themightybosstone

[ she nods a bit, distinctly feeling like it absolutely isn't okay, but, ]

... I don't-- understand why you would. "Love" me.

[ a pause, then quieter, mumbled: ]

-- I don't know what that feels like.

[He pets her hair, his own breathing evening out. He can do this.]

Like, I've had a lot of flings but nothin' a think about a few days after. But... I sometimes am just walkin' by stuff and I'm like. Shit the view RIGHT here is great. I should take the joggin' route this way so Val can see it.

Or am just, lookin' forward to talking to you. Or making a joke that gets you to tuck your head in a bit and fight that lil smile when you don't wanna egg me on.

And sometimes I just look at you and I'm just-

Happy?

So... that's what it feels like. For me.

[ letting him pet, sort of... sitting on her knees, curling over so she's huddled against his chest again-- head angled just so, so her ear lays over his heart. so she can feel it when his voice rumbles in his chest. and...

...

What he said-- that's it? That's what love is? ... Isn't it too simple? Not that she thinks Sett's feelings aren't strong-- no, the opposite, it was impossible for him not to feel these things so strongly. But it's not the earth-shattering force she thought it was, was it? The sort of thing that hits you and you know it, immediately and with no question. Something that can only be what it is.

... Was it like that for most people? Slow, and soft? Little buzzes of happiness at the mere thought or sight? Looking at the tiny parts of the whole and feeling so strongly about them that it's almost certainly That? Omen doesn't love her, does he? He didn't say so-- never so much said he liked her, really, until recently. Said he'd trade the whole world for her, but is that love? Said she deserved to be loved as a person, but-- does she deserve to love, in turn? Does she know how? Should she, when things are bound to end up hurting anyone she shares that with?

... What does love feel like? Can she love someone so soon? How do you know?

She's still for a moment longer when he's done speaking, before finally releasing a shuddering exhale, lifting her head to shift up to look at him properly again, her brow furrowed with worry. ]

I... if I could... in this place, spend every waking moment with the two of you... I would. I want to.

[Oh. He just SMILES at that. Bright, warm and legitmately happy. There's that tumbling of stars in his stomach.]

... I feel the same.

[ watches his expression change... and her tail hesitantly starts up a slow wag. Maybe she did something right here? She does smile a bit.

... But she still feels guilty. Her tail stays low, subdued, and she huddles down against his chest again. Thinks about what Megumi says. It's a start. Just a start. ]

[He's just going to hug her CUZ HE CAN]

[ yeah. squeezing him, huddling into him. ]

... I'm sorry. I know intention doesn't mean much but I didn't mean to hurt you.

[ Rubs along her ears, the other arm still wrapped around her. ]

No, I know. I mean, I keep spooking ya too.

... It's not your fault I can hardly be normal about anything...

[ soothed though, slowly melting against him. ]

[He gives a little laugh.]

I accept you and all of your weird hangups.

... I'm sorry you're subjected to them, anyway. I know neither of you signed up for this.

[ buries her face against him. ]

I mean.. you hardly knew what you were signing up for either. So... Between the three of us-

Actually no, it's just Phel with any idea.

No, no, there's-- really nothing I can complain about, with either of you...

[ quiet for a long moment ]

... This is-- the most relaxed I've been in a long time.

[Oh.

There's a bit of a humbled tone in the next thing he says.]

I'm glad.

[ okay. good. just buries her face against him quiet time now. ]

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