@subrcsas | hebe & aeneas , cont.
hebe would never admit that she had been trying to tip toe into the condo, at least, not to aneas’ face. finn could easily pull that from her, alice with a bit of conversation, but the goddess felt silly for doing it. she’d meddled —– despite being told not to. she’d spent most of the morning in the garden, picking and gathering flowers like her aunt had taught her how to, arranging them into something she hoped looked decent, sealed with a card that she’d spent a bit too much time on. while doing her looping cursive, she’d had to force herself to keep her hand steady ; not to give into an emotion that she was new, and uncomfortable with. envy. it was a curious emotion that she wasn’t quite sure she enjoyed, pushed through with the hopes it would put a smile on his face.
seeing his smile prompted one of her own, despite her urge to turn back around and leave the way she’d come. “ hey ! let me put this down, ” she pauses, holding out purse and the couple of things she’d picked up while out, “ and i’ll be right back ! ” she hoped her smile hadn’t flickered from his words, instead nodding as eagerly as she could. “ you’re welcome ! i hope she likes it. ” her gaze travels to the kitchen, seeing the bouquet in question no longer in its place. “ oh did you give it to her ? you have to tell me everything, one second. i’ll be right back. ” she turned before her smile could fully drop, hurrying to her room to drop her things … only to pause. had he not liked it ?
the bags hit the bed, a gentle grip going around the vase as hebe turns to pad back out into the living room. “ did you not … like it ? ” comes her hesitant question as she emerges once more. “ i know you didn’t want me to … meddle. i’m sorry if i crossed boundaries, i thought … well, i thought it would make you happy ? i’m sorry. ”
it's impossible not to be uneasy — even if her smile is infectious as always, this time his own is muted, almost fearful of her reaction. he opens his mouth to speak, one hand going up to his hair, avoiding her gaze. "uh- it was —" the bodyguard trails off, at a loss for words. she doesn't question it further for now as she makes her way to the bedroom, and the time in between feels like a blink of an eye- the soft sounds of bags hitting the bed comes, followed by a pause after her realization that the bouquet has never been given to someone.
he stands in the living room as he waits, feeling out of place for the first time- but if anything, he knows he can't back down now. she steps back into the room, and to see her expression morph from the smile squeezes the heart inside his chest, her apologies making him shake his head immediately. "no- no- it's not- it's not that, hebe. i loved it, i really did — please- don't apologize." aeneas lets out in a rush, taking a step towards her, but stopping himself from reaching out. in the next moment, he opens his mouth to speak, to explain himself. the fear of ruining what they have is so strong, but he can't handle upsetting her, it's the last thing he wants to do.
so, tentatively, slowly- he speaks. "the- the thing is... i already- gave them. to the person i like." his eyes search her face, holding his breath as he waits for the coin to drop. but before it can, he can't help but continue, stumbling over his words. "but i would- also understand if- if she wants nothing to do with them. she- means a lot to me and- making her uncomfortable or upset is the last thing i would want."
