finding the stars- hawk x female reader

chapter 10

"Memories do not always soften with time; some grow edges like knives" 

-Barbara Kingsolver, The Lacuna

Iris shut her front door with a click. Her parents had agreed to allow her out for ice cream, not batting an eye in suspicion. They were happy that she actually wanted to go out. They knew their daughter well enough to know that she missed home dearly.

Eli was facing the road with his hands stuffed in his black hoodie. His soft brown hair was slightly blowing in the warm wind.

She didn't move for a bit, just watching him. Taking in his every being.

Iris smiled, looking at his hoodie, and not feeling out of place wearing a hoodie as well.

"Hey." She walked up to the boy, tugging her sleeves down in the process.

She managed to fix her hair into a side braid, hoping she looked presentable.

"Hi." Eli softly said, looking down at the girl before him. His eyes seemed to light up, just by seeing her lips turn up into a grin.

"Ready to go?" She watched Eli nod and took his hand leading him.

She felt his hand stiffen and drag her back, "it's this way."

He stifled a laugh as he watched her face burn in embarrassment, "right."

Neither of them moved their hands. It felt so natural to be together like that, hands intertwined, steps matching without even trying. The warmth of his palm against hers settled her, like maybe—just maybe—this was a piece of home she could hold onto.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few blocks, the fading light casting soft shadows on the sidewalk. Iris kept glancing sideways at Eli, catching the way the evening light played off his face, how his quiet smile seemed to fill the spaces where words usually went.

As they neared the ice cream shop, she felt a wave of nerves creep up. "You know, I didn't really think know if you'd agree to get ice cream with me," she said, her voice a little unsteady.

Eli looked over, surprised. "Why not?"

She shrugged, trying to play it off, but her fingers tightened around his just a little. "I guess... I didn't know if this was your kind of thing."

"Well," he said, leaning down just enough that his shoulder brushed hers, "you asked. So it's my kind of thing."

They ordered their ice creams and found a quiet bench nearby, away from the chatter and bustle. She tried to keep her focus on her ice cream, but every time she glanced at Eli, he was already looking at her, a hint of something soft in his eyes.

"Do you miss home?" he asked, voice gentle, barely above a whisper.

Iris nodded slowly. "More than I expected. But... this," she gestured to him, to the twilight, to their quiet little corner, "makes it easier."

Eli smiled, brushing a thumb over her hand. "Then let's do this more often."

For a moment, she forgot the ache of homesickness, the sharp edges of memories. Here, with Eli beside her, it was just them. And for the first time, that felt like enough.

The sky dimmed, turning soft shades of purple and orange as they finished their ice creams in quiet companionship. A cool breeze rustled the leaves above them, and Eli absentmindedly rubbed his thumb along her knuckles, as if he, too, found comfort in the small closeness between them.

"So," he began, breaking the silence, "if you miss home so much...what's your favorite memory of it?"

Iris thought for a moment, staring down at the last few licks of her ice cream cone. "There's this hill behind my old house," she started, smiling at the memory. "In spring, it was covered in these tiny yellow flowers. My mom and I would have little picnics up there, just the two of us. She'd bring lemonade, and I'd make a mess with the sandwiches."