you are not a grave for people to bury their pain inside
never to be remembered again
never to be remembered again
"Certainly not. But that is why I do not hold against you what you did. Why I never will." His own internal struggles with the notion of inequality between them would be his own war. "It's a burden of knowledge only you can live with, Remi, and I'm sorry for that. But I'm not sorry for being selfishly happy that it means you will be there to protect the twins." They're both a little twisted, warped like driftwood on a forgotten beach. She can't judge in him what she sees in herself. Her thumb is gentle as it strokes across his cheek; were she capable of easing the burden of immortality on a mind born mortal, she would do it, but she cannot.
Delicate slopes of shoulders stiffen into forbidding peaks at his suggestion, but after a long moment of holding herself stiff and forcing down automatic denials, Hotaru swallows around her selfishness and finds her voice. "I scarcely remember my own childhood years at all. They would not miss much - and be safer for it." Her arms are strong - she will still be able to hold and cradle them even as they grow. Their safety now would ensure those later years of life that the Valkyrie would be able to watch - years she'd had stolen from her with her other children. "Before the end of the season. But not now - I need..." he knows exactly what she needs, can likely feel the ache as her hands leave his skin, as she hurries them out the door and into another. And though she is not touching him when she sets eyes on their children, she wouldn't be surprised if the weight of her emotion could be felt from a distance.
Sinking gracelessly to her knees beside the twins, she briskly warms her fingers with a touch of lightning before she reaches for them, unwilling to wrinkle their noses with chilly hands against their fire-warmed cheeks. Flora is first to be swept in her arms, kisses showered over every peeking inch of skin, scenting her with long strokes of Hotaru's cheek against baby soft hair. The cat inside purrs as their dull human scents mingle. Enzo is swept up next, grumbling as his toy is dropped and he is smothered in his mother's affections. "I have missed you so," she whispers into the space between where all three are huddled, golden hair like a veil keeping the world at bay. Tears - happy, elated things - swell in her eyes, which turn to look at Remi. "Thank you," hoarse whisper emerges once more, gratitude sprung anew with the confirmation of her children's safety physically present. A hand lifts, beckoning him to join.
Delicate slopes of shoulders stiffen into forbidding peaks at his suggestion, but after a long moment of holding herself stiff and forcing down automatic denials, Hotaru swallows around her selfishness and finds her voice. "I scarcely remember my own childhood years at all. They would not miss much - and be safer for it." Her arms are strong - she will still be able to hold and cradle them even as they grow. Their safety now would ensure those later years of life that the Valkyrie would be able to watch - years she'd had stolen from her with her other children. "Before the end of the season. But not now - I need..." he knows exactly what she needs, can likely feel the ache as her hands leave his skin, as she hurries them out the door and into another. And though she is not touching him when she sets eyes on their children, she wouldn't be surprised if the weight of her emotion could be felt from a distance.
Sinking gracelessly to her knees beside the twins, she briskly warms her fingers with a touch of lightning before she reaches for them, unwilling to wrinkle their noses with chilly hands against their fire-warmed cheeks. Flora is first to be swept in her arms, kisses showered over every peeking inch of skin, scenting her with long strokes of Hotaru's cheek against baby soft hair. The cat inside purrs as their dull human scents mingle. Enzo is swept up next, grumbling as his toy is dropped and he is smothered in his mother's affections. "I have missed you so," she whispers into the space between where all three are huddled, golden hair like a veil keeping the world at bay. Tears - happy, elated things - swell in her eyes, which turn to look at Remi. "Thank you," hoarse whisper emerges once more, gratitude sprung anew with the confirmation of her children's safety physically present. A hand lifts, beckoning him to join.
you are magic given physical form
Hotaru
