originallutece | (no subject)

Fine now.

[ Truth be told, he's horrified. The fact that he lost consciousness at all is scary, especially considering what happened the last time. ]

Didn't wake up in a hospital this time.

[ Another pause. ]

...

Can... You keep that between us, by the way? The part about me passing out.

Of course. You hardly need ask, Noctis.

[ . . . ]

It's Prompto's off night, you know. I haven't any plans for dinner just yet. If you're feeling up to it, why not go buy us supper and come by?

[ Yeah, it's Prompto he's worried about. But it seems like Rosalind kind of knows. Noctis takes a second, quiet on the other end as he always is. Until he eventually replies. ]

Yeah, I can do that.

[ Honesty, he could use Rosalind's company. Spooked as he is. ]

I can be there in 20.

Don't buy anything greasy.

[It's honestly too much to ask he get something healthy, but she can at least stipulate that. And in twenty minutes (or so), her door is unlocked. Rosalind sits at the kitchen table, frowning at her laptop. There's a lot of papers scattered about her, though she starts gathering them when he arrives.]

[ Noctis offers just a lazy sort of chuckle before hanging up. He listens, of course. He doesn't get anything greasy, but he definitely gets his usual noodle soup. The same for Rosalind; it's his safest choice always.

He arrives in about 20 minutes as promised, knocking twice before letting himself in. Noctis has been over pretty frequently in the last few weeks, and so he's comfortable knowing that Rosalind is expecting him and keeping the door unlocked. ]

I'm here.

[ He announces casually, closing the door behind him and taking off his shoes. Noctis heads for the kitchen, where he sees Rosalind toiling away at her work. A normal sight for him. Except for the frown.

He sets down the bag of their food and starts unloading. ]

Tough going with the lesson plans?

I've had an assistant to aid me these past two semesters. I've gotten spoilt.

[Well, that and she's been fighting monsters in all her free time, but . . . Rosalind takes a deep breath as she closes her laptop and offers him a slight smile.]

But I've still another week or so.

[ Noctis takes a seat in the adjacent seat, pulling the bags over for the two of them. He sets his keys and phone down. Despite how off he's feeling, he manages a soft smile for Rosalind. ]

I could help.

[ A gentle suggestion. Even if she's going to be his professor, it wouldn't be the first time he's offered to "help". Except "help" had a much different meaning when he was a kid. Organizing tabs with color-coding makes a dent, but only so much. ]

Don't have anything else going on, so.

[ He shrugs. ]

[She smiles.]

All right. But dinner first-- I haven't eaten all day. You can have the pleasure of seeing your own work on the papers I pass out next Wednesday.

[Alas, his noodles are unhealthy, but they are delicious, and once they've heated them up, Rosalind settles in with pleasure.]

I've learnt to cook-- I ought to show you one day.

[ The idea of being able to help with assignments is pretty interesting, actually. Noctis keeps his smile when she accepts the offer. He settles down to start eating, separating his chopsticks before digging in. ]

Should I be scared?

[ He chuckles. ]

If it's anything like my attempts, I might have to be.

It's wonderful, actually, and I'll thank you not to disparage it. It's a Japanese dish-- well, most of the ones I've learned are, but the one I'm thinking of specifically is omurice.

[ He nods as he takes another bite. Noctis perks. ]

Omurice, huh?

Yum. I'm down. Looks like I'm coming over again soon.

[ He pauses. ]

Y'know, my place has a pretty big kitchen. We can make something together sometime?

I'd like that.

[They've never done that before. Oh, they've shared meals, yes, but she's never cooked at his home, because why would she have? But this will be nice.]

Though don't expect expertise in much more than that. Fawkes has only taught me so much.

I'm in no place to judge. I don't cook.

[ He takes another bite, setting his chopsticks down after. ]

You healing up okay? Last few days were kinda rough.

A few burns and bruises, but with luck, nothing will scar.

[She tugs the sleeve up on her left arm. There's still bandages there, but they're clean and neat, with no trace of blood there.]

Though I think it'll be a long time before I'm comfortable around fire again. Or ice. Or any elemental thing, frankly.

[ Noctis' expression distorts a bit seeing Rosalind bandaged at all. What they went through was... Surprising to say the least. Terrifying to say the absolute worst. To think that she could have had worse happen to her...

Honestly, it's a miracle they're alive.

Noctis leans forward at the counter. ]

Yeah, I...

[ He forces a laugh, then soften, frowning a bit. ]

I'm wondering if this place is too dangerous. To stick around in.

[She frowns slightly-- not in disapproval, but mild surprise.]

You want to move back to England?