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It was supposed to be a simple day. Just a fun and relaxing one with caleb after months of not being able to see each other. Instead he had offered to work the claw machine, and I accepted happily, content at the idea of letting him care for me in such a mundane way. Only.....he was failing at getting them. The first two I figured he was just rusty, but then he used his evol and was still unsuccessful.
As the rounds went on, me constantly buying more attempts for us, the frustration grew in me. Especially when he wouldn't let me take over. Round 11 I felt it. The tightness in my throat and a burning in my eyes and nose. I had long since stopped verbally cheering, focusing on tugging his sleeve and bumping him slightly, hoping the silent encouragement was enough. But as he failed to get the cactus plushie once again I couldn't help as I silently backed away, trying to hide my face as I felt the tears trying to fall. Tears I was quick to try and stop.
"Hey, woah are you okay," came his voice through the waves of frustration, before a hand touched my chin, carefully lifting my face to look at him. I felt rather than heard his intake of breath, his thumb going to gather the moisture gathering in my eyelashes.
"Hey, talk to me. C'mere little sparrow." He bundled me into his arms, and I fought for a moment before collapsing into him, small sniffles leaving me as I continued fighting the tears. "Little Sparrow, whats wrong," he murmured, hand going to play with my hair, worry radiating off him.
"Just...." I shook my head, trying to pull away but finding myself trapped. "'S nothing. Its stupid, shouldn't bother me." I mumbled, voice shaking and throat burning as I forced my voice as calm as I could.
Immediately those arms let me go, taking my upper arm in each hand instead, forcing me to stay.
"If its you its never stupid. Talk to me. Let me fix this," he said softly, a gentleness to him that had me getting pushed that much further to tears. Still, I shook my head, unable to voice aloud the ridiculousness of what had set me off.
"Little Sparrow, is there a reason you won't tell me," his voice cut through again, and I closed my eyes. I knew he wouldn't give up, so I took a shaky breath. Finding myself unable to speak, however, I glanced towards the claw machine and then back down.
Understanding seemed to dawn on him, and he tensed for a moment before kissing the top of my head and turning to the machine. Within minutes he returned, arms laiden with one of each plushie, kneeling in front of me.
"Wasnt sure which one you wanted, so got one of each," he said, voice soft and tinged with something that sounded almost like guilt. When I didn't immediately move though he adjusted them, holding the plushies in one arm and pulling me against him. "'M sorry Pipsqueak. I didn't know it was getting to you that much."
I shook my head, refusing to look up at him for fear the tears that had managed to slip free would become stronger. There was a moment of silence before he held one out to me, a little duck covered in cherries. The one I had been cheering the loudest for. I hesitated, before silently taking it and pulling it to my chest. Before I had processed it he was lifting me up, the swooping sensation of his evol hitting my body at the same time I settled in place on his back.
"Cmon. Lets go home, I think we could do with some rest. You've got me all weekend so we can do more games tomorrow," he said, face turning so he could see where mine laid on his shoulder. When there wasn't a complaint from me, he started moving, using his size to part the crowds, one hand rubbing along my thigh in soothing motions.
I found myself leaning into him more with each step, eyes drooping as the weight of emotions wore me down, before I nuzzled into his neck. Softly, so softly I didnt even think I had spoken, I whispered to him.
"Missed you Cay."
"Missed you too little sparrow. Get some rest, I've got things under control."