PRIDE PROMPT: Holding Hands
The Athena took a pitstop at the next civilization they'd come across to restock on supplies since they were running low. The crew (minus Nyl and Zo) was supposed to head to the marketplace, get the needed supplies, and return to the ship. It was that simple.
However, there was some kind of festival going on in the town they visited, so naturally, the crew wanted to check it outâit was voted on; the members who were against it lost.
Which was what led the two to get separated from the rest of the group. Again.
âWhy the fuck does this only happen to us?!â Piras raised both of his arms in the air in a display of his frustration as he walked through the crowded streets. His companion didnât answer, only huffing out a sigh, as if wondering the same question.
The two former Nova citizens had gotten swept up in the crowd while sightseeing the festival with the others. Faen wouldâve noticed the crewâs lack of presence immediately if it wasnât for a certain redhead constantly distracting him.
Said redhead was looking around aimlessly trying to find the others, tiptoeing and doing small jumps to try to see over the ocean of people. Due to him not focusing on where he was going, he kept bumping into people. He ended up stepping on a guy's foot by accident while trying to look over people and Faen had to drag Piras away before a fight started.
Now both of them are taking refuge in an alley to get out of the crowd. Watching people pass by, Faen leans on the stone wall at the entrance of the alleyway while Piras kicks the ground lightly, disturbing the sand.
âTheyâre probably worried âbout us right nowâŚâ Piras mumbles under his breath, fiddling with his jacketâspecifically where the inner pouch is; where his dagger is.
Without looking at the other, Faen replies âWe should head back to the Athena, thatâs our best option right now.â
âDo you know the way back? We did get swept up in the crowdâŚâ
âYes. Unlike you, I was paying attention to my surroundings.â
âHey! Itâs a festival, they have cool shit. How can I not get distracted?â
Faen lets out a sigh, exasperation imminent. âJust stay focused this time, brat. The last thing we need is you getting lost and making some grand mess.â He eyes Piras at the corner of his vision, daring him to say otherwise.
The brat rolls his eyes at the rude, but true, words. He gazes back outside the alley, watching as the crowd moved like the sea.
Itâs still gonna be hard to navigate through all that though⌠Piras thought to himself. With how thick the crowd was, the two could easily get separated, they were lucky they hadn't while pushing through earlier.
Then an idea came to mind. He looks over at the dark-haired man, lifting his hand as if offering it.
âWell, since we have to go through all that again,â he jerked his head towards the crowd of people, âwhy donât we hold hands?â
âWhat.â The speed in which Faen turned his head to look at him almost made Piras worry that he mightâve strained a neck muscle (or whatever those are called).
âWell, uh, yâknow since we might get separated and shit in there, right? So we wonât, like, lose each other,â he explained lamely. He could feel the tips of his ears and cheeks turning warm, the realization of what he was implying finally settling in. The way Faen was staring at him with this look he couldnât discern wasnât helping.
The two lapsed into an awkward silence. Faen continued to stare intensely at Piras while the poor boyâs face turned into a deeper red than his own hair, refusing to look at the violet eyes judging him.
After some time, Piras stuffed the hand he offered into the kangaroo pocket of his jacket harshly, face still flushed. âJust say you donât want to instead of staring damn it! It's weird.â He was no longer looking in the remote direction of the ex-lieutenant, not because he was embarrassed, just that he couldnât stand the bastardâs staring.
âDon't blame me if I get lost,â and was about to walk back out into the streets. The only warning he gets is the ever-familiar sigh from behind him then the tug of his arm, dragging him out of the alley and into the busy crowd.
âWhaâ?! Woah, Faen, slow downâ!!â
He stumbles a bit on his feet, trying his best to dodge people as he is dragged by his arm. Faen doesnât say anything nor does he look back at the slightly struggling redhead, focused on weaving through the crowd and returning to the Athena.
âOkay, dude, can you at least not death-grip my arm??â Piras exclaimed, now getting his bearings as he followed behind his dark-haired friend, keeping pace just behind him.
It seems that Faen isnât completely cold-hearted, since the grip on his arm loosened, and was maneuvered into having both of their hands interlocked. Piras let out a sigh of relief now that he could feel his hand again.
Oh, his hand is warmâŚ
He felt his face turn red once again when he realized what went through his head. Shaking his head, focusing on trying to get back to the ship and not the embarrassing position the two of them were in.
The whole walk there was kept in awkward silence as the pair weaved through the crowd and back to the Athena.
-----------------
Do check the comic here: https://www.awakencomic.com/
pls i wanna talk about this comic more with other people q^q
