Sweetheart fades in and out during a summer solstice. Their powers are out of control and don’t listen to them, so sometimes, without realising, they’ll become invisible for a few seconds before going back to normal.
Milo hates it. He knows just how much pride Sweetheart has in the masterful control they have of their stealth magic. He’s seen it first hand. He’s heard of the risky jobs they had to go through but carried out perfectly with their skill and finesse.
But here they were, fading in his arms. He can physically feel them still there, but every now and then it looks like he’s holding air.
The disappointment they have in themself shows on their face every time they return to normal, and it breaks his heart.
It’s hard to be confident in the abilities you spent years mastering to lose it all in one day. (Although they both know they’ll be back to normal tomorrow, it doesn’t undo the negative experience today.)
On these days Milo holds them as much as possible so that he can be there to keep them together if they fall apart. Quick trips to the kitchen are done hand in hand. Naps on the couch are done in each other’s arms. Every time Sweetheart fades, he calms them with his arms around their body, hands stroking their back as he reassures them that he’s here, that they’re still the amazing stealth they are, that what’s happening today doesn’t change anything about them, even if it doesn’t feel that way. Sweetheart seems full of confidence on the surface, but they’re much softer than many expect them to be on the inside.
“I see you, baby.” He whispers in their ear as the waves came and went. “You’re okay. I see you.”
