DEIMOS
Heave the silver hollow sliver
The chase ended abruptly as she turned into the barrage and onslaught, giving him just enough time to laugh, deep and expansive, echoing along footfalls and snow paths, glancing as she launched. She’d done this before – nothing new – his arms and chest still broad, still powerful, capable of catching her. But on prior occasions they’d been riddled with contentment and surprise; this one was rankled with weaponry and foolishness, war cries and drum beats of battle, chilling rime intending to infect them all. He could, at some point, simply duck or shift, intending to break out of her range and permit her to fly into the nearest bank. If she were an enemy, he would’ve done just that.But Hotaru was no adversary; never had been, never would be.
Instead, he met the full nettle of her fervor, beard and cheeks suddenly coated in the frost, and he shook his head desperately to rid himself of the compacted snowflakes, and while he would’ve embraced the obvious taste of the Basin back in his sights, he could’ve done without the instant tremors and gnashing teeth. The cold cut and slashed, not unlike a weapon, not unlike munitions, but swept up easily in the mischief, in the distractions, he didn’t fight or condemn the nuances. Some slid down his furs, melting over collarbone and shoulders, and with a quick eyeroll and a solid stance, he ensured his frame still remained upright.
Hers, however, might not.
Taking advantage of her in his arms, however briefly, he strived to grasp for a small moment, intending to keep her rooted there while he found a specific location, marching diligently over glacial expanses, until he came to a deeper snowbank. Only then did he loosen his hold, unceremoniously attempting to drop her into the rush of loosened powder.
Unite and spread the heart apart
