#i saw the beastars part about otters so i <3

[tarot-archives]

Sea otters— Laios Touden

fluff | gn reader

happiness is in these moments of complete surprise. summer in northern europe was supposed to be hot, but standing outside at 19 °C  weather is difficult for a tropical person. your hands rubbed raw as you try to make yourself warm. laios was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. he wasn’t the kind to be late.

but just as your anxieties were beginning to take hold, he arrived with that boyish sunshine grin. and of course, being the local of this scandinavian island, he’s wearing a one-piece shirt and a plain uv jacket.

he apologizes for his tardiness but soon he stops as he sees you shiver, “are you cold?” laios removes his jacket and drapes it over you, “it was a bit warm today. i didn’t think you’d be shivering.”

“this is warm to you!? achoo!” 

his hands immediately reached for your freezing ones to provide a bit of warmth as an apology. 

“let’s get you somewhere warm,” your friend cups your hands with both of his palms like he’s offering to a prayer—sinful, begging for forgiveness. he blows his hot breath as respite waiting for your response. 

you give him your approval, so he walks with you to the nearest cafe for a hot drink. he doesn’t let go, he doesn’t pull to make you uncomfortable. his movements were calculated, focused, and so much, very much afraid. his self-consciousness too was a trigger response for him.

he doesn’t let go, even as you two wait for each other’s order. his palm offering relief as he pushes through the shame of his recent fault. and as you were about to pull away for a moment, to excuse yourself to the restroom, his thoughts ran out.

“did you know when sea otters are tired they hold hands with each other to avoid being swept away by the tide when they sleep?” laios runs his mouth at the fact. “it makes them feel very safe. don’t you think that’s a cool fact?”

you entwined your fingers with his, instead of excusing yourself. you can tell he’s afraid of the idea that you were pulling away because of him. but it could never be that. your hand squeezes in reassurance because it feels like if you let go, the current of loneliness and misunderstanding will sweep him away all alone.  

“i find it cute, actually,” you smile, the warmth spreading to your body with his gesture. 

from then on, laios made sure to meet up with you in warmer shops. in his mind, he waits until the climate gets cooler, to find a new excuse to hold your hand again.

Requests? Open!