──────── ✦ had something much grander planned for today but alas. also hbd heathy, will write sth for you later on
"and just how exactly am i supposed to know which worm is you?"
moses let out a long, soft sigh, pressing a hand against her forehead as her brows drew together. the look on her face made it abundantly clear that she had already accepted this as yet another one of your harmless — albeit utterly nonsensical — antics.
for a brief moment, she seemed genuinely inclined to dismiss the question altogether; yet the instant your cheeks puffed into an unmistakable pout, the resolve she'd so carefully maintained gave way.
"fine."
it wasn't as if humoring you would cost her anything.
". . . yes," she answered simply, the corners of her lips softening ever so slightly. "i'd still love you if you were a worm."
". . ."
rather than answering immediately, erza folded her arms and furrowed her brows with the utmost seriousness, looking as though she had been tasked with solving the greatest mystery known to mankind. you merely watched in silence as she remained completely still for a while, painstakingly searching for what she believed to be the perfect answer.
"erza?"
at once, her eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling as though she'd just uncovered the greatest revelation of her life.
". . . we could be worms together," she shyly pressed the tips of her index fingers together, looking oddly proud of her conclusion.
the surprise on your face soon softened into fond amusement, which the blonde-haired woman readily took as all the encouragement she needed.
"i'd even fight all the other worms for you ! then everyone— everyworm would know you're my worm !!" she declared it with such wholehearted conviction that neither of you could suppress the laughter that followed.
"if you were a worm, that would complicate matters."
"a worm wouldn't be able to communicate properly. you'd be vulnerable to predators, incapable of defending yourself, and. . ." his voice remained calm and methodical as his thoughts wandered further. "i assume your dietary requirements would also change."
"i'd need to look into proper care." he closed his eyes for a laconic moment, only to reopen them and meet your thoroughly bewildered gaze, your head tilted slightly to the side.
". . . i believe i've misunderstood the question."
you answered with nothing more than a small nod.
a deliberate cough escaped him as the realization settled in. for the first time that day — or perhaps week — a faint trace of embarrassment crossed his otherwise composed features.
he had, after all, devoted an astonishing amount of thought to the logistics of caring for a hypothetical worm.
"whether you were human or a worm wouldn't change who you are to me."
"so yes," his eyes found their way back to yours. "i'd still love you if you were a worm."
