whoiwasmeant2be | (no subject)

Tobias had sat perched on the couch throughout the night. He'd dozed fitfully, but had been waiting for Rachel to come out of her room.

She didn't.

Then she'd gotten up in the morning and gone about her usual routine without speaking to him. Barely looking at him.

He, of course, had watched her like... well, like a hawk. And he'd been tense because he could tell that she hadn't gotten much sleep.

And she'd left without a word.

Which had led to Tobias spending hours just perched on the couch, unable to leave since she'd closed the door behind her. And hadn't opened the door to the balcony like she usually did. Tobias decided to wait for her to come back, but the hours stretched on and on.

The hawk grew restless. Hungry. He needed to get out and hunt. He fought that need for as long as he could, but... he couldn't do it forever. He needed to leave, and the doors were closed. That meant...

Tobias shifted human. As soon as he finished some of that need went away, some of that restlessness, but it was replaced with the... oddness of not having the hawk in his head anymore. Tobias took a deep breath and moved to open the door to the balcony.

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Does he? Really?

Rachel's smile doesn't reach her eyes, but she steps forward, too.

"Just... here, in Milliways... we can..."

Hold hands. See a movie. Eat out.

Be together.

Be normal.

Tobias hesitates for a moment, then he slowly extends his hand. It's an awkward and hesitant gesture, but it is a gesture.

"I think... I might like that."

To have a second chance.

"Really?"

It changes her entire expression, that willingness on his part.

He'd had a while to think about it, after all.

"I love you, too, you know," he said softly, face flushing.

She mirrors him, color in her cheeks.

This time, her smile reaches her eyes.

"I do. I know."

Her hand in his, a hold he offered.

After a second his fingers squeeze hers. It's slight, but... it's nice.

His gaze slips upward, smiling as he studies her face. Drinks it in.

She smiles back, looking back at him. Talons and gold eyes and feathers - gone. Just a boy, a little shorter than she is. Floppy blonde hair and soft human eyes.

And a smile.

Her fingers curl around his, tentative and smiling right back. Feeling, abruptly, so very young.

Nervous.

He stands there in silent, just looking at her and smiling.

Partly because he likes the feeling it gives him in the pit of his stomach.

And partly because he doesn't really know what else to do.

She feels like... they should...

Everything should be easier without panic and fear and adrenaline surrounding them. Rachel can count the number of times they've kissed on one hand, with fingers to spare.

She can also feel her face heat with a blush at the idea as she smiles at him.

"Do you want to... go for a walk?"

Tobias' own face colors to match hers, but he nods. It's a small gesture, kept that way so that he doesn't have to look away from her.

"I'd like that."