( 6 ) Floating weightless, we are floating worldless

[problemagus]

( If anything, it surprised him most that she agreed to this. Kiritsugu had been concerned about her safety, understandably so given the circumstances: her father's rise to power, the warrant for Team RWBY's arrest.

By this, he didn't mean to imply she was incapable of defending herself, knowing that she was quite capable on her own, not even counting the help of her friends. Simply, he wanted to give her a space where she needn't worry, unaffiliated with her team, so she wouldn't have to watch her back or feel like a target.

Although they've mostly wound down for bed now, he's settled behind her on the bed, parting off her hair into sections as if to braid it into a crown. Painfully aware of how much stress she must have been going through, he wanted to do something-- anything to ease her burdens, perhaps exemplified by the tender kiss he places against the base if her neck. )

You don't have to talk to me, but I'd appreciate it if you did.

( His voice is soft, gentle. For as empathetic as he was, Kiritsugu was hardly a mind reader. She'd been silent about matters since settling in, and a part of him could hardly blame her. Yet, as her primary benefactor-- no, as her partner and confidant, there were a few things he needed to know.

He continues on with the braids in a meticulous fashion, almost single-mindedly, but never does he make them too tight. She needed to sleep, after all. )

Comments

[changeitall]

[ Truth to be told, Weiss would obviously feel much safer anywhere near Ruby and Penny considering all of their new and old skills... But she's tired, she figures those two want some time alone and she could say the same about Blake and Yang. Besides, good luck to anyone trying to find team RWBY if they're in different locations but only one call away from each other in case something happens A G A I N.

So yes, Kiritsugu's not wrong about giving her this kind of space and Weiss is grateful for that.

Stress is one thing, everything else that's also there are all the other things... That seriously was so much in very little time and also so many things, that made her look back to far away in her past and future -- if there even is a future, she's not even so sure about that. One step at a time, not that all the bad things happening at once really know how to do that.

But this is ... better than anything out there. Bed, company, the kiss that makes Weiss close her eyes for one very brief moment. If Kiritsugu could see all the icecold glaring, salt and bitterness in them once she opens them again -- well, she's sure he can imagine it. ]

No!

[Yes, she knows her answer is rude. She says that immediately, her voice is harsh and cold and she doesn't even consider any other options. No, Weiss doesn't want to talk. She has no idea where she'd even begin between everything happening so much... Sure, she's been really quiet and she plans to keep staying that way.

She loves the braiding though, so he can keep doing that without Weiss complaining about it at all. Especially when he seems to make sure it's good for sleeping too.

Weiss has no idea how long she's quiet but the it feels like forever to her even if it's really not that long. First there is a long, deep sigh, then she's glad Kiritsugu can't see her eyes because now she just looks pathetic as Schnees would call it sad.]

Talk about ... what?

[Maybe she'll try. BUT THAT'S ONLY A ... MAYBE. She sure needs to sleep but she's way too awake with all of her thoughts. ]

[problemagus]

( No, he's unable to see her face, but he can vividly imagine it. Her voice, the pain in her eyes. Perhaps he hadn't anticipated such a violent reaction. And, in response, he's let go of her hair-- for now, simply circling his arms around her waist to pull her in close.

Soft, comforting. His voice lingers in her ear, barely in a whisper. )

The last thing I want is to overwhelm you, Weiss. You're allowed to put your foot down.

( He wanted to make that clear to her. A subtle reminder that he was here to ease her troubles, not escalate them. )

More than anything, I hope to be your comfort, my dear.

( It's... an adjustment. The idea of sharing his intimate space with someone-- anyone, was foreign to him - in part - by design. Half surprised circumstance had brought them this close. )

Though I confess, your father concerns me a great deal.

( It's an innocent question. His rise to power raises many concerns. Though to him, it's deeper, personal. He had an idea of his influence on her life, she'd never opened up to him, fully. It's her right not to, if she so wished. And yet. )