[ How strange. What a truly strange life he’s led.
As he talks, she becomes hyper aware of the keychain she’s still holding. What it means. After a moment, and with a small smile, she carefully slides it under his (their?) pillow.
Then she takes the hand that was over his waist and reaches up to touch him instead. Without real thought or intent; she brushes his hair out of his eyes, skates her thumb over his cheekbone.
What a strange and precious thing he is. He loves so fiercely and so selflessly. It feels, a little bit, like he loves not for his own sake, but for the sake of others around him. To make them happy, safe, strong, protected.
In the end, she can’t help but quietly think to herself that his presence is so minimal in all the stories he tells of his own life.
And once he’s done—once he breathes—she tilts her chin so she can press a kiss right between his eyes, tender and soft. ]
You and your family have been through so much. [ What else can she say? It’s so fantastical. Two fans of the same—whatever an idol is, in his world, though she thinks she gets the gist. Two fans who came together at very different stages of life, and both were reborn to the woman they so admired. Adored, even.
How truly, amazingly strange it is. ]
I can’t say I totally understand. Or … it’s more that it simply sounds impossible, though of course I believe you.
[ She thinks about him, about his unwavering faith in her. Or if not faith, simply the steadfastness to stay by her side even despite all her scheming and meddling and manipulating.
What gift can she possibly give him in return for his kindness other than her own faith in him? ]
I’d have liked to meet them. Your sister and your mother. [ her expression crinkles. ] I’m sure I could make the whole world see their charms~
[ a bit of a joke. a bit of the truth. it’s hard to let go a lifetime of chasing financial opportunities.
—all while hiding how much that world had hurt her, how afraid it made her that she was unlovable. Incapable of loving in return.
Her smile dims. She wonders if he realizes how aptly he described himself. ]
I like you, Aqua, [ she tells him, and preemptively presses a fingertip to his lips to forestall any protests. ] And for once in my life, that’s not a deal, or an opportunity. I’m not expecting reciprocation… ha, what a strange thing for me to say.
[ her arm goes back over his waist, and she tucks into him. ]
I just like you. I like everything that makes you who you are.
no subject
As he talks, she becomes hyper aware of the keychain she’s still holding. What it means. After a moment, and with a small smile, she carefully slides it under his (their?) pillow.
Then she takes the hand that was over his waist and reaches up to touch him instead. Without real thought or intent; she brushes his hair out of his eyes, skates her thumb over his cheekbone.
What a strange and precious thing he is. He loves so fiercely and so selflessly. It feels, a little bit, like he loves not for his own sake, but for the sake of others around him. To make them happy, safe, strong, protected.
In the end, she can’t help but quietly think to herself that his presence is so minimal in all the stories he tells of his own life.
And once he’s done—once he breathes—she tilts her chin so she can press a kiss right between his eyes, tender and soft. ]
You and your family have been through so much. [ What else can she say? It’s so fantastical. Two fans of the same—whatever an idol is, in his world, though she thinks she gets the gist. Two fans who came together at very different stages of life, and both were reborn to the woman they so admired. Adored, even.
How truly, amazingly strange it is. ]
I can’t say I totally understand. Or … it’s more that it simply sounds impossible, though of course I believe you.
[ She thinks about him, about his unwavering faith in her. Or if not faith, simply the steadfastness to stay by her side even despite all her scheming and meddling and manipulating.
What gift can she possibly give him in return for his kindness other than her own faith in him? ]
I’d have liked to meet them. Your sister and your mother. [ her expression crinkles. ] I’m sure I could make the whole world see their charms~
[ a bit of a joke. a bit of the truth. it’s hard to let go a lifetime of chasing financial opportunities.
—all while hiding how much that world had hurt her, how afraid it made her that she was unlovable. Incapable of loving in return.
Her smile dims. She wonders if he realizes how aptly he described himself. ]
I like you, Aqua, [ she tells him, and preemptively presses a fingertip to his lips to forestall any protests. ] And for once in my life, that’s not a deal, or an opportunity. I’m not expecting reciprocation… ha, what a strange thing for me to say.
[ her arm goes back over his waist, and she tucks into him. ]
I just like you. I like everything that makes you who you are.