It's almost shattered like broken glass when the memory plays. Them, together during another time; the future. Where the pieces had all fallen into place and it all worked out. They're together, next to each other, understanding what the other means by the slightest twitch in their body movements. Speaking a similar unspoken language they've long since mastered at this point.
" You are everything to me. "
It's the last visual he recalls before he comes to where he now stands. Another time, another version of them; the past. He stands there, unimpressed seeming with the display his sister pulls with the others. Aillah locking her arms with Hotaru and squealing out her excitement before her vibrant expression links with her brother's.
" Yeah, I'm not wasting my time with this plan, call me when we're actually going to be productive. "
Aillah puffs her cheeks at Shiku's comment before giving an encouraging nudge to the girl she'd still latch onto. A silent ' get him ' whispers from her lips upon releasing Hotaru to do exactly that.
His expression remains unchanged.
aillah’s enthusiasm is contagious, & hotaru latches onto the infectiousness of her laugh almost greedily. it feels wonderful to be lost in such mirth & companionship, & it's become so easy to find that in the presence of these siblings. even as aillah prattles on about some potential stop along their journey for the day, bright violet looks over her head, searching, landing on shiku’s form. she doesn't want to further examine the burst of relief that fills her chest that he’s still here.
" i’m not wasting my time with this plan. "
the corners of her smile falter, trying ( & failing ) to maintain that levity from mere seconds before. it isn't that she's surprised. shiku has never been one to shy from sharing his honest perspectives, a trait she usually admires - until the moment its sharpest blades are turned against her.
warmth spreads over hotaru’s cheeks as she is released & subtly pushed in shiku’s direction, a dangerous combination of nerves & embarrassment. she isn't sure what aillah expects her to do. for all the admiration she feels towards shiku, he has always been hot & cold when it comes to her. some days, hotaru can feel the space between them shrinking, can feel a deeper connection forming between the two of them. other days, it's … this. it's shiku, so opposed to their company ( or maybe, just to hers )that he becomes abrasive & upset. at least she knows what version of him she's getting this time around.
❝ just because something isn't about training doesn't mean that it's a ‘ waste of time ’ ❞ she begins, sharper than intended. there's a hesitation that follows as hotaru picks up the fragmenting pieces of her composure, tries to find that delicate balance of how to talk to him without making things worse. she worries she won't succeed. ❝ it's just … team bonding, isn't it ? surely that's at least a little bit productive. ❞
