[ When Claude tugs at her hands they fall away without any resistance despite knowing that her cheeks are probably flush in a way she doesn't like. In hindsight it shouldn’t matter what she looks like and she knows that. He’s seen her in so many states at this point — primped and proper, barely coherent with last night’s sleep in her eyes and dried drool on her cheek, bloodied and broken — that this probably doesn’t even make the notable mentions list. What she’s more acutely aware of is the fact that she feels laid bare before him, not just in this moment, but in all the moments before this. For there is the unmistakable look of love on her face that he must know without a shadow of a doubt is how she’s been looking at him for so many years now.
When he compared her to the stars, she had never given it much weight. Why would she when playfulness and freedom was all she ever wanted? Claude believing in her, seeing her as more than just Holst’s little sister and as someone of worth barely crossed her mind. To be loved by Claude had been a daydream that had blossomed unbeknownst to her. A daydream that she could keep close to her heart because she never thought she could have him in that way. Even before knowing he was a prince she had known better than to let it go further than that.
And yet here he is, bathed in the light of the moon that she so affectionately calls him looking at her in the way she’s always hoped. For a moment she lies there in silence, overwhelmed and overrun with tenderness, foolishness, and embarrassment.
But in the next breath her hands are cradling his face, closing the distance between them in this bedframe to kiss him. That alone could say so many things because she’s never thought she’s had a talent for meaningful words: he is like the moon; he illuminates, he makes everything more. But he deserves more than that. When she breaks apart from him it’s only for a moment and only to hover inches from his lips as she peppers words between more kisses. ]
I love you. [ A laugh splutters from her lips, the words sounding strange and yet so familiar on her lips because she had said it in so many ways except those three words. ] And it’s so stupid because no matter what I try to compare you to, nothing will ever describe how I feel. I love you. I love you even though I don't feel deserving of your love, but for you I'll try.
[ She brings his hand to lay over her chest, pressing her forehead to his. The words that come next are clumsy, but no less earnest. Learning Almyran had been a difficult endeavor when there was no one to teach it to her and she had wanted to keep it a surprise. The last thing she had expected was for it to come out like this. ]
My moon. My heart. I adore you with everything that I am.
no subject
When he compared her to the stars, she had never given it much weight. Why would she when playfulness and freedom was all she ever wanted? Claude believing in her, seeing her as more than just Holst’s little sister and as someone of worth barely crossed her mind. To be loved by Claude had been a daydream that had blossomed unbeknownst to her. A daydream that she could keep close to her heart because she never thought she could have him in that way. Even before knowing he was a prince she had known better than to let it go further than that.
And yet here he is, bathed in the light of the moon that she so affectionately calls him looking at her in the way she’s always hoped. For a moment she lies there in silence, overwhelmed and overrun with tenderness, foolishness, and embarrassment.
But in the next breath her hands are cradling his face, closing the distance between them in this bedframe to kiss him. That alone could say so many things because she’s never thought she’s had a talent for meaningful words: he is like the moon; he illuminates, he makes everything more. But he deserves more than that. When she breaks apart from him it’s only for a moment and only to hover inches from his lips as she peppers words between more kisses. ]
I love you. [ A laugh splutters from her lips, the words sounding strange and yet so familiar on her lips because she had said it in so many ways except those three words. ] And it’s so stupid because no matter what I try to compare you to, nothing will ever describe how I feel. I love you. I love you even though I don't feel deserving of your love, but for you I'll try.
[ She brings his hand to lay over her chest, pressing her forehead to his. The words that come next are clumsy, but no less earnest. Learning Almyran had been a difficult endeavor when there was no one to teach it to her and she had wanted to keep it a surprise. The last thing she had expected was for it to come out like this. ]
My moon. My heart. I adore you with everything that I am.