Silence Speaks (Obi x Oc) *COMPLETE*

The Comfort (Part 2)

 Alita slowly calmed and recovered from the question I'd asked and the explanation she'd given me. Now that she's feeling better, she settles back against the headboard and motions for me to come sit beside her. I don't move immediately but she gives me a pointed look and I finally cave and she lightly claps her hands in excitement as I get as comfortable as possible despite everything in my body telling me that I shouldn't be in the Miss's bed like this.

'You know so much about me, can I know things about you? I'd love to hear of your life before you came to the castle and what brought you here.' I watch her hands first, then read her writing to check my translation. I was right.

I absently scratch the back of my head as I avoid her gaze.

"There's not really much to know about me, Miss."

She shoots me a look before pouting and attempting to lace her fingers together in a pleading look, but the wrap on her injured hand makes it nearly impossible. I sigh and poke her forehead.

"I traveled a lot before I came to Clarines. I took on odd jobs here and there and one of them led me here."

Her expression deadpans and she motions for me to continue on.

"Miss-" I sigh. "You know that I wasn't exactly the best of people before I came here, right?"

She nods and shrugs as if saying 'so what'.

"That's basically my life back then. I took on jobs over the years, legal or otherwise. I didn't stay in one place for too long, I didn't have friends or anything."

'Why did you come to Clarines?'

I absently rub my shirt where the large scar runs across my chest. "I was seriously injured during a job and had to lay low for a while to heal. When I was well enough to continue on, I was hired to prevent the Miss from coming to the castle to meet with Master. I was curious about them so after my job failed, I gave myself up and he became my Master."

'I'm curious. Have you found something to ease your pain? You seem to be happier, even when you see or mention Shirayuki.' I look over at her and smile softly as her attention is caught by a blue bird that landed on the outer windowsill.

"Yes, I have."

'I'm glad.'

I tense and look over at Alita as her head falls onto my shoulder. We'd talked for a while longer about random, less emotional things, until she grabbed the book from her side table that she had been reading. Through her blonde fringe, I can tell her eyes are closed. I sigh, knowing that I can't quite escape with how we are. I'd end up waking her if I tried to get up. I shift slightly to straighten my legs out, then carefully lift my arm so her head falls onto my chest, before gently placing my arm around her. I find myself running my hand through her hair as I stare out the window. She's had a rough life and I can tell she hasn't been sleeping well lately, so I'll let her rest for a while. Besides, this feels rather comfortable. Surprisingly, I don't really feel the urge to be outside right now either. I don't know why, but I feel content here. I might even close my eyes but only for a minute. I turn from the window and smile as she shifts in her sleep, her good hand moving to grip a handful of my shirt.

"Sleep well, Miss." I whisper as I softly kiss the top of her head.

My eyes open as a voice reaches my ears. It's one I'd heard only once before but I instantly know it's hers. I look down and realize that she'd moved again while we were asleep and is lying down beside me, her arms wrapped around my arm in an unusual sort of hug. I lift my other hand and gently brush the hair from her eyes. Her expression is twisted in fear but her eyes are still closed. Her lips are moving and an occasional 'no' slips out. I want to wake her but I heard you're not supposed to wake someone in the middle of a nightmare. I begin to slowly run my fingers through her hair and quietly tell her that she's safe and I'd protect her, even though she can't hear me. I feel her tears start to wet the sleeve trapped in her grip.

The door opens across the room and Mitsuhide opens his mouth to speak, likely to taunt me, but the words die at my harsh glare as he notices our situation. His eyes widen as they fall on her sleeping form then looks to me for answers. I shake my head and he motions that he will come back later, then softly closes the door behind him. I look down at her again to find that she has calmed slightly, though her fingernails are digging into my forearm harshly. Her whole body jerks violently and her eyes open a second later as she sits up, her hands moving immediately to her chest as if she were searching for an injury. She seems to breathe a sigh of relief before choking back a sob.

"It's okay Miss, you're safe." I whisper as her eyes lift to meet mine.

"O-Obi..."

I feel the strange feeling in my chest again at the sound of my name leaving her lips but I shove that thought back as my eyes widen in surprise. She'd closed the distance between us and wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my shoulder. I hug her in return and let her cry on me. I think this explains how she's typically happy everyday. It's all pushed back until she's asleep. She calms and slowly pulls away from me,wiping at her eyes and signing apologies.

"It's alright, Miss. Do you realize that you spoke?" I hold back a smile as her eyes light up in shock and she lightly touches her lips.

She looks so excited but there's a slight fear lingering in her eyes.

"You could try again if you want." I offer. "It's just you and me here and I promise, I won't hurt you and I'd never let anyone touch you."

She stares at me with wide eyes before slowly holding out her hand toward me. I take it and gently rub my thumb across the back of her hand, giving her a reassuring smile. Her mouth opens and closes a few times as she works through the mental blocks in place.

"O-Obi." Her eyes widen and a large smile crosses her face.

"See? You did it, Miss, and nothing happened to you."

She hugs me again and my whole body tenses as I feel her lips on my cheek.