Struggling To Speak So He Has Flashcards - Tumblr Posts

Another Fanfic Sample

“Do you want to try saying it?” I asked gently.

            Narrowed eyes lowered to his bouncing leg. His palm pressed harder into it to still the motion. Once it was only a minor bouncing of his heel in the air he shook his head.

            “Is alright. Perfectly fine,” I reassured. “Maybe I can guess it. Can you gesture for me what you want to say?”

            He took a deep measured breath. Glanced at me warily. I smiled encouragingly. A few minutes went by in silence. Then, slowly, he patted his arms.

            “Arms.”

            He nodded. Glanced warily at me again before making a sweeping gesture that ended in a loose self-hug.

            “Arms… thrashing? No. Too smooth of a movement. I’ll get it.”

            He took another measured breath. Turned more toward me on the couch. Repeated the sweeping motion with an added emphasis on grabbing air before pulling his arms back into a loose self-hug.

            “Hugging. Hugging air? Hugging… Oh! Your arms are empty! They feel empty at night?”

            He ducked his head. Pulled his legs up on the couch to tuck under him. The look he gave me once his blanket was carefully repositioned said it all.

            “It’s not stupid James. Lots of people like to snuggle at night. Maybe you’re a snuggler and you didn’t know it,” I suggested.

            His expression soured further.

            “My arms have that empty feeling at night.”

            Widening eyes. Slightly parted lips.

            I giggled.

            “Is true. I can’t stand sleeping without something in my arms.”

            He licked his lips. Pulled a shallow breath in through his mouth like he might say something. No words came. Instead a hand darted out from under the blanket for the flashcards.