[ Action in Narshe, locked to Basch ]

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Lightning's return to his humble abode was swift, the door shutting behind her rather abruptly. She hadn't come back with what she'd gone out to get--- namely, food for dinner, because she'd no more walked into the shop when all eyes turned on her.

ANd then the whispering began. She only got a couple hints of what was being said, but what she heard (along with the knowing grins of some of the men in the establishment) was more than enough, and she'd turned heel and promptly marched right back to Basch's place, face burning in embarrassment. ]

Comments

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Lightning's sudden return prompted him to look up from a few papers he had been looking at. Granted, he had promised himself that this weekend he would not look into any work, but while Light had gone out to dinner, he wasn't going to sit idly.

The look on her face, however, worried him. He stood immediately, looking concerned.]

What is it?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ It took her a few moments to finally get the words formed even in her head, but she finally managed to look at him and speak. ] Th-they were talking. About us. About-- [ --Nope. She can't even say it. ]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[He still looks a bit confused. Stopping in the middle of a sentence does that. He moves from his current position near the desk to stand infront of her, placing his hands on her arms.]

About what?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ His touch manages to calm her a little bit, and she leans into him a little, voice low and mumbled against his chest. ] The noise.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Her answer started him a bit. The... noise? And then it dawned on him. His reaction was a cross between mortification and amusement. He did the only thing that seemed appropriate at the moment.

He laughed. Openly and loudly. Basch removed his hands from her arms so he could wrap his arms around her.]

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Her blush flared up even brighter, and she began to push at him when he hugged her, flailing a little bit. ] It-- It's not funny!! Why are you laughing?!

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Basch let her go when she started to push at him.]

Are you embarrassed that it was good enough for others to talk about?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Well. That wasn't the answer she expected. She stopped flailing, and blinked at him, again at a loss for words. ] That's not-- [ And she throws up her hands, crossing them and turning from him slightly. ...I just don't think it's their business.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Of course it is not their business.

[Initial mirth aside, Basch sobers up.] In a small town like this, all people do is talk. Take it with a grain of salt.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ She glances at him, over her shoulder, looking a little more vulnerable. ] Are we really that loud?

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[That is not a question you ask him, Light. He gets a bit embarrassed at that, moving to cough into his hand.]

You are.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Oh. Sputter. ]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

They should not be listening anyway. What we do behind closed doors is none of their concern.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ She finally moves to sit down, resting her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands. She knows, fundamentally, that he's right-- but that doesn't make it any less mortifying. ] I'm sorry.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

...why are you apologizing?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

I've caused you a lot of trouble.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

Light... [He moved to kneel in front of her, taking her hands within his own.]

You never need to apologize.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

Basch.. [ Lightning squeezes his hands lightly, and gives him a small smile. ] Thank you.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

No need for thanks.

[He smiles.] Though if you wish, I will go out and defend your honor.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ She laughs a little, and shakes her head, tugging him up so he'll come sit next to her. ] You don't have to do that.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[He moves from his kneeling position to move onto the bed beside her.]

Are you positive?

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

[ Leaning into him a little bit, she just nodded. ] I'm sure.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[He moved his arm to wrap it around her.] So be it.

But do not worry about such idle gossip.

[fulminous.livejournal.com]

I'll try not. [ She frowned slightly, sighing. ]