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The city of Haven, even with all its bright lights and neon flair, could never shake its true colors. Overstimulation to the eyes, ears, and nose, though a real worry, were the least of anyone's problems in Haven. It was an unforgiving, bitter place, one that has a habit of kicking you to the curb while you're down. Outside of the rare places of solace, like the smoky arabian night club Tashala or one's own dorm, peace and contentment were hard to come by.
This is why Adalina couldn't make heads or tails of Birch when first she met him.
At first glance, the little air force academy graduate seemed like the kind of buck that Haven would break under its heel. He was small, nervous, wracked with self-doubt, and almost always seemed to have some worry looming over his shoulder, tangible or imagined. He didn't even want to be called by his real name! The little buck pleaded with anyone who called him "Elotti" to call him by his Air Force callsign of "Birch" instead.
At first, Lina had a protective instinct towards the young airman. To some extent, she still did. But she quickly realized Birch was even more resilient than she was, even if he'd swear up and down that he wasn't. He was someone who could face the uphill battle that was living in Haven, with the weight of his world on his shoulders, and still come out stronger and better in the end.
Liina wanted to know how to do that. It didn't take her long to find a way. The occasional meet-up turned into regular trips to the noodle bar, not for business, but for leisure. Any time the both of them had time away from their respective jobs, be it piloting Thunderbolt III class starfighters or working security at Tashala, the two wapiti would make a point of spending some time together.
Walking outside of the noodle bar gave both of them a chance to rest their ears and voices, and it wouldn't take long for the two of them to find an out-of-the-way wall to sit atop. It was about as quiet and private a place to enjoy one's noodles as one could expect in Haven.
"You know. There is quite a lot I would do for you." Lina said, quietly.
"...What do you mean?" came Birch's response, taken a little off guard at the sudden shift of tone.
"There are... two people, that make me feel like everything is going to work out. And you are one of them. You have been here for me."
It's apparent by the look on Birch’s face that, though he'd known this to some degree, he wasn't aware just how much of an emotional load-bearing friend he'd been this whole time. That familiar nervousness sets in again. If his childhood had taught him anything, it was that nobody ever did something for him without wanting something out of him in return.
"You know... This whole time, I thought you were the one propping me up. I thought I was the one bothering- the one getting all of that hope from you. Er… reassurance too. You uh… make me feel really safe. Thank you for that, by the way…"
"I just wanted you to know that. And I want to be there for you too. Whatever you need. An ear, advice, a break, some noodles? Whatever. Do not be afraid to ask." Lina said.
A moment of silence followed. Both of their eyes linger on their noodle takeout. Given Lina's history, Birch knew asking for a hug was out of the question. His love language may have been physical affection, and as badly touch starved as he was…
Ah shit so THAT was why Birch had the nagging feeling he forgot something! "...well uh. Maybe there's one thing. But it isn't super important!"
"Tell me."
Birch nervously scratched the back of his neck. "I uh... I might have left my drink on the counter at the noodle bar, and uh... These are kinda spicy..."
"..."
Adalina couldn't help but smile. If that was all the little buck wanted in return, it was more than a fair price to pay.
This is why Adalina couldn't make heads or tails of Birch when first she met him.
At first glance, the little air force academy graduate seemed like the kind of buck that Haven would break under its heel. He was small, nervous, wracked with self-doubt, and almost always seemed to have some worry looming over his shoulder, tangible or imagined. He didn't even want to be called by his real name! The little buck pleaded with anyone who called him "Elotti" to call him by his Air Force callsign of "Birch" instead.
At first, Lina had a protective instinct towards the young airman. To some extent, she still did. But she quickly realized Birch was even more resilient than she was, even if he'd swear up and down that he wasn't. He was someone who could face the uphill battle that was living in Haven, with the weight of his world on his shoulders, and still come out stronger and better in the end.
Liina wanted to know how to do that. It didn't take her long to find a way. The occasional meet-up turned into regular trips to the noodle bar, not for business, but for leisure. Any time the both of them had time away from their respective jobs, be it piloting Thunderbolt III class starfighters or working security at Tashala, the two wapiti would make a point of spending some time together.
Walking outside of the noodle bar gave both of them a chance to rest their ears and voices, and it wouldn't take long for the two of them to find an out-of-the-way wall to sit atop. It was about as quiet and private a place to enjoy one's noodles as one could expect in Haven.
"You know. There is quite a lot I would do for you." Lina said, quietly.
"...What do you mean?" came Birch's response, taken a little off guard at the sudden shift of tone.
"There are... two people, that make me feel like everything is going to work out. And you are one of them. You have been here for me."
It's apparent by the look on Birch’s face that, though he'd known this to some degree, he wasn't aware just how much of an emotional load-bearing friend he'd been this whole time. That familiar nervousness sets in again. If his childhood had taught him anything, it was that nobody ever did something for him without wanting something out of him in return.
"You know... This whole time, I thought you were the one propping me up. I thought I was the one bothering- the one getting all of that hope from you. Er… reassurance too. You uh… make me feel really safe. Thank you for that, by the way…"
"I just wanted you to know that. And I want to be there for you too. Whatever you need. An ear, advice, a break, some noodles? Whatever. Do not be afraid to ask." Lina said.
A moment of silence followed. Both of their eyes linger on their noodle takeout. Given Lina's history, Birch knew asking for a hug was out of the question. His love language may have been physical affection, and as badly touch starved as he was…
Ah shit so THAT was why Birch had the nagging feeling he forgot something! "...well uh. Maybe there's one thing. But it isn't super important!"
"Tell me."
Birch nervously scratched the back of his neck. "I uh... I might have left my drink on the counter at the noodle bar, and uh... These are kinda spicy..."
"..."
Adalina couldn't help but smile. If that was all the little buck wanted in return, it was more than a fair price to pay.
Written by 
ssconbt and 
legosword
The hi-rez of art you can see on my Patreon
ssconbt
legoswordCategory Artwork (Digital) / Scenery
Species Deer
Size 1280 x 720px
File Size 956.7 kB
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