#silvasong

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Silva jogs over to her as soon as Song touches down on the ground. Her legs wobble slightly—Silva catches her, an arm around her back while she's got a hand on Song's arm. "Whoa! You good there?"

"Y-yeah, thank you," Song says, a little breathless. She'd been up in the sky for most of the morning, shooting her arrows against those primal beasts. The sun's set by now, stars twinkling down on them now. How many hours had it been since she touched down on the ground? Lunch? Even that feels like a long time ago. Being here on the ancient battlefield makes Song feel like she loses her sense of time; what feels like a few hours makes Song think she's been here for days even though that's clearly impossible.

Silva still holds onto her for a moment before letting go, certain that Song's steady now. "Good work out there," she says, a small smile on her face. "Didn't have to use up all my bullets this time."

"That's good, right?" Song knows that both her and Camieux spend about a week prepping all the bullets Silva uses when they're stuck on this... mission.

"Yeah, means we don't have to spend as much time and work refilling our stash. Easier for Camieux." Silva looks relieved about that.

"At least the others will come out tomorrow and we'll be able to get a break," Song says. It's hard to keep the worry out of her voice as she speaks. "Hope they won't be too tired though, we've still got two more days of this."

"I hope so too," Silva says with a grimace. They know how grueling being here on this island can be. How does Djeeta do this all the time? Not even Song has that stamina; at least in terms of hunting, it's more a test of being patient and waiting for an opportunity rather than nonstop constant battles.

Silva reaches down suddenly, grabbing Song's hand. She blinks, smiling in confusion as she watches Silva turn her hands all around, as if checking for something. "Silva? What's wrong?"

"Hands look fine..." Silva is murmuring and after doing another check, she loosens her hold. She doesn't let go though, still holding one of Song's hand atop of hers. "Just wanted to make sure you weren't using too much magic in your hands. You do tend to overdo it a little when we come here."

Song nearly gawks at her before looking down at their hands. Heat rises to her cheeks when she realizes what Silva had been checking, warmth swelling deep within her breast at Silva's concern. She threads their hands together, slowly looking back up at Silva, a shy smile on her lips.

"I'll be fine since you're here," she says, and for some reason, Silva looks embarrassed at that, her other hand scratching the back of her neck. She squeezes Song's hand back though.

"Just make sure not to overdo it, okay?" Silva says, her expression softening. "It's easy to do that while we're here."

"The same goes for you," Song returns although knowing that Silva's in the backlines than being on the frontlines... Song might be selfish to think that at least Silva is away from all the danger than being up here dealing with that strange zombie dragon that's been stomping around.

"So, um..." Song bites her lip for a moment before spilling out the rest of her words, "when we're done with this mission, do you want to grab dinner together? My treat."

"Oh?" Silva thinks to herself. "Yeah, that sounds good. Cucouroux and Camieux might like that."

"Ah, er, do you... mind if it was just the two of us?" Song asks, holding her breath because she knows how much Silva likes to include both her sisters. It makes Song feel guilty still when she asks this but sometimes, she just wants to spend time with Silva only.

And Silva does seem to get it then, eyes widening slightly. Song watches the color creep across her face when she realizes what Song is asking for, and she slowly nods.

Fireworks, no matter where Silva sees them, are incredible. The lightning accompanying them is like icing on a cake but no less brilliant.

Silva glances over at Song. Song's eyes are sensitive so she's taken to shielding them with her hand as she watches the fireworks, but her eyes are sparkling just like them. She's staring with such awe and wonder on her that Silva's just a little tempted to give her a poke and tease her for a bit. She doesn't, though; she knows how much Song has dreamed of moments like these, being surrounded by a group of her friends and crew while enjoying the time together.

Song had privately expressed her concerns about heading to Levin, with its constant lightning strikes. If Song happened to look at one the right (or wrong) way, she'd be disoriented for a long time. Still, the allure of hot springs and shopping, along with spending time with both members of the crew from the Eternals and Grandcypher was irresistible to Song. If Silva had to be honest, she wanted to experience the hot springs, and knew it would feel better with Song at her side.

"What about those glasses Carren had made for you, can't you wear those?" Silva reminded her.

"I can, but don't you think it looks strange to wear them even at night too? I don't think it'd match with the yukatas they have there too..." Song had answered, and she sounded more worried about the glasses clashing with her outfit that Silva couldn't help but burst out laughing, and Song had pouted in that cute way that made Silva laugh harder.

When they finally gotten to the island though, Song had seemed fine for the most part. Silva had caught her shielding her eyes at times, especially during the times when the lightning storms had grown worse, but there were more than enough shops for them to take cover while waiting for the lightning to subside.

As the fireworks and lightning continue to light up the sky, Silva thinks back to beforehand, when they had to deflect the fireworks, when Song had turned to her. Normally, a feat like this would be child's play for someone of Song's caliber but with her eyes sensitive to all the changes of light, she had turned to Silva and asked her to cover her. The look in her eyes had been the same as that time years ago before Silva had gone and messed everything up, when Song had looked to her with certainty and assurance.

How wonderful it feels to have that back.

Their hands brush together. They both flinch but neither of them pull away but before either of them can pull back and awkwardly pretend that hadn't happened, Silva gathers her courage and reaches out. She holds Song's fingers loosely, giving Song the chance to pull away if she wants. Silva keeps her gaze straight on the fireworks because she knows if she turns to look at Song right now, her embarrassment would crumble the rest of her resolve. There's really no reason for her to feel this way but when it comes to Song, Silva has never felt both so uncertain and hopeful.

Song darts her eyes all over the forest, her heartbeat pounding so loud that she thinks her heart is outside of her body. It might as well be, as she strains her eyes to look for where Silva might be in the throngs of all the trees.

For once, her powerful eyesight is failing her. She can see things from faraway with absolute clarity, but it means nothing if things are hidden from her. On this island they're on, the land is fertile, so much so that there are abundant forests and the leaves on them have grown so dense that Song can barely see through them, That, combined with the shadows cast by the moon, do little to help Song see the forest floor where she knows Silva is running for her life.

There's a faint roar of a monster. Song's blood runs cold as her eyes swing in the direction of the noise. All she can make out is a huge body, and its sharp claws that glint in the moonlight before the trees hide it again.

She isn't afraid of the monster, she's afraid for—

There's a faint pop but Song has been around Esser and Silva enough to recognize the fire of a gun. Song whips her head in the direction of the noise just in time for the signal flare to explode in the sky, pinpointing Silva's exact position.

Silva's standing in the middle of an open plain, her rifle missing and clutching one of her arms close to her side, and a streak of blood running down the side of her head. Song instinctively moves to fly to her side, except that's when the monster that's been chasing Silva comes roaring out of the forest that had hidden it from Song's sight.

Now Song realizes why Silva fired the gun over there; there's barely any trees in that area, giving Song the perfect visibility.

The monster advances on Silva slowly, almost like a predator toying with its prey.

"She's not yours," Song hisses as she aims her bow. Without another second, Song fires off as many arrows as she can, her prey pinpointed in her sights.

But the monster doesn't go down. Even as Song shoots more arrows, the monster seems to shrug them off. Now, it's turning in the direction of Song, opening its giant maw—

"Whoa!" Song narrowly avoids the sudden attack fired at her, some sort of beam from its mouth. Instead of disappearing though, the beam lingers, and Song realizes that it's aiming the beam around, although erratically. She's forced to fly low as the monster searches for her in the air. It does so for a few more seconds before the beam disappears.

Even with how far away she'd been, the attack had come out fast. If she had been closer, it might have grazed her. Now she understands how Silva had been caught unaware.

Song flies back up, just in time for her to watch Silva get sent flying back by a slam of the monster's claw. The blood drains from Song's face at the sight of Silva's now prone body on the ground.

Even despite the panic that'd taken over Song, it's as if a strange calm washes over her right now. Unlike before, Song readies only a single arrow this time, a paralyzing bolt. The magic crackles in her hand, sparks flying down her arm. Her hand is shaking from the sheer power, but Song doesn't feel any of it, her eyes honed on the prey before her. With calculated ease, Song fires the single arrow, eyes never blinking as she watches the arrow strike true. The monster seizes up, its entire body paralyzed.

More.

I need more power.

The strange calm is gone, replaced now by a simmering fury. Song fires more arrows, pouring even more magic into them. She had underestimated it the first time but not anymore. She can't afford to make that mistake anymore.

More power.

I need more—

Silva!

Song abruptly stops firing. The monster is still upright before it twitches, its lifeless body collapsing backward. It might have been overdone, but when the other alternative is the possibility of Silva getting hurt, Song will always choose this option.

Song is already flying forward, rushing through the air as fast as she can. When she arrives at where Silva is, she nearly stumbles from her descent, so desperate she is to get to Silva's side.

Silva's still just laying on the ground but she's staring at the monster, thunderstruck. Her gaze moves up to Song, the same expression still.

"So this is what you meant, Song... the power of a—"

Now Song realizes what about this situation had been making her feel strange—it's almost exactly like that time years ago. She knows that things have changed for the better between them, but it's as if the past has dug its claws into her again. Song isn't even aware that she's stopped in place, staring at Silva. Again, Silva had been in danger, and if Song hadn't stepped in, but… but what if—

"S-Song." Silva calls out for her as she's trying to push herself up, face drawn tight into a grimace from the pain. Song quickly snaps out of her daze and closes the distance between them, wrapping an arm around Silva to steady her.

"Silva!" Song's breathless as she speaks, unable to hide the concern and panic from her voice. She can't help it; the darkness hides the true extent of Silva's injuries from her.

"Are you okay, Song?" Silva blinks up at her, trying to focus her hazy eyes. "When the monster looked at you, I—"

"Wha—Silva, you're the one hurt here! Of course I'm fine!" It's ridiculous, Silva had been concerned for her instead of herself. Tears sting at Song's eyes. It's such a small admission but…

"I'm glad—" Silva suddenly wrinkles her nose as if she's smelled something strange, and her eyes move down. "Song, your hands…"

"... huh?" Song looks down at them—oh.

That would explain why her hands felt strange; the magic she had poured into those arrows had burnt her hands, even fraying her gloves at the tips down to her knuckles. Now that she's aware of them, she's also aware of their pain, throbbing painfully from the burns.

"I-it's fine, Silva, I'm more worried about you." As carefully as she can, Song lifts Silva to her feet and throws one of Silva's arms around her shoulders, leading them through the forest now back to the nearby town.

Other than still being stunned and unable to focus properly, Silva doesn't seem to be hurt too bad. She'll have to get her head checked just to make sure, and Song's going to have to scour the forest for her rifle later.

"It's just like that other time," Silva says suddenly.

"What other time?" Song bites her lip. She should have known that it hadn't only been her to think about that day as well.

"When you also saved me from the monsters… but I'm glad you're here with me this time." Silva's voice has the sound of someone who's rambling, almost like all her drunken tirades.

Song knows what Silva means to say… but Song still can't help the knot of dread that forms inside of her when she thinks of that event. Song knows that she and Silva have moved past that—Song should have moved past it.

But it still lingers at the back of her mind. It always does.

Anyone else can call me a monster, but please not—

"My gun!" Silva exclaims suddenly, trying to pull out of Song's grasp to limp back into the forest. "Cucouroux and Camieux will never forgive me if I—"

"Silva." Song's voice is firm, at least as firm as she can make it. "We'll worry about that tomorrow." Surprisingly, when she tugs Silva back, there's barely any resistance, but Silva is leaning heavily into her again, mumbling something. Song hurries back, growing worried by the second.

By the time Song sees the entrance to the town, she feels like dancing in relief. Silva had been mumbling to herself, too low for Song to make out, but after a while, she'd stopped talking. Song was afraid she had fallen asleep but she had still been moving her legs and groaning from the pain.

It's late into the night by the time Silva gets looked after by the town doctor and gets her wounds bandaged. Thankfully, they hadn't been too serious, and all she needed was to be careful with her arm for a few days. Song's more than glad to hear it, which means the hardest part is really getting Silva to stay in bed.

Who would have thought a monster extermination could go so wrong?

Silva's sleeping now back in their room at the inn, with Song watching over her… that means she's left to her own thoughts. The adrenaline is wearing off now—or it had been once she heard Silva was fine, and now she can feel everything: the throbbing pain of her fingers from the burns, how heavy her body feels from the overuse of magic, her eyes strained from pushing too hard. Even though the room is dark, Song can feel it, the hint of a headache threatening to worsen if she didn't get any rest right now.

Unable to resist, Song crawls into the second bed, barely managing to roll herself onto her back to stare up at the ceiling. She'd been planning on going back out to find Silva's rifle but she can't even muster the energy to get back up. It's as if her entire body has a weight on it, and her eyes are suddenly too heavy to keep open. Drawing all that magic had exhausted her, even more than she's used to.

Song turns onto her side instead, facing toward Silva. The window is closest to Silva, and Song had forgotten to draw the curtains close so now the beams of moonlight is coming through the window, letting some illumination into the room. It lets Song focus on Silva, focus on the steady rise and fall of her chest and the peaceful look on her face.

Good. Silva's fine. That's all Song needs right now.

Song closes her eyes and although she falls asleep to the rhythm of Silva's soft breathing, she ends up dreaming.

She dreams of the past, dreams of outsiders who looked at her so fearfully and thought they couldn't hear when they whispered to each other, dreams of when she met the beautiful silver haired sniper who became stranded from her home, dreams of the monsters rushing toward Silva, dreams of the dreaded words falling from Silva's lips—

She dreams of what might have happened if she hadn't arrived in time.

Song's eyes snap open, her breathing harsh and wild with sweat beading on her forehead. The first sight she sees is Silva, still asleep on the other bed. The morning light comes through the window now instead of moonlight.

Another nightmare. Song gulps in air like she hasn't breathed for hours. Her eyes train on Silva, their monstrous power allowing her to catch even the slightest twitch of Silva's face, the single strand of hair that brushes down Silva's cheek, everything.

Silva's fine.

Silva's fine.

Song slowly sits up, rubbing at her eyes now before wincing. Her hands are throbbing again. The ointment the doctor had given her for it must have worn off. Song grimaces.

It'll take a while for them to heal but Song is tempted to pick off the bandages and look at the skin underneath. Her hands are burned raw but they'll heal and grow resistant. Once they do, Song can pull even more magic. Draw out as much magic as she needs, and her body will grow accustomed to it.

Song still thinks about it sometimes. The poisonous whispers of the Two Crown Bow should have been forgotten but they've all just been pushed into a dark corner of her mind instead. She doesn't mean to think about it, but last night's incident had made all her demons too loud to ignore.

Song has always thought that it was her eyesight that set her apart from all the other archers in the skies. This, combined with her expertise of being a hunter has led Song to being pragmatic and practical in her fights. Pinpoint a weakness and strike until a monster falls. So long as her prey is in her sight, nothing will escape her.

It isn't that she never thinks about the power of her own strength, it's just… never been as important to her. Any prey goes down the same way, no matter the means. But last night, the monster hadn't come down with one of her usual barrages. It had shrugged it off, and almost gone on to take out Silva.

What if there might be another monster like that? What if there's a monster that Song needs more power against? Will she be able to draw more magic? How much more magic can she still draw? How much more power does she still hold?

Will it ever be enough?

More.

More power.

I have to get stronger…

"Surrender your humanity and head for a still-loftier summit."

A strange sound interrupts Song. It takes a moment for her to recognize what it is: Silva's snoring.

Even despite all her thoughts, Song feels her lips tugging into a smile. If Song were to let Silva know about her snoring, there's no doubt Silva would be embarrassed. Song keeps this as her own secret for now.

But what would Silva think of me?

That… is what scares Song the most.

By the time Silva finally wakes up, it's late in the day, the sun already descending behind the mountains. Song's already retrieved her beloved rifle but it looks like a few pieces of it are broken and unfortunately, Song doesn't know much about guns to be able to fix it. She's not sure if Silva would like Song messing with her gun anyway.

"Song?" Silva's voice is raspy but when she sees Song, her eyes and mouth curve into a smile. "You doing okay?"

"Why do you keep asking me that? You're the one in bed, Silva!" Song's laughing, hoping to push back the doubt inside of her.

Silva's fine. That's all Song could ask for.

Song gets her some food and water, which Silva eagerly goes through. Silva's embarrassed by it but Song's more than glad to see it; a healthy appetite means Silva's going to be fine. As Silva eats, Song updates her on what's happening: they'll be compensated for taking care of that monster since they weren't hired to exterminate that one, and that Song had found Silva's gun.

"Oh!" Silva's relieved as she looks over as it. Her hands are twitching, like she wants to get to work on it right away but one look at Song makes Silva pout. Song almost gives in, because how can she say no to such a cute face? But she doesn't want Silva to work on gun maintenance while she's got bandages on her head.

Spending time with Silva almost makes Song forget, almost makes the thoughts go away—

"Song? Is something wrong?" Silva suddenly asks.

"What happened?" Song blinks at her.

"You just looked like you were spacing out." Silva reaches out. Her fingertips touch Song's hand, and Song flinches away like she's been burned again.

Oh, no, now it's obvious. Silva furrows her brow and now she scoots closer. "Song, something's bothering you."

"Nothing!" Song says a little too quickly, but Silva's unconvinced.

"Is this because of what happened? Did it make you think of that time in the past?"

Silva isn't... exactly wrong. Song wants to deny it, but it feels like her mouth is stuck together. She tries to shake her head instead, but her body doesn't even want to listen to her. It's almost like she's turned into prey herself, frozen in her own fear.

"Song." Silva says her name in a voice that's as soft as a wind's caress, like when Song is hovering in the air. Song had expected her to sound disappointed and upset but instead she's still gentle and patient.

It hurts Song, hearing that tenderness from Silva when Song has been anything but right now.

"You saw all that power I had, didn't you?" Song ends up whispering, almost choking. "Aren't you scared of it?"

Song is afraid. It scares her. In that moment, she had wanted more power, had asked for more power, and it had been given to her. Her price had only been heavy exhaustion and the skin on her hands but Song knows she can hone this magic further.

The Two Crown Bow had been right. With her sort of power, she could have gone further. She should have gone further.

"It is only your right to stand at the summit under all you've trampled—"

"Yes, I'm scared of it," Silva finally says, and Song feels like her heart is being squeezed. Of course, how could Song think otherwise? No matter what Silva says, it's only normal to fear this power.

Her monstrous eyesight, and her monstrous power—

"Who would ever wish you to know peace?"

"It scares me, because you still don't see yourself as a person. And that's what you are, Song," Silva continues. Song opens her mouth to speak but Silva cuts her off with a quick shake of her head. "Listen, Song, I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for you. I owe you my life again. You wanted that power to save me, didn't you? That already proves you aren't a monster. You could never be."

Silva's voice is firm but her expression softens. "So please stop speaking of yourself like that."

Song lowers her head and when she releases her breath, it's shaky. She hates how these doubts always seem to worm their way in and sink their claws into her. She knows Silva speaks the truth, but the similarity of this situation to the one that had distanced her and Silva before had made Song doubt everything again.

But Silva still believes in her… Silva had still looked at her and didn't run away this time.

Song looks back up and tries to smile even if it still feels unsteady. Silva grins at her and reaches out again. When she takes Song's hand, Song doesn't flinch or move away this time, even moving so she can hold Silva's hand with both of her own.

"It doesn't matter how strong you are... you're just Song, and you're a person just like me. That's it. And if you start thinking otherwise, I'll just have to shoot you out of the sky again." Silva's full of confidence as she says this, and Song knows that she'll keep her word no matter what. Once Silva has set her mind to something, she'll see it to the end no matter what… even if that thing is convincing Song she's not a monster.

The night isn't cold but Song still wraps her cloak tighter around herself. Maybe she should've changed out of her usual outfit into something more casual but as Song continues to scan around, there doesn't seem to be anyone out on the streets this late at night. Most likely they're all at the taverns at this time of the night. So less likely for people to recognize her attire. Not that it lands her any trouble, but she's still wary about being recognized when she technically isn't here for any duty to the Eternals.

After more time passes, Song can hear the clack of heels on the pavement. When Song looks, it's Silva turning the corner—Song's eyes widen. Oh no, that's only made things worse, because now this allows her to better take in the sight of Silva sauntering down the street, the case of her giant sniper rifle slung over her shoulders, and most decidedly wearing a dress.

Silva… had most certainly not been wearing that when she left for her mission. Song can't help but stare. She'd never seen Silva wear anything like that before, and now Song can't help but feel under dressed—wait, why is Silva wearing that? Song's trying to frantically run through the few details that Silva had given her; she'd been hired as protection detail for someone, so…

"Song? I wasn't expecting you to wait up for me." Silva, in noticing Song, had apparently jogged the rest of the way over toward her, in her heels somehow. Her dress is fluttering behind her, the slit of the dress also revealing Silva's whole leg. Song's eyes roam down the length of bare skin before she quickly snaps her eyes back upward.

"Don't worry, I didn't mind!" Song quickly says, hoping Silva doesn't notice how red her face is. Just to be safe, she inches slightly away from the street light. "I would've waited the entire night to see you."

"Oh, don't say that." Silva's tone turns chiding, and it makes Song think she's had this conversation several times with her sisters. "I never want you to stay up for me."

"I know, but…" Song shyly presses her fingers, "I wanted to."

Silva blinks at her like she doesn't know how to answer before she sighs and shakes her head. She's exasperated, but Song can see the hint of the smile. "All right, thanks for waiting up for me. I'm ready to get out of this dress and head to bed though!"

Song nods… and can't seem to think straight, a million thoughts running through her head right now. The dress Silva's wearing—Song wouldn't call it indecent, more… distracting. It cuts low at the front, and Song is afraid her eyes will inevitably wander, so she keeps her eyes up, except that means staring at Silva's face, and maybe that's also hard for Song right now too because of how lovely she looks right now—not that Silva never looks lovely, Song thinks she'd still look beautiful even when she has streaks of gunpowder across her face and hair and—

"Song?" Silva waves a hand in front of her, which helps Song snap back into the moment. "You're staring at me. Something on my face?" Without waiting for Song to answer though, Silva is running her fingers over her face, frowning to herself.

Song clears her throat, more than glad right now that Silva can't notice the blush on her face. She asks instead, "Where did you get that dress, Silva?"

"Ah, this?" Silva looks down at herself, a half smile on her face. "A town I helped out a while ago gave me this and I've just never had the chance to wear it until now." She looks back up at Song, seemingly bashful now. "It doesn't really seem to fit me though, huh?"

"Hah? What are you talking about?" Song is blurting out her words before she even realizes. "Of course it does! You're—I mean—it's… it's beautiful," she finishes in a quiet voice, feeling just a little lame at how her voice trailed off a bit.

"Oh… uh, thanks—I mean, thank you." The way Silva's also flustered isn't entirely lost on Song, especially with the way the both of them can't seem to meet each other's eyes. Song is sure if she looks, Silva's face will also be just as red as Song's.

"A-anyway, we should head back to the ship!" Song quickly says. It's sheer coincidence that Silva's solo mission also happens to be on the same island where the Grandcypher is docked, and also that Song just happens to also have come to visit the crew. That's why Song wants to make the most of their time together, limited as it is.

"Right," Silva says but Song thinks she sounds distracted. Song would check on her but she still can't quite muster the courage to look at her right now.

They end up walking down the street side by side, not quite looking at each other. It's… awkward, putting it lightly. Song had wanted to ask if Silva was busy tomorrow so they could spend time together but for some reason, Song is finding it hard to say something. Maybe if she just doesn't look at Silva's face, that might work.

Song glances over, and realizes her mistake. Right. Silva's dress. She'd forgotten about that. It doesn't help that now that they're this close, Song now notices the open back of Silva's dress, and with her honed eyes, can also see the beauty of all of the muscles there. Silva certainly doesn't skip out on any training, whether it be carrying around a giant sniper rifle all the time or in hand to hand combat. Song's eyes follow down the line of Silva's back, to where the dress finally covers just above her finely shaped b—

"Song?" Silva's voice, slightly amused. "You're staring at me again. It really must be so odd to see me in this, huh?"

"N-no! That's not it!" Song almost yelps, averting her eyes and bringing a hand up to her face. Oh, if only Silva knew that was the opposite—no, Song can't really say that she'd been staring for certainly not the reasons Silva's thinking of. It must be so obvious… but Silva tends to run on the denser side of things, Song unfortunately knows.

"I was… ah! I was just thinking maybe you might be cold wearing that dress," Song quickly says, hoping the smile she makes isn't awkward. Silva blinks at her, seemingly surprised for some reason.

"It isn't so bad," Silva finally says with a shrug. "I've felt worse." But Song is already taking off her cape and moving behind Silva. It's always just like Silva to downplay herself and well, it really isn't that cold, but—

… it certainly isn't cold for Song, now staring at the entirety of Silva's bare back. She wants to reach out—Song quickly fits the cloak over Silva's shoulders. She can't allow herself to be more distracted than she already is but she thinks that even Silva might be able to hear how loud her heart is beating.

Silva laughs suddenly, turning around to look at Song. "Really, Song? It isn't as if you're better dressed than me!"

"Because I've had my cloak to keep me warm! And it won't take too long to get back to the ship anyway." Song hurriedly steps ahead of Silva before Silva can get a good look at her. "We should hurry back before it gets cold."

"Of course," Silva says, following after her. It might be strange for Song to walk ahead so she allows Silva to catch up before walking side by side again.

"I forgot to ask earlier, but why are you wearing that anyway, Silva?"

"Oh, right. I told you I was hired as a bodyguard right? It was for my client's daughter, and she was going to some sort of fancy party." Silva shrugs. "Nothing really happened, but I guess I got to sample a bunch of different food, and get paid while doing it."

"A… fancy party?" Song is trying to imagine it; what comes to mind is a giant ballroom with lavish decorations, and people dressed up in those elegant clothes she's seen Korwa design sometimes. And…

Song looks at Silva out of the corner of her eyes, a teasing smile on her face. "Does that mean you did some dancing? Oh! Does that mean someone asked you to dance?"

Silva makes a strangled sound before clearing her throat. Song nearly laughs at her expression but manages to keep it in. "I did not do any dancing," she finally answers in a mutter.

"... do you know how to dance, Silva?" Song finds herself asking. Silva sends her a look before shrugging.

"I… hm, I was giving a basic idea of it while I was on this job, but…" Silva smiles sheepishly, "I can't say I remember everything they've taught me now. It doesn't seem like I'd have much use for it, you know?"

"I think it sounds fun," Song says, holding out her hands in front of her. "I don't really know anything about it, but…" and she trails off, realizing what she'd been about to say to Silva. Song has always associated ballroom dancing with extravagant parties, and she can't imagine herself being at one. Even so, the sight of people dancing, their hands on their partner as they sway to music and look at each other in the eyes...

It's all very romantic and intimate to Song, and she'd be lying if she hadn't thought about wanting to experience that once in her life. The girls in the city who experienced that had always seemed so awestruck, talking about wanting to go to another one, for some sort of handsome stranger to sweep them off their feet.

Song doesn't want any handsome stranger though, she wants…

But Silva doesn't seem like she'd be interested. Song can already tell how embarrassed she is just by bringing it up. Neither of them seem very well suited to that sort of activity even if Silva's beautiful self is wearing such a gorgeous dress that fits the occasion.

"Do you want to try?"

Now it's Song's turn to almost choke, turning to Silva with eyes wide. Silva is scanning around the street now. "I don't think anyone's around right now, but maybe…" and here, she gestures for Song to follow her. More than confused (and maybe a bit excited), Song follows after her. Silva leads them toward a more open part of the street and carefully puts down her case. Just as Silva's said, there aren't many people around.

Whether intentionally or not, Silva steps out of the shadows and into the moonlight, and turns around to hold out her hand toward Song. Even though Song can tell Silva's embarrassed, she's smiling. Being so earnest has always been one of Silva's strengths, but looking at her now as she shines under the light of the moon makes Song feel captivated, unable to move or stop staring.

"A dance for my good lady," Silva says before her smile falls slightly. Song can see the hint of pink creeping across Silva's face. "I-I mean, at least that's what I've heard the others say."

Oh, now this is unfair. How is Song supposed to keep herself calm when Silva does this? Her heart, pounding almost nonstop the entire way since she's laid eyes on Silva, feels as if it's impossibly sped up. It feels like adrenaline is surging through her instead. Song thinks that she wants to move, but nothing will obey her, because as long as Silva keeps looking at her like that, Song is…

"Song?" Silva's smile falls again as she straightens herself. "I'm sorry, was that too much?"

"Ah!" Song quickly shakes her head and as if she's being controlled, her hand shoots out to take Silva's offered hand. "I-I'm sorry! I was, ah, just caught off guard! I wasn't expecting that!" She's slightly breathless, and she's desperately hoping Silva doesn't notice.

"Oh." Silva nods, relief on her expression now. "I should've given you a warning though, I apol—"

"No, it's fine! Silva, I mean," Song's voice is firm before she softens it, a small smile gracing her lips now, "I mean, I'd like a dance, if you're offering." She steps forward with a giggle that's both amused and nervous. Which is funny now, because Song can see the way Silva's expression shifts, her brow furrowing in what must be her obviously trying to remember the steps.

"I think it's…" Silva brings her closer and places her other hand on Song's waist. It's the lightest touch possible, but it still makes Song nearly suck in a breath, honing in on that sensation. If it weren't for the position of Song's belts there, Silva would be touching her skin… but it wouldn't be hard, if Silva were to trail her fingers a little higher… up the length of her side just the way Song dreams she does—

Song focuses back—and now it hits her how close she is to Silva. This close, she realizes she can smell perfume on Silva. It's something faint enough to not be distracting, and most likely the scent's been diluted after many hours… but it's a very sharp contrast to the gunpowder and smoke that usually surrounds Silva. Song is tempted to lean in but she holds herself back. It'd be strange for her to do that, and she's not sure what Silva would think of it.

Thankfully, Silva's staring down at the ground, her brow furrowed in concentration. It's about the same expression Silva makes when she's doing maintenance on her gun, and Song thinks it always makes Silva look cute whenever she sees it. Although, cute might be the furthest word from Song's mind right now, when Song's eyes move from the lines on Silva's forehead to trace down the bridge of her nose, moving lower still to Silva's lips—

"And I think we, uh, move like this?" The hand that's holding Song's rises so that it's above their shoulders, and Silva's fingers on her waist press a little to urge Song to move. Song steps forward reflexively though awkwardly because she's not sure what Silva wants her to do. The distraction is more than welcome, given the… dangerous path her thoughts have been wandering in.

"Are you sure you remember, Silva?" Song asks, trying not to laugh at how hard Silva seems to be trying to remember the movements. Silva's eyes narrow as she continues to glance back and forth between their shoes and her hand that's on Song's waist still. Song's other hand is still free though and she's not bold enough to do what Silva's done so Song decides to put it on Silva's shoulder, hoping Silva doesn't think that strange. She feels so out of her element right now, only having the vaguest sense of where things might go.

"I just need a bit of a refresher," Silva mutters before she starts to tug Song around. She spins them in a circle and blinks, as if realizing she wasn't meant to do that. Song doesn't know what that's for either, but it's seriously adorable to Song seeing Silva trying to puzzle through this. "Uh, maybe…" and Silva's head snaps up, staring right into Song's eyes.

Silva starts to move, and Song has no choice but to follow after her lead, slightly breathless at the way Silva's staring at her so intensely. At first, they're trying hard not to step on each other's shoes, of which there's a few close calls, but after a while, they find some kind of rhythm. It would be nice if there's music playing, but if Song's being honest, she's rather enjoying doing this with Silva. Even Silva's brow starts to relax, a triumphant grin coming to her.

Song's not sure how long they do this. She's not even sure if they can call this dancing, with the way they're stepping too far or too close to each other, awkwardly trying hard not to step on each other's toes instead, but Song doesn't think she's had this much fun in a while. Her mouth hurts from all the smiling she's doing, and Silva seems both bashful and amused at how well they're surprisingly doing.

"I think we're doing good—" and Silva yelps, stumbling before she can finish her sentence. Song manages to right herself before lurching forward, managing to catch Silva before she falls to the ground. "Yeah, maybe not me."

And despite everything, Song starts laughing. It doesn't take long for Silva's voice to join hers, and when they finally stop, Song feels like she can't stop smiling.

"I didn't think you'd actually try," Song says. Maybe Silva's had a few drinks earlier since she's always a little more courageous after getting some alcohol. But that can't be it, because now Song can see Silva's face turning red from embarrassment.

"You… you looked like you wanted to try, and I thought why not since I'm already wearing this," Silva says. "I don't think that went very well, though."

"No! It was…" Song smiles. "I had a lot of fun. I enjoyed doing that with you, Silva. Maybe we can..." and she stops herself from finishing the rest of her sentence.

"I have a feeling Heles or even Ilsa might have a better idea about dancing than the both of us. How about we ask them for some pointers?" Silva suggests, and Song nearly sucks in a breath. Just like that, Silva's said what Song was afraid of asking for. Now it seems silly for Song to have felt that way. It isn't as if Silva will tease her for asking, but Song's always been cautious. She and Silva are friends again, she doesn't want to… doesn't want to lose that friendship again by imposing on her more than she already is.

Song looks at Silva the same time Silva looks over at her—oh.Oh.

Now Song's aware of how close they are again. Song swallows, and tries not to think about how she notices Silva's eyes flicker down to her throat. She should look away, but Song can't seem to pull her gaze away. Under the light of the moon, as Silva continues to smile at her, she's… even more beautiful than before. Song can't look away, not when it's always Silva that draws her eyes. No matter how far away she is, whether she's in the sky or across the island, Song will always find her.

The night is quiet, so quiet that Song thinks Silva should be able to hear how loud her heart is pounding inside of her right now. She's almost holding her breath, as if afraid that even something so simple as that can disturb the strange air between them. Her mouth is dry, and she feels like she'd been hit with some sort of dizzying spell and knocked out of the air, now floundering on the ground on unsteady feet. Does Silva feel the same way?

Time seems to stretch on for far too long. Now Song feels like she's in the middle of a hunt, focused on her target. Song can see it all with her eyes, from faint flush on Silva's cheeks, to the slightest twitch of her lips, to the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes slowly.

Something like both impatience and nervousness bubbles inside of her. It would be all too easy for Song to lean forward, to close her eyes and imagine Silva's doing the same as they lean toward each other—but Song can't do that. What she and Silva have—Song's sure of her own feelings, but Silva… she doesn't know what Silva thinks of her. Song is afraid of being pushed away again, afraid of reaching another misunderstanding between them, afraid of… afraid of losing Silva again...

It is this fear that keeps Song frozen.

"Well!" Silva suddenly helps herself out of Song's arms, pushing herself up and dusting off the front of her dress with her hands. She extends a hand to Song afterward, offering her a light smile. "I think that's enough excitement for the night. How about we head back now?"

Song stares at her before taking Silva's hand, moving instinctively. She allows Silva to help her up, and she still can't help but stare after her even as Silva goes to pick up her rifle. She'd been… she'd been so… so close to...

"Song? Something the matter?" Silva's in front of her again, waving a hand to get her attention. It helps, but now Song's all too aware of how fast her heart is beating.

"I…" There's a part of Song that still wants to speak up, still wants to…

"Song?" Silva's expression changes from amused to concern now. "Something wrong? I really wasn't that bad of a dancer to ruin your night, was I?"

"O-oh! No, of course not." The idea of Silva ruining her night (or any day for that matter) is ridiculous, and that thought makes it easy for Song to smile. "I promise I had a lot of fun. At least we didn't step on each other's feet!"

Silva laughs at that, looking relieved. Seeing how seriously worried Silva was about it makes the smile on Song's face grow brighter. Sometimes it's funny to Song when she sees the things Silva gets worried over.

That strange tension Song felt before is gone now. Whatever this is now… it's a lot more comfortable and familiar to Song. She can handle this now. The rest of the night goes well, and Song manages to smile easily as she bids Silva a good night as they retire back to their cabins.

Song sits at the edge of the bed in the darkness of her room, with only the light of the moon to keep her company. Her eyes close, and unbidden, the entire night flashes through her mind.

Oh, who's Song trying to kid? Remembering the feeling of Silva's hands on her, being twirled around to the music of Silva's laughter… Song wants that feeling back—no, she wants more than that.

In the years after their misunderstanding, Song had missed Silva so much. Silva had been her first friend outside of her village that didn't run away in fear of her power, and she'd been so happy when they made up, and Silva had even gone the extra mile to introduce her to her whole family. It had let Song see how much Silva had regretted everything, and how foolish they were to run away from each other instead.

Now, Song looks forward to every moment she gets to spend with Silva. She wants to see more of Silva. She wants to reach out and hold her hand. She wants to visit more cafes with her. She wants to see more of the world with Silva. She wants to train together.

When her thoughts wander, they always fall on Silva. She wants… she wants to do even more; she wants to tell Silva her feelings, she wants to kiss Silva, she wants...

Now Song understands what they mean by being lovesick. She understands it now when the girls in the city described it… of how incredible it feels, and also of how painful it is. She wants to run over to Silva right now and spill her feelings… but there's a voice inside of her that whispers that Silva doesn't feel the same, that Song's still a monster and Silva deserves someone better—the fear of that unknown, the fear of rejection, and the fear of Silva distancing herself again—

Song can't go through that again. She won't. Their friendship is already more than important to Song, and she knows that's something the both of them can agree on.

Song/Silva - https://archiveofourown.org/works/21931906 (borderline but I’ll include it here just in case)

Gabriel/Michael - https://archiveofourown.org/works/23873482

Athena/Medusa - https://archiveofourown.org/works/22316881