Talk Nerdy to Me

Chapter 29: Universe In Your Eyes

Summary:

Chris and Ra have a serious conversation about trust, Ra gets the photos she needs of IN, and Ra hears Youtiful for the first time.

Notes:

I have found a group of people who have made me feel like I am doing something with this story, and I am deeply touched that it has gotten to the people who needed to read it. I hope it continues to be enjoyed. :)

Chapter Text

Light filtered in through the gap above the hotel curtains, mixing with the shadows in the ceiling like tiny dancers. Quiet breathing came from the two entwined on the bed near the windows. A soft twinkling started playing from Chris' phone. His head jerked once in his sleep. His eyes fluttered open. It took a few minutes to realize that he wasn't alone in his own bed, and then he remembered what had happened the night before.

Ra still slept on his chest, her tiny hands curled into his side, her feet entangled with his. Her baby blue hair was a halo, tickling his chest in spite of its short length. He used his free hand to brush her hair from her face, then touched his thumb to his lips. The ghost of her gossamer fine kiss still seemed to linger there. He knew his alarm meant he needed to get up, to get them both up, because they had a packed schedule for the day. A small stage show, an interview, IN had an ad to film, many moving parts. But for the first time in forever, he felt well rested. Stay was always on his ass to rest - well, Ra was certainly doing her best to make sure he did.

He didn't want to move. He wanted to stay right here, in this bed, watching Ra sleep on his chest with her hands curled up, one arm around her holding her near and the other free to take care of her.

He wasn't sure what these feelings were, not just yet.

He knew he was dangerously close to falling in love - possibly already there, but his mind skittered away from the thought, too scared he'd say it and frighten her, scared to hurt her if he did anything. He was nervous enough to have kissed her last night. She had panicked so fast, he'd wanted to reassure her immediately. He didn't want her apologizing for kissing him, not when he wanted her to.

His brain cycled through several ideas before landing on one he thought might work. He glanced at his phone for the time. Still enough for them to have a talk and get dressed for some breakfast.

Chris took a deep breath, prayed that she wasn't scared to find herself where she was, and gently shook her shoulder with his free hand. Ra gave a tiny mewl, burying her head further into his chest. Her hands splayed out on his rib. He could almost picture the hourglass processing over her head as she slowly realized where she was. Her head stayed down on his chest, but he felt the heat of her blush.

"C-Chris?"

"Good morning," he said, smiling at the crown of her head. "Did you sleep okay?"

She nodded, her cheek rubbing against his pajama top. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," he murmured. "I wouldn't have laid down with you if I didn't want to."

She was quiet again. He could feel her jaw clenching. "I don't know what happens now."

He chuckled softly. "Now, we're going to talk. After we talk, we'll go get some breakfast, and then the performance for this morning."

She experimentally rubbed her cheek against his chest again. "Okay. That... That sounds like a good plan."

"I thought you'd agree," he said, amused. "The first thing I'm going to say is that we are going to take whatever this is, very slowly. At your pace."

"At my pace?" She said. "But..."