Title: to hold, to stay (close)
Rating: G
Fandom: Virche Evermore
Relationship: Hugo/Yves
Wordcount: 355
Short summary: Adolphe asks what happened to bring Yves and Hugo here, holding hands.
“So… How did this happen?”
Hugo should have known that Adolphe would pick up on it immediately. It was one thing for Yves and Hugo to stand close together but another thing for Yves to hold Hugo’s hand. Hell, it still makes Hugo’s heart feel like bursting even though Yves has done it over a dozen times already.
Yves laughs while Hugo averts his gaze. Hugo knows his ears are likely red; he wants to pull his hand away to hold his chest, but Yves’ grip only tightens.
“Well, while we traveling, there was a woman who starting flirting with Hugo-”
“She was asking me why I had a soft smile…”
“See? Flirting!”
“…when I looked at Yves.” Hugo coughs, shooting a pointed look at Yves for making misleading comments. “It didn’t help that I was drunk.”
But Yves is not deterred. “I mean, Hugo talking to a woman outside of business so kindly? He wasn’t even as nice to Ceres.”
Hugo frowns. “You know why I wasn’t so nice to Ceres back then.”
It feels like Yves is purposefully playing dumb, although… maybe it’s just Yves’ unique perspective at play? Hugo doesn’t know what to think except that he doesn’t want to say more about his past feelings regarding Ceres in front of Adolphe of all people.
Adolphe remains silent, neither nodding nor shaking his head, making Hugo feel guilty that he inadvertently brought up something that was considered water under the bridge.
“Anyway.” Yves’ laugh finally breaks the silence. “It just made me realize that maybe I could lose Hugo and…”
“I won’t leave you, ever.” Hugo blurts out, reflexively squeezing Yves’ hand. He coughs awkwardly afterwards. “Not by choice anyway.”
Yves’ blinding smile in response is well… Another reason Hugo would be clutching at his chest if his hand were free.
Adolphe coughs. “Well… Thanks for the explanation.”
Hugo snorts. “You asked for it.”
“I suppose I did.” Adolphe smiles. “I’m happy for you two.”
“I am happy too!”
God, is Yves trying to… Hugo shakes his head. Thank God Scien fixed the issue with Reliver hearts long ago.
“…Shut up, Yves.”