#&&.⠀take my hand; ‎ take my whole life too.⠀ —⠀ xpeculiariity. ( cyno )

[nulltune]

" Sleep, Hakuno." Cyno mutters in her ear. He pulls her into a snug embrace from behind and further into his corner. "I will... keep watch." He rests his head against her shoulder. Mere seconds later, his head weighs heavier upon it. His snores were hushed with an occasional, wheezy growl.

...! ‎ there is no resistance to his touch, ‎rather the opposite. ‎pulled into an embrace, ‎the instinctive tensing reaction of her smaller form swiftly turns into something softer ‎— ‎ hakuno almost melts into him ‎ / ‎because it's him.

“ ‎ ‎ keep watch... ‎ right. ‎ ‎” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ spoken out more like an afterthought, ‎ with an airy kind of voice. ‎ normally, ‎she'd hold a many protests to such a declaration ‎ ( ‘ i'll keep watch with you then ‎’ ‎/ ‎ ‎‘ you're the one who needs to sleep here...’ ‎/ ‎‘ .... ’ ‎a silence, ‎ because sometimes she would simply pout in response ) ‎but in this particular case, ‎with cyno's actions going against the words uttered, ‎hakuno finds herself stunned. ‎blinking in surprise, ‎a few extra seconds is needed to process what happened next. ‎the small ‎( and very adorable ) ‎ sounds from the sleeping cyno a background noise, ‎she focuses on it, ‎ easing her to a greater comfort.

though, ‎ isn't this position is a little...

now especially conscious of the weight on her shoulder, ‎ the proximity and warmth of cyno holding her ‎—— ‎hakuno takes in a deep yet silent breath.

“ ‎ ‎— ...um. ‎ ‎” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ such an awkward, ‎sheepish sound was all that could leave the typically reserved and composed young lady. ‎peeking over her shoulder, ‎she's glad to see cyno sound asleep ‎( a sight that never failed to make her heart swell in... ‎something ). ‎for one, ‎it was a well-deserved rest for the always vigilant general. and ‎for another, ‎that meant she'd be spared the embarrassment of being caught in this state. ‎ to be rendered so flustered and dumb from what was a mere innocent gesture... how silly ‎/ ‎how unthinkable for the girl known to always be deadpan, ‎monotone and lacking. ‎ ‎he truly held a great power over her, ‎huh.

...not that she was complaining.

unprompted, ‎always accepting ! ‎ ‎ @xpeculiariity ‎♡

[nulltune]

( Cyno ) No words, just holds her hand while leading her through the crowd. He grip. He very grip. Also, totally lent her his robe because Hakuno robe rights. She shall not go robeless into this gentle night. He's glaring at anyone who dares glare at them. Move. He wants to show her the places >: (.

it smells like you... ‎how comforting.

— ‎ and it is her only solace amidst the bustling crowd, ‎ perhaps. ‎ so used to vast expanse of a solitude, ‎ the sudden cramped space within the hustle and bustle of people everywhere was... ‎ different. ‎always eager to learn more ‎ / ‎ understand, ‎but such initial curiosity and fascination was quick to turn to an overwhelming feeling. ‎why ? ‎ ‎ ( what a stupid girl. ‎you can't be on your own, ‎ yet you can't be with other people either ) unconsciously, ‎she shrinks into herself, ‎hand clutching onto the cloak generously lent by the other.

cyno's cloak, ‎and she's sure that no other garment could've provided her the same kind of comfort. ‎truth be told, ‎ this wasn't nearly enough to combat the cold of the night but that hardly mattered to her ‎ —— ‎ not when the emptiness of her hand was filled with his. ‎ hakuno is all too familiar with harsh glares and eyes more like daggers; ‎this was a less severe case, ‎but the heavy weight of those eyes are felt by her nonetheless. ‎the onlookers are quick to look away when met with the glare far more intense vermillion. ‎blinking, ‎ timid hazels peer up at her companion for just an instance. ‎had he sensed her discomfort...? ‎how curious... ‎( and pointless, she'd think ) ‎ ‎she's always been so silent with it, ‎ and her pain; ‎but then again, ‎ he'd always had a knack for understanding her, ‎ being there for her.

nimble steps hold a bit more confidence to them, ‎the crowd no longer so daunting when she had cyno to guide her. ‎ no words are needed, ‎really, ‎as tender gaze drops to focus on their intertwined hands. ‎ the maiden's dainty hand is held with a secure grip, ‎ and it feels as though he was trying to keep her safe, ‎not wanting to lose her to the crowd. ‎ ( she doesn't want that either ‎ / ‎please keep me close ‎ / ‎to stay by your side is all i want. )

breathing out a sigh of relief, ‎hakuno's hand holds onto his just as tightly.

unprompted, ‎ ‎always accepting ! ‎ ‎ @xpeculiariity ‎ ♡

[nulltune]

( Cyno ) " Why is dark spelled with a 'k' and not a 'c'? Because you can't 'c' in the dark. We can 'k' in the dark, though." He casually states while cutting a Zaytun Peach in half. He hands her the larger half then turns his attention back to the darkening sky above. "...I meant kill. Obviously. Now eat. Please."

“   could it be...  because ‎‘ k ’  is more widely used than  ‘ c ’  as the final  —k  sound ?  ‎ many words are usually written as  ‘ ck ’  after a vowel;  like black,  knack,  snack.  or ‘ k ’ after two vowels; ‎like look, ‎cook, ‎book. ‎ ‎whereas words that end with a ‘ c ’ ‎typically end with an ‎‘ ic ’ ‎or ‎ ——  oh.   ”     she didn't mean to steal cyno's spotlight !  even if it's for his...  not-very-funny jokes...  ( an opinion that seems to be shared by the majority,  it appears ) 

not one to be swayed by humor of any sort in the first place,  but having a... great liking for the other party was a mighty thing;  affecting matters of any sort in ways you don't quite understand  /  everything appeared just a little brighter. ‎ ‎expression is focused,  listening with a seriousness that might be a little too much for  ( what was likely intended to be )  a lighthearted joke.  hakuno and her sweet tooth even forgoing the fruit handed to her in favor of mulling over cyno's joke,  you can almost see the gears turning in her head as she tries to process...  not that that was necessary,  seeing how the punchline is delivered promptly. 

a punchline that seemed as though it were more of a revelation to the maiden.  the gears stopped now,  but the lightbulb of realization has been turned on !  delicate mouth parted open in a small awed ohh.

—  right !  ‎ you can't see in the dark.  however,  you can k ?   kay ? ‎ ‎k...

                                          ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎                   ...kiss ?

she almost drops the half of the fruit handed to her. ‎ kill, ‎it's kill ! ‎ ‎( hakuno, you idiot !! )     “  o-obviously..!   ”     by some miracle,  she'd managed to parrot the electro user's word in some attempt to regain  /  maintain her composure.  goodness,  just why was her mind in the gutter ??  ‎ busying herself away from those thoughts,  attention is now put to the zaytun peach in her hands as per cyno's request. 

the small but heartwarming detail of her being given the larger half is one that somehow made the fruit in her hand even more precious.  with a thank you uttered to the other for it, ‎a small polite bite of the fruit is taken. ‎ah ! ‎ ‎ it's sweet... ‎ — ‎a bite followed by another,  and another,  and another.  the end result is a hakuno with her cheeks stuffed almost comically like a squirrel,  a great contrast to an elegant exterior.  hakuno pays it no mind,  much too occupied with savoring the yummy treat instead.  somehow,  it tastes even better too !

could the company at hand played a role in that as well ? ‎  that thought resided in the back of her mind,  but she finds herself unconsciously scooting closer to cyno even without an answer.     “   fufu, ‎you know,  had i been anyone else,  i might've taken that as a threat.   ”      said in a jest,  obvious from how she relaxes in his presence,  perfect posture broken as she leans on him just slightly. his vermillion eyes could continue to look up at the sky, ‎while her own hazels would remain only looking at him. ‎a silent, ‎ yet fond gaze.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎...well,  if it's you then i wouldn't mind.

unprompted,  always accepting ! ‎  @xpeculiariity  ♡

[nulltune]

(Cyno) " Your hands are just so small." Her hand is now resting on top of his upturned palm. "And yet you strike with the might of a Sumpter Beast with just one hand... why is that shameful? " He mutters the next line in a lower voice, "I like that, too."

“   ah—   ”     hazel eyes widen at the contact,  gaze immediately flickers upwards to the general.  warm... ‎meeting his scarlet eyes,  however,  only served to color her cheeks with the same hue,  and overcome with a sudden embarrassment,  her head lowers.  yet her gaze still shyly peers at their connected hands,  the thought to intertwine his hand with hers come to mind so naturally,  and her head darts to the side.     “   mm.   ”     small,  huh...  she's unsure what to make of that,  and unsure what to do,  her hand would simply continue to rest over his.

a small,  delicate hand  —  frail and weak  —  none would think of it as capable of anything.  shameful...?  ‎why, ‎that would be an understatement. ‎ ‎a downcast look mars her face for a moment;  cruel words ‎/ ‎the truth from the past a reminder plaguing her mind.  ‎ ‎ ‎ “   ah-ha.. ‎ ‎there's really a lot of reasons...   ”     from a pitiful coward to someone who could fight for others  —  maybe on the outside she's changed,  having a strong front,  but her heart remained as soft as ever on the inside.  ‎still hakuno kishinami. ‎ still the same gloomy,  lonely girl,  who cries when she's all alone.  that's why...  you'll only end up disappointed.  and yet—

i like that,  too. ‎— ‎ said in a small voice, ‎are words that so easily dissipate the thoughts weighing heavy in her head.

...she heard it.  clear from her reaction as her head lifts,  bright eyes no longer clouded with the insecurities that seemed to plague her always.  her tense form eases up,  delicate features look serene as her hand moves to take a firmer grasp of the other's.     “   but...  held in yours like this,   ”     like puzzle pieces clicking together,  it felt complete.  it felt right.  fingers lacing together,  her smaller hand was now simultaneously holding,  and being held by his bigger one.  her head tilts playfully to allow herself a view of cyno as well,  soft smile gracing pink lips as she does. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎“   i feel as though none of it matters.   ”    

hakuno gives his hand a small squeeze,  and she feels that her hand really does fit perfectly in his.

unprompted,  always accepting !   @xpeculiariity  ♡