Chapter Text
Ardbert wanted to comfort his fellow Warrior of Light, but every time he reached for them, his hand passed right through. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d touched something, or someone.
This time was different though. Something had changed. He raised his hand in a gesture he thought would be useless, but instead of passing through flesh he touched the Warrior’s hand. They stared at each other in amazement, until the Warrior snapped out of their reverie and crushed him in a hug.
”How is this possible?” the Warrior wondered, arms tight around Ardbert.
”I don’t know,” Ardbert murmured, clinging to the Warrior. ”I didn’t think I’d ever get to do this again.”
They stood there for a while, enjoying the comfortable closeness. As the Warrior was about to let go, Ardbert tightened his hold on them.
”Please, don’t let go,” he begged. ”Just hold me a little bit longer.”
The Warrior happily obliged his request and continued to hold him. Ardbert let out a relieved sigh. It had been so long since he last touched something, let alone hugged someone. He hadn’t realised how much he missed it until now.
When they finally let go of each other, Ardbert took a step back from the Warrior. Embarassed by his sudden display of emotions, he flushed a bright red. He scratched the back of his head, fighting the urge to ask for yet another hug.
”I’m sorry, I don’t know what possessed me to do that,” he said, laughing weakly.
”Don’t worry about it,” the Warrior assured him and offered a bright smile. ”One can never have too many hugs, my friend.”