The Dollhouse Chapter 8

Ivan POV

Genevieve stood and shakily made her way to the center of the couch. Seeing her out and entirely in my environment was strange. If I thought she was small before, she seemed even smaller now. Her tiny frame was lost on my expansive couch. After she settled herself, she turned her head up to meet my gaze, a smile on her face. I was happy to see that she had achieved some level of comfort around me.
“Is this enough room for you?” She gestured to the cushion she had just left. At the moment I felt so awkwardly large around her. It was weird feeling like a...giant. I was literally a giant to her.
“Should be just fine,” I smiled. She was so cute. “Do you want any snacks or anything?”
“No, I ate just before I came. What are we going to watch?” She politely asked.
“Errr...I hadn't thought that far ahead. What do you want to see?”
“That depends....I wonder if the movies are even same here...wherever we are.” Gen pondered. I hadn't even thought of that. She could be from a parallel world. As I glanced back down at her I swore I saw her shiver. It then clicked that she was dressed for summer, in a tiny pair of shorts and a summery shirt. Now that I thought about it, she had been dressed similarly every time I saw her.
“Are you cold?” I really hoped it was due to cold rather than fear. Rubbing her arms, she looked back up at me.
“Yeah, actually,” She confessed as she looked around. For a moment she froze, as if something caught her eye. Shakily, due to the unsteadiness of the cushion, she attempted to stand up again.
“Wait a minute,” Gen said distractedly as she looked out the window. “That tree outside is bare. And your window is frosted?”
“Well yeah. It is winter.”
“No it isn't. It is summer.”
“Not here it isn't. Trust me.” It was a frigid winter at that. I myself was dressed in jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt.
“The seasons are different between my world and yours. Do you think that means anything?” She asked.
“I don't really know what to make of anything these days, honestly.” I wasn't trying to dismiss her questions, but I felt I could only answer with more questions. Nothing about this made logical sense. In the meantime, tried to think of what I could get her to make her warmer. Obviously she wouldn't let me touch her. A blanket would be so incredibly thick and large to her that it was borderline useless.
“Hang on, I'll be right back,” I had an idea.

Genevieve POV

Ivan's body shot into the air and loomed over me with little warning. The shock of it made me fall back onto my rear, but I played it off as though it was due to the unsteady cushion. The only thing that was keeping me comfortable was the fact that I knew his hand wouldn't shoot out to grab me at any time. Knowing I didn't have to worry about overwhelming contact with the giant went a long way as far as my nerves went. The rest I tried to ignore as much as I could. The tremors from his footsteps shook through the couch as he disappeared into the other room as I tried to relax again. I was exhausted. This world was such a workout. I wanted to go back to my house to get some warmer clothes, but it was such a long way.
Ivan returned within a few minutes. The sounds of his walking gave me plenty of warning.
“You definitely could never sneak up on me,” I teased. I was shocked by my new found nonchalance around him. It was a nice change of pace. He simply smirked in return as he lowered a piece of fabric down in front of me. It was blue and textured, but roughly the same size as my comforter.
“What is this?” I questioned as I grabbed hold of it.
“A washcloth. It was the only thing I could think that would be the right size. Do you think it will keep you warm?”
“Yeah, this should do the trick.” It boggled my mind to see everyday objects at this scale. I wrapped it around myself and snuggled into it. It was also nice to not feel so exposed.
“So, we never settled on a movie. Is there a genre you like at least? Horror, comedy, action?” He knelt back in front of the couch, his deep voice surrounding me more as he came closer.
“What, no chic flick option?” I asked, feigning sincerity.
“You don't get any say if that is your choice.” He wrinkled his nose.
“That isn't very hospitable to your guest.”
“Yeah, well when you can pin me down and make me watch one, we will. I hate to break it to you, but I don't quite see that happening.” Ivan chuckled.
“You never know.” I said ominously.
“Ha, right. So seriously, what is your pick? Maybe a real suggestion this time.”
“Let's try an action movie.” I suggested. I honestly didn't care too much. As far as I knew, most guys liked action movies. I was a little too distracted to really pay attention to whatever we would watch. I was watching a movie, in a giant room, on a gargantuan couch, with a real, live giant. Ivan stood up and picked out what looked to be a DVD from a stack near his tv. I watched him from across the room. There was only a handful of times that I had seen him from a distance. It was the only time I could really see all of him at once. He was crouched, his broad shoulders facing me as he set up the movie.
“Alright, we should be in business.” He stated as he slowly approached the couch again, looking down at me. It really did seem like he tried to be as courteous as possible with his movements.
“Are you ready for me to sit?”
“Yup, just be careful.” I nervously added, giving him even more room than necessary. Even slower than before, he turned and gently sat on the couch. However, his weight still caused my cushion to bounce and sharply angle downward. I yelped and slid, colliding directly with his hip. I struggled to move away, but my leg just slid into the crack between the cushions.
“You okay?” He anxiously asked. I could see his hands lift and flutter towards me, but he stopped them several feet from me.
“Yup, I'm fine! Just give me a mintue.” I pushed against his jeans and scrambled up the cushion, my face beet red from embarrassment.
“I'm sorry about that.” Worry still laced his tone.
“It's alright, no harm done.” I pushed my hair out of my face and resettled with my blanket a few feet further than I had been before. “Alright, how about this movie?” I asked, trying to change the topic.
“Are you comfortable there?”
“As comfortable as I'll ever be.” I confirmed. It really wasn't bad. The cushion was soft, my blanket was warm, and I had all the room I'd ever need. The only bummer was that his body, even sitting, towered over me. I could only see the bottom of his jaw as he faced the tv. There was really no way to rectify it, not without me sitting on him or on his shoulder. I shuddered. Too close. That would be too much and too close.
“Isn't the blanket keeping you warm?” He asked, peering down at me. Ah, so he caught my shudder. Quite astute.
“Oh, yeah. Just a lingering cold chill. I'll be alright.” I fibbed, trying to reassure him with a smile. He nodded, pressed play, and the movie commenced. The screen was tremendous.
“I feel like I'm at a drive in theater.” I commented.
“Ha, I guess it would be like that to you. Lucky. I feel like it is just the tv in my living room.”
Unfortunately, loud noises accompanied the size of the tv, not to mention we were watching an action flick with explosions.
BOOM!
I nearly jumped a mile, then tried to pray that Ivan hadn't noticed. However, when I slid my eyes to check to see if he saw me, I saw him doing the exact same thing from high above.
“The noises too loud for you?” He asked, suppressing a laugh at my expense.
“I'll be fine.” I fibbed again. The giant's hand moved, pressing the volume on the remote. The movie became a bearable volume.
“Don't do that on my account. Can you even hear it now?”
“I'll have you know that I have superb hearing.”
“Hard to believe if you always watch movies that loudly.” I quipped, looking at the screen.
“I said it once and I'll say it again. You are feisty for a little thing.”
“I'll have you know that I'm quite normal sized back in my world.”
“Doesn't seem to count for much here, does it?” Ivan smiled innocently down at me. I stood up to pretend that I was angry, but accidentally slipped on the curve of the cushion again. As I fell into his thigh I gave out an exasperated grunt and then punched his denim clad leg.
“That is for calling me small!” I couldn't help but laugh.
“Was I supposed to feel that? And do you need help?”
“Nope, I'm fine.” I said, crawling back to my spot. “Maybe if you weren't such a lard then you wouldn't cave the cushions so much.”
“Hey now, that is just mean!” Ivan full on belly laughed, sending vibrations through my body.
“Eh, well, if you deserve it!”
Eventually we both calmed down, our laughter subsiding. With the movie quieter and my warm blanket, I actually started to relax. My eyelids began to grow heavy after all my exertion that day. I really tried to stay awake....I would just close my eyes for a moment.....

Ivan POV

The credits rolled and I stretched a bit. I froze the instant I saw that Genevieve had fallen asleep. With extreme care, I lifted myself from the couch so I could kneel down in front of it. I could see her more easily when I was level with the couch. She had fallen asleep on her side, still all bundled up in the wash cloth I had given her. If I strained my ears I could barely hear her peaceful breathing. For the first time, I really looked at her and took in her tiny features. When she was awake I assumed she would mind being stared at, but now I took the rare opportunity. She was beautiful. I had the urge to pick her up and hold her close. For a moment I tried to debate about what to do. I couldn't just leave her sleeping here on the couch, but I wasn't sure if I should wake her. Picking her up was out of the question. I couldn't imagine her reaction if she woke up in my hands.
“Gen..” I whispered. Ever so carefully, I touched her shoulder with my pointer finger. She was so small...I had to be precise. Surprisingly, she didn't respond. I repeated the motion, jostling her the tiniest bit. This time she yawned and slowly opened her eyes. Then they widened.
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” She flailed her arms and backpedaled away from me. Her tiny chest heaved, breathing frantically.
“Whoa, it is just me!” I kept my voice low since I was so close to her, but I certainly didn't expect that reaction. She sat still for a moment, apparently calming down as she gathered herself.
“Oh, wow. Sorry. I was just asleep and forgot where I was...”
“Yeah, I guess I can see that.” I said sadly. We had such a good time earlier. I didn't imagine that me simply waking her up would garner that sort of response. Once again, I felt incredibly monstrous in front of the petite girl.
“Seriously, I didn't mean to scream at you like that.” Gen said as she stood up, still a little shaky.
“You still see me as a the big scary giant, don't you?” I asked quietly, crestfallen.
“No...well...I don't know. You just caught me off guard is all.” She admitted.
“I just thought you were feeling comfortable around me, finally.”
“I am! I'm out here, aren't I? I'm working on it.”
“Then you screamed. You still act like I'm going to burn you if I touch you.”
Genevieve stayed silent for a moment and looked down. I looked away too. I felt terrible. Was I really so terrifying?
“A small part of it is your size, yes. But now, mostly....I'm just really afraid of heights.”Gen admitted.
“I wouldn't ever drop you.”
“Well I should hope that would be your goal.” Gen joked to try and lighten the mood. I wasn't feeling it.
“Okay, well, I'll get out of your hair then. I'll head to the bedroom and you can make your way back to your house.” I stood up, my knees popping from kneeling so long and took a few steps to my room.
“Wait!” I heard her small voice ring out. I paused and looked in her direction.
“Come back!” She plead. I took the few steps back to the couch, but continued to stand. She craned her neck to look up at me from below and waved me closer. Sighing, I bent back down.
“What.” I asked flatly. She fidgeted for a moment before answering.
“Put your hands out.”
“What?”
“Put your hands here. Palm up.” She requested. Confused, I followed her instructions. Once they were laid before her, she approached them warily and peered at them.
“You have a long life line.” She stated after a moment.
“Did you really ask me to come back so you could read my palm?”
“No,” she admitted, “That was stalling. I'm going to ask you to give me a lift back to my place.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, surprised.
“I need to do it to prove to you that I trust you. I don't think you are a monster.”
“I won't drop you.” I promised.
“I know you won't. I'll warn you, I will freak out over the height.” Genevieve slowly stepped onto my palms and sat down, crossing her legs.
“Are you ready?” I asked. I was in awe of the feel of her in my hands once again. For as small as she was, the sensation was so intense it seemed to burn.
“Yeah.”
I cupped my hands around her and began to stand, trying my best to keep her steady. Her face went white and she threw her arms around my closest thumb, holding on for dear life. I moved her closer to my chest.
“I got ya.”
“The vertigo in my stomach is nauseating.” She complained. In the most dramatically slow fashion possible, I made my way to my room.
“Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.” Gen kept her eyes shut as she murmured to herself the whole time.
“Am I doing that bad?” I questioned.
“No. This would be great if you were five feet from the ground instead of sixty, is all.” She confessed. It was weird to think of my normal height as something skyscraper-esque. I lifted her closer to my face.
“Hey,” I whispered. She cracked an eye open to look at me. “It doesn't matter. I won't let you fall.”