( her mind whirls through a spin cycle of thoughts. in chronological order, the first: did they have to be shaped as hearts? nami is going to brutally murder her and leave her scattered in the woods. the second: in true sanji fashion, it's overwhelmingly generous — the kind of favor that would demand repayment, or her good favor, if he were less selfless. the third: she can't recall a single person ever speaking those words to her — i'm proud of you, sweet and simple, but as meaningfully layered as any cake she's watched sanji design.
not ana kuya. not baghra, who would dissolve into ash if she even tried to utter them. not mal, or genya, or nikolai — not even the darkling, for all that he had nurtured her power like a favored pet eating kibble from his palm. stupidly, alina's eyes prick with hot moisture for a blip of a second, batted away before wet dew can collect on her eyelashes. )
Oh. These are You didn't have to — not that I don't appreciate it, it's only
( — that it's too much. that most kindnesses she's known have come with puppet strings attached to manipulate her. )
1/2
not ana kuya. not baghra, who would dissolve into ash if she even tried to utter them. not mal, or genya, or nikolai — not even the darkling, for all that he had nurtured her power like a favored pet eating kibble from his palm. stupidly, alina's eyes prick with hot moisture for a blip of a second, batted away before wet dew can collect on her eyelashes. )
Oh.
These are
You didn't have to — not that I don't appreciate it, it's only
( — that it's too much. that most kindnesses she's known have come with puppet strings attached to manipulate her. )