@preylist, ♡ it’s quiet now as they lay here together in the dark, one candle across the room enough to shine a small light over her face that brings alden enough peace in the moment. after spending the last few days in captivity by the skins, he needs this right here. his body still trembles at the thought of it all, mind still panics whenever he closes his eyes and remembers being surrounded by what he thought were walkers evolved into something worse —- only to find out that it’s still the living people of this world who wish to terrorize.
his fingertips lightly brush over enid’s cheek repeatedly, mostly just to feel her against his touch, reminding himself that he is right here with her, he is home, he’s safe. he’s been this way ever since they reunited, hands attached to her in some way, just to feel her presence and to always be sure he’s right here in the moment with her. he’s content with just this, staring back at each other, feeling this intimacy that is still so new to them yet also so natural. these last few days, he worried he’d never have this with her, that she would have to lose yet another person in her life if he never got the chance to come home. now, he’s not going to waste a moment with her.
❝ i’m sorry if i scared you, ❞ he whispers after a long moment of silence. of course it’s not his fault; he didn’t choose to go missing. still, the people back here are who he worried about, wondering if alpha was going to weaponize him and luke and use that against them —- which they did. it’s strange, thinking about many years ago when he was used as hilltop’s wager, and now, they’re willing to fight to protect his life. he wishes that they didn’t have to, though, no matter how much he appreciates it. ❝ when i was out there . . . all i wanted was this. to be back here, with you. ❞
