[Hilda looks up at Balthus's face as he pulls her in tighter, something in her chest swelling at the promise he gives her. That promise is worth more than its weight in gold, she knows; for all of his faults, Balthus is and always has been a man of his word. To her surprise, she finds it all the more precious that it's a promise he's giving to her. Not her brother, not the professor, not his fellow Ashen Wolves. Her.
There's a new stinging sensation behind her eyes. This time, she blinks it back.]
Don't sell yourself short, Baltie. You're helping me just fine.
[Because he has her, and she finally feels safe for the first time since waking as a result.]
Even before I came here, you helped. When... when we conjured images from my memory to help calm me down before I woke up, you were there. I could have thought of anything I wanted, but... it was back home, when we were kids. Back when I thought you and Holst were larger than life... which I guess I had to about Holst, because he's my brother or whatever, but...
[Hilda pauses, not even entirely sure what it is she's trying to say. Ugh, she's usually so much more eloquent than this.]
I guess... back then, I thought you were just as much of a hero as he is. And sometimes, I still do.
[Like right now. For the way he's holding onto her, warm and strong and protective, he's better than any knight in shining armor.]
[Something about that takes him by surprise, however gently, and his brow furrows as he curls his fingers into the fabric at the small of her back, his hold on her tightening that much more— not enough to cause her any discomfort, but he's suddenly keenly aware of the fact that he doesn't want to let her go anytime soon.]
You thought about me?
[The way she says it makes him think it wasn't just because of his proximity to Holst. They'd spent a lot of time together as kids, he'd always gone out of his way to look after her— after both of them, to be honest— but he'd always figured himself to just be her brother's friend, assumed she never gave him much thought.
He gives a small half-smile, uncertain, but undoubtedly warm.]
I don't know how much of a hero I was then, or am now, but if you think of me that way— can't really ask for more than that, can I?
[He laughs a little— it's one hell of a compliment.]
[He doesn't always. He gambles too much, mooches too often, and is too reckless with his own life for her tastes. But he's also honest about who he is, shortcomings and all. He really does try to be better in the ways he falls short--and is quite strong and honorable in other ways. And... he's always there for her, and she's beginning to realize it's not just because she's his best friend's kid sister.
What happens next isn't really a conscious decision on her part, but rather happens more on instinct and the mess of confusing emotions swirling inside of her at the moment. Without another word, she reaches up and takes a hold of the fabric of his shirt so that she can pull him down to kiss him. And kiss him she does, tender and trusting and honest in a way she not often is.]
[It's both surprising and not, in a way he has no idea how to even begin to put into words. Some part of him understands that there has been more than friendship between them for a long, long while— some of it was familial, but he would be lying if he'd said he hadn't thought about things from this angle once or twice. 'Holst would kill me' is usually the first thing to come to mind when he does, but right now, that excuse is nowhere to be found.
For just a moment, his mind goes blank, but the shock is short-lived and he's quick to kiss her back, to lean into that meeting of lips with his strong fingers curled against the small of her back, one broad hand coming to rest against the side of her face as he bends to make the height difference between them more easily breached.
He's kissed a lot of women before now, if he's being honest, and yet this one manages to be nothing like any kiss that has come before— it's soft and trusting and vulnerable in a way he'd never expected Hilda to be, and that alone has his heart beating just a bit faster in his chest.
All the more reason, he thinks, not to pull away, and even when the kiss starts to break for breath, he chases after her lips for another one.]
[For her part, Hilda's hardly allowing herself to think at all. She's simply acting in the moment, allowing him to hold her close and protect her and (most importantly) keep kissing her. They part for air, but only briefly, and she practically melts into him when he catches her lips once more.
The nightmare, with all of its unpleasant feelings and experiences, feels like a lifetime away. So in that, at least, he's doing exactly what she needs him to. And as far as the warm and tender feelings that are bubbling up inside of her... she'll deal with those later.
After what seems like both forever and not nearly long enough, Hilda pulls back to take a few actual breaths. Her face is flushed, and as she smiles up at Balthus he'll notice that much of the tension found in it earlier has all but evaporated from her features.
She doesn't say anything. She doesn't feel like she has to. Instead, she simply presses her face into his chest and closes her eyes, content.]
[Has he ever seen her smile quite like that before? He's seen her happy plenty of times, sure, but this— no, he's pretty sure he's never seen her quite like this. Something about it makes the tips of his ears turn red, but he can't help smiling as she buries her face against his chest and he brings a hand to rest gently against the back of her head after pulling one of her pigtails over her shoulder to keep it from getting caught.
For a moment, he considers not saying anything at all. Feels like it might ruin the moment, but...]
Are you... you feelin' better?
[The way she had kissed him, that's gotta be a 'yes,' right?]
[Hilda doesn't quite trust her voice yet, so she nods in response to his question. It's... weird, how much better she feels after that kiss. Not bad-weird. But still weird.
She has neither the desire nor the capability to unpack that tonight. All she wants to do is remain close and comforted and protected. And Baltie, bless him, makes it so easy for her to do so.
After some indeterminate amount of time, Hilda finds herself yawning. Maybe sleep might happen again tonight after all.]
[He'll take that nod. He'd never considered Hilda to be the quiet type, but at the moment— there just isn't a whole lot to say, is there? Honestly, he's still feeling pretty blindsided, but it's... nice. It's weird, in fact, that it doesn't feel weird.
Huh.
His smile pulls to one side, and he takes hold of her shoulder and gives her a gentle nudge back towards his bedroom, managing to do so without pulling out of their embrace.]
Come on, you can sleep with me. Got plenty of room, plenty of blankets.
[He doesn't even feel the need to clarify that there won't be any— you know, funny business. Seems unnecessary.]
[Hilda's not often quiet like this, but there really isn't anything to say. Plus, she's exhausted--which makes his suggestion of bed very appealing indeed. The possibility of "funny business" doesn't even cross her mind. She just wants him nearby so she can sleep safely.]
Thanks, Baltie.
[He starts guiding her to the bedroom, and she lets him.]
I promise I don't snore or anything. I'm a very graceful sleeper.
[She's not entirely sure the joke lands, if she has to be honest with herself. But she also suspects that he'll be nice about it if it didn't. It's just that she's finally coming out of the worst of her terrible feelings and feels like she should at least say something for a bit of levity.]
[That gets a laugh and a shake of his head; he gives her shoulder a promising squeeze of reassurance.]
Wouldn't bother me even if you did. Hell, you saw where I was staying in Abyss, right? No privacy, and plenty of those people were snoring. I can handle one dainty little roommate for tonight.
[Because she is, after all, a delicate flower. Let it never be forgotten.]
Go on in and make yourself comfortable, alright? I've got some extra pillows here somewhere, I'll just go track 'em down— you, uh, want anything to drink?
[They are both pointedly not talking about that kiss of theirs.]
[Goddess, she never realized how great Balthus could actually be before now. He takes her flat joke and runs with it, getting a small smile out of her in the process. Hilda had no idea he was so emotionally intelligent.
Or maybe she did, but never gave him enough credit. Either way, right now he is nothing short of perfect.]
I'm all right, thanks.
[There's a temptation to kiss his cheek or something before she heads in, but that's a direct violation of their unspoken agreement not to talk about the moment and kiss they just shared. So instead, she goes into the bedroom and sits on the bed to wait for him.]
[The moment feels like it needs a little something to him, too— like he should reach out and touch her, or maybe kiss her forehead, but it seems like it would be too easy to fall into having to talk about what just happened, and if that was something they wanted to do, they'd be doing it already. He settles for a lopsided smile before holding a hand up to wave as he retreats to elsewhere in the house, intent on collecting all he'll need to make a guest comfortable.]
Back in a few.
[True to his word, he doesn't leave her waiting long. She'll have a few short minutes alone in his room, but there's not much there to look at, honestly— it's all pretty spartan, just the bare minimum as far as furniture goes, but the mattress beneath her is soft and welcoming, indicating that comfort doesn't suffer for his minimalist approach to decor.
When he returns, he has an extra pillow and two blankets loaded up in his arms, and he moves to set them down on the bed beside her.]
Here... figured extra couldn't hurt, in case you get really cold. Wasn't sure what kind of a sleeper you were.
[He likes a little self-made air-conditioning, himself.]
[The quality of the mattress is a pleasant surprise, but an appreciated one. No doubt Balthus considers this a luxury of sorts, given the sorts of places he usually rests his head. And, for a fleeting moment, she kind of feels bad in that realization. He really has been through a lot, hasn't he? And it's not entirely his own stupid fault, given what she knows of his stepmother.
Luckily, Balthus arrives before she go too far down that line of thought.]
I tend to use a lot of blankets. They make me feel cozy.
[Her smile has a touch of sheepishness in it, as if she's confessing to something childish and silly.]
Thanks, Baltie. You... you've been really great tonight, you know.
[He smiles warmly, reaching to tuck the extra pillow at the head of the bed beside his own. Thankfully, they'll have plenty of space— he's on the larger side to begin with, so he hadn't skimped when it came to providing furniture for basic needs. No reason to, considering the place was magic and all. They'll be cozy, but nobody's going to be pushed to almost rolling off the bed.]
It's nothin'. You'd do the same for me, I'm sure.
[They're always there for each other, aren't they? That's what he wants to believe.]
I told you, Hilda. I've always got you. You'll never have to worry about that.
As Balthus sets down her pillow, Hilda adds the extra blankets to the side of the bed that is to be hers before crawling under them all. It's quite cozy, although she has a feeling that even if it weren't she would still feel comfortable and safe here because of whose bed it is.]
I don't know if you like light or noise or anything when you sleep. I can sleep through whatever, so don't change your routine on my behalf, okay?
[He waits for her to settle a little before he gives a stretch and slides in beside her, careful not to jostle the mattress too much as he reaches to shove his pillow further against the headboard.]
Don't worry about it. Honestly? Don't have much of a routine.
[He gives her a crooked half-smile, followed by an easy shrug as he stretches his legs out in front of him.]
Spend enough time on the run, then living in a place like Abyss, and you learn to sleep under all sorts of conditions. I can sleep anytime, anywhere. A little broken up sometimes, but no big deal. I get by.
[There's a lot that Hilda wants to say in response to that statement. He's speaking casually as anything about something that's actually pretty terrible. In his place, she wouldn't be nearly as able to roll with the punches. And, perhaps more importantly, in her current place she wishes there was more she could do. His debts are his problem, of course, but his step-mother...
Ultimately, there's no really anything she can say. It is what it is, and she doubts he wants her pity. So, after a pause, she simply cuddles in closer to him and rests her head on his chest. The gesture feels comfortable and right in the moment, soothing and warm for the both of them.]
[It shouldn't take him by surprise, not after that kiss in the front room, and not now that they're settled into bed beside one another, but he still finds himself mildly startled for a moment as she pulls herself close and rests her head atop his chest.
It doesn't last; he easily puts an arm around her shoulders while reaching across with his free hand to tuck one of her pigtails back so it doesn't get caught between them before he props that same hand behind his head, settling in comfortably to look up at the ceiling.]
... it's nice here, isn't it. Being able to stay in one place, not having to worry about being seen by the wrong people— I'd forgotten what that was like.
[He still speaks of his situation fairly casually, but there is a bit of weight to his voice— he knows precisely how grim things are for him back home, but they had been decidedly worse before he'd joined the Professor's class. Really, it was running into Hilda beneath the monastery that had kicked all of that off.]
Plus, you're here. I miss a lot of the others, but... couldn't ask for better company.
[Balthus is made of stronger stuff than Hilda is, in that regard. He puts up with a lot, and does so without complaint. It's admirable, really, and Hilda finds herself glad that he's been able to have something of a fresh start here. No debts (and no ability to run any up, given the lack of currency), no crazy step-mother breathing down his neck. He can just be himself here.
And then he specifies that having her here makes things all the better. She blushes and buries her face a bit more into him so that he can't see.]
I couldn't either, Baltie. I'm glad you're here.
[She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, letting the sound of his heartbeat soothe her.]
[For a moment, all he can do is smile to himself, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling. He's sorry for the reason she'd come knocking on his door, but just for a moment, things feel— easy. Natural. Enough so that he wonders why they haven't done something like this sooner.
Maybe he's just overthinking it.]
I'm glad you're here, too.
[He'd already said as much, in so many words, but it bears repeating. His fingers trail upwards lightly, his touch surprisingly gently despite his size and the fact that he usually uses those hands of his for brawling, and he carefully brushes her bangs to one side.]
Get some good sleep, okay? If you need anything, I'm right here.
[His touch, like everything else about him right now, is gentle and soothing, and even as her eyes are closed and she's trying to relax she can't help her smile from getting that much bigger in reaction to it.]
I know you are. Thank you, Baltie.
[She shifts a bit, cuddling in closer as she gets comfortable.]
Good night.
[Amazingly, given the dream that drove her to his door, it doesn't take very long for Hilda to drift off. Her breaths become deep and even, and she remains curled up half-on-top-of him as she snoozes.]
[He almost leaves it there. He could simply drift off, the same as her, and let the both of them rest in comfortable silence— and he will, but he feels compelled to do one last thing first, the urge too powerful to ignore. He lifts his head just enough to be able to bend forward to drop a chaste kiss against the top of her head, pressing his lips against her hair before falling back against his own pillow.]
Goodnight, Hilda.
[After that, he'll say nothing more, finding his eyelids grow heavy as he finds himself surprisingly at ease, as though not a single part of this is out of place.
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There's a new stinging sensation behind her eyes. This time, she blinks it back.]
Don't sell yourself short, Baltie. You're helping me just fine.
[Because he has her, and she finally feels safe for the first time since waking as a result.]
Even before I came here, you helped. When... when we conjured images from my memory to help calm me down before I woke up, you were there. I could have thought of anything I wanted, but... it was back home, when we were kids. Back when I thought you and Holst were larger than life... which I guess I had to about Holst, because he's my brother or whatever, but...
[Hilda pauses, not even entirely sure what it is she's trying to say. Ugh, she's usually so much more eloquent than this.]
I guess... back then, I thought you were just as much of a hero as he is. And sometimes, I still do.
[Like right now. For the way he's holding onto her, warm and strong and protective, he's better than any knight in shining armor.]
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You thought about me?
[The way she says it makes him think it wasn't just because of his proximity to Holst. They'd spent a lot of time together as kids, he'd always gone out of his way to look after her— after both of them, to be honest— but he'd always figured himself to just be her brother's friend, assumed she never gave him much thought.
He gives a small half-smile, uncertain, but undoubtedly warm.]
I don't know how much of a hero I was then, or am now, but if you think of me that way— can't really ask for more than that, can I?
[He laughs a little— it's one hell of a compliment.]
I'll try to live up to it. You deserve that.
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[He doesn't always. He gambles too much, mooches too often, and is too reckless with his own life for her tastes. But he's also honest about who he is, shortcomings and all. He really does try to be better in the ways he falls short--and is quite strong and honorable in other ways. And... he's always there for her, and she's beginning to realize it's not just because she's his best friend's kid sister.
What happens next isn't really a conscious decision on her part, but rather happens more on instinct and the mess of confusing emotions swirling inside of her at the moment. Without another word, she reaches up and takes a hold of the fabric of his shirt so that she can pull him down to kiss him. And kiss him she does, tender and trusting and honest in a way she not often is.]
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For just a moment, his mind goes blank, but the shock is short-lived and he's quick to kiss her back, to lean into that meeting of lips with his strong fingers curled against the small of her back, one broad hand coming to rest against the side of her face as he bends to make the height difference between them more easily breached.
He's kissed a lot of women before now, if he's being honest, and yet this one manages to be nothing like any kiss that has come before— it's soft and trusting and vulnerable in a way he'd never expected Hilda to be, and that alone has his heart beating just a bit faster in his chest.
All the more reason, he thinks, not to pull away, and even when the kiss starts to break for breath, he chases after her lips for another one.]
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The nightmare, with all of its unpleasant feelings and experiences, feels like a lifetime away. So in that, at least, he's doing exactly what she needs him to. And as far as the warm and tender feelings that are bubbling up inside of her... she'll deal with those later.
After what seems like both forever and not nearly long enough, Hilda pulls back to take a few actual breaths. Her face is flushed, and as she smiles up at Balthus he'll notice that much of the tension found in it earlier has all but evaporated from her features.
She doesn't say anything. She doesn't feel like she has to. Instead, she simply presses her face into his chest and closes her eyes, content.]
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For a moment, he considers not saying anything at all. Feels like it might ruin the moment, but...]
Are you... you feelin' better?
[The way she had kissed him, that's gotta be a 'yes,' right?]
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She has neither the desire nor the capability to unpack that tonight. All she wants to do is remain close and comforted and protected. And Baltie, bless him, makes it so easy for her to do so.
After some indeterminate amount of time, Hilda finds herself yawning. Maybe sleep might happen again tonight after all.]
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Huh.
His smile pulls to one side, and he takes hold of her shoulder and gives her a gentle nudge back towards his bedroom, managing to do so without pulling out of their embrace.]
Come on, you can sleep with me. Got plenty of room, plenty of blankets.
[He doesn't even feel the need to clarify that there won't be any— you know, funny business. Seems unnecessary.]
No more nightmares, promise.
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Thanks, Baltie.
[He starts guiding her to the bedroom, and she lets him.]
I promise I don't snore or anything. I'm a very graceful sleeper.
[She's not entirely sure the joke lands, if she has to be honest with herself. But she also suspects that he'll be nice about it if it didn't. It's just that she's finally coming out of the worst of her terrible feelings and feels like she should at least say something for a bit of levity.]
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Wouldn't bother me even if you did. Hell, you saw where I was staying in Abyss, right? No privacy, and plenty of those people were snoring. I can handle one dainty little roommate for tonight.
[Because she is, after all, a delicate flower. Let it never be forgotten.]
Go on in and make yourself comfortable, alright? I've got some extra pillows here somewhere, I'll just go track 'em down— you, uh, want anything to drink?
[They are both pointedly not talking about that kiss of theirs.]
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Or maybe she did, but never gave him enough credit. Either way, right now he is nothing short of perfect.]
I'm all right, thanks.
[There's a temptation to kiss his cheek or something before she heads in, but that's a direct violation of their unspoken agreement not to talk about the moment and kiss they just shared. So instead, she goes into the bedroom and sits on the bed to wait for him.]
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Back in a few.
[True to his word, he doesn't leave her waiting long. She'll have a few short minutes alone in his room, but there's not much there to look at, honestly— it's all pretty spartan, just the bare minimum as far as furniture goes, but the mattress beneath her is soft and welcoming, indicating that comfort doesn't suffer for his minimalist approach to decor.
When he returns, he has an extra pillow and two blankets loaded up in his arms, and he moves to set them down on the bed beside her.]
Here... figured extra couldn't hurt, in case you get really cold. Wasn't sure what kind of a sleeper you were.
[He likes a little self-made air-conditioning, himself.]
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Luckily, Balthus arrives before she go too far down that line of thought.]
I tend to use a lot of blankets. They make me feel cozy.
[Her smile has a touch of sheepishness in it, as if she's confessing to something childish and silly.]
Thanks, Baltie. You... you've been really great tonight, you know.
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[He smiles warmly, reaching to tuck the extra pillow at the head of the bed beside his own. Thankfully, they'll have plenty of space— he's on the larger side to begin with, so he hadn't skimped when it came to providing furniture for basic needs. No reason to, considering the place was magic and all. They'll be cozy, but nobody's going to be pushed to almost rolling off the bed.]
It's nothin'. You'd do the same for me, I'm sure.
[They're always there for each other, aren't they? That's what he wants to believe.]
I told you, Hilda. I've always got you. You'll never have to worry about that.
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[Deep in her heart, she's always known.
As Balthus sets down her pillow, Hilda adds the extra blankets to the side of the bed that is to be hers before crawling under them all. It's quite cozy, although she has a feeling that even if it weren't she would still feel comfortable and safe here because of whose bed it is.]
I don't know if you like light or noise or anything when you sleep. I can sleep through whatever, so don't change your routine on my behalf, okay?
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Don't worry about it. Honestly? Don't have much of a routine.
[He gives her a crooked half-smile, followed by an easy shrug as he stretches his legs out in front of him.]
Spend enough time on the run, then living in a place like Abyss, and you learn to sleep under all sorts of conditions. I can sleep anytime, anywhere. A little broken up sometimes, but no big deal. I get by.
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Ultimately, there's no really anything she can say. It is what it is, and she doubts he wants her pity. So, after a pause, she simply cuddles in closer to him and rests her head on his chest. The gesture feels comfortable and right in the moment, soothing and warm for the both of them.]
I know you do.
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It doesn't last; he easily puts an arm around her shoulders while reaching across with his free hand to tuck one of her pigtails back so it doesn't get caught between them before he props that same hand behind his head, settling in comfortably to look up at the ceiling.]
... it's nice here, isn't it. Being able to stay in one place, not having to worry about being seen by the wrong people— I'd forgotten what that was like.
[He still speaks of his situation fairly casually, but there is a bit of weight to his voice— he knows precisely how grim things are for him back home, but they had been decidedly worse before he'd joined the Professor's class. Really, it was running into Hilda beneath the monastery that had kicked all of that off.]
Plus, you're here. I miss a lot of the others, but... couldn't ask for better company.
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And then he specifies that having her here makes things all the better. She blushes and buries her face a bit more into him so that he can't see.]
I couldn't either, Baltie. I'm glad you're here.
[She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, letting the sound of his heartbeat soothe her.]
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Maybe he's just overthinking it.]
I'm glad you're here, too.
[He'd already said as much, in so many words, but it bears repeating. His fingers trail upwards lightly, his touch surprisingly gently despite his size and the fact that he usually uses those hands of his for brawling, and he carefully brushes her bangs to one side.]
Get some good sleep, okay? If you need anything, I'm right here.
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I know you are. Thank you, Baltie.
[She shifts a bit, cuddling in closer as she gets comfortable.]
Good night.
[Amazingly, given the dream that drove her to his door, it doesn't take very long for Hilda to drift off. Her breaths become deep and even, and she remains curled up half-on-top-of him as she snoozes.]
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Goodnight, Hilda.
[After that, he'll say nothing more, finding his eyelids grow heavy as he finds himself surprisingly at ease, as though not a single part of this is out of place.
Maybe it isn't.]