#idleteeth

[emberlit]

[ PRIVATE F2F ]

So I’ve been thinking a lot, since the fire. About you... and us.

@idleteeth​

[eliasirving]

[ PRIVATE ]

------- Hey, Ana? Walk with me, would ya?

@idleteeth​

[emberlit]

--------I’ll go if you want, just please tell me those bruises aren’t from my Aunt.

@idleteeth​

[emberlit]

She hurt. Her body and her heart ached in a way that a bath might help, but couldn’t erase. Seeing that Ana was safe in her room when she returned, after everything, was at least able to  loosen one of the bands that seemed to be holding her chest in a vice grip. 

It almost felt like she could catch her breath again.

“I desperately need a shower,” she said, voice quiet and ragged, “but will you keep that bed warm for me? Please?”

@idleteeth​

[emberlit]

------------Hey. I brought you something.

@idleteeth​

[emberlit]

@idleteeth​

Leading Ana to one of the rooms they’ve cleared for physical training, Claudia turns on the lights with a wave of her hand. She sets her bag and water bottle on the bench, unzipping her jacket to free her arms before tossing it on top of the pile.

“Alright. Let’s see what you can do. Go ahead and come at me; I won’t use magic. Don’t hold back.”

[emberlit]

Every interaction over the past three days in which they haven't acknowledged it makes Claudia think it's something they need to acknowledge. It shouldn't be a big deal, and logically she knows this. Ana trusted her enough to take her calming potion. They had a nice afternoon doze out in the garden, and when Claudia slipped her hand over and linked her pinky over Ana's... the bristly, spitfire of a wolf didn't pull away.

It shouldn't be a big deal, but it feels like it is, like it's something that needs to be clarified before the did she...? and does she...? and could she...? questions burning in the back of her mind consume her completely.

So when they're hanging out in the gardens, Ana munching on another snack she's pulled from one of her pockets, Claudia has to address the question scorching at the tip of her tongue.

"Are we just..." she begins, heart picking up its pace in her ears. "Are we just not going to talk about the other day, or...?"

@idleteeth

[emberlit]

@idleteeth​

It’s early, the sun barely peeking behind the horizon, but the Manor is already busy with activity on such an important holiday. It doesn’t take Claudia long to find Ana, even in the fray. “Hey, are you busy? It’s Imbolc and I thought maybe... you could join me.”