weird boi talks lots

I know, right? Er... Drake, right? From fifth period history.

As Nix watched the opening scenes, comfortably nestled into the couch beside Luna, he let his hand drop to rest near hers, idly watching. "I don't think you did mention that - are you scaaaared?"

It occurred to him to look down at his hand to make sure it wasn't all cheesy and gross. That's also when he noticed that her hand was resting on the couch in such a way it almost seemed held out. As if expecting to be held. Well, shit.

After a few seconds of holy shit this girl actually might be okay with me holding her hand?!, he summoned the courage and tried to casually slip his hand into hers, all smooth-like.

No, don't worry. It's fine. Welcome to Westerburg - oh! You're into ghost stories?

It's finally a thing oh my goddd i'm holding a girl's hand! like! romantically! or whatever!!

Nix was careful not to let his inner monologue slip, but it was impossible to keep the grin off his face as he watched the screen in front of them. Her grip wasn't iron-bar, either - it was gentle. Which kinda surprised him.

"I-i...-"

Huh?

"Everything okay?" asked a suddenly hyperaware Nix. Was he holding her hand the wrong way? Maybe his hands were covered in grease. He couldn't fuckin tell.

Yeah! It's a really history-rich town. I think we were featured on the news once? I'm not too sure though.

"Oh. Well I'm glad you're okay, then." He smiled at her, a look that clearly said "I'm glad you're here with me." - and then he felt her gentle grip on his hand tighten a little. Must have been a reaction to his response.

Of course, Nix wasn't that oblivious to have not have noticed that something was bugging Luna. He didn't really know what it could be, but he resolved to help her somehow. Maybe he wasn't the best at noticing things, but he gave her a gentle look. "Is it... um... is it okay to put my arm around your shoulders?"

Yeah. We have tons of them - the Whateley house, the Rode murders, Westerburg Inn... We even have a rumor that there's something near the forest that eats people.

Nix, in classic Nix fashion, chose to do an overdramatic yawning pose. It was obviously fake, but that was just to make her laugh as he let his arm settle around her shoulders, enjoying how over-the-top it was. Still, she got this look in her eyes... it was like when people were starstruck. He scooched in close just a skosh, being careful not to squish anything or anyone and just in general trying not to sit on anything.

I mean, I have lunch this period, so I could help you look into it. Even if I did have English... well, screw English!

Nix laughed at that line - or well, at the little bits and pieces of that line he was able to pick up through the haze of oh my god i have my arm around a girl and it's not going badly!. He, too, was all settled in by this point; the most comfortable he could be. And that's how it went for a while.

-

There is no way out.

It was nearing the final 20 minutes of the movie, something Nix hadn't really seen before, and even he had to admit he was getting a little scared of the movie. Those bells... As a concept, they terrified him. Bringing people in and forcing them to watch the endless race against time... the fear...
It wasn't even the circumstances of that that scared him. It was this: if that happened on this island and it took him or Luna... he'd never forgive himself. And it was that that led him to be worried. Looking around to make sure they were alone and safe, he noticed the sun. Or rather, lack thereof.
"Oh, shit. I've been here... what, four, five hours? Fuck..." he muttered to himself. Maybe he should go home.