#gustofnostalgia

◡│ Unlike their familiarity with combat; connections of this stature troubled them. Suffice to say they think it's easier to navigate a battle with a lunarian than the intricacies of a kinship. You have them utterly defenseless! That's quite worrying.. And uncharacteristic. Since they've little to no experience at all, it's difficult for them to discern what they should be doing for you. Of course they go about checking up on you consistently, asking for deployment near your field more often, reprimanding you more extensively than the rest when met with a sun spot... It has come to your understanding that Bort can only express so much without feeling dismayed by the intimacy.

◡│ So, they do it their own way: Looming over you with a look of rigid focus (✦) was their way of surveilling you with the silent anxiety of you making a misstep, bluntly relaying what you did wrong in a fight (✦) was how they wanted to make sure you didn't do it again, these oddly strained quips they'd drop so awkwardly to 'lighten your mood' (✦) was unbecoming of who they were known as yet telling of how they'd go against it if it meant getting some sort of giggle from you. Bort had an abnormal way of pursuing you, yet what mattered was they were going after you nonetheless.

Laying motionless in the field, grass tickled you through the layer of your uniform — Your training partner.. or more accurately, your partner had insisted for a training session to sharpen your attentiveness. Even so, you found it ironic how a slip-up in noticing the motion to dismantle you had plopped you down onto the damp patch. It was nearly pleasant to be limp like this, you think. Your brief moment of relaxation was interrupted by a shadow casting over you. "You're.. sloppy, hesitant." A crunch rang through you whenever their heels would press against the ground, despite not being able to fully see them, the halt of their pacing made it evident they were staring down on you. "Would you falter like that in front of a lunarian?" The question hung heavily in the air, hovering over your head as if it were trying to suffocate you into answering — Though you knew the intent behind it anyhow. "To waver is to let yourself serve up the opportunity to strike, you can't let them see that window.." a gloved hand moved itself to your view, open palmed and beckoning you to take it. Bort called unto you to stand up, the only difference between how they did it with others being the tight grip of their deft fingers on your forearm whilst they helped you. Assistance from Bort never came without a condition, it came in simultaneous delivery with reasoning. 'If I carry them now it'd only slow me down... Leaving them risks the possibility of their abduction... They shouldn't have tried to handle this, reckless, inattentive to the fight.' were all comments ebony stemmed lustrous had thought before. But no statement of the sort passed through their mind as they motioned their hand forward, the rim of their hand wear loosening while tilting downwards. Diluted irises inked like sepia locked onto your figure, somehow, wide and round unlike the thin appearance of their pupils to most. Greenery riddled with dew nearly consuming you whole before they lifted you, the moist air fanning against the powder of your exterior. To Bort you looked serene, maybe it doesn't reflect in their face nor their words, but what else were they but a gem of action?

◡│ Impassive and strong-headed the lustrous was, you infiltrated their mind like foreign inclusions gradually growing into their system. You were softening them up, as much as they detest that thought, they could never extend the same to you. As time passed, they slowly got up to evaluating how they proceeded with particular actions. They knew their treatment towards you bore its own distinction against other gems, how could they not? Just that.. in closed quarters they were becoming curious as to how to show this contrast better.

◡│ Slowly.. Even if it felt like moving a centimeter a week, they were taking the stride towards you. You knew this, so you acknowledged everything they were attempting to show you. Apart from laborious combat, taxing duties and time-consuming responsibilities they would idly think back to you. Were you a distraction? Yes. A major one at that. Were they going to do anything about it? No, not even a bit. Sunspots dispersed as quickly as they appeared, usually they would extend these fiascos just a few minutes more.. Bort craved the rush of carving their blade through the wax-like figures of each lunarian, just not as much as they craved for the gentler nature of your fingers settling on their features.

◡│ They were changing, they knew that well — A bit at a time, the rough edges of their being were undergoing constant polishing through their own demand. Surface level attributes still shone through more frequently than the milder side that protruded and bloomed into every bit of their inclusions. Most gems would think nothing of it, though the keen eyed knew more than anything else that you were molding their edges with unassuming care.

Your hands rifled through the compartments of Rutile's cabinet, seeking the concealing powder every gem had donned to temporarily covet the transparent features of their anatomy. In your free time, you would remain stationary in the clinic whenever Kongo-sensei had set you aside from the front-lines to aid the short-staffed segment, you suppose it was convenient for this time as you found Bort leaning their back on one of the ceramic pillars, grounded concealer wiped off — Your obstinate other had undertaken a sunspot on their own after the deployed gems were rendered immobile, so here they were, awaiting you to find the crushed porcelain and reapply the lost layers. Your eyes skimmed the entirety of the medical wing, the open arches leaving the scenery of the field ahead to behold itself for the patients, the sun bled through these openings and welcomed itself warmly, effectively soothing whoever needed to take their mandatory rest here. Shelves, cupboards and other storage equipment were set to one side of the expansive area, with a few marble tables and beds standing static. You landed your attention on Bort, who quickly looked back towards the vast size of the scene ahead. "I thought the high and mighty Bort would never find himself slotted back here," silence fell over the health room after your comment. Instead of reclining their body onto the soft mattress, they preferred the cold, sturdy structure that the open windows had provided. It felt safer, less vulnerable, like they were still guarded even in a state of hindrance. Their arms were crossed, one limb still retaining the concealer while the other refracted light through their bare inclusions. "..." Without a response, you moved to the upper level of the wooden cabinet with the use of a stool, their eyes settled on you after they heard the click of your shoes take steps on a wooden structure. "You-" their words cut off when you stepped down with a jar in your hands, the translucent green glass containing what you were looking for. 'They were worried, huh' you thought, subsequently making you smile lightly, enough for them to spot it at least. You carried the same stool towards their side, leveled enough to have you eye to eye while the applicator of the powder was already on their lap. "How'd you know Rutile wouldn't be the one fixing you up?" you hummed. "..There was only one silhouette when I stepped in." they trailed off, carbonado irises slowly tracing the sway of the grass, they opened their lips once more "I knew it was you." this made you feel warm. You wound open the lid of the container, setting the top aside and picking up the brush from their legs. "Too busy to do this yourself then? Perhaps putting on some extra coats would do.." A sigh breathed out from your lips, your body already knew what to do. With a tap of the fine hairs on the brush, you dab it gently onto their arm while anchoring your own to hold their wrist for better support "If I didn't know any better I'd have thought you were reckless.." That made their long black extensions swivel your direction. "Kidding!" you quickly added, moving from their elbows to the base of their arm. You worked your way from their fingers, to the crevices, their collarbone then up to the side of their face which had dissipated in their cover. The hearty lathering of the ground pale particles then began to puff into their exterior. The ebony lustrous had only looked at you once or twice, a sign that they were flustered, even by an inkling. You chuckled as you finished up the part on their features. As you fixed the tools used and placed them on the nearby surface, your hand gravitated towards their cheek and rubbed against the cool texture. They stiffened before looking around swiftly, then easing into your touch. Tough, nearly unbreakable and hardened as Bort was, you had them melting when no eyes could scrutinize.

◡│They are limited with the time they spend with you, only being able to indulge in your presence whenever winter arrives as there is little to no moisture present in the air, so it's more than likely you refuse to hibernate and choose to spend the rest of the season with them (And when they're liquidized once more, you frequent their area and speak of your day.) While they do appreciate it, it stirs a great amount of concern within them as you receive less sunlight than the norm, resulting in you having quick drops of energy.

◡│With this, they try to adjust to having you accompany them in their tasks — afraid that, if they were to leave you alone, you'd end up being too tired and go rest but they'd never admit that aloud. — having been isolated for long periods of time due to their state, they generally spend a generous amount of their time teaching you how they fulfill their duties since it's one of the things they're masterful at (they consider these occasions as dates).

◡│Although, contrary to this, they don't feel troubled putting you to work on some days (Only when they deem you to have enough energy to do so without struggling), outright scolding you when you happen to complain or mope 'however the small smile on their visage stays cemented on their face while they do this'

◡│Despite presenting themselves with an uptight and formal face, they soften around you. Antarcticite finds that the sensation you bring to their heart mimics the exact feeling of being in their liquidized form: they feel tingly, fuzzy, relaxed, extremely pudgy when they're near you (internally at least).

◡│The milky white gem is such a softie in your presence, regardless of displaying a stoic demeanor, they sometimes compromise the composed look they always have to smile gently at you when you do anything in front of them, or, try to add a tinge of a sweet saccharine tone to the way they speak to you.

◡│But even if they're trying, their words still come off too blunt to the ears..

"You look less sogged down today." ⟶ "Chipper are we? i was worried you'd be sluggish throughout the season." ⟶ "From how sloppy you are, I would be convinced you were more deliquescent than me."

◡│As the significant partner of none other than the esteemed Antarcticite, it's evident how much special treatment you'll be receiving from their end — where they shamelessly admit they favor your thoughts, suggestions, and simply your character more so than anything else (of course, if they didn't get so flustered about bringing it up ) —

◡│Out of habit, they are practically always seen with their eyes focused on you and you alone. They can't help it, given that they're quietly pleased that they have the right to formally label you as theirs, and the same goes to you with them. You capture their heart every single time your eyes reach their own, such a composed yet smitten gem they are.

◡│They're still extremely gentle with you, not only because any harsh contact could potentially harm you, but also, them in the process if they're not too careful. Often times, they do their best to be careful whilst interacting with you physically, even hesitant to do so in most cases.

◡ Speaking of physical affection; they commonly struggle to initiate this as they've only been introduced to touch whenever they receive their annual hug from Kongo-sensei — paling in comparison to being touched by you instead — so they're naturally, inept with attempting contact with you. Arguably, they do their best! A few lingering caresses on your arm here and there, a gloved hand to your face - tucking a stray lock of your crystalized hair back to its proper place.

◡│When receiving though, it takes no amount of effort to make them blush and melt in your arms like viscous alloy. Affection is rare to most gems, even more so for Antarc who only experiences it from Kongo-sensei, and now, only you. It shows from how the apathetic looking lustrous becomes timid under your touch.

Pristine were the follicle-like shards that fall on your shoulder as a pair of arms cling to your torso, maintaining a consistently firm grip on your body, anxious of pulling away "I would like it if we were to.. Stay like this for a while. If you do not mind of course.." Antarcticite pleads softly, voice partly muffled by your uniform.

◡│They compensate for their hesitance in touch and unfamiliarity of warm words with their acts of service. Always ready to take action if you ever find yourself being mentally down. While being scarce with what they can do for you (especially due to how most of what you do with them in the Winter being very tedious.), they also enjoy gifting hand-crafted items for you, ice sculptures in specific.

"Ah, Antarc. You've returned later than usual, anything happen?' You inquire, curiously tilting your head as the luminous gem continues their silent stride towards you "Nothing in particular, I simply took longer in order to tend to an additional task." "Oh? And what would that be?" You hum, turning away for a moment only to catch a glimpse of an iridescent form in front of you that wasn't Antarcticite. "..Making something special for you." They murmured, the white gloves clutching the gift reflected on it's figure compromised of ice. To your knowledge. This was a flower. "It is very rare to spot greenery whenever Winter occupies the month. I.. Supposed you would have missed the small herbs of life." They beckon for you to reach it, coaxing you as their eyes looked elsewhere, quite embarrassed to face you. Your lithe fingers graze over their own, making them shiver from the sudden touch but quickly relax, before grasping the sculpture in your palm "The ever stoic Antarcticite, straying from their meticulous schedule to make a gift for me? How sweet of you." They mumble something under their breath once they swivel their neck your way. "Beautiful." They say "How pretentious of you to compliment your on work" You respond. Unbeknownst to you, while your attention was fixed on the artificial flower, Antarcticite' s gaze was devoted solely on you, they smile, ever so slightly "Yes.. How prideful of me."