my held breath fills the room with blood
hurting in ways I can't describe
It’s clear there are no hard feelings by the tender smile on Hotaru’s face, at odds with the firmness of her answering grip as the vow is made. Seren’s firm words are inspiring, though she privately wishes that the girl did not have to be involved at all. It is hard to see her as a demigod, even when she is acting the part, fulfilling her duties. Though she is not truly a child, Hotaru at times can only see a young girl who still isn’t sure who she is or what she wants from the world. Unfortunately, sheltering her would not help Seren discover that either.
Shuffling closer on her knees, Hotaru offers an arm, slowly rising to drape over Seren’s shoulders. No pulling or encroaching. Allowing the girl to choose her level of physical comfort; part of Ru scared she wouldn’t seek it at all after the conversation they’d had, the flaws they’d examined together.
“Yes, it will be difficult. And it never gets any easier.” Hotaru tries never to lie to her. To any children, especially those she considers her own even in the smallest of ways, as she is starting to feel for Seren. “But I will do everything in my power to protect you, understand? Even if I am still pregnant when it happens. You are my priority.” Because it would fall on Ru for involving Seren in the first place, and while she values both lives equally and would be destroyed if she lost her baby, she would save Seren first.
Shuffling closer on her knees, Hotaru offers an arm, slowly rising to drape over Seren’s shoulders. No pulling or encroaching. Allowing the girl to choose her level of physical comfort; part of Ru scared she wouldn’t seek it at all after the conversation they’d had, the flaws they’d examined together.
“Yes, it will be difficult. And it never gets any easier.” Hotaru tries never to lie to her. To any children, especially those she considers her own even in the smallest of ways, as she is starting to feel for Seren. “But I will do everything in my power to protect you, understand? Even if I am still pregnant when it happens. You are my priority.” Because it would fall on Ru for involving Seren in the first place, and while she values both lives equally and would be destroyed if she lost her baby, she would save Seren first.
my heart bends and breaks
so many, many times
HOTARU
