WIP Wednesday
Thank you to @ratbagjasper and @epiphany-jones for the tags! Still on my HoTT kick, inspired in part by listening to the Hadestown soundtrack in preparation for a trip to see it with @marquisedeserault.
Strong arms startle around her as Esha sucks in a breath. There are shadows looming over her, fingers at her wrist, and - most important of all - a warm weight curled over her torso. Lace's head rests on her chest, red hair redder still in the Titan's light. Before she can think better of it, Esha reaches out to touch. As Lace raises her head, Esha's fingers tangle awkwardly in soft strands. It's hard to bury them into it the way she wants with the braids in place, so she strokes over them instead, and the bright gold thread of joy in her chest quavers around Lace's sob. Esha can feel that, too - the hot bright flare of overwhelming love. The vital core of the most important woman in the world. Lace's hand comes up to cradle Esha's face, and Esha would let it stay there even if it sent her spiralling back into darkness. But it doesn't. There's only Lace's trembling hand and its calluses, resting over the scar on Esha's cheek. The warmth of it sets off sparks inside her. Esha's joy bubbles up to meet it, and she arches up to follow its path to Lace's mouth - Which is the moment she becomes aware of her own body. Her muscles buckle, shrieking their indignation in a note which twines with the joy singing in her chest to leave her laughing breathlessly even as she collapses back in Lace's hold. The dwarf's eyes are glittering with tears; Esha's own cheeks feel damp.
Gentle tags under the cut!
