Rainy Nights to Sunrise PV Nico S. Finished

The breeze of fresh air calmed her mind. Her eyes gazed up occasionally, looking at the clouds as they reassured her that she wouldn't get any sunburns today. The light that seemed to shine out of the pink, heart decorated room was enough to pierce her eyes and nearly blind her for minutes.
Yet outside, the light was gentle and a sight for literally sore eyes.

Her hand held gently yet firm onto Quinns finger as they walked together on the grounds. It felt nice, being outside. The Small Hall lived up to its name as it was too narrow and too easily crowded. The wide open space of the grounds felt so free and .... open. She let out a soft sigh as she closed her eyes. A breeze blowing through her hair. For a moment she forgot in what rather awkward situation she got herself into. It wasn't THAT awkward yet... she felt weird. Not the kind where she wanted to run, but... the kind where she wanted to let it happen. She felt safe next to him. Why would she need to flee the scene?

Noticing how Quinn adapted his way of walking for her, warmed her heart. Wasn't it hard to hold back like that? Following from his finger, up to his shoulders, she couldn't help but realise once again - Heck,... did he grow too? Soon, she'd have to climb him like a tree to have a decent conversation with him.
And yet. Even though he was so high up, she could see the redness in his face. His eyes twinkled every so often when the light shifted because of a darker, passing cloud. Quickly, she looked infront of her again. Her make up was still unfixed. The red blush would show brighter than usual. She'd be easier to read. It's been a while that she felt so exposed...

"Ye're blushing Nico." He grinned and suddenly lifted her up quickly putting his arm underneath her. She was now a little over 6 feet in the air. The only thing holding her was surprisingly strong arms of the Half-Giant beneath her. Quinn suddenly picked up his stride and they were now moving quickly through the grounds despite the slow pace he was taking. His long strides were making covering large distances a quick affair.

She would be able to more clearly see just how red Quinn was. Despite that he continued to flash his warm usual smile, but now his eyes were almost constantly gazing into Nico's and he wasn't watching where he was going. Lucky for the tall boi that he got a strange feeling and looked up barely in time to see a large tree he was walking straight towards. Quickly turning his back he slammed into the tree with a grunt followed by loud laughter. He brought Nico even closer to his chest his hair was a bit of a curly mess now.

"Ah christ on a stick. 'hat was a right close one." He laughed a bit more, his fiery orange locks much like his mother bobbed and moved with his laughter. He ended up laughing so much that he actually showed his whites for a change. He was still blushing terrible but his sea of freckles were slightly more visible again his admittedly pale skin again. "A-Ah'm sorry Nico...ah jest couldn't resist after nearly bampin in to a bloody tree again."

It really was funny, but in the back of Quinn's mind. He couldn't help but feel dread a sense of dread and that wasn't just because Harlin decided to rear his unpleasant head.

'Hey Queenie! Hey I know you can here me Queenie!'

Quinn's smile didn't falter this time as he used everything he had to keep the crafty personality in check. His voice got more distance and the yelling that started had turned into more of a whisper. He could deal with whispers. Yet that sense of dread never left him. Like he was forgetting something very important. The one good thing though was that his attention was brought back Nico's cute stair. Wait...did he say cute.

The feelings in his heart were still warm and fluttery and only got stronger the longer he stared. It was probably super awkward but for some reason he couldn't keep his eyes from her. "..."

"Ye're blushing Nico."

'H-huh?'

Before she could look up at him again, feeling caught redhanded - more like redfaced - the Half-Giant sweeped her off her feet. 'Eee!' With a high pitched yelp, she flew up. Her hands quickly grasped onto his shirt, pinching her eyes closed, fearing he'd let her go to spook her. But he didn't. Instead, he held her closer to him, allowing her to see his point of view of the world. He took her by surprise for sure. He was never this direct before. Not when it comes to picking her up and carrying her like a lost puppy.

However, holding her did ease his way of walking. He no longer needed to hold back and continue his usual stride and speed. It felt fast. Faster than she could ever walk. She'd have to run to keep up with him. Yet, he was just having a casual stroll.

'I-Is this what you see everyday?' She eyed at her surroundings before looking back up at him. His face was closer than before. She could see every detail. Gosh. Was this too close? Wasn't she being a burden? Why did he have to carry her? She could walk fine. What if his arms got tired? Questions of why he treated her like this ghosted around in her mind. Maybe she was only panicking since she had no control over this. Over Quinns behaviour, his decisions - herself. Realising there was no way out for her and that she was starting to rather enjoy this, her face flushed red once more. Her chest tightening slightly in her marine blue sailor inspired dress.

Trying her best to not stare at his face, her eyes darted around him, watching the ground or just his clothes. ... What on earth was he wearing? Nico couldn't help but smile amused, realising how pretty ridiculous he looked. The Half-Giant was quite goofy.
Talking about goofy, Quinn crashed into a tree, back first. 'Q-Quinn! Are you okey? That was quite a-' His warm, hearty laughter echoed over the grounds. .... He was fine. Nico let out a sigh of relief gently rubbing her forhead. Something was different though. Did the space around them become smaller, or was she being held closer to him than before? She couldn't help but smell him. It just got in her nose. Not to be creepy, he smelled kinda nice...

Flustered, she looked up at him. Nico couldn't help but stare at his face. His smile was one she hadn't seen before and was so typically Quinn. Comforting, warm, gentle... Ever since she first laid eyes on him, their first conversation. That smile sticked to her. But why though... His freckles that were sprinkled across his face reminded her more and more of stars in a red cloud galaxy. ... He just looked so... pretty with them. Her hand, moving on its own, gently put his playful locks out of his face. For some reason she felt the need to tidy him up.

'...I OH I-I'm sorry! Y-You're hair looked abit messy! I just.. Well.. W-Well I just...wanted to move it out of your eyes.' Probably looking like a tomato, she pulled her hand back, burrying it in her neck, averting her gaze.

He thanked god that despite what happened moments ago he had the will power and control to actually suppress Harlin like he did. He wasn't even sure it would work as well as it did but at least for the moment it worked. Yet he couldn't shake this uneasy, almost dreadful, feeling he was still having. He wondered what it could be. Before that line of thinking could continue he was snapped out of his thoughts by Nico, who he had unknowingly been staring at the whole time.

However what he didn't expect were the stares and looks she was returning to him. His chest tightened and suddenly his mouth felt unusually dry. It felt like there were butterflies in his stomach, and this only worsened when Nico unexpectedly moved some of his messy locks out of the way. Much like his mother would still do. "Wha-" He was cut off by her admittedly adorable and bashful statement.

Oh yeah Quinn could definitely see it now. Nico was red as a tomato. Looking closer he couldn't help but catch a whiff of her scent. It was...pleasant and welcoming. He couldn't help himself it was inticing in the sense that it made him feel calm and safe and that's something he really wanted to hold onto. This caused him to inadvertently pull her closer to his body, though he didn't seem to realize this action. Staring at her crimson red hair, his eyes scanned over her soft face that she currently tried to hide and her beautifully pale skin that seemed smooth as porcelain.

Oh god what was he doing. He was probably being a creepy but he couldn't stop himself. Ever since he first laid eyes on her there were these weird and confusing feelings he couldn't quite shake. At first it made him really uncomfortable and it still did, but now he liked the uncomfortable nature of it as weird as that sounded. He wondered what this was all called, his mouth somehow grew even drier. "Nico...are ye okay? H-Hey don't worry bout it. Ah didn't...I-I mean ah don't mind. Least if its you I trust ye not to pull it out like a babe." He chuckled softly inserting his usual humor.

"A-Ah'm probably 'he weird one. Ah mean ah have been uhm...s-s-staring at ye...probably like a c-creep s-sorry." Smooth Quinn...

He didn't mind. Her sudden outburst of touching his hair wasn't creepy to him apparantly. In fact, he pulled her in even closer. Flustered, she gently put her hands on his chest - Quinn was rather inpredictable right now. She just about didn't lay against his chest.

He felt warm and soft. Just abit closer - she could nearly hear the beat of his heart. It sounded so.. big.. The thumping was intimidating yet calming. Tilting her head slightly, she allowed herself to listen in closer. Her hand gently holding onto his shirt as she wasn't sure where else to put it. Her blue eyes carefully looked up at him. 'I-I'm okey. Really. Just well. Maybe, we could sit down somewhere? Doesn't carrying, tire out your arms? Aren't I happy? I-I mean.. ' He became so bashfull all of a sudden. But.. so was she. 'Y-You're not creepy. A-Aren't I creepy? I -I mean I'm a d-..d...dhampir.. I-I'm all about being creepy.' Using the back of her hand, she rubbed her cheek roughly. A huge part of her make-up got off. 'S-See? I-.. I'm not pretty. I just pretend.. B-Because I don't.. I just want to ... feel beautiful and look beautiful... Y-You know? I-...It's fine if you.. don't think I am. It's not easy to.. be like this..'

Her pale, dead skin was already showing but now half her face was skinny looking and pale like a corpse - blue veins standing out. She'd understand if he'd leave her. This was usually what happened.

For a long time Quinn remained silent, only listening to her words. His warm smile dropped, until it could barely be considered a smile. There was pain and understanding in his facial expressions. His eyes clouded over a bit. Sighing he simply allowed his back to slide down the thick bark of the tree. He sat down and set Nico down in his lap gently, turning her around so she was facing him.

Without another word he gingerly placed his large hand on part of her cheek, the one that was exposed. Caressing it with a surprising care that he didn't know he had. He wasn't thinking simply acting, and his face softened even more. It wasn't a happy one but a melancholic one. "Nico...lesten to me. you are naht a mahnster, you are naht a beast, and you are certainly no freak. If anyone fets dahse descreptions its me. I wesh I cooehld 'ide like you, try to reject what I am. To naht 'ave to see de shame in me father's eyes. De pain in me mahthers ahr...dese gahddamned voices in me 'ead. At least you weren't bahrn a bastard neither excepted by giants ahr 'umans. Alahne...boeht i fooehnd sahlace in dat. Even wit 'arlin and 'er in me 'ead, I stell fend 'appiness."

Sighing he stroked her cheek with his thumb, "...you are strahng. strahnger dan me. You are so...foehck...what's de wahrd...beautifoehl. I dink you look beautifoehl no maetter 'ow ye laek." He kept looking at her and pulled her close to him again. Wrapping his arms around her trying to reassure her. But in truth it was him who needed it. He was practically shaking like a leaf. He didn't know where those words came from it all just came out. He didn't say everything but he said enough for there to be understanding. She was the second person he ever told about the personalities in his head. Something that brought him so much shame. Yet with Nico despite his fear of her being scared of him, he felt...happy that he let it out.

Quinn stayed quiet. The expression on his face saddened, almost neutral. Did she say too much again? Gosh darnit, Nico. You and your blabbering mouth. Always talking... The Half-Giant didn't speak until he slid down to the floor, letting her sit comfortably on his lap -- facing him.

Shyly, she put her legs together to one side, like a princess on the back of a horse. Her hands retreating onto her neck. Her fingers would nervously hold onto her throat. It wasn't that she was strangling herself. At that moment, Nico felt like her hands would be most comfortable there. O-Or was that weird...? Was she being weird? He wouldn't think she's weird right? But what if he did? What if he truly didn't like her. She's a dhampir. Sigh. Pearl shaped tears welled up in her eyes. As she tried to avert her gaze, Quinn placed his hand onto her cheek. Not her covered cheek - but the one without the make up.

Flustered, she'd look up at him - her eyes slightly widened. Both surprised by how warm his hand was and by the gesture. As soon as he started rubbing his thumb, ever so gently against her exposed skin, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer. It was strange. The dhampir girl didn't want to cry, but she just did. In awe, Nico would quietly listen as he spoke:

"Nico...lesten to me. you are naht a mahnster, you are naht a beast, and you are certainly no freak. If anyone fets dahse descreptions its me. I wesh I cooehld 'ide like you, try to reject what I am. To naht 'ave to see de shame in me father's eyes. De pain in me mahthers ahr...dese gahddamned voices in me 'ead. At least you weren't bahrn a bastard neither excepted by giants ahr 'umans. Alahne...boeht i fooehnd sahlace in dat. Even wit 'arlin and 'er in me 'ead, I stell fend 'appiness. ...You are strahng. strahnger dan me. You are so...foehck...what's de wahrd...beautifoehl. I dink you look beautifoehl no maetter 'ow ye laek."

His thick irish accent seeped through. More than it ever did before. Sometimes it was a bit hard to understand what he was saying but she heard him loud and clear. His message. Not a monster... Not a freak? Really? He pulled her in once more, holding her close in his big arms. The girl still needed to process what he just said. To hear what he truly said beyond the words.

And then it hit her. The realisation hit her hard. Her hands slipped from her neck onto his shirt again, burying herself in his embrace. Her bloody tears now streaming down her face. Quinn didn't hate her. He didn't think she was a freak. Actually, he thought HE was... She couldn't imagine how it must feel to be side eyed by your own parents. It must hurt... Imagening how her dad would give her a cold stare -- it was horrible, it was scary. How can they...- He talked about voices in his head. At this moment she didn't care. Quinn was Quinn. He was kind and warm. How could that be a freak?
Her cries would be muffled as she sobbed in his chest. It had been a while that she could let everything out. She would cry for her.. and for him.

'Y-You're not a freak..' She whimpered in between her sobbing sessions.

Perhaps a bit more upset than he initially realized, but Quinn didn't seem to notice, or was too upset to notice, just how thick his accent had gotten. This thought never crossed his mind and from his perspective still too caught up in his emotions mostly going by what he felt now instead of logic.

It seemed like he wouldn't pick up on it any time soon. "N-Nico!" Yet again he had seen her cry, it completely caught him off guard. Surprised and worried he wanted to know what caused it. Just when he was about to ask further Nico buried her face into his chest...

'WAIT WHAT!?! OH NO NO NO IS SHE OKAY!?! SHE'S CRYING HER EYES OUT AND HER FACE IS BURIED IN MY...'

As his teenage mind panicked, Quinn's body stiffened uncomfortably so as he grew tenser. He didn't know what to do and his mind was freaking out and than Quinn heard those words. Words he so desperately craved to hear from anyone who knew him, from anyone who cared. Again shock was sent through his body, but this time he relaxed and softly rubbed her back. His face softened as well. The words seemed enough of a shock to ironically knock him out of his already shock induced panic.

"I-It'll be alright." He tried to reassure continuing to keep her held close. Talking in a softer than usual voice, he kept stroking her back in what he thought was a soothing manner. He didn't know what else to say, so he kept quiet and simply allowed her to let it out. Looking up finally he casually looked around. He did this for almost a minute, not picking up on the fact that he was beginning to hum.

With Nico pressed against his chest, not only would she hear the very quick pace and strong beat of his heart. But she would additionally feel the strong vibrations of his humming. As they physically went through her small body. The name of the tune was unclear and so was the melody but it was slow, melancholic, and oddly soothing hopefully.

Right when Quinn was about to return his full attention back to Nico. The redhead noticed something in the very corner of his eye, nearly out of his full line of sight. Looking almost all the way to the left, which was where the castle itself was. He noticed something small, silver, and...

'Christ on a stick no. HOW!?'

Running at full pace and looking very displeased was a slender, silver, very pissed off feline with different colored eyes. In the span of barely a minute she had closed the distance and was letting her displeasure known through very audible and loud whines. Completely ignoring the atmosphere she jumped over Nico latching on to Quinn's arm and than scaled up his body to his shoulder. Quinn just looked at her very annoyed, surprised, and secretly glad she had come.

Irene on the other hand kept whining and angrily hitting his cheek with her paw. As if she was berating him for keeping her locked up and not taking her with him. Ah what a spoiled princess she was. However there was a definite sense of care behind all of this.

She sniffled softly, slowely calming down as her rubbed her back. His hand was so big. Like a big flipper from a blue whale. It was strange but comforting. She could hear him try to reassure her. Everything was alright, he'd say. Nico in her sane mind would know that wasn't really true but at this point, she only wanted to be soothed.

Not only his hand took care of that, also his heart. To be more specific, his heartbeat. It had gotten faster, picking up the pace. She gently turned her ear towards his chest, listening to the vibrations. The sound of his heart was accompanied by the one of his voice. Like a low, warm rumble. Her tears slowely came to a halt. Her nose was still runny though. Quinns humming was like the one of a father. Reassuring and peaceful. As if his voice on its own could bring world peace and lul her to sleep. It felt so nice. Her eyelids became heavy to the point where her eyes were just slits, the ice blue only a tad visible. If he could just hum like this,... If they could just stay like this a little bit longer...

'Christ on a stick no. HOW!?'

'H-Huh?!' Spooked, Nico shot straight up. Did she do something wrong? Was she being too comfortable? Was she reading him wrong? Was she too heavy? He could tell her, she wouldn't mind except... she would most likely cry about it. But he wasn't looking at her. Something in the distance got his attention. A creature that was known for its natural elegance. A cat? Blinking a few times. Nico finally understood that she wasn't the problem. 'A.. cat.'

Still recovering from her sobbing session, she took a moment to catch her breath and put the pieces together. 'I-Is she yours?' Her ice blue eyes watched the feline, every feature, every detail. She was beautiful and.. had quite a temper. 'She's... beautiful. Why do I have a feeling that I've seen her before?'

Nico felt an urge to approach the feline - she soon changed her mind when she noticed the fire its eyes.