week two, sunday

[jettisons]

[Sometime Sunday night, Bellamy rounds up Nino and Lucina and drags them out to the bonfire. He still looks exhausted and on edge, and as much as he tries to dial it down for them, he can't bring himself to sit. Instead, he stands, posture rigid and arms crossed.]

Why did you two vote for each other?

Comments

[rightfully]

[ Lucina watches the scene unfold, punctuated by Bellamy's words as they hang in the air.

The smile she gives may be a bit sad, but it's entirely hers. ]

[learnings]

[...Oh.

She's still someone who had an entirely stunted childhood; the hug is unexpected, but...incredibly appreciated. She leans into it, single remaining eye fluttering shut, sighing contentedly.

It's...a help, even if she's still worried about both of them.

Eventually, though--she speaks up.]

... I want you to stay safe too, Miss Lucina... we need you.

wow look i can actually use my hugging icon this is a miracle

[jettisons]

[Nino leans into the hug and Bellamy doesn't move. The poor kid probably needs this, and he's not going to cut it short before she does. He glances up at Lucina, giving her the barest nod.]

She's right.

go hug everyone on moron island bellamy

[rightfully]

...

[ Nino's words, and Bellamy's own affirmation to them, startles her back to a more solemn expression. The tableau they've created between them is another thing not for her, but - but it feels a little less like she's intruding when they say such things.

It helps her feel less tired, less than bird-boned. ]

I know.

[ It's the wrong promise to make, but... ]

You have my word.

start with lucina

[learnings]

[Nino pulls away eventually, but it's with a bright smile at Bellamy--she appreciates it completely, after all.]

... Okay.

[So first off, to Bellamy:]

I'm sorry we scared you. We'll be more careful in the future.

[And then to Lucina:]

And...thank you. For helping me. I couldn't... I couldn't vote for Miss Austria. [Not when she was so kind to her.]

he's gonna

[jettisons]

[Once Nino pulls away, he stands up again.]

I get it. I'm sorry you both had to make that choice. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get us all out of here, I promise.

[rightfully]

[ Her eyes widen a fraction. Only briefly, only a moment.

Softly, she says, ]

I hope you will accept help in your effort. There is nothing you need to do alone, Bellamy.

[ Nino will get a belated nod, a tiny smile. ]

Of course. I wouldn't let you take that chance alone.

[learnings]

[And, fiercely:]

Me too!

I want to help too...!

[She's, you know. Nino. She'll do her best.]

[jettisons]

I can use all the help I can get.

[He's actually smiling, just barely, and then it's gone.]

I don't want anyone else to die.

[rightfully]

No. On that, I think we all agree.

[ Bless you, Nino. Impulsively, Lucina will gather her close for a moment, an affectionate gesture that isn't nearly a hug.

She doesn't really do those.

To Bellamy: ]

Thank you... for trusting me.

[learnings]

[It's fine--Nino will complete the gesture, throwing her arms around Lucina in a proper hug.

So there.]

Heheh... I'm sure that with all of us working together and trying hard, we can do it!

[jettisons]

[Bellamy shoots Lucina a grateful look. He wants as many people keeping an eye out for Nino as possible.]

That's right. We'll figure this out.

[rightfully]

[ Lucina is a little startled by the hug, as Nino's arms wrap around her slender frame. For a moment, she's floundering visibly, not sure where to put her arms. Eventually, she gets it.

Hey. :') ]

I believe you're right.

[ Over Nino's head, she gives Bellamy a look, lips parting like she's about to say something else. Silence. It only results in another smile, as tenuous as ever.

She's been praying every night, despite her encouraging words. ]

[learnings]

[Good job, Lucina, she's proud of you.

Eventually she does pull away, but it's just to smile at both of them.]

Right! [It's utterly blind optimism--but sometimes, that's all they have.]

But...thank you for looking out for us too, Bellamy. I'm sorry we scared you.

[jettisons]

It's okay. I'm not upset with you.

[He just wants to keep her safe. He wants to keep everyone safe, and he's becoming more and more terrified he won't be able to.]

[rightfully]

[ Arms thus freed and torso reclaimed, Lucina doesn't find herself reaching for the empty air around Falchion's would-be hilt anymore. ]

Are we all good, then?

[learnings]

[Nino just nods quietly, looking content and far more settled.

It's hard not to feel better about everything when Bellamy and Lucina are both trying so hard to keep everyone safe.

It has to be fine like that. It has to.]

[jettisons]

We're good.

[Nino is feeling better, at least, and that's something.]

Hey, Nino, you mind if I borrow Lucina for a minute? We'll be right back.

[rightfully]

[ Lucina doesn't allow herself the time to look surprised, not with Nino present. She gives the younger girl a kind nod. ]

It's alright.

[learnings]

Um... okay!

[Nino just shakes her head--naturally she doesn't mind at all.

CARRY ON.]

[jettisons]

[Bellamy shoots Nino a smile and then touches Lucina's arm, leading her away. Only when he's sure Nino won't be able to hear does he stop, and even then, he pitches his voice low.]

Lucina, I need to ask you something if we're going to trust each other.

[rightfully]

[ She folds her arms together, for whatever message it sends. Her expression is a fair bit more shuttered than it had been a moment ago. ]

Of course.

[ There's a perfunctory note to her tone. ]

What is it, Bellamy?

[jettisons]

[That's not the best sign, and Bellamy crosses his arms unconsciously. He's already here. Might as well give it a shot.]

If anything happens to me, make sure Raven and Nino get out of this. Please.

[rightfully]

[ She hardly knows what he expects her to do in such a situation. It's a heavy charge, one she barely feels prepared for. Then again, her life has largely been her doing things blindly, because she has to, because no one else will, and hoping direly for the best. Lucina did ask for his trust; it's worth little if she can't offer something in return.

Her body language becomes a little more open. ]

Of course. [ It isn't her intention to abandon anyone, not willingly. ] I promise. I'll do everything in my power.

[jettisons]

[He relaxes visibly, exhaling.]

Thank you. Don't worry, I'm not planning on going anywhere.