❝ Were you close..? ❞ a question seemingly out of the blue but thoughts had always been somewhat scattered when it came to his late brother and to be able to speak of him, to one who had been family to Ace as well, knowing him in his older years while all Sabo had to remember him by was childhood, brought him both excitement, longing and likewise nervousness to learn more of what his brother was like. ❝ — To Ace, I mean? ❞
{ ✘ } – The question was unexpected, causing Akane to freeze before she gathered the courage to look over at the blond. Hearing Ace’s name never felt quite right anymore. It sent a myriad of emotions through her heart, mind, and gut, twisting and curling as unpleasant visions of his tragic passing were brought to the surface. She knew it was unhealthy to remember him in that state and she should try to reflect on better days, but that was difficult to do when she didn’t get any proper closure.
“…” She took a moment to mull over her answer. Close to him…? She wanted to say that she had been because Ace had become someone she trusted, someone she loved. Yet she had never learned if those feelings were reciprocated. She wanted to believe so, but a part of her swirled with self-doubt and she would probably always feel that way. They were close– something beyond what Akane would deem as friendship, but a confession was never said between them.
She didn’t realize she loved him until his absence left her hollowed and dull.
A breath she didn’t know she was holding left her lips, her body deflating as she looked out onto the white expanse of Baltigo. “I was… I’d like to think I was at least. …Why?”
