starter for @swarm-host‘s shino from hinata!
“Oh no. . “ Her voice is soft and filled with concern as she peers at Shino’s open palm. “I’m sorry.”
In his open palm lay a few deceased members of the insect colony that lived within him. While she knew death was inevitable for all lifeforms, it was always especially painful to see something so small and fragile, like an insect, taken by Death’s cold hands. Many a time had Hinata had moments of silent sorrow in her garden over lost butterflies with mangled wings, starved mantises, and crushed beetles. And these had just been some of her favorite species in the garden. The bugs before her were different— part of something bigger, part of her beloved close friend. The loss was different. The sadness was different.
And she realizes this wasn’t something she’d seen before. Not up close, anyway. Part of her feels guilty for never reaching out when something like this had occurred before. Hinata’s pale gaze lifts to peer at Shino’s face, desperately trying to view the eyes that were hidden by dark glasses and thick clothing. Emotion could always be seen in the eyes. But when she finds that she cannot see clearly through the glasses she uses her voice. It’s just as soft and concerned as before. Gently, a hand is placed on his shoulder.
“Are you all right? I-If you wanted, maybe I could-- We could place them in some resin with some flowers to preserve.”
