Yuina froze, watching Karen’s hand as it moved down, line by line. Words stuck in her throat, lingered unspoken on the tip of her tongue. Tracks of black were left on the page, rough messy scribbles. Yuina set her shoulders as she stepped forward, it was only a few steps to close the distance between them, and reach out to place her hand on Karen’s arm.
Yuina winced at the snap of emotion that bucked against the tips of her fingers. Thick, like old taffy, the feelings clung to her, but Yuina gently wrapped an arm around Karen’s chest as she hugged her from behind. Was it wrong to feel what another felt like this? Emotions should be private, but when someone was hurting then… Yuina squeezed tight as she rested her forehead against Karen’s shoulder. Hardened plates felt sharp against her skin, but Yuina remained still until she felt the pen start to slow.
“I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have to carry this alone,” She said softly. Still, it wanted, or, she wanted didn’t she? That was the emotion that Yuina thought she felt. The Grimm and Karen were one, even if they felt so disjointed, but what both felt was real. “I can try… to make it a little softer, would that help?” Yuina looked up, and she looked to Karen.
//... into the dark she stepped, but never did she feel free of the gaze...//
The word came late, after a moment of silence. Yuina was there, was... with her. An arm around her, a hand on her own arm, a resting weight against her shoulder. Would the bones cut in? But no, not her. The plates softened, or at least smoothed - not gone, but not so jagged. Keeping Yuina safe was more important than anything else, of course. Karen - or whatever else she was - wouldn't hurt her. The pen had stilled, but Karen didn't make any move to step away from the closeness. Her eyes lowered, half-closed.
A little softer. No. Yuina could be soft, but Karen couldn't be. Karen had to be hard, to protect her. To stand between her and the things that might hurt her. And - sometimes - just sometimes - to stand close.
"I'm not alone."
Not any more. Yuina was here. Yuina was with her, had come to her. A little smile touched her features, something of amusement in it. She'd gotten what shed wanted, after all.
“Okay…” Yuina said gently, pressing her lips into a tight line for a lingering moment, before smiling. It felt so… tacky and pleased against her fingertips, like molasses had dribbled down her arm and she couldn’t quite wash it off. Still, it was Karen’s choice, not hers. She couldn’t just — Yuina squeezed Karen’s shoulder. Feeling how someone felt was always so… Yuina pulled her hand back and shook her head. It didn’t really drive what she felt lingering on her fingers away, but she could tell herself that it did.
“Right, we’re together,” Yuina said, her hand slipping off Karen’s shoulder. She reached out for the paper, now dotted with scribbles, and tore it off the wall with a yank. The paper too was filled with longing, so Yuina crumpled it in her hand until all that was left was a tight ball that she dropped onto the ground.
She still felt conflicted tight in her chest, but she offered her hand for Karen to take. “Are you ready?” She asked.
//... into the dark she stepped, but never did she feel free of the gaze...//
That ruined it, somewhat. It would have been one thing, if they were both happy about it, but if Yuina was worried... it just wasn't right. Karen sighed quietly, and closed her eyes. She supposed that she had to let it go, didn't she? The feeling of...
...no.
Maybe it wasn't what she had thought it was. Her eyes blinked quickly, and she brushed the back of her hand across them. Oh... she'd untransformed, hadn't she? When Yuina had pulled her had away. She'd said they were together, but...
...but her hand was there, for Karen to take. If she wanted-
-wanted-
She did. Truly, she had never wanted anything more. Karen closed her hand into a fist at her side, forcing herself to keep it alone this time.
Are you ready?
No.
She really hadn't been, had she? Instead of answering, Karen just gave a little smile, the sort of little smile that said that there really wasn't any choice about it. There was something here, after all, and it wanted-
It was more important than what she wanted. Maybe that was what she had meant. Maybe. Karen blinked her eyes again, then started forward.
That was all… Yuina released a breath as her hand returned to her side, and she returned Karen’s smile with a nod. Yuina smiled, brief and fluttering, and her gaze turned down the hallway to the staircase. She ran her hand across the smooth fabric of her cloak, soft as velvet, and nodded again for herself. If they could just distract it for a moment or two, then she could make it weak.
There was a dull noise from the floor above, doors slid open and closed, wood grinding against wood, and the slow thudding of feet.
“If we draw it downstairs, then we can ambush it.” Yuina said faintly, looking for the best place to hang her cloak so it might catch the eye in a rush.
//... into the dark she stepped, but never did she feel free of the gaze...//
Or, at least, something was. Yuina was thinking about setting a trap, and that seemed like a good plan. If whatever it was didn't see her, she could touch it before it had a chance. Yuina fingered her cloak, looking for a place to put it, and Karen gave her a silent nod in return. If they could bring it down the stairs to them, they might have a chance.
If we draw it downstairs.
But that wouldn't work, would it? Because Yuina needed to stay hidden. Karen looked up the stairs, to where the noise was coming from, something frustrated and angry and searching for what it wanted-
She turned around quickly, before she could convince herself not to, and threw her arms around her friend's neck, only for a moment.
Because I want, too.
But she wouldn't say that. Instead she just let go, because she had to - she always, always had to - and said, softly, "I'll go."
And then, before she could want anything else, Karen turned around once more and ran up the stairs.