[se] we can't go on together

Hotaru

Somewhere my lifeline still hums and sings
In the mess of all I have thrown away

His answer is unexpected, and she wonders which silent topic he’s referring to; his children or her desire to be able to be called upon by Flora in the same way. Expressing a desire to be a demigod isn’t exactly a common after all, so Hotaru doesn’t chance inaccuracies by replying with more than a nod. It feels stiff, formal, like how they feel right now. She hates it, but Hotaru is nothing if not prideful, defensive of her opinions and choices.

It’s a blessing then that Noah is less so, and though she stiffens at first when he reaches for her, it isn’t long before she turns into him and goes boneless in his embrace. Prideful defenses easily broken by displays of affections, as they always have been. “I love you too,” she murmurs into his chest, ignoring the wobble in her tone. Her hand reaches up and curls into his jacket, chest aching. It feels unfair to have to say goodbye when he has only just returned home. “I’m only a flight away - or a teleport, I suppose,” she huffs a strained laugh, because Kings End becoming a formal region feels so meaningless in the midst of their goodbyes.

If she lingers - if they both linger - at least there’s nobody around to see it.

- Fin!

Hungry now,
I am gathering new seeds to throw wide