“They’ll name constellations after you one day.” (soft pre-orin figuring out that he's Shady?)
they sit by the fire, still disguising their actions beneath the necessity of survival. his arm is resting just behind her and she’s leaning against his shoulder. they say it’s just so they’re warm, a half truth they could almost believe. (did they say it for themselves or the ears that always listened?) he is softness and comfort and something she’s missed in a way she can’t explain.
namqi had listened to her fears and worries and nightmares. listened, but not believed. mara would shrug the concerns away. say exhaustion was the culprit. wu ming, however, gave an ear, provided a shoulder, became a valuable companion. they held onto each other as if letting go would be the end of it all. the fear of it being true prevented them from moving. he is a pillar of support she could not see herself without.
it’s the difference in how he holds himself, she thinks, that intrigues her. he doesn’t fully pretend to be disconnected. he keeps his own guard up while convincing everyone around him that they’re an exception. it’s almost charming to see him weave words so beautifully. (was that how he reeled her in?)
with her, he seemingly closes the world off and makes it feel like it’s just the two of them. she finds herself melting into his existence more than she should. he is, undoubtedly, the most important person in her life. she would spend the rest of her time at his side, if given the chance, listen as long as he was willing to talk. and speak in the silence when he listens.
he grounds her. the small moments of his hand on hers. his breath on her cheek as he moves to whisper in her ear. the pressure of his hand on the small of her back as they dance to music they pretend to hear. his heartbeat becomes her metronome as she shares her stories in an attempt to make sense of her dreams.
(does he listen out of pity? he must.)
“truly?” she asks, with slight doubt on her face. “and what image do you think would be drawn in the stars?”
late nights // accepting // @gambithandler