The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Embrace of a Loved One

A/N: Happy Easter everyone! So we'll be getting right into it today! Because I know everyone's been waiting for this! And believe me it won't disappoint! Let's go!

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Lappland gasped.

"No way . . ."

Texas displayed the necklace for Lappland to see, her arm feeling stiff from how she held it, for all the nerves rattling away inside her. Ever since Lappland had tried to give her that new necklace she had known this could not remain a secret anymore. The thing a smart person might've thrown away years ago was still here, and with it came the unspoken admission that the love never did stop. Even when broken up those feelings were stuck in her chest permanently. She knew the same rang true for Lappland, having seen the other necklace —the one she held's pair— worn on that pale neck. The tags were dull from a lack of polishing, but the fact they both kept theirs spoke so much.

"Yeah. That's . . . That's why I didn't want the other necklace. I'm sorry I didn't say anything earlier." She murmured, willing Lappland to understand it hadn't been by choice she had let those negative feelings stir between them for the past few hours. Extraneous circumstances had made it impossible to have this talk.

. . . Until now.

There were so many things she knew needed to be handled, but they could wait till tomorrow.

Texas would make them wait as long as necessary, so Lappland would understand.

Lappland's silver gaze was glued to the necklace, marveling it with her widened eyes. "I can't believe you kept it. After everything I did . . ."

"Houston wanted me to get rid of it all, said it wouldn't be good to dwell. Bright was just as angry, the twins were sad, and then there was . . ." She trailed off. That was another chasm of discussion that would take time. Because what would Lappland say once she knew?

So, maybe it was best to keep quiet about that person for now.

They could always discuss her later.

"I see. It makes sense they'd want you to move on. They never did like me as much as you." Lappland muttered self-deprecatingly.

"No, no, that isn't true and you know it. While I can't say as much for Houston —since he's my grandfather— Hawke, Eagle and the rest saw you as just as much of a friend as they did me. The only thing that changed was—"

"The Infection. I know. I'm well aware of how horrible I became when I changed." Lappland's hands curled into fists, grasping at the blanket she'd tugged over her legs at some point.

Changed. Admittedly, Texas did not like that word. It's not your fault she wanted to say, but something told her Lappland would not want such an excuse, no matter how truthful, to be given to her. So she sat down next to Lappland, allowing the necklace to fall into her lap. The movements felt less stiff then they had before when she bent over, though there was that soreness plaguing her joints from all the fighting they had done today which left her inwardly wincing.

"It's alright Lappland. No one blames you."

There. That should work.

But when Lappland hung her head, letting out a low exhale Texas faltered.

"Doesn't matter if they don't blame me. Not when I blame myself." She muttered.

"Lappland . . . I don't know what to say."

"If I were you I wouldn't have kept it. I would've been angry." Lappland continued, voice becoming drawn up tight.

Texas pressed her face into the crook of Lappland's neck, surprised there was no resistance from her getting so close, no comments that hinted at innuendos. Her lips touched the skin there, taking in the smell of soap. "Good thing I'm not you then." She whispered into the junction, knowing the other would hear her despite the quiet pitch.