continue’d from discord, via @ehnmi
The remark about Matteo causes a small giggle to escape her, breaking the melancholy to take hold. She’s thankful for him, thankful he’s able to inspire her own strength within. It was unusual for her to rely on the aid of others in such a way, typically she’s the one inspiring strength within her peers, posing as their pillar of reason and stability. Some days, however, she succumbed to her own vulnerability. Such times were shared only in the presence of her brother, who she trusted, who’d seen every facet she possessed — the raw side, the broken side, and strong side. This night Kazutame had been privy to her inner world, and while her flustered state was less than ideal, it signified her ability to open up to another outside of her own blood or found family.
“You’ll be fine…” Another giggle, that smile finally brightening her features. She’d scooted upwards a bit, wrapping her arms around his neck before pressing her lips briefly to his. “I’m sure he already has an idea of what going on. Probably since day one. It’s hard to hide anything from him, really.” Anjou closes her eyes, placing a hand to her chest, above her heart, “Everyone in the tribe is connected by our aether. But my connection is strongest with Matteo, he’s my other half. In The Shroud — back home — he can feel if I’m in pain, or scared… or in love if I allow it. Very rarely do I hide that from him. We trust each other fully. I can tell he’s known for quite a while, possibly even before I knew myself.”
Pulling back a bit, what tears remain are wiped away, and another giggle falls from lips, “I will tell him soon. You don’t need to hide from him. His bite is the same as his bark, I won’t lie, but he can tell when people have good intentions.” She rests against him once more, relishes the security, shares her thoughts, “Will it really be so strange to them? They’re no strangers to Xaela. Tuya and Yeran are regulars and business partners. We’ve never really been a ‘normal’ family anyways. So that weirdness you’re known by will fit right in. Besides, if Matteo accepts you, then you’ve already gotten over the most difficult hurdle. Mom is much easier to impress than he is.”
But, she’d withheld a bit then, and fails to mention that her brother and mother were quite difficult to impress, period. From what she’d seen from their interactions, however, shows there’s little for her to worry about. She understands his hesitance regardless, Matteo could singlehandedly trounce a group of Roegadyn if necessary.
“You being a miner gives you bonus points, though.”
HIS HANDS, they fall to the small of her back. Thumbs caress it, looking to her with a loving gaze. This was a tease. A preview of what was to come? He could only fantasize for now. ( and fantasize he will. ) Those giggles, too? He could just die. How is it that with such a melancholy, yet bittersweet conversation, she could still light up the room? He IS the luckiest man in the world right now. He’d always thought she was an angel, he just never thought she’d be his angel. He’s kissing her in between her pauses, it was only fair. She was so close. It would be wrong to not take advantage. ❛ And he didn’t say a word? We could have started this forever ago! ❜ He’s only joking, slightly.
AS SHE SPEAKS, he listens. He could not lie though, despite his attention, it was hardly full. There were kisses to her forehead, to her shoulder. His shirt was far too large for her frame, leaving them exposed. He was to love every part of her, with every word she said he’d hum, pressing one, maybe two kisses to her shoulder. She might have pulled away, but he had an advantage in his stature. All it took was just a little bit of leaning forward, and he was in reach to give her the love she deserved. He would not dare take it further, though. He just would like to tease in return. ❛ I’m excited to meet all of them. I’m excited to be apart of the more important side of your life. ❜ He was not nervous, the way she spoke about her family was light. Full of adoration and love. Her eyes were full of stars, her smile was beautiful. In truth, he asked questions just to see that look on her face, and he so desperately wanted to keep that smile, that brightness in her eyes forever. ❛ You speak so highly of them, and your culture. I want to see all of it, and try to be apart of it. ❜
HIS OWN CULTURE, he was not apart of. The simple idea of being apart of something was so foreign to him. THAT was something he was nervous for. He did not want to disappoint her tribe, or embarrass them. He was so deeply afraid that he would do something to cause her to lose her feelings for him, just like everyone else did. It was not so easy for him to love as it seemed. Before Anjou, there was no one.
HE PONDERS the statement about him being a miner, and he chuckles. How easy in his euphoria that he forgot what they were initially doing before he’d confessed his feelings. Their mess still left out on the table. ❛ Bribe your mother into liking me? You must think I’m a fool. ❜ It was a rather good idea, though. ❛ What kind is her favorite? ❜
