Arle watches Sig's gentleness as he inspects the bugs, taking careful notice of his demonic arm. Requested by goweegee96 on tumblr!

Holding On

A ladybug landed on Sig's claw. He traced his thumb over it, watching the ladybug's wings flutter. He tilted his head as the bug nestled into his palm, and he counted six black dots on its vibrant red backside.

"It's Juniper," he said, presenting the ladybug to Arle, "She's one of the older bugs out here."

Arle hummed, watching Sig lift his claw to allow the ladybug to take flight. It hovered around his head, twisting through his antenna-like tresses and making its way over the bridge. They stood by a patch of sunflowers that had just blossomed, listening the buzzing bees and distant cicadas cry out.

With spring finally rolling into Primp Town, it was the perfect time to go bug catching although Sig called it "bug inspecting." Arle had found him standing among the sunflowers with his gaze fixed on the sky. She initially thought he was staring into the sun or was under a spell from how stiffly he stood, but as she approached, she realized it was because a bumblebee was perched on his nose.

Even now, the bumblebee remained. It occasionally made his nose twitch, but Sig focused on the surrounding insects. He gestured for Arle to crouch among the sunflower stalks and pointed at a strange bug she had never seen before ambling along a blade of grass.

"It's a red milkweed beetle," he said, offering it his finger.

She watched, transfixed as the beetle seemed to sniff his hand. Slowly, its tiny legs ventured from the grass to his finger and edged its way down to his palm. Just like they ladybug, it curled into his skin, the heat pulsing in his palm much more preferable to the shaded grass.

"Wow. Bugs really are attracted to you," she noted as Sig let the beetle climb closer to his wrist.

She had to admit she was surprised. With her magical prowess, she had already sensed a strange aura emanating from Sig's arm when they met. There was a hidden power in his claw, one that was unlike anything she sensed on her world.

Yet, the way Sig carried bugs in his peculiar claw caught her attention. He was gentle, each sharp finger caressing every bug with utmost consideration. He made sure to never squeeze or even curl in his fingers. Not one gesture was made to upset the bugs, and with a smile on his face, the tenderness he presented was something that had not gone unnoticed by Arle.

When the beetle turned around on his palm, Sig squatted back down. Arle followed his lead, setting her hands on her knees. He pressed the side of his hand against a thicker patch of grass. The beetle sniffed the air and made its descent onto the patch, makings its merry way back to the rich soil.

"I haven't seen too many of those little guys around here," he said, straightening his back as he stood.

"Really? I've never seen one of them on my world." Arle chuckled, wondering if Carbuncle would have tried eating the beetle.

"Your world must have a lot of unknown bugs, huh? Wish I could see them." He quickly raised his scarlet hand to the sky, throwing Arle off before she could reply. Looking up, he extended his pinky and watched an orange monarch butterfly perch on the very tip of his finger.

"How'd you know that was gonna be there?" Arle asked, eyes widening.

"Instinct." Sig lowered his hand, tracing the butterfly's thin, soft wings.

With such a fragile creature in his grasp, he cupped his hand. He only wished he had brought along some honey for the butterfly to suckle, but it seemed content to simply rest in his grasp.

He was completely unlike Kodomo Dragon, who bombastically caught insects with his traps and net. Sig carried himself with a certain level of protective energy only for bugs. He could have harmed them with even the slightest twitch of his fingers, but he controlled himself, making no moves to imply any danger to them.

Arle marvelled at his docility. Even though she still sensed that strange power looming in his arm, he controlled it perfectly. There wasn't anything threatening or foreboding about him especially not for the insects. It was as if in their tiny brains they knew they could trust him and let go of any trepidation surrounding Sig.

She found herself losing that wariness as well. Even though the sorceress within her, the one who had fought Schezo and Satan to a standstill, told her to keep her guard up, she wanted to lower it. The compassion he presented proved he could be trusted despite memories of her old world telling her to raise a shield in case he lashed out.

There wasn't any need to worry. She wasn't in her old world where danger or surprises lurked. She could let herself be free around Sig and the others who welcomed her into Primp Town.

She touched his forearm, the warmth soothing on her palm. Sig looked at her with his half-lidded gaze before peering back down to the butterfly. Together, they watched the butterfly flap its wings and take off along with the bee on Sig's nose. They mingled together in the sky and flew away together, reminding Arle of themselves as she kept her grip firm on his arm before letting her hand slide down into his.

With an even greater warmth pooling in her hand, she didn't want to let go.