moral of the story is, i will gut you if i need to
i will carve my way out
Tanau’s soft words register dimly, lifting Hotaru’s bowed head the slightest bit in acknowledgement. Giving him her gaze where nothing else can be given, incapable of words or physical movement. She’s merely existing, and barely at that. Somewhere in her heart is compassion and understanding, having been trapped and hurt and reliant upon others for help once in her own life. The relief from the heat makes her skin shudder, but the gift is not picked up. Pulling air into her lungs is a Herculean challenge of its own. I hope you heal, is all she can manage, hoping he is capable of hearing her prayer. Mouth frozen in a rictus of loss.
Loren’s hand briefly touches her shoulder, and though she leans into the touch it’s gone before she can rely upon it. Not that she can blame him, with how grievously hurt he is. A concern that will strike her when the haze of loss clears, and will surely pile another layer of guilt upon her soul at having ignored it. And then there’s Wessex, firm and familiar, scooping her off the scorched earth and into a tender embrace. Normally there would be shades of embarrassment, reluctance, a desire to remain unseen in her weakness. It isn’t there now. Pride has no place here, and she turns her face into the pale skin of Wessex’a neck and begins to cry. Silent and stunned, shoulders shaking as she’s carried down the mountain.
Loren’s hand briefly touches her shoulder, and though she leans into the touch it’s gone before she can rely upon it. Not that she can blame him, with how grievously hurt he is. A concern that will strike her when the haze of loss clears, and will surely pile another layer of guilt upon her soul at having ignored it. And then there’s Wessex, firm and familiar, scooping her off the scorched earth and into a tender embrace. Normally there would be shades of embarrassment, reluctance, a desire to remain unseen in her weakness. It isn’t there now. Pride has no place here, and she turns her face into the pale skin of Wessex’a neck and begins to cry. Silent and stunned, shoulders shaking as she’s carried down the mountain.
with only my teeth
HOTARU
