(( LOL thank u..

“ a little sheep, huh...? ”

eyes flutter from the poke. snickering.

“ pff, i guess i could see it... what would that make you, then? a big bad wolf or something? ”

“ mmh? ”

pulling away to look at him.

“ what i meant was, we’d probably see each other differently right now had we not met so early, y’know? ”

nuzzling closer towards the crook of his neck.

“ if i didn’t know any better, i’d have thought you were absolutely fearless. ”

they snickered quietly, maintaining their low voice.

“ it could’ve been the case if i haven’t met you yet. ”

“ don’t think i’ve ever taken you here, so i understand. ”

giving him another squeeze, one of comfort. chest rising and falling deeply as they rest their head on his shoulder.

“ suppose it’s something to make my woes less repetitive. ”

stopping before they reach even farther. sitting themselves at what had used to be a fountain, blanketed with moss. glossing over the figure of ‘queen toriel’, who stood tall in the middle... as if the ruins couldn’t get any more eerily quiet.

“ ... *you* okay? ”

asking, as they turn to check.

luk follows his pace, comforted by his understanding.
at some point, they willingly take the lead, walking into the deeper ruins. the air gets thicker, colder. but they’re used to it.

“ … thank you, ”

they’d mutter, squeezing his hand.
the place is practically frozen in time, save for a few spots.

they scratch at their cheek. so fidgety...

“ just... around here, i guess. ”

nervously glancing up at him. as an apology, they take his hand back in theirs. looking way, way past the ruins tree.

“ mmhhh.. ”

reaching for their own arm, they rub at their sleeve, as if doing this would make them any better. hesitant, but they shake their head firmly.

“ i... think i’d rather we take a walk, or something... ”

an invitation as spontaneous as it sounds, given that they’re still in pajamas.

“ ow... ”

rubbing their cheeks. then, quiet for a moment, as if trying to think of how to avoid the question.

“ ah, i don’t even know where to start... ”

or, as if it weren’t the usual woes. mostly. it’s getting pretty shameful.

it takes a few seconds. pouting throughout, their cheeks still puffy.

“ i’ll be careful, i just don’t want you to be uncomfortable. ”

being all stubborn, leaving him with a very warm shirt. the wrinkles are also gone, anyhow...

“ wah.. ”

awfully guilty. arms sliding off, they reposition their hands to the front. soggy shirt. blegh.

“ l-let me fix it— ” 💧

with a palm instantaneously as hot as an iron. at least they’re thoughtful enough to hold up the underside...? frantic, if it wasn’t obvious.

“ ... thank you. ”

eugh, cringing at their croaky voice.

“ s-sorry, for all that... um, now your shirt’s all wet with tears. ”

nonetheless, they return the smile. laughing awkwardly as they point it out.

it’s nice, having his heartbeat to focus on as they calm down. luk uncurls their fists, leaving palms pressed against his back.

despite the fabric acting as a barrier for bare touch, it's nary a difference in realizing that he's here, and that everything will be okay. their head turns up slightly.

there’s a few reasons that come to mind...
yet, after a long while of clutching onto him, there’s still not a single word that’s come out of their mouth.

their hold’s gotten less shakier, at least.

(( sorry for being inactive and stuff. will post art inspired off the stream on main