“he's silent, hesitant to break the silence between them. hesitant, /hesitant,/ as is the hand that shifts with limb, coming to slowly press against the fatigued flesh of dear friend -- directly against his cheek, thumb caressing it with every intent, warm smile gracing his features. perhaps he should stop there, submit to every rational thought that courses his mind. except he refuses. other hands comes up, delicate in its approach, as if hector were a fragile object (far from it), though an innate desire dictates that his approach must be meticulous, careful, & as that hand lands at the side of hector’s neck, he finally opts to get on his tiptoes, forehead pressing against his. too bold? perhaps. not often does he get to do this, however. & even in that touch, even with all these brazen actions that the soul seeks comfort in, he dares not break this silence that’s embodied in that moment.”
THE CARE WITH WHICH ELIWOOD TOUCHES HIM IS SOMETHING THAT, if done by any other, hector would certainly scoff at, perhaps even find condescending---but from pherae’s prince, soon-to-be marquess, he understands it as something else, something purer, something gentler. their lives have been ravaged by the recent happenings, they’ve been doubtlessly made scarred by what fate had reserved them, what fate had brought to them with nergal & his nefarious plans, but their friendship, their loyalty, their bond? oh, that remained intact, perhaps even emboldened & strengthened by the hardships they faced together.
from eliwood he expects this kindness without any second intentions, merely brought forth by his bright, brave heart. from eliwood, his better half, he expects these gentle, affable things and takes them with an open heart and clear mind.
the ostian smiles back, soft-edged and pleased, as he leans into the redhead’s touch, immersing himself into it. he leans down, easing his way up so their foreheads meet with no sound, no harshness, one hand coming to his friend’s side (a silent request: stay, keep close---) as he hums, drawing him closer into an embrace. he closes deep blue eyes to feel him there, alive despite all the trials they have faced recently, and something warm fills his chest, floods his conscience. relief, perhaps? affection? hector can’t tell and frankly, does not bother with technicalities. eliwood matters, eliwood lives, eliwood remains by his side, and nothing else really holds importance in the forefront of his mind.
( there are prices to pay for this, he knows, but right now it is the farthest thought in his mind.
right now, they deserve this peace. right now, no ghosts of foreign war knock at his door. )
for now, all that matters is that they endured and that they lived, and by the legends, hector will make it sure it matters---they’ll make sure it counts.
ellievsbear
romaincrisis
tangentwithtanner
origamiaround
