𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

[girlybruiser]

ＩＮＢＯＸ 𝕥𝕖𝕩𝕥 💬 ✦ 𝕒𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠 📞 ✦ 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 📹 ✦ 𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 🎬 𝕔𝕠𝕕𝕖 𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕥

Comments

[enteloki]

On my mark.

[ He counts down-

And his timing is off. He hits at the wrong moment. A second too fast and his frustration shows with an exhale.

It's a distraction to have her this close, in such an intimate way. It was his idea. He can't fault her for it, but the way his elbow and arm rub against hers - they may as well be holding hands. ]

Again - try to time it better.

[ As if it wasn't his fault for screwing up in the first place. The second time-

It doesn't matter if they work in tandem or not. The bricks don't fall into shape. One cracks under the force of Akechi's hit. ]

This is ridiculous.

[girlybruiser]

[ Haru hits down as he dictates, striking quite accurately, but perhaps unsurprisingly for a girl whose melee weapon of choice is an axe.

She lets him take lead again and again, until it's apparent Akechi is struggling with this.

Their skin rubbing against one another is not helping. It doesn't feel natural, not unless they're in a scuffle. ]

Um... Akechi-kun?

[ She looks over at the other dragonkin a few of meters away, who are happily working in tandem, noticing their hands and fingers laced together. ]

I think we need to um, have our hands...

[enteloki]

[ He follows her gaze to-

Them.

Turns to the opposite side and looks at a gelfling pair opting to go the same route.

He looks at their hooked arms, his gloved hands and untangles them, for a moment.

...

Of course they would have to hold hands. This world never ceases to disappoint him. ]

I see. Then let's get on with this worthless effort. Pick whatever side is more comfortable for you and take my hand when you're ready.

[girlybruiser]

I wouldn't call it worthless. Besides, these quests are on a volunteer basis.

[ He's come out here for a reason, whatever it may be.

Haru doesn't budge from her spot, shaking her head. ]

This side works best, doesn't it? You're left-handed.

[ Isn't he? Wouldn't he prefer to use his dominant hand? Given her ambidexterity, she's content to keep working in her spot.

She looks at his gloved hand, putting her own hand out and waits for him quietly. ]

[enteloki]

I'm taught myself to use both effectively. It's irrelevant to me what you pick.

[ Did she notice? Interesting. Not surprise. She's far more perceptive than he initially gave her credit for. A lesson he'll remember when he returns back to their world.

He's tempted to make her follow through and take his hand. For a moment, he doesn't budge from his spot.

But petulance doesn't help. They can't fulfil their task. There's no sense in dragging this out.

So he threads his fingers through hers - awkward and rough.

Thunder starts to roll above them. He ignores it for now. ]

Alright - on my mark again. One, two, three.

[girlybruiser]

[ They're not gentle or soft, which is to be expected, but Haru is still somewhat surprised. She shouldn't be, not when she's all too aware of what these hands are capable of doing.

Her nails inadvertently dig into his hands, light at first, then release any and all tension.

She shifts her focus on the stone before them, vaguely aware of the thunder above them. She hopes it doesn't rain. ]

Three!

[ They strike in unison, clean and precise, and the stone melts into place. ]

It worked! How wonderful!

[enteloki]

[ IS IT WONDERFUL? Well.

It keeps them from doing this forever. Akechi tightens his grip on her hand. ]

Let's keep going then. We should be able to make quick work of the task now.

[girlybruiser]

[ And quick work it is, Haru able to brush past the awkward way Akechi grips her hand and focus on hammering down on the stone that melts perfectly into its spot.

She might be enjoying it bit too much. ]

This is quite fun actually! Like a good stress reliever. Maybe I should pick up chopping wood again.

[enteloki]

[ Girl what.

Somehow he didn't expect that to come out of her mouth.

Well, she does wield an axe in the Metaverse. That didn't come out of the metaphorical blue.

Whatever. He ignores the fingers uncomfortably threaded through his own and the pinpricks of ice cold water hitting the back of his neck. ]

It would make you useful in a place like this. I'm sure they would benefit more from a lumberjack than a tea brewer.

[girlybruiser]

Considering the locals are always requesting our assistance, they probably would.

[ She surveys their completed work so far, a sense of pride swelling in her chest to have helped repair the stones, even it's required an odd method to carry out.

She feels the barest hint of cold water hit her forehead and she reaches with her free hand to gently dab it dry. ]

We should probably finish up the rest quickly.

[ Her curls were refreshed earlier today and she doesn't want the rain mussing her hair. ]

we can wrap..... this was hideous. thank u.

[enteloki]

Then let's move.

[ It irritates him she takes that comment in stride, but-

She's right and his grip on her hand tightens to keep them together. Out of malice, in a way. He doesn't want her to break free for a moment and ruin their stride. It would look pathetic if they failed now and came out of this mess soaked to the bone, with nothing to show. ]

wrapped 💝

[girlybruiser]

On three again, yes?

[ His grasp on her hand tightens and Haru looks up at him, brow arched at first, before she turns to look at the remaining repairs.

The rain slowly begins to beat down on them and her shoulders pinch forward at the sharp cold, but she doesn't let go of his hand in that moment. They continue their work until everything is perfectly carved into place and when their hands finally unlink, it's a strange moment, releasing the warmth of their hands into the uncomfortable cold. ]