As soon as he’d spoken, but before Declan replied, Aoba almost regretted opening his mouth. It wasn’t exactly embarrassing but it was…awkward, broaching subjects like that. Ones that focused on him over other people. He needed to shrug it off or something, muster a smile, so Declan wouldn’t have to feel—
And then the Guardian moved, spoke, and although Aoba had had no reason at all to think he might be judged for his moment of weakness, something knotted up in his chest at it, at yet another show of unconditional support and unhesitating willingness to help. At the evidence that he had such a good friend in the man.
He wanted to thank him, but the words suddenly seemed weak. He’d used them so much already, but the scale of everything Declan was doing was just so vast. Maybe it was simple and easy for him, planning travel to other planets just because of the chance of an answer, but to Aoba it was a complete upheaval and reorganization of the Guardian’s life. And he’d never hesitated.
…oh go on already…
Aoba shifted forward, balancing his weight on the front edge of the couch as he maneuvered around the Titan’s bulk until he was sitting in such a spot that he could reach him better. He didn’t get on Declan’s leg or lap again, but he turned enough to lift his own weight on a knee and get his arms around the other’s neck. The Titan was just too big to hug any other easy way; Aoba even had to rest the side of his head against Declan’s own, feeling the press of that contact through his hair.
It was a mirror-moment to the way Desire had (unbeknownst to Aoba) embraced Declan before, but this time around it was earnest and unheated. A moment of vulnerability and gratitude, a different side of him just as in need of human contact.
no subject
And then the Guardian moved, spoke, and although Aoba had had no reason at all to think he might be judged for his moment of weakness, something knotted up in his chest at it, at yet another show of unconditional support and unhesitating willingness to help. At the evidence that he had such a good friend in the man.
He wanted to thank him, but the words suddenly seemed weak. He’d used them so much already, but the scale of everything Declan was doing was just so vast. Maybe it was simple and easy for him, planning travel to other planets just because of the chance of an answer, but to Aoba it was a complete upheaval and reorganization of the Guardian’s life. And he’d never hesitated.
…oh go on already…
Aoba shifted forward, balancing his weight on the front edge of the couch as he maneuvered around the Titan’s bulk until he was sitting in such a spot that he could reach him better. He didn’t get on Declan’s leg or lap again, but he turned enough to lift his own weight on a knee and get his arms around the other’s neck. The Titan was just too big to hug any other easy way; Aoba even had to rest the side of his head against Declan’s own, feeling the press of that contact through his hair.
It was a mirror-moment to the way Desire had (unbeknownst to Aoba) embraced Declan before, but this time around it was earnest and unheated. A moment of vulnerability and gratitude, a different side of him just as in need of human contact.