[Seasons IC Inbox][un: dandelionknight]

[vennessa]

Ah, how do I--?

...

Oh, this is-- This is Vennessa. Please leave a message. I'll contact you when I can.

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[vennessa]

[It's because she senses that he needs it, more than anything. It may have only been a few days for her since she last saw him in Mondstadt before arriving here, but she can feel the difference in him and how he looks at her when they're together.

Like he's trying to engrave everything about her into his memory all over again.

He scoots in without complaint and she smiles, flopping down beside him and tucking her arm around his small body. She rests her chin on top of his head.]

... Do you want to talk about it?

[outofoffice]

[ Spoiled. She'll make him spoiled, at this rate.

(It reminds him of being tucked into a certain someone's hood, way back when . . .)

His fingers curl in the fabric of her shirt, just a bit. ]

What is there to say, really?

[vennessa]

Barbatos...

[She says that name so softly, her voice barely a hum against his hair. Her fingertips twitch against the faint dip of his spine and then rub gently into it.]

It's all right if you don't want to. Just say so. [He so often seems to delight in mischievously dancing around a subject, but she won't expect it from him right now.] But you're my dearest friend... and if you're hurting, and I can do something... then I want to.

[outofoffice]

Ahhh . . . oh, old friend . . .

[ He closes his eyes and imagines, for a brief indulgent moment, that they're home in Mondstadt and not whisked to some far-away world, where people can go as quickly as they come. ]

Simply your presence is more than enough.

[vennessa]

Aha... I see.

[Well, she can give him that. She tucks her chin gently against his hair and closes her eyes with a small smile, still scratching her fingertips lightly against his back.]

That, I can give to your heart's content. Are you tired?

[outofoffice]

[ If wind sprites could purr, he probably would be.

He scooches a little closer so he can abandon pretenses and just wrap his arms around her, submitting shamelessly to the back scratches. ]

Hehe, not really . . . the trip over here was quite invigorating!

[ furi: he was freaking out ]

Don't let me keep you up, though.

[vennessa]

Ah, don't worry... I won't.

[He seems fine now and the issue of what had made him feel so desperate that he had to come knocking on her window at such an inhospitable hour can be talked about in the morning. For now she's content to tuck him in close and prop her chin on top of his head.]

Just don't go running off while I'm still asleep, all right?

[outofoffice]

[ He closes his eyes and lets out a contented little sigh, fingers lightly and idly tugging at the ends of her long hair. ]

Why, would you come running after me if I did?

[ A selfish, self-indulgent question ]

[vennessa]

Hmm.

[She sees the question for what it is, but that doesn't mean she's not going to answer him honestly. It's clear to her that all of this is something that he needs right now.]

Of course I would. Then I'd give you a scolding for running off without telling me.

[outofoffice]

[ She spoils him too much and this is proof. If she pulled his hat down over his face and smothered him, it would be well-earned.

As it is, he smiles -- a soft and genuine one. ]

Hehe . . . I guess I have no choice but to stay right here as long as I can, then.