notes: this will probably be edited for 'Between the Cracks' at some point in the future. also if you're interested, i have the same story under the same name on archiveofourown, only there are a couple more chapters there that fill in the ones i've missed posting on here. thank you for reading, and i can't wait until next year!
Hands
"Hey Fakir… do you think you could write a story about me, just one more time?"
"What?"
Ahiru tightens her grip on the glittering red pendant in her hand, her voice growing stronger with every word. "We can combine our 'we want to protect Mytho!' powers and save everyone!"
Fakir's eyes widen as he considers her idea. "Combine our powers…"
"Mm." Ahiru nods in affirmation. "While I'm a duck, I might need some help… I think that's your strength, Fakir."
For a moment he's silent. It is true that she seems to be the only person he can write a story about…
He returns her nod. "Got it. Let's head back to Autor's house first, then."
Fakir turns back to the direction of Goldkrone and hears Ahiru's soaked shoes slopping on the ground just behind him, when Uzura breaks the momentary silence.
"Does this mean Ahiru's going to stay a duck forever after this, zura?"
He stops in his place, glancing to the two. Ahiru also stops, and her eyes briefly fall to her feet. Then she adopts a small smile and crouches down to Uzura's level.
"Yeah, that's right… but it's okay. That's who I'm meant to be, remember?"
The puppet's wooden lips remain slightly pursed as Ahiru straightens herself and turns her gaze to Fakir. "Ready?"
"Mm."
They head off, walking in a short line as Fakir leads Ahiru and Uzura back to the broken down wall. He assists them both with climbing over the unstable stone before they fall back into the silent line, leaving Ahiru with her last thoughts as a human. Usually she could talk anyone's ear off, but right now…
Unconsciously, her eyes trail down to Fakir's uninjured hand, swaying lightly at his side.
She's not having second thoughts. That's certainly not it, not anymore. She's no longer afraid and won't waver, but…
She can't help but desire the comfort and reassurance Fakir's presence always brought to her. His hands and arms have always been the warmest, even back before she got to know him. And as the wind blows through her drenched clothes and starts making her shiver, Ahiru wonders if it would be okay if she just reached out… just one more time.
Lights flicker in their poles and a few townsfolk in raven-form pass by in a trance. Uzura begins to lightly tap on her drum again, the beats much less enthusiastic.
Ahiru draws closer to Fakir and extends her hand, her fingers tentatively brushing against his. He doesn't react at first, but Ahiru notices he lifts his gaze from the ground to straight ahead. Before Ahiru has the chance to change her mind and give him some space, he slowly works his fingers around her hand and holds it. Squeezes it. The warmth floods her from the tips of her fingers to the center of her heart.
No words are needed. She returns the tight grip and they continue to walk in silence, save for Uzura's tapping close behind them. Ahiru catches Fakir's lips moving from the corner of her eye a few times, opening and closing, as if he wants to start saying something and holds it back at the last minute. But he never speaks.
Maybe he had needed that one last gesture of reassurance too, Ahiru thinks to herself.
They don't let go. Not until the last possible moment.