Hotaru
Hotaru’s expression is grim, accepting of the blame laid at her feet. “I didn’t want to deviate from what we were told,” which is truth, but a weak excuse. Ru won’t lie to Wessex though, won’t concoct some story to make the argument stronger. “What he did, to Halo and her people, and Morgan’s allegiance changing so swiftly - love makes anyone biased.” Arguments fall apart mid-sentence, because that is the crux of it all. Love. Devotion. It is what makes this moment feel like hot coals on Hotaru’s skin, because she loves Wessex, she loves Nate, she loves Kiada. And because she dares to love them, she is resigning herself to the pain of losing them.
The tears feel impossible to keep at bay. Spilling over in rivulets with no dam in sight. Wessex’s hands may not be warm but they are strong, and the pressure against her waist and neck makes Ru crumple closer. The press of lips against her forehead inspires a choked sob, but she leans into the touch helplessly all the same. A masochistic slave to her desire to be close. Comforted.
Ru’s hands tighten around Wessex as she withdraws, knuckles whitening and only relaxing when the Wraith doesn’t move entirely away. Reassured, she blinks wet lashes and tries to listen. “I’d never hurt you,” she whispers, voice strained and raw. “I’m not strong enough, even if I wanted to. And they have no use for me as a pawn. But even so, I wouldn’t.” Positive interactions and Attunement with Frey aside, Hotaru is not beloved by the Gods, scarcely even on their radar. But the comfort is cold, because, “even if I stand with you, with Her, I can do nothing. We can do nothing.” Her voice wavers under fresh, helpless tears. The gods will have their war regardless of the pleas of their followers. Which side the Valkyrie stands on doesn’t matter. She doesn’t have the power to change the tides of war with her mere presence.
The tears feel impossible to keep at bay. Spilling over in rivulets with no dam in sight. Wessex’s hands may not be warm but they are strong, and the pressure against her waist and neck makes Ru crumple closer. The press of lips against her forehead inspires a choked sob, but she leans into the touch helplessly all the same. A masochistic slave to her desire to be close. Comforted.
Ru’s hands tighten around Wessex as she withdraws, knuckles whitening and only relaxing when the Wraith doesn’t move entirely away. Reassured, she blinks wet lashes and tries to listen. “I’d never hurt you,” she whispers, voice strained and raw. “I’m not strong enough, even if I wanted to. And they have no use for me as a pawn. But even so, I wouldn’t.” Positive interactions and Attunement with Frey aside, Hotaru is not beloved by the Gods, scarcely even on their radar. But the comfort is cold, because, “even if I stand with you, with Her, I can do nothing. We can do nothing.” Her voice wavers under fresh, helpless tears. The gods will have their war regardless of the pleas of their followers. Which side the Valkyrie stands on doesn’t matter. She doesn’t have the power to change the tides of war with her mere presence.
what I did, do, to me and you, keeps me awake
if I were a ghost, you'd be the proof
if I were a ghost, you'd be the proof
