Hotaru
nothing's fair in love and war
His gratitude summons a small smile to her lips, careless of the fact that he cannot gaze upon it. He will hear it in her voice. Sense it in the atmosphere they share. They have no need for the Attuned bond to read each other in the way that matters. “You’re welcome.” There’s no need to assure him his thanks are not required, that her faith is freely given. Surely he already knows. But saying the words aloud is a comfort to both of them, and Hotaru has been on the opposite end as well; verbal support can mean everything. For all she may speak in contrast to his silence, her words are rarely do forthright and sincere as they are with him. Though her exasperation is fond, it is no less present when he turns the mirror against her, forcing her to face that which she cannot contend with even in the late hours of the night that she spends alone. The silence drags on as she finishes his arm, hands lingering at his palm as she drags her thumbs down the lines, massaging even here. “I don’t know,” she admits quietly, a phrase she loathes saying in the first place. Him, this place, her spa...it’s all she really has right now. Directionless and forsaken.
As she releases him, Hotaru basks in the compliment. It’s hard-won, and all the sweeter for it. “I’m glad you were able to enjoy it.” Locking down the urge to gloat despite how it bubbles up within her, smug and pleased like a fat cat. Stepping away, she plucks a hand towel from the cabinet and begins methodically wiping the oil from her hands. Waiting for him to rise before she contemplates suggesting tea. He surely has other things to do, but her schedule had been devoted to him today - at least in the business sense.
