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Her heart is beating so fast. It's ridiculous. All she's doing is laying beside him and her heart is giving off the impression that she's raced against a horse across the fields of Librel.
"Joshua," she whispers. The name falls from her lips easily, filled with wonder, filled with content. The boy sleeps peacefully beside her, gentleness touching his features. He looked vulnerable like this-- quite an unusual word to apply to Joshua, who was constantly tense and surveying the world around him.
Giddiness rises in her chest as she watches him in this calm state-- she'd seen it so many times as they were growing up, but for some reason her soul was being carried by an armada of gratitude. She had always let these moments slip by when she was young, but now it was enough to coax a big smile out of her.
Her hands trickle downwards to meet his, slipping between his fingers so she can grasp them. She chuckles to herself, noting the fact that both of their hands are calloused. But his are larger than hers, fitting over hers comfortably. His hands have scars, and hers do too, but they are warm. She is glad that this boy has returned to her alive. Alive, warm, and able. Joshua was finally able to live on his own-- as someone free of Weissman's manipulative strings.
Estelle shifts closer to Joshua, kissing his hair gently. He smells familiar. She kisses his nose, his cheek, giggling to herself after doing so.
"What are you doing?" a voice inquires softly. Estelle pauses and Joshua's eyes open slowly, dark eyelashes slowly parting to unveil his amber eyes. He gazes at her curiously, laughter colouring his voice.
"Hello."
"...H-Hi."
"You're kissing my face."
"Y-yes. You've got a problem with that?"
"Not at all. I like it. I like you," he hums, putting a hand on the small of her back and pulling her closer. Estelle makes a tiny squeak and takes advantage of the fact that this lets her bury her face in his chest.
"You should get back to sleep," he tells her softly. Estelle grabs Joshua and hugs him with excessive tightness. She almost says something cheesy enough to make the both of them cringe, but decides against it, sinking into the warmth of Joshua's embrace and letting sleep slowly descend upon her.