[PRP] What is Really Wanted [Li'ra/I'han/Voloth/Houleth)

[demon_pachabel]

Are you pretending to be asleep?

I'han wanted to bury his face further into its current position so he could delay having to have any complicated conversations. He'd been caught in it immediately by Houleth, though the blue didn't rouse from his position where he was curled up with Voloth, laying carefully to keep most of the winter chill away from her. At least, as much of it as he could.

It's only pretending if I've opened my eyes once already, I'han defended weakly. He wasn't Houleth, who could yell his feelings without fear from any perch and pedestal given to do so. That he'd said anything.....Running a hand down his face, he cracked one eye open to see if perhaps he'd have some time to gather up his thoughts properly. One look at Li'ra, however, and any cohesiveness was gone.

Hoo boy. This was.....

Not as complicated as you are making it, Houleth huffed privately to his rider, nesting his head close to Voloth's with a soft, affectionate hum. He was content to stay there was long as she wanted.

Mr Cheri

A kind-of-vague start, whoops

 

[demon_pachabel]

If Li'ra hadn't spoken, catching I'han in being awake, he'd have been content to just roll over and fake it. It was far harder to exit a moving conversation with that tactic. There was no shame in what he'd said. Embarrassment from a lack of charming word-smithing, maybe, but not shame.

I'han managed to keep from running his hand down his face, even if he could feel his cheeks getting hot at the reminder. He could have blamed it on Houleth's influence if he'd wanted to. It would have been the easy out. "Not how I planned to say anything," I'han instead confessed. If it had been all according to plan, he'd have never said anything. He'd have let it fester until someone bolder had swept Li'ra away.

Mr Cheri

 

[demon_pachabel]

"No....I didn't," I'han answered, giving no resistance to the truth. Lying simply would have taken effort that I'han was unwilling to put in. That Li'ra had asked - known to ask - said plenty about what impression he'd left in Weyrlinghood.

Slumping farther under the covers, I'han stretched his hands above his head. Letting his arms rest there, he frowned at the ceiling. "Nothing has to change, though. It doesn't have to mean anything," at least not to anybody but him. He could hear Houleth huff at him for that.

Mr Cheri

 

[demon_pachabel]

Dropping an arm back down, I'han ruffled his hair before pushing himself back up. "No. And I know that would bother you," just as Voloth seemed to pain herself over the feelings of others, I'han expected no less from Li'ra. He pushed his cooler feelings back against Houleth, bidding the blue to worry less of him and more of the object of his adoration.

Wasn't that what had gotten them into this?

"But I don't want you to worry...if it would be easier on you."

Mr Cheri

 

[demon_pachabel]

I'han really hoped he didn't look disappointed right then, frowning slightly as he rubbed the side of his head. "I didn't expect you to be," he at least offered in hopes it would take some sort of guilt or worry from Li'ra over not returning his feelings out the gates.

Trying 'us' was a concept, at least - not that I'han had the faintest idea of what a real try of any sort was like. But Houleth would have his hide if he didn't at least take what middle ground was being offered - "I would like to try, even if it doesn't work out." Which was more than he usually wanted to put forward.

Mr Cheri

 

[demon_pachabel]

"You say that like you being you wasn't something I liked," I'han answered calmly, "and I'd rather your honesty and understanding than forced feelings." It wasn't as though he'd been the sort to put himself out there anyways. If Houleth was a roaring fire, I'han was cool waters that coursed along waterways dug by forces that had long passed by.

Mr Cheri