‘Breathe…breathe…dammit, Summer! You’re not breathing right!’ Her chest grew tight and painful as her lungs struggled against second nature. ‘This isn’t happening! You can stay calm! You’re fine, you’re—you’re not fine. This isn’t fine. There’s too many people!’ Her head yelped in fear, a worry settling in that was the first of its kind.
‘They’re going to find you. The Resistance has spies and informants, though few, everywhere. What if someone spots my eyes? Recognizes me? Qrow…no, I don’t want to go back! Don’t make me! They’ll find me! Qrow? Qrow! Please, Qrow!’
A firm grasp clutched her around the waist and shoulder, moving her through the hoard of people with little to no opposition. Gliding gently through the sea of people, Summer closed her eyes until the noise quieted. She stood still, afraid of who grabbed her.
‘A resistance member? Don’t look. They can’t confirm it’s you until they see your eyes.’
Her hair raised, feeling a large, calloused hand brush the messy locks from her face. The hold felt tender and welcoming, gently pulling her closer into their grasp. Eyes opening to view her seemingly gentle savior, Summer jumped at the peck of pursed lips on the back of her neck. Struggling under a strong grip and furious at the contact, her hands began to reach for her daggers. It was the sound of familiar chuckling humming in her ear that stopped her.
Slowly, her head turned to see piercing red eyes and parallel scars masked under a mess of jet-black hair. Her body relaxed into his hold, face hot and heart relieved, and faced away from him once more. Hot breath was felt in her ear as he purred her scolding.