squeaklings | Piofiore - drabble challenges

Title: Drabble challenges
Wordcount: ??
Fandom: Piofiore, SO6
Rating: G
Warnings: Contains spoilers for both Piofiore games, no SO6 spoilers
Summary A collection of drabbles centering around Orlok, and some Alby/Letty

"Ah, thank you."

Orlok took the mug Lili held out to him, the scent of the cioccolata calda strong as he let the warmth travel through his fingers. Lili smiled and sat beside him against the church wall, legs tucked under her and her own mug steaming in her hands.

"Thank you for helping with the children. They really like you." She nodded towards the group napping in the sun.

Orlok smiled into his mug. "It was fun. But…I'm still not very good with children."

Lili bumped her shoulder against his. "Nonsense. You're wonderful." Her cheeks darkened at that and she quickly took a drink to hide her face. He wasn't sure why she seemed embarrassed, but he found himself thinking how cute she looked.

"Thank you. You're wonderful, too." Beside him Lili made a strange sound into her mug. Orlok leaned over to try to see her face. "Are you okay? Did you burn your tongue?"

"N-no! Just…drank too quickly…"

Hehe. Cute…

Orlok leaned back against the wall and took another sip, enjoying the late afternoon breeze and Lili's presence. The few chances he got to relax like this were precious, and not for the first time he found himself wishing it could always be this way. No missions other than protecting Lili and helping her around the church. Ah, but also keeping His Excellency safe, that was just as important.

"Hey, Lili, I –"

His train of thought cut short as Lili's head rested against his shoulder, her dozing face shadowed by the hair that fell across her cheek. Orlok set his mug down and gently removed hers from her hand; her fingers were soft, and warm, and before he realized it he was holding her hand in his.

"Sweet dreams, Lili." His whisper sounded loud in his ears, but she didn't wake. Orlok smiled and held her hand tighter as he closed his eyes, rested his head against hers, and let the breeze wash over him.

–

"Lili, it's time to–" Elena stopped short as she rounded the corner to gather everyone for dinner. The children all napped in a bundle in the sun, and against the wall Lili and Orlok sat side by side leaning against each other, hands clasped tightly together.

Well…it wouldn't hurt to let them rest just a little longer while she rounded up the children.

His necklace is cold and heavy against his chest as he presses the fusetto close to her neck. Even with His Excellency's words ringing in his head, Orlok can't bring himself to press the blade against her pale throat.

Why? Why would God want this? Lili did nothing wrong, had only brought light to the world and his life. He didn't understand. He didn't want to understand.

God, please. What is the answer?

A glint of metal draws his eye as Lili takes a frightened breath. Matching necklaces. Matching faiths.

And yet.

And yet.

"I know it's not easy finding a way for everyone to be happy." Her voice is shaking though the words are clear. "But I don't think we should give up."

Is this his answer? His hands feel numb as he lowers the fusetto and backs away from Lili, chest tight. He reaches for his necklace, feels the sharp sting as the jewelry pokes his skin; a stab for every sin. A reminder of the path he has walked as long as he can remember.

Even if it's wrong… Even if it damns him…

"I cannot kill you, Lili…"

He will throw away everything he has ever believed for her.

Letty sat before him, doing her best not to squirm and failing. Albaird did his best to hide his smile as he carefully brushed his fingers through her hair. The strands felt different between his right and left hands; he was still getting used to his new arm. It wasn't unpleasant, just…different, but in a way he had no words for.

"I have an idea to help you with your recovery, Alby!"

"So…I make three sections and loop them?"

"Hmm. It's more crossing than looping, but yes."

Albaird nodded, realized she couldn't see, and mumbled an acknowledgement. The motions were simple enough, although he kept losing the strands in his left hand. Controlling his hand was easy enough, but he still had difficulty making sense of what he was touching, or wouldn't realize he was holding anything.

"You're doing very well, Alby." Letty's bright, blind encouragement was welcome. If she could actually see the tangled mess he'd made, though, Albaird felt she would still say the same.

"Thank you, Princess."

--

"Your hair is a mess, Princess."

"Letty." She tried to look over her shoulder but Albaird grabbed her cheeks and gently set her looking straight ahead again. "It fell out in the fight."

"So I see." He combed his fingers through the strands. They were seated on a large rock, Laeticia in front of him as always. Their little camp was still, the fire just starting to flicker wildly.

"I prefer when you do my hair," she said after a few minutes, and Albaird paused with the strands held loosely in his fingers. "Your braids never fall out."

He laughed softly. "Perhaps because they are more knot than plait, Princess."

"Nonsense." She stretched her arms before her, fingers locked together. "You do yourself a disservice, Alby. You do more than you know."

"...Thank you, Letty."

–

When he woke Letty was already sitting up, her back to him as she looked out the window. She'd pulled her hair over her shoulder, and he leaned in to kiss her naked back. Letty shivered and glanced over her shoulder with a smile.

"Good morning, Alby."

"Princess." He shifted closer and wrapped his arms around her to pull her close against his chest. Letty hummed happily.

"I think today will be a good day," she finally said, twining her fingers with his. "Do you not agree?"

Albaird nodded and kissed her shoulder. He could see the decorations through the window, and knew her dress lay waiting in the next room. Letty raised their joined hands and kissed his knuckles.

"You will do my hair, won't you Albaird?" He could feel her smile against the back of his hand and held her tighter.

"Of course."

Her hands are clean, and pure, and beautiful.

Her fingers are warm on my hands as we knead the dough together, her instructions soft in my ear, but I don't hear them past the sound of my heart. Her hands are smooth, no calluses to be found, but she has a small cut on her left forefinger. I gently brush it with mine and she smiles, blushing. When I touch it again and she twines our fingers together, it's hard to breathe.

Her fingers are gentle as she dresses my wounds, touch as loving as her voice as she wraps the clean bandage around my forearm. She is quick and precise, too used to doing something I wish she never had to. When she's done I hold her hands in mine and kiss her knuckles, and she smiles.

Her fingers are fire on my skin as they trace my lips and neck and scars, following a path long since memorized. There's tenderness in every touch and my breath catches as I lean in to kiss her. Her hands splay out against my chest, over the heart that has been hers since we met.

Yes, her hands are clean, and pure, and beautiful.

Like her.

When he enters their bedroom he finds Lili asleep on the bed, covers kicked down to her ankles and clutching his pillow to her face. Instead of her usual negligee she wears one of his shirts; it hangs off her shoulder and barely covers her hips, and he can easily see the swell of her breasts from the deep neckline. Orlok inhales at the sight, heart in his throat, and only after a few moments does he realize he's simply been staring at her.

"Lili?" He sits on the bed near her knee and gently caresses her hair with his left hand. She stirs at the touch and blinks at him with hazy eyes. Orlok smiles and traces his fingers down to her cheek. "I'm home."

"Orlok…!"

She's in his arms in a flash, face pressed against his chest as she clutches his vest. Orlok holds her tight and presses his face to the crown of her head as he breathes in her scent. Flowers, and a hint of sugar; she must have been baking.

"I'm sorry I was gone so long. The storm delayed us." His job this time took him from town, although he'd been wary to accept it and leave Lili alone. They'd been safe so far, and she promised to stay in their home just in case, but still.

"I know, it was bad here too. I knew you'd come home, though." She peeks up at him through her hair and he smiles. His prosthetic rests on her hip just below the hem of his–her?--shirt and he plucks at the fabric. Lili glances at his gloved hand against her thigh and tugs at the shirt self-consciously. "...it smells like you. It helped me sleep."

Orlok's heart is going to burst through his throat. He nuzzles Lili's hair before falling backwards onto the bed and pulling her with him. Lili squeaks and lands half across his chest.

"It suits you." His voice is muffled by her hair as he buries his face against her neck. "You can wear it as much as you want. I like it."

He can feel her smile as she winds her arms around him.

"I do, too."