see me, but... I'm glad...

I-I'm sorry. I...I should have spoken to you sooner.

And that's not it. I didn't...I didn't think you would want me to come over so soon, at least. [ Even though you said it was all right. He still can't wrap his head around how it will possibly be all right. ] But do take your time.

I... u-understand that the past while has been... difficult for both of us. So... i-it's alright. [An uncomfortable blend of anxiety and desire has been tugging surrepitiously at Robert now, and with nothing to really get his mind off it...]

And I was... quite serious, Helios.

I... truly do a-appreciate your company... and, as you said, I... d-don't wish to have this sort of thing impact our... friendship.

[Helios might notice that little hitch there.

But he might attribute it to shallower breathing due to Robert making his way to Community Building Seven. Several months in Luceti have at least increased his endurance though, and walking across the village is no longer the immense task it used to be.]

... I sh-shouldn't be too much longer, Helios...

N-No you're right. Still...I should have s-said something.

I'm afraid I haven't exactly been helpful in keeping up with what I preach. [ Mainly from deep seated guilt, but you know.

He notes both things. ] Take your time, Robert. I'm certainly not going anywhere after all.

I'm glad to hear that.

[Robert continues his not-so-intrepid journey to Helios, and eventually Helios might hear the sounds of footsteps on the staircase coming up to where his apartment is...

... and then a shy, nervous little knock, in stereo.

Will you let a poor little lonely scientist in, Helios?]

[ And Robert will hear a small bang, and possibly a sigh, as the person on the other side of the door comes to open it.

Of course he would, he'd certainly never turn anyone down back in his own world. Sprensonne's Academy was open to everyone after all not that this was the same. But maybe he was feeling his own twinge of loneliness after awhile too. You can have a headmaster to greet you Robert. He looks slightly less tired and horrible he did a few days ago, and he moves to the side to let the other through. ] Come in, come in! I've made some fresh tea if you'd like some.

[ And you can smell it brewing in the kitchen. ]

[That bang worries him. Though he's used to Helios being a little clumsy now, so maybe it was Helios hitting something?

It's reassuring to see him looking significantly better, though. Probably because they've actually been able to get decent sleep without being tortured in the process.]

Ah... th-thank you very much, Helios. I greatly appreciate it.

[Totally resisting the urge to just cling to him right now. But he has missed Helios immensely and he's missed people immensely.]

[ Yes it was. He knew you were coming over he still got taken by surprise by the knock. He's a derp. ]

It-it's no trouble. [ He hopes it won't be. Robert might notice that Helios is giving him fleeting looks busying himself with closing the door and then going into the kitchen. ] Ah! The tea is probably ready by now.

[ A small awkward smile as he motions for Robert to follow. ] Kitchen or living room? Your choice.

[It figures. Only Helios would be that derpy...]

I would prefer the living room, if you don't mind...

... Mostly because I have yet to spend much time there with you. [And Robert figures the apartment could use some cheering up, what with the lack of Giles (assuming this is May 4).]

That, and it might be somewhat more comfortable.

[ Helios nods going to get a tray and placing the tea pot and cups on it, along with some snacks. You can never have too many snacks with tea! ]

It's a bit more...homely yes. But um right this way. [ Going out and down the hall a little ways into the living room. It's a spare room but should anyone decide to live there it will certainly be converted for them. At least it's nice looking, no thanks to Helios, he has a poor sense in fashion and interior design. Living in a castle will do that to you.

He'll set the tray and straighten motioning for Robert to take a seat. ] I-I apologize I forgot to ask what flavor you'd like. But we, um, have a good few. If you'd like to try another.

[Snacks! Robert needs those. ~~He's so skinny that Don's considering force-feeding him in another thread.~~

He follows obediently, taking in the sight of Helios' lived-in apartment - so different from his, and evidently used by others - Frederic and Giles, he knows - as well as him, judging by the collection of items. It's a foreign feeling, comparing this to his own apartment, which still looks much the same as it did four months ago... granted, Robert has more stuff now, at least, so it's less empty.

Robert, taking note of the spare room, sits carefully in the seat, almost primly. He's suddenly nervous...] Ah, w-well, I don't particularly mind, Helios...

You have good taste in teas. Might you have any recommendations?

[ Snacks and tea make everything better. ]

Mm something mild at first. English breakfast or maybe chai tea. [ He's fixing his own tea at the moment before motioning to Robert to help himself after he's done. ]

Something mild... I wouldn't mind trying the chai tea. [He's probably tasted English breakfast tea before... ~~The mun isn't sure what kinds of tea he has had, though. :|a~~]

... Thank you for going to all this effort for my sake...

[Does Helios notice the little furtive looks in his direction? Robert really wants to hug him.]

I think you'll like it! Unfortunately I don't have any on me. [ Sheepish laugh. ] I'm sure the shops in town have it though.

E-Effort? It's really no trouble, Robert. Tea isn't all that hard to make.

[ He does and he merely smiles a little, taking one of those cookies and munching on it, yup. ]

[Derp! Robert looks just as sheepish, too.] Ah... w-well, I'm quite content with whatever you have...

... And, it's still effort on my behalf. F-For which I must thank you.

[He takes this opportunity to scoot closer to Helios, pretty clearly wanting more substantial contact.]

...

I r-really did miss you...

[ He'll swirl his tea inside his cup almost staring blankly into it. ] Oh it's just regular, this kind. Ah well you don't have to thank me.

It-it's the least I can do. After everything... [ Okay he notes that might even shift a little in his seat. ]

Robert?

Yes...? [Completely nervous here, but Robert does close whatever gap remains between them and just... sits next to Helios.

After a moment of hesitation, he mumbles:]

W-Would you be opposed to... a hug...?

[He's so very anxious right now.]

[ Helios almost chokes on his tea. He looks at Robert and notes the closeness. ] Ah wh-what?

[ Yes he is confused by this question Robert. ]

... A hug.

[He hasn't given Helios a hug since Valentine's.]

...

Y-You... you don't h-have to allow it, of course, b-but... I'd a-appreciate it...

[And now Robert is just going to stare at his hands. Or the untouched tea mug. Or the floor. Or something that is not the ~~handsome~~ headmaster next to him.]

N-No I didn't mean it like that! It's fine. [ Another sheepish laugh this has come as a total surprise to him.

After everything that's happened contact is the last thing Helios would expect Robert to appreciate from him. ]

[He has clearly underestimated Robert's clinginess, then.

The scientist puts his slender little arms around his friend's frame, then, and just holds himself to Helios as close as possible without being entirely unprofessional-looking. He tries to take in the fact that this is Helios, that he's his normal self, and not that... monster wearing his face that still haunts his dreams with those angry eyes and that forceful, crushing kiss that he can't seem to forget.

This Helios, the real Helios, won't do that. Would never do that. Wouldn't hurt him like that... ... Wouldn't...

... It's soothing, in some ways, because it's a reminder that this is real, as objectively as Robert can tell anyway, and that things are relatively normal and everything just might be okay.

Also, Helios feels nice to hold.]

[ Even knowing it was coming Helios still goes a bit stiff. It's just a weird action he's still not quite used to, possibly might not ever be. But it's not as if he hasn't had it happen to him since being here. Giles was the first, Robert the second. Helios might even tentatively return the motion since it does feel nice. But he knows Robert won't react badly and that's one of the main factors to this whole exchange. He also likes the fact that it is, in fact, normal and this brief taste of normalcy is nice for a change. It makes the time here not seem so bad. He will pull away after a few moments clearly confused. ]

I...I still don't understand. Why?

[The rigidity doesn't really bother Robert much. He remembers it from the last time he hugged Helios, too, and he knows that he himself is a little jerky and uncomfortable and in general unused to this. Though hanging off of Don has made this easier to contemplate...

The tentative, uncomfortable, but genuine returned motion is appreciated, and Robert lets his eyes close briefly a moment. He loves Helios, at the very least platonically, and he's glad to see that Helios is back.]

...

As I said before... I wanted to see you, as how you are.

... And... a-and I wanted some memories of a slightly... nicer touch...

[That shiver in Robert's voice is evident. As is the way his gaze keeps resting on Helios' bottom lip...]

[Voice | Filtered 100% | morningish? of May 5]

[Voice | Filtered 100% | using Robert's filter because lol ]

[Voice | Filtered 100%/Action | lol indeed, also May 4 sounds better since Giles :|;;]

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