projectroxas | (no subject)

[ day five without sleep had been kind on him for the most part. research was finally going smoothly after two weeks of being locked indoors, barely allowing himself to get up for breaks that did not include making a new pot of coffee or a quick trip to the restroom. sure, the first week he went outside for said coffee--which could explain why there were so many Starbucks cups stacked on every table around the place--but now he couldn't be damned to step outside, too engrossed in his work to do much else but read and pick up his coffee mug every now and then when the compulsion hit him.

thus his surroundings are a mess, his (& caleb's) apartment littered with books ranging from medical to spiritual to supernatural-- anything and everything to cover all his bases in hopes that he'll find something that would answer all the questions their family had been asking ever since alyssa fell into a state that they could not quite discern, even with the help of their go-to doctors. this is why he's been hunched over his desk for as long as he could remember, though at current he's occupied with a bunch of files he had "borrowed" from someone he had yet to meet, but feels like he should know very well.

at this moment he's completely immersed in this new found fascinating material, finding himself both relieved yet feeling something pinch the pit of his stomach when he flips to another page of one of the hundred-something folders that is stacked on his desk. when his eyes start to blur and go unfocused he sits back in his seat, slapping his cheeks a few times to wake himself up. realizing that he's going to get nowhere without taking a break he eventually pushes himself away from the desk, moving to go to bathroom to splash some water on his face before wandering to the kitchen to grab another cup of coffee.

with the fresh cup in hand he heads back to his workspace to reposition himself in his seat, staring down at the material as his shoulders droop a little in exhaustion. nonetheless he's back to work after a split second, completely and utterly focused on that and nothing more. ]

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[ eyes take on a slightly blank look as he tries to process this statement. a second. two seconds. three, four, five -- ]

Do rabbits still scare you?

[ expression immediately drops. ]

... who told you that.

There are no secrets between my little love and I.

[ seems to falter a bit, but soon he puts his hands on his hips anyway and tries to sound brave. ]

T-They don't scare me anymore! No, siree!

You sound uncertain.

I'm certain. I'm very certain.

Enough to provide proof?

I can't with you around. Animals don't like you either, y'know.

For reasons that still escape me.

...

[ just stares at him silently, as if it should be quite obvious by now. ]

[ is rapidly losing himself to thought, trying to figure out possible reasons. eyes take on a glazed look, the blinks slow & accented in movement. ]

[ leans back into his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. taps a foot on the ground. ]

Don't worry, just take your time. That's right, low and slow.

[ doesn't even seem to hear him, already deteriorating into his characteristic thinking moods. ]

[ lets him do his thing, still watching him closely. when it gets to be too much he reaches over towards one of albert's hands, pinching the skin there. ]

[ his body jerks as a way of reflex, but his mind is slow to catch up. blinks once, then tugs his hand away, raising an eyebrow. ]

Yes?

You okay in there, slowpoke?

Of course. Your concern is appreciated.

[ raises an eyebrow, smiling slowly. ]

My concern'll continue until I know everything's okay.

[ lifts his hand to give nathan another pat to the head. but doesn't retreat his hand afterward, leaving it there. ]

I will be fine. As long as my loved ones are.

[ smiles a bit wider to show his contentment with the touch, allowing him to do as he pleases. ]

Well, this loved one is gonna get back to work. [ pats the tupperware still sitting on his desk. ] Thanks for the food.

[ inclines his head once. ]

You're welcome. [ one more brush of the hair & the hand is gone as he gets to his feet. ] And I thank you for the coffee.