[ While he struggles to make sense of the way his body has so roughly twisted in on itself, flesh-become-sand-become flesh that touched deep into her mind where their corners are joined and sought the familiar intimacy of her body — the strength of it, the speed of it, the beauty of her design and how safe, how easily he could feel safe with her — he knows he will come out of the fluidity of his own form changed by her. And he does, writhing in a heap of red tail and hooves as he tries to roll himself onto new legs, to find his feet and be ready for another attack —
she encages him skillfully, bearing down upon him with her own body and wild eyes and silky hair. Protective and clutching at him as tightly as he seeks to grab her, rolling under her to seize her hand fully, plunging his free hand forth to seize her by the bandages she ties tight across her chest to wrench her down. If he put more strength into it, he could rip them in two and find her Shard, find that thing between her breasts where she'd carried ( their loss / the one they loved ) their friend, safe. ]
I will!
[ He snaps it at her, pale underbelly and dark hooves twisted below her as she leans over him. Like this, he can look up — and find his face close to hers, his own hair wild and tangled in her own like they were in the roots of the tree. Like something molten. ]
You will tell me everything about your skill, the skill of anyone with you, the ability of the hunting party, the terrain, everything! And I will show you how to attain victory without dying, Hayame. You will walk home with your hearts confident and unflinching, knowing you will win. You will save them all and atone for the rest of your life in their company!
[ Somewhere across the ground, red flowers spill still, growing from the press of his body even as he holds fast to her and fixes his eyes on her. Keeps his mind from wandering by sheer titanic force, while murmurs try to drag him from her. She is one of the few he has, that could validate his entire existence, and so, he works hard not to wither under her gaze and instead
wrenches his hands free of her
to throw them around her neck and drag her down to the earth, to the tangle of new limbs and the thrum of his own heart(s?) and hold her head to his chest, cradling her even as she forms a barricade around him. ]
I am not going to let you live as someone who can only see your honor recovered in death. You will find it in a full life, a good life.
no subject
she encages him skillfully, bearing down upon him with her own body and wild eyes and silky hair. Protective and clutching at him as tightly as he seeks to grab her, rolling under her to seize her hand fully, plunging his free hand forth to seize her by the bandages she ties tight across her chest to wrench her down. If he put more strength into it, he could rip them in two and find her Shard, find that thing between her breasts where she'd carried ( their loss / the one they loved ) their friend, safe. ]
I will!
[ He snaps it at her, pale underbelly and dark hooves twisted below her as she leans over him. Like this, he can look up — and find his face close to hers, his own hair wild and tangled in her own like they were in the roots of the tree. Like something molten. ]
You will tell me everything about your skill, the skill of anyone with you, the ability of the hunting party, the terrain, everything! And I will show you how to attain victory without dying, Hayame. You will walk home with your hearts confident and unflinching, knowing you will win. You will save them all and atone for the rest of your life in their company!
[ Somewhere across the ground, red flowers spill still, growing from the press of his body even as he holds fast to her and fixes his eyes on her. Keeps his mind from wandering by sheer titanic force, while murmurs try to drag him from her. She is one of the few he has, that could validate his entire existence, and so, he works hard not to wither under her gaze and instead
wrenches his hands free of her
to throw them around her neck and drag her down to the earth, to the tangle of new limbs and the thrum of his own heart(s?) and hold her head to his chest, cradling her even as she forms a barricade around him. ]
I am not going to let you live as someone who can only see your honor recovered in death. You will find it in a full life, a good life.