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heroftruth · 3 months ago

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REASONS TO CUP A FACE. ( A PROMPT LIST. )

with the help of some very talented and amazing friends, i present to you an unexpected, very spontaneous meme list based on the beautiful art of cupping someone's face! there's a mix of romantic and platonic here, and even a few that defy the boundaries of normal relationship dynamics! i hope you enjoy! as always; DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST NOR CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

[KISS]: sender cups the receivers face in their hands before drawing them closer for a kiss.

[CHECK]: after an unexpectedly violent situation, sender frantically rushes to check if the receiver is okay, cupping their face to look closer.

[CLEAN]: sender affectionately wipes a smudge of sauce from the corner of the receiver's mouth, cupping their face in the process.

[LIFT]: sender gently cups the receiver's face and lifts their chin so the receiver is looking up at them.

[COMFORT]: sender cups a distressed receiver's face in their hands and steadies them by resting their foreheads together.

[ATTENTION]: during an important conversation, the sender takes the receiver's face in their hands and firmly directs their focus on them.

[MAKE-UP]: while applying make-up on the receiver's face, the sender cups their face in order to keep them still.

[PRIDE]: after the receiver succeeds in a remarkable achievement, the sender cups their face and tilts their foreheads together to express how proud they are of them.

[WHISPER]: in order to have a private, hushed conversation with the receiver, the sender cups their face and draws them close to make sure they can be heard.

[HAIR]: in the process of pushing the receiver's hair back from their face, the sender lets their hand rest against the receiver's cheek a moment longer.

[GROUND]: during a moment of intense emotional stress, the sender gently takes the receiver's face in their hands to ground them until they're calmer again.

[WONDER]: unable to comprehend how incredible the receiver is, the sender decides to simply cup their face in their hands and marvel at them instead.

[LAST LOOK]: before going into a situation that may result in their death, the sender takes a moment to cup the unaware receiver's face in their hand, just to take a final look of admiration at them before they go.

[SACRIFICE]: the sender cups the receiver's face tenderly to distract them, right before shoving them out of the way (to safety) and facing an attack alone in order to buy the receiver enough time to escape.

[BELIEF]: in a moment where the receiver is lacking in self-confidence, the sender cups their face tenderly and professes their faith in the receiver's abilities.

[DISBELIEF]: after the receiver has done something completely unexpected (and reckless) the stunned sender cups their face in their hands while trying to get them to explain why the hell they did it.

[BETRAYAL]: trying to keep the receiver calm before the big reveal, the sender cups their face gently to keep them steady, and then reveals that they're the villain.

[WOUND]: after the receiver has been wounded, the sender tries to keep them calm and conscious by cupping their face in their hands and talking to them to keep them focused.

[INJURY]: after having been badly wounded themselves, the sender tries to reassure the frantic receiver by cupping their face and comforting them.

[RAMSAY]: after the receiver commits a culinary crime, the sender presses two slices of bread against either side of their face, cupping their face to hold the bread in place, and calls them an idiot sandwich.

#memes.

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heroftruth · 3 months ago

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She feels N's own arms circle around her frame. It's a flicker of warmth in a place that's nothing but a cold echo of destruction and coated with pain like the lingering ash and dust. This room... she'd almost been killed here, and she didn't want to think about what N's fate would have been after her. But despite it, they had both lived. They were both standing here- alive. That alone was another win against Ghetsis, for both of them.

N's words ring in her ears and she feels their own arms tighten around her. It's a relief that almost hurts as it floods over her, and Hilda's fingers curl to grip the other hero's shirt.

"Stay." It slips her lips without thought. She doesn't want them to leave again, doesn't want to do this all alone anymore. Hilda wants to pull back, to look them in the eye, but she can't bring herself to. Not yet. "You're Unova's hero too, N." They'd asked years ago in this place if both truth and ideals could be right. Fighting against one another had torn this castle apart, the heroes before them had town Unova apart.

"I don't want us to be against one another anymore. I want to call you my friend, I want us to work together from now on. I want to listen to what you say too."

Mimicking Hilda's motions, N's arms wrapped around the other hero. The world around them felt dead and chilled outside the hug. The dread melted in the motion. It felt right.

'I shouldn't have left you alone,' the words almost left N's lips. 'The outcome wasn't what I wanted for you.' But those weren't the words either one needed. Instead, they processed more of what Hilda said. Kanto wasn't far from Hoenn. If only they explored more outside that faraway region-

-they wouldn't have handed Zekrom to him.

Some hero they were. The thought of their moment of weakness was like a cold hand --his hand-- on their neck, like sharp whispers that reminded them that they had no human heart. N took a shaky breath to shake it off. Not even he could remove them from this spot at this moment.

"I'm here." They tightened the hug, speaking softly again. "I'll stay here as long as you want me." N didn't want to let go. As hard as words were at that moment, they wanted to spill it all for Hilda. They squeezed their eyes shut, their voice almost paralyzed by the flood of things they wanted to say. "I want to hear everything you say."

#crownedtarnished #✦ | carry me through the end of this day and into the rest of my life | ( post bw 2 )#UGHHHHH

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heroftruth · 3 months ago

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She follows the point towards the kiosk, taking note of the magazines. Reading isn't a bad idea, it's a task that will keep her awake and perhaps provide a distraction. "Maybe after some coffee." Right now, it feels like it might be too quiet of a task, but she is open and appreciative of Giovanni's suggestions.

The mention of her Red is enough to cause Hilda's free hand to lift, her gaze lingering down to the ring he'd given her. Like the feel of the metal against her skin, it's a grounding sight, a piece of him with her here. "He's kind and brave, like your nephew. I actually met your Red because of him." Hilda starts, her thoughts drifting to her fiance. "Red was patient helping me figure things out. I kept making trips to visit him and he kept visiting me in Unova. Eventually, I asked him to move in with me, by accident."

If she were to truly dwell on it, maybe it would feel strange telling Giovanni all of this. But after all they've been through, all they have talked about, it doesn't. He's become someone she trusts, a mentor and friend.

"I'm sure Red is going to be worried when he finds out what's happened." Once she gets home, there's no doubt in her mind the two of them won't be leaving one another's side for a while. "We're both used to the other ending up in dangerous situations, but if we'd expected this I know he would have come with me to Kanto."

A humming noise emanates from PIP as Jack looks around the Center, scanning on their behalf.

"There's different magazines," Giovanni states, pointing to a kiosk, "Centers are stocked with entertainment and academic periodicals."

Colorful covers and smiling faces of people and pokemon frozen in a snapshot are a stark contrast to the distraught, weepy faces of those sheltering at the Center.

He should be feeling something with them. He wasn't. Whether the cause was him defaulting to unconsciously shunning unnecessary emotion, or the unfamiliarity of this body's internal workings, Giovanni couldn't tell. The most the man could decipher was a shared notion of concern between himself and Jack for the members of their unit.

"Maybe reading would keep the body rested and the mind awake."

He thinks for a moment, looking down at the ring on Hilda's hand.

"... Or you could tell me more about your partner- your Red," Giovanni offers, Jack resting them at a table, "You only just briefly mentioned him on our last mission. I won't pry, it's up to you."

#blackfog2024 #earth master

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heroftruth · 3 months ago

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those are all the old threads with Reo's Red I wanted to move over here for keepsake, sorry for the spam.

#✦ | step away from the flames ❞ ( ooc )

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heroftruth · 3 months ago

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After nightmares resurface, Hilda and Red have a conversation about trauma / @twilighttheater

“ You were screaming in your sleep.”

It’s difficult to see, a force of power so intense it’s making her squint, hands drawn up in effort to protect her face. Her skin feels as though it’s burning, heat irritating the burns she knows for a fact already exist. There’s a cry of pain echoing from before her, a sound she’s never imagined could come from her starter. It fills her ears, and she thinks she might be screaming too. Cerulean hues snap open, Immediately focusing on the familiar image of Red next to her. She can faintly feel his hands against her arms as awareness of her surroundings floods back, had he been trying to wake her? Hilda’s heart is pounding against her chest, her lungs drawing in breath much too quickly, and her throat feels raw. “I-” She starts, her gaze meeting his, trying to ground herself to reality. “I was?” Had she screamed in her sleep before? Hilda wasn’t sure. “It was the same nightmare again.”

It’s both a blessing and a curse that he knows how this feels, there were times where even he would wake up in terror when he still lived on Mt. Silver. His Sylveon gently trying to wake him to bring him back to reality, and now it was him trying to do the same with Hilda. It hurts to see it repeated, but without that experience he wouldn’t know at all how to even begin. “The one about he who won’t be named?” He asks, though he feels like he hardly needs to. If she doesn’t flinch away from physical touch, he brings her close to him in an attempt to bring her comfort. In his mind it helped to know someone else was there, sometimes even in the presence of someone else, it could feel like everything was miles away when these panics were at their peak. “You’re alright, I promise. You’re at home, the region isn’t in danger, you’re safe with your team, Reshiram, and myself.” To some this might seem like stating the obvious, but bringing her back to the present seemed like the most pressing thing at the moment.

She manages a small nod, thankful how he avoids saying Ghetsis name when asking. Hilda has told him of this nightmare before, it’s the one that reoccurs most frequently after all. But even so, it’s been awhile since she’s woken from a nightmare, Hilda had begun to believe that they were finally getting better. She lets Red move her closer, and she finds herself clinging to his shirt once he has done so. The combination of his touch and voice filling her ears is slowly grounding her, even if it feels like it’s the only thing anchoring her to the present. Her breathing is still too quick, frustration at the struggle to slow it not helping matters. Red’s words are something she can focus on, and even through the panic filling her she can feel Reshiram’s presence in the back of her mind, confirming what Red is telling her. “Percy,” She starts, her voice hoarse as she uses it. Arceus, how much had she been screaming before Red had managed to wake her? “He’s alright?” Part of her wants to rise and check on the Samurott, to see for herself that he’s just fine, but she far to shaken and unsteady to leave her boyfriend’s arms.

He feels awful about not being able to do anything for her hoarse throat just yet, but he didn’t dare leave her be while she was still trying to ground herself back down to reality. He tries to rub her back to further give her some form of calm, and still listens carefully if she tries to speak.

“He’s asleep by the bed, last I checked.” Red looks over to be sure, and sure enough the Samurott is still there… and woken up with concern for his trainer. He tries to gesture for Percy to get closer, to further reassure her that he’s safe and bring her comfort. If he responds, then Red taps on her shoulder to get her attention. “See? He’s right here, same as always.” He tries to smile at her reassuringly, but he’s still understandably worried about her and what might be running through her mind after that nightmare. “…Is there anything you need?” He asks, “I can stay right here for as long as you need me but, if you need me to check in with your team, or at least get you a drink, I can do that. Just say the word and I’m on it.”

She continues to draw in deep, even breaths, trying desperately to slow it back down to normal. It isn’t until Red rubs her back that it finally starts to slow, and she starts to feel more grounded in reality. Hilda continues to cling to him, not moving until she feels him tap her shoulder. Once she looks up she can see the water type having moved closer, his head resting against the edge of the bed. A hand reaches out towards him, her thumb running against his muzzle. The feeling of the soft blue fur against her finger tips is the last confirmation she needs that her nightmare is nothing more than a memory, that she and her team are safe. Hilda pulls her hand back after a moment, her frame practically giving way into Red’s arms. “Just hold me, please?” The request leaves her lips without a thought. She’s feeling progressively calmer, the adrenaline fading at last. Red always seems to know just how to pull her back when the nightmares rear their ugly head, but she doesn’t want to leave his hold yet. “I haven’t had one that vivid in so long.”

He’s glad to see that she’s steadily calming, reality is coming back to her but the effect of the dream isn’t gone. But so long as he could help it he was going to be sure it didn’t come back to haunt her, nodding without a word to her request as he pulls her closer to him to simply hold her in his arms. “So long as I’m around, you’ll never go through this alone.” He speaks softly, continuing to rub her back every now and again. “I know I can’t make it all go away for you, but I’ll always be here to help you up whenever it shows its ugly head again.” “You’re much stronger than these nightmares too you know,” he adds with a smile. “All of that has nothing on your strength and willpower.” He hopes to put her focus onto something else, maybe it will ease her more to remind her of her power over these night terrors. But for the most part he was planning on simply being affectionate, giving her a forehead kiss while she hid herself away from the world with him as her shield. She’ll be back up to face it all again shortly, but for now he’s here and won’t let anything touch her.

She relaxes into his hold, a sense of safety washing over her in his arms. It’s taken her so long to let herself be vulnerable in someone else’s presence, that she doesn’t have to be that hero any longer. Sometimes still she still has to remind herself that it’s okay to let Red in, that she doesn’t have to suppress what she’s been through, but it keeps getting easier. He’s supported her since the day the first met, encouraging her to learn to put herself first for once. The tension she’s been carrying in every muscle since waking fades away with his voice and embrace. Hilda knows she’ll have to leave his arms eventually, and at some point she’s going to need to talk about this nightmare; after all, even if they have lessened in occurrence she’s got to continue not running from them. But for now she’ll let herself be in love’s arms, let herself be present in this moment as he kisses her forehead. “I just wish they would stop,” She starts after a moment, her voice quiet. “I’m tired of reliving it. I know I did everything I could, but I still feel so guilty.” She doesn’t know if that part of her will ever stop wondering what would have happened if she’d voiced her concerns that Ghetsis was holding more power sooner, if she’d been quicker to act when he’d tried to attack her, if she’d stayed in Unova maybe she could have helped prevent some of his destruction when he’d come back.

“Shh. You have nothing to feel guilty about.” He replies in a reassuring, yet to the point manner as he continues to hold her close. “Everything that happened? It wasn’t your responsibility to handle, but you took it on when no one else would. That is a huge undertaking, especially for a teenager just trying to live her life.” “You did an incredibly selfless thing, protecting your region and taking on these issues. But you’re not a hero in a story Hilda, you’re a human with her own life to live and you’re allowed to make mistakes. You’re also allowed to have these feelings over everything you’ve lived through.” He sighs softly, “and I know that it’s exhausting, but you’ll survive this too as you always do. But… in a bit here, let’s talk about that reliving it you go through, okay?” “I’m going to help you figure this out,” he insists. “Then…maybe a day will come soon when you won’t feel like you’re living the past everytime that memory crops up again. It’s not going to be an easy road but… you’ve got this, and even if you don’t I’ve got you.” “I won’t let you fall, I promise.”

She knows he’s right, that the responsibility that fell onto her shouldn’t have been her’s to shoulder in the first place. She’d become a piece of Ghetsis scheme during her journey, a distraction, but also the crack in his plan that destroyed the whole thing. She doesn’t have to put how that pressure felt into words because Red already knows, he’s felt it himself.

It’s still hard to process that she doesn’t have to be this hero. Even though she holds the title of hero of truth, even though she was the person who took down Team Plasma initially- she is still Hilda first. While the guilt and trauma are no longer as prevalent in the light of day, she still wishes she could feel more like that trainer she was before the castle. That girl that trained everyday, that lit up in battle, that wanted to explore everything. In the past year she’s felt more increasingly more steady, a little more like how she used to be, but it’s still there. “Okay.” Her response is soft, Hilda’s not sure where he is going with suggesting they discuss it, but she intends to listen. “I know you won’t.” She starts, taking a moment to draw in a deep breath and just feel his arms around her. Hilda feels calmer now, more centered in reality. But even so, she doesn’t want to leave his embrace just yet. “I don’t know how to, but I don’t want I want to feel like I’m stuck in those moments anymore.” Even though she may be moving forward, sometimes a part of her feels like it was left behind. “My mom had me see a therapist when I was a kid for awhile after my dad died. I’m not sure if it would help with this but it has crossed my mind a few times.”

He’d been trying to figure out how to delicately bring up such a subject to her, but Hilda managed it herself without even realizing. Relief washes over him thinking of how this shows she’s likely to be receptive to it, that was the only way it was going to help her in the long run: if she could cooperate with a professional to help her navigate through this trauma. They could help her much more than Red could, as much as he wished he could do more. “…I think that would help a lot, actually.” He gently suggests, “I used to see one on occasion for what I went through, and they’re still around for emergencies. They couldn’t walk me through everything but… they did give me a solid start with sorting out my thoughts and putting me on the right track. If you think it could help you then… I’m sure they could do that for you too.” He smiles despite the trouble before them, he’s feeling a bit more optimistic with this idea on the table. “I was going to bring it up sooner but, I know how hard it is to trust someone you don’t know well with your most heavy thoughts.” He sighs lightly remembering how familiar that struggle felt. “But… it can really be for the better, and if you think you can do it then I think it would help you.” “Just so long as you’re making this choice for yourself,” he insists. “I’m never going to outright tell you what you should do, but I am going to tell you when I think it’s worth your time.”

She finds herself relaxing at his words, tension fading from her. As towering of a thought talking to a complete stranger about all she had endured was, she knew working with a professional was the right call. She was ready to move forwards, and it was thanks to Red and her friends support that she felt so. It was time to take more control of her life again. “I want to,” Hilda starts, a small sigh slipping through her lips. “Not just for me, but my pokemon too.” For Red as well, he’d supported her and helped her navigate this far already. She wanted to keep following all the advice he has given her. She was getting passed all that had happened, and wanted to keep doing so.

After a moment she lays her head against him, nuzzling her way closer before letting her eyes fall shut.. “I’ll start looking online at some therapists near us later today. Right now I really just want to be here with you.” Even though the reason for this embrace lied in the nightmare that had woken her, his arms were still her favorite place to be. “Hey Red? I love you.”

#✦ | cherished ❞ ( past threads )#✦ | By your side in a quiet roar ❞ ( Whiteflame )

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heroftruth · 3 months ago

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Red and Hilda dance in her kitchen. An important moment is shared. / @twilighttheater

‘this is your favorite song, right?’

Washing the dishes had never been a task Hilda enjoyed as a kid. But now that she was older, with a place of her own, she'd found that putting on some music made housework much more bearable. A small, bluetooth speaker was kept in her kitchen for this purpose.

The windows in the kitchen were open, warm early evening air blowing into the small house as softer music played. There was something peaceful about it all, the warm wind coming in, the familiar music, and Red's presence nearby. Hilda still wasn't sure just how to voice her feelings towards the other. Oh, how she wanted to, but what if it ruined the bond they had formed?

Even with such anxiety lingering on her mind, there was no denying that she felt calmer when he was around. Everything seemed to roll away, her steps feeling lighter than they had in ages. There was comfort in the familiarity and understanding they shared. She wanted to be closer, to tell him but feared that if she did all of this between them could be lost.

The song that had been playing came to a close, shaking her briefly from her thoughts. She dried her hands before turning, ready to move to put on another, only to find that Red had beat her to it. The song that came through was one she recognized immediately, and she couldn't help but smile. "It is, how did you know? It's not that popular of a band."

In a way he felt like he was getting almost too comfortable in her home, he’d been in Unova so often he was practically setting up a routine for himself while he was there. He did his best to behave as a guest would but he also couldn’t stand the thought of not helping, so they often split up the chores that needed to be done. Today was no different, as Hilda cleaned the dishes Red was picking up anything that’d been left out of place or needed to be thrown out. He’d noticed during these times though, that there was a certain song that made her face brighten up the second she heard it. Red’s never been very picky about music so he thought the song was nice, but he had even more of an appreciation for it when he saw just how happy it made her. When he went out of his way to select the song in question, he smiled when she asked him how he’d known to pick it. “Call me a bit too observant I guess,” he’d reply with a shrug. “You just… looked like you were having a great day whenever it was playing.” He was about to return to cleaning, but an idea occurred to him before he could turn to go. It was one she naturally could reject and he wouldn’t be offended by it, quite frankly he was wondering if he even had the nerve. He didn’t debate long before deciding, surely it couldn’t hurt to suggest something silly for while her song was playing. He bowed his head a little and held out a hand to her as an invitation, one she would probably recognize after the two other times they’d danced last December and February. “I know, I probably look ridiculous right now. Humor me?” He asked. “I’m at least slightly better than I used to be, I’ve had a pretty great partner after all.”

Light pink dusts her cheeks at his answer, touched that he had noticed and remembered such a detail. In hindsight, it shouldn’t have surprised her. Afterall, Red had always been able to read her easily it seemed.She watched as it appeared as though they were about to fall back into comfortable silence, the chores they’d been working on lay waiting. But then he’d extended a hand toward her. It was a motion she’d seen before, a mirror of the start of the dances they had shared previously. Not for the first time, she felt her heart quicken in pace as she placed her hand in his without hesitation. “You don’t look ridiculous, not at all.” The smile on his lips, the way he held himself, he looked even more handsome than their time together at the ball.

They fell into place easily, a hand coming to rest gently upon his shoulder. Close enough like this to feel the warmth of his breath against her skin, even if only faintly, Hilda felt at ease. A smile of her own brighter than before. In this moment there was something more intimate perhaps, in the emptiness of her small home. There was no one watching, it was just the two of them and the smaller pokemon in the house. In a way, it was better than the previous times they’d danced.

“I might be biased, but I think you're a pretty fantastic partner yourself.” It was moments like this that she couldn’t deny the way she felt towards him. There was a way her chest tightened, a feeling of just wanting to freeze this moment, for it to not end. “Hey, Red,” She started, her eyes unable to meet his. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she just can’t figure out how to put into words. “I’ve really enjoyed you being here.”

When she takes his hand it’s as though the world stops, like nothing else matters besides the two of them and the song playing in the background. They’d gotten so used to the motions now it came to them so naturally, Red would even argue that he was actually better here than the past few times. It was a limited space but he didn’t feel the pressure of the crowds around them, though at the time they were as irrelevant as everything else around them now. But there was just something comforting about being in a place that felt like home, dancing with someone you cared so dearly for; especially to their favorite song. He’s flattered by her compliment, but can’t help an amused sound in response as well. “If you still feel that way when I accidentally step on your foot, then I’ll be impressed.” He jokes, though he does internally try to tell himself that he’s gotten good enough so that won’t happen hopefully. For now everything just fits together so…naturally, and his amused tone falls away with just how at ease he feels with her. Lost in his own thoughts over his time at her side, he snaps out of it when she speaks to him again. It felt like there was another meaning behind her words, something that he was struggling to read… perhaps out of a fear of misreading her. But he smiles even if she won’t see it, and contentedly replies. “I’ve really enjoyed being here too, Hilda. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” …That last part shouldn’t have slipped out, but for the moment he felt no need to take it back. He was being honest, after all.

An airy laugh escapes her at his joke. “I doubt you will, but even if you do I won’t be man.” She felt so at peace, so weightless here in place like this with him. Never would she have imagined that choosing to talk to him months ago, without even knowing what had compelled her to do so, would result in all of this. He had seen her worn to the bone, her mind trapped in the trauma she’d endured in her journey, and in the moments she felt most calm. Hilda trusted him, far more than she could put into words, and she wouldn’t change a thing.

They were so close, their steps simple and the music flowing around them. She could feel her heart beating hard against her chest, each beat feeling stronger. It was strange, to be so nervous but so at peace all at once. His words had caused for her to relax even more, truly completely at ease in the motions they had taken on. “Maybe you should stay…”

The words slipped out of her lips without a thought, surprising her greatly and causing the blush upon her cheeks to brighten. Cerulean hues glanced up at once, meeting his eyes, worried about what he must think. “I-” Her voice caught, and she found herself swallowing hard, anxiety building slowly in the pit of her stomach. Had she really said that out loud? “Red, I-” Slowly she draws in a breath, there’s really no turning back from keeping the feelings she holds towards him a secret now, is there? “I need to confess something to you.”

It seemed like she was just as surprised as he was when she said he should stay, it was something that’d never been said to him in such a positive light. He doesn’t dare reply just yet, though he imagines his face must be just as flushed as her own with her impulse comment. He wanted to tell her that it’s fine if she needed to take it back, that things just slip out sometimes– but in his mind he questions it. Is it fine if I stay? Do you really mean that? Are you sure you won’t regret that? He doesn’t get to say any of these things out loud though, as instead he listens as she stammers. He tries not to think that this could head in the direction he hopes, but what else could she be trying to tell him while looking like this? She asked him to stay, she has something to confess, Red you moron say something you know where this is going– “…I need to confess something to you too,” he replies softly. “I’m.. wondering if it’s the same as what you’re looking to tell me.”

It’s strange, Hilda thinks, that she can feel so nervous yet so comfortable all at once. Intertwined in their dance here in her kitchen, Hilda can’t imagine being anywhere else. It’s a moment she wouldn’t change, one she really does not want to end; and yet, her feelings finally slipping out after all these months she can’t help the twist in her stomach.

One way or another, what she’s about to say is going to affect this moment. The thought that perhaps it could end in rejection is one that sits uncomfortably so with her. For better or worse what has already slipped from her lips is in the air now, there isn’t any backing down now.

As he speaks she can feel her heart slamming into her chest, could it really be that where they stand is mutual...? “I really hope that it is...” Her voice trails off, her gaze making sure to meet his own, lungs drawing in a deep breath before she speaks once more. “I’m in love with you, Red, I think I have been for awhile.”

He was right. He’s both relieved to learn this, and struggling to pull his thoughts together into coherent sentences. His mind threatens to race and make this much harder than it needs to be, as he knows what wants to say back and what he wants to do. Hilda had the nerve to tell him what she felt, it was his turn to follow suit and he would. If she allows it, he lifts a hand to caress her cheek before leaning to give her a soft kiss. He finds himself hoping that this makes up for him freezing, he hadn’t meant to keep her waiting for an answer like that. He imagines that must’ve been a terrifying second, throwing your feelings to the wind like that. At least this served as part of his answer, though he backs off again as he attempts to talk, dear mew don’t let my words become a mess now. “I… I love you too, Hilda.” He finally replies with a voice soft and slightly nervous. “I’ve… I’ve felt the same for quite awhile too, but I was never fully certain on if I should say.” He pauses, meeting her gaze once more. “…Are you sure about this? That… I’m what you want? I have no regrets to any of this, if you’re really sure.”

Their steps have faltered now, neither of them truly seeming to notice. The song is still playing, heading towards its end, but the music is nothing more than a faint hum in the background in this moment. The words she’s spoken hang in the forefront, drowning out everything else around them.

As he places his hand against her cheek she can’t help but look into his eyes, meeting him when he leans in to kiss her. The action alone makes her feel like her heart has skipped a beat. While they’ve kissed once before, this is different. There is no audience, no mistletoe hanging above their heads. Just them, the world around them seeming to freeze, nothing else mattering, even once his lips have left her’s.

She’s nervous, but at the same time she isn’t. Never had Hilda imagined any of this occurring when they had first talked. She had felt so stuck in the past, frozen and unable to see beyond the overwhelming urge to run that she had never been able to explain. Red had always been understanding, patient with her slowly letting him in. Piece by piece she’d begun to find herself again.

“I’m positive.” She starts, making sure to never lose his gaze. “I’ve struggled to figure out what I want my future to look like,” Hilda knows there’s still things she needs to work on, that she’s still building her life up after all she has endured. “I know I’m still figuring it out, I think I’ve waited so long to tell you how I feel because I never wanted you to feel like this is just because you’ve been here for me.” She pauses, everything she’d been holding in for months slipping it’s way out. “You are what I want, Red. I want to be at your side, I want to be closer to you.”

He doesn’t say a word until she’s said all that she wishes to, and dear mew does she have a hold of his heart. He’s helped her up time and time again and has no regrets in that, but he’d also never expected their relationship to take this sort of turn either. “…I’ve struggled with that myself, I’ve had no plan or direction for a long time now,” he explained. “Being here with you feels…like I might finally be home, after years of feeling like I don’t belong anywhere. It’s like I’m finally moving forward, and this time I’m not alone on that road.” He smiles gratefully back at her as her words sink in. “You’re what I want too then, Hilda. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be in this world.” “…I just hope that I can give you the happiness that you deserve,” he adds softly. “I can promise you that I’ll do my best. You mean the world to me and… I want to be closer to you too.”

Hilda can’t help the smile that slips upon her lips. Perhaps it’s finally confessing how she feels, and knowing it’s recipitated, but her chest feels light for once. She finds herself leaning forward slightly, their foreheads touching. She hadn’t expected to fall for him when they had met, even if she had never been able to explain what pulled tot toward him, but wouldn’t change a thing. Both of them still have much to figure out, but for the first time in years she feels at peace.

“You already have,” She starts, feeling content where they stand. “You mean everything to me, Red.” She is steadily sorting out her future, piece by piece finding what she wants it to look like, and knows with all her heart that she wants Red to be apart of it. “I know it was a slip earlier, about you staying here but I meant it. If you want to move in with me, you’re more than welcome to.”

#✦ | cherished ❞ ( past threads )#✦ | By your side in a quiet roar ❞ ( Whiteflame )

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