Gentle Hands
The recruits’ mission was coming to a close and they were waiting for the dropship to pick them up at the Siphoned Forest. Witness, Arsonist, Shepherd, and Wanderer were picked for this week's scouts, and with their efficiency (and Arsonists' maniacal tendency yet proficiency to raze their enemies in his path), they were finished with their mission early. The group agreed to meet up at a designated point later that day to be collected and went of their own ways to kill some time.
“Your hands are soft.”
“Hm?”
“Oh, I uh, said your hands are soft…”
Wanderer and Shepherd lay together by one of the towering snow-covered trees, sap oozing out from the taps that bore into them. The snow was soft and gentle, perfect for laying atop. They were in reverie, enjoying each other's company and the still environment around them. Wanderer had gently picked up Shepherd’s hand from where it was resting on her chest and ran his thumb over her palm, examining it. He enveloped her hand with his as if to guard it safely and carefully. Her hand was small in comparison, his gloved ones making his much bigger.
She didn’t say much to his comment and only smiled softly under her helmet. He felt the pads of her fingertips, the soft bumps of her knuckles, and the smooth sides of her fingernails. He memorized the creases of where her fingers and palm fold when they are clenched in a fist. He measured the length of her fingers and compared it to his. He took his time, indulging in the feeling of her hands. Suddenly Shepherd released her hands from his.
“May I take your glove off?” Wanderer nodded slowly.
Shepherd carefully pulled off Wanderer’s right glove and underneath was the opposite of her own hand. Weathered down by years of survival in the harsh winters, Wanderer’s hand was calloused, rough, and bore many scars on his palm from constantly climbing mountains, and ropes and swinging his ice pick. His fingers were thick with tough skin. There was no time for self-care for him and the consequences bore itself on his hands. With a saddened expression, Shepherd clasped his hand in between hers. Her chest ached for Wanderer, praying for the man who didn’t deserve to live a life like his.
Shepherd gingerly touched the rough callouses of his hand, her fingers caressing his palm.
“Does it hurt? Your hands?” Wanderer shook his head and took his hand away to put his glove back on.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just… It’s been too long since I’ve felt the touch of another person’s hand. I’ve forgotten the feeling. Years of being alone have made me used to forgetting and I’m afraid of losing that feeling again.” Wanderer looked away from Shepherd, suddenly afraid of disappointing her.
“Hm,” Shepherd only looked solemnly at him. The sky turned into a light blue-grey color as the Snow began to gently fall from the sky. Wanderer instinctively pulled his fur-lined hood tighter around his head as specks of white dotted his dark blue winter coat. Shepherd pulled her cloak closer around her, thinking of what to say.
They sat in silence once again.
“Wanderer.”
“...”
Shepherd put her hands on Wanderer’s helmeted face, brushing the fallen snow away with her thumbs from his glowing, purple, horizontal visor. She gently pulled his face to hers, their foreheads touching and making a soft “clink” as the sound of metal hit together. Wanderer was surprised but cautiously welcomed her touch. He slowly raised a hand to place on top of hers.
“I’m not going anywhere, Wanderer. You won’t be alone this time.”
“...”
“I promise you don’t have to do things by yourself anymore, Wanderer.”
“...”
“You’re going to be okay, you’re okay with me.”
The snow continued to fall on their shoulders. The silence was piercing as Shepherd waited for Wanderer to react.
Wanderer wrapped his arms slowly around Shepherd, pulling her into a gentle hug. She put a hand on the back of his head and the other on his back. He started crying softly into her shoulder, relieved to finally be vulnerable to the world.
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It’s Pride Month!
Tbh, I'm not too sure what my sexuality is, but that won’t stop me from supporting the LGBTQIA community!
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