A/N: Someone called mimimizuh on tumblr made a really cute JxA photoset that inspired this ficlet. So if you happen to be reading this, thanks!
-The Princess and the Genius-
Close
/
They're always so close.
A year and a half spent face to face and worlds apart, with only one small brushing of fingertips to break the space in between, means touch is something they refuse to take for granted.
It's something softer than Odd's touch - friendly slaps on backs and punches on arms – and something bolder than Yumi and Ulrich's hesitant hands placed reassuringly on shoulders.
It's Jérémie and Aelita; heads bent together over school projects, shy hands clasped in walks through the woods. It's falling asleep on each other shoulders after a breakthrough on Lyoko, drifting off to the sound of peaceful heartbeats and slow deep breathing.
Aelita likes being close. It makes her feel human to feel the soft warmth of someone else's skin against hers. For Jérémie, who will never stop worrying about losing her to this battle they've started, it's soothing to simply have her there.
She sits outside in their usual spot and it's as it always is; she only has to lean back an inch before her shoulder bumps against his, her hand edging across the wooden bench to the fingertips that curl responsively around her own.
It's a small gesture that no one else sees.
But it's safety and comfort and love, and it's enough.