projectroxas | (no subject)

[ looks up and over at nathan, blinking once at his silence. lifts an arm. ]

Kurzer Junge! Come, come! You are family too, so you must join!

[ hesitates, feeling awkward at the invitation but dutifully gets up anyway, as if he doesn't have a choice. shakes slightly as he gets on his knees, leans forward, then just stops and lets hilda grab onto him tightly. lets out a 'HURK'-ing sound at the sheer force of the hug. ]

[ is vaguely aware of the addition to the embrace, enough for him to gently swing an arm around to wrap around nathan's shoulders to complete the group hug. squeezes his arm underneath hilda's around nathan to reduce the pressure as he nuzzles his nose into hilda's shoulder fondly. ]

I am happy!

[ squeezes them again for a minute more before giving them each a kiss on the top of their heads, pulling away slightly to get a look at them both. eyes land on caleb briefly. ]

You will be more happy when you're back at my place, ja? [ pats nathan's shoulder, signaling him to move as she helps caleb to his feet. ] Kurzer Junge, can you manage the bag? I will help Caleb.

[ looks down at his feet after he stands, feeling himself blush again. gives a tiny nod, shuffles over to the bag, then begins to roll it towards them. ]

[ nods a few times in approval. looks down at caleb, voice lowering a tad. ]

< Do you want me to carry you? Just help? >

[ almost begins moving away, driven by habit to go help nathan with the load. gives up the ambition right on schedule, however, when he feels the world spin again. clutches at hilda, eyes closing briefly as he quietly mumbles back: ]

< Piggyback? I want to get away from here. . . I don't like this place, even when it's Home. > [ short pause. ] < Is Nathan okay? >

< Of course, sweetheart. >

[ bends at the knees slightly to accept him onto her back, holding and adjusting him easily when he gets on. does not answer his other question until she looks over her shoulder. smiles a bit. ]

< He looks uncomfortable, but that might be my fault. > [ pauses to chuckle and begin their walk, knowing nathan will follow. ] < I'm sure he'll feel better when you're alone with him again. >

[ wraps his arms around her neck as lightly as he can without losing his grip. ]

< Mm. . . I'll tell him that Hilda is a great person. He'll like you, too. And I'll work hard so that he'll like Germany too. >

[ gently bumps her head against his in an affectionate manner. ]

< I don't think you'll need to work hard at all for him to like Germany. If he likes you as much as I think he does, he'll like it by default. >

[ nuzzles at her hair a little. ]

< I know he likes me a lot! I like him a lot too. But I want him to like Germany because of Germany, not me. I want to show him that people can have really great Homes. >

[ blinks, instantly drawn to that last bit. ]

< Does he not like his home? >

[ is quiet for a moment in thought. ]

< He's not happy there. I also got to see one member of his family, and he makes me uncomfortable. >

[ hums in thought, giving it some serious thought. ]

< That's a tough situation. He's too young to move out on his own. I doubt his parents or guardians would allow that... At least he comes and visits you enough, yeah? >

< I gave him the spare key! And his own room! >

< You don't share a room? >

< Only when he wants to. . . >

[ pauses. it takes her a moment but she eventually laughs a little. ]

< Oh, right. I think I have a good book to give you when we get home! >

[ perks up a little. ]

< Book! I like Hilda's books! I'll read it to the end! >

< You should! It's very educational and will help you in your relationship with the short boy. >

[ blinks. ]

< Should I share it with Nathan too? I can translate! >

< Aha... I think he would be too embarrassed. You should read it and teach him yourself later. >

< Okay. . . but I'm not a very good teacher, Hilda. >

< You will be! I'll give you FIVE golden stars if you at least try! >

< . . . ! Then I'll try really hard! >