Work Text:
Marcille runs her finger through the cool earth, idly drawing shapes as her mind wanders. The soil is almost silky, slightly damp, and it has that smell that reminds her of new things. And things that have died. Decay becoming life, becoming something new. She looks down and picks up a tiny twig. Probably some kind of evergreen but she isn't sure. It breaks easily when she bends it. She finds another twig, well, it's more of a stick.
A beat passes and she draws a little heart in the soil with it. She stares at the shape, sitting with the welling pain in her chest. She's about to draw more when a leaf crunches behind her. When she looks up, Laios is standing behind her. He doesn't say anything but holds his hand out to her.
"I miss him too. But you know as well as I do he wouldn't want you moping around."
Marcille swallows thickly and nods, taking his hand so he can pull her up. The pair stand there for a moment before she slips her arms around him. He tenses under her touch. Marcille doesn't let go though, squeezing him tighter. Laios gives in and hugs her back, resting his head on hers.
"I think I'm in love with you."
The words slip out before she can stop herself. She braces for rejection or confusion or anything. But nothing happens for a long moment and then Laios is pulling away from her. The smile he gives her is soft, endearing, gods she wants to kiss him.
"I've been in love with you forever I think." He says it so simply, so plainly, that she just stares at him. He holds her gaze, face flushing darkly before suddenly looking away.
"Hey look at that! See the markings in the leaves? How the dirt is all churned up? I bet it was some kind of snake monster." Laios laughs awkwardly, trying to pull away from Marcille.
She blinks at him before grabbing his collar and pulling him down for a kiss.