Honey, these arms that once held you are ready to fight
He has nothing to fear, but she has no way of knowing the thoughts behind those eyes, so similar to her own now. It's hard to continue the motion when she sees how he tenses, but the way he melts into her palm afterwards is the only comfort she needs. Her thumb brushes under the tensed lines of his eyes as he shuts them, and her heart aches anew with her own helplessness to fix...well, anything. His injuries, his memories, what he currently struggles with. That she came through unscathed from these past few days is the world's worst travesty in a line of long ones already scattered throughout her history.
It's a mostly baseless offer, but his denial at least narrows down what she can think to give him. Praying that she can give him something at all, for both their sakes. It doesn't give her any further ideas, but it at least gives her a starting point. It's better than nothing. Though his distant gaze staring down between them only makes it harder to pinpoint exactly what she needs to do. His arms squeeze around her, constricting, and she forces herself not to make a noise. Whatever he needs, she will give. No matter what.
"It's okay, I'm fine," she assures, voice soft. Neither of them are, but she's willing to lie about the sleep portion at least. Her thumb continues to smooth over the small portion of unscarred skin that seems to remain these days. "What can I do?" Reluctant to ask, if only because Hotaru is sure he doesn't know either. Instead she leans towards her hand, pressing a kiss on the path her thumb has traced, keeping each touch in places she has already claimed as neutral ground. Nothing further, trying to remain aware of his boundaries.
It's a mostly baseless offer, but his denial at least narrows down what she can think to give him. Praying that she can give him something at all, for both their sakes. It doesn't give her any further ideas, but it at least gives her a starting point. It's better than nothing. Though his distant gaze staring down between them only makes it harder to pinpoint exactly what she needs to do. His arms squeeze around her, constricting, and she forces herself not to make a noise. Whatever he needs, she will give. No matter what.
"It's okay, I'm fine," she assures, voice soft. Neither of them are, but she's willing to lie about the sleep portion at least. Her thumb continues to smooth over the small portion of unscarred skin that seems to remain these days. "What can I do?" Reluctant to ask, if only because Hotaru is sure he doesn't know either. Instead she leans towards her hand, pressing a kiss on the path her thumb has traced, keeping each touch in places she has already claimed as neutral ground. Nothing further, trying to remain aware of his boundaries.
HOTARU
