Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Don’t leave!” she collapsed onto her knees at the sidewalk.

“Please, don’t leave…”

She pleaded shakily, watching the car drive off into the distance without a hitch in its path. Her eyes glistened with tears as she let out a loud, wounded cry, punching the wet, rain-covered concrete beneath her with her fist, wincing in pain.

She would’ve stayed out on the sidewalk for hours, crying, if it wasn’t for the rain. Staying out in the rain is basically suicide for her, her silk body would absorb all of the water, make her weight too much to bear and crush her…but it felt much more inviting, than to just look at that car drive off... 

—

Lace snapped out of her thoughts the second she heard a car horn, almost getting hit by it as she crossed over the pedestrian crossing while daydreaming.

“Damn-! Look where you’re driving, asshole!” she yelled at the driver, flipping them off as they rambled right back at her.

She took a deep breath, and forced herself to calm her nerves, while dragging her suitcases along with her, continuing her walk to the college she’ll be staying at for the next year. It was honestly a miracle that Lace even made it in, seeing as she barely passed the entrance exam. Best not dwell on how hard it would get from now on, if the “relatively easy” exam almost made her want to rip her silk from her spool out of frustration and helplessness. At least she made it in…

The dorm complex came into view, and Lace felt a wave of hesitance and nervousness wash over her. All of the single rooms had been taken, leaving Lace no other decision to be with a roommate. The only thing making it infinitely worse, was the thought that Lace didn’t even know who she will be sharing a whole living space with, for the rest of the school year. It was very odd, for the college to not even share roommate names.

Maybe the bug is a complete weirdo? A rude idiot? And Lace would have to share a dorm with them, because there were no other options. Her home, with Mother Silk was too far from this college, and the normal apartments in the area were too expensive, even for Lace, who was practically swimming in riches due to her mother.

Dragging her luggage along finally to the complex’s front door, she briefly let go of her luggages. Walking all the way here with a duffel bag and two suitcases really takes a toll on one, especially Lace and her fragile silk frame.

‘Rude of absolutely no one to help me carry my stuff even for a little bit!’ Lace huffed as she thought, taking out her phone to check over where her dorm is— ah… the fourth floor…

Lace looked up and groaned, really not wanting to drag her luggage up four floors!

She took a deep breath, steeling herself as she placed her phone back into her jean’s pocket and took her suitcases. Lace then kicked the front door open with no grace whatsoever and walked in.

Again, rude, rude, rude! There were so many students in the hallways as Lace struggled her way up the floors and yet not a single one even offered to help her. Lace decided to at least make it seem then that it was no deal. She was strong enough to carry her own luggage then, thank you!

Through struggle- and a small break at the second floor- Lace finally made it to the fourth floor. She walked down the hallway, glancing at the doors.

“10-C, 10-C, 10-C…” she muttered to herself over and over as she made her way across the halls, before finally arriving at the door. She immediately noticed that the dorm was locked, meaning that her mystery roommate was already here, and moving stuff, by the sounds of busy shuffling inside.

Lace felt nerves writhe their way up to her again. She let go of one suitcase to fumble with her jacket’s pocket, finding the keys to the dorm, which had been given to her by management when he first entered this building. Then, she paused. Maybe barging in would not be proper and right? It’d maybe shock her roommate to death. Although, if her they were to be a complete weirdo… 

‘NO, Lace!’ She internally screamed at herself. She barely even made it into this college, let's not ruin it further by giving her roommate a heart attack, as a first impression!

She took a deep breath, putting the keys back into her pocket, and raised her hand. Hesitatingly, she knocked against the door.

“Hello? Hey! This is 10-C, correct?..” Lace called out. The shuffling and noises stopped so abruptly, that Lace was worried that the stranger inside might’ve already dropped dead just from her voice.

No, that was not the case.

Lace tensed as she heard the stranger inside the dorm practically rush to the door, their strides long, meaningful, but almost hasty? Lace would’ve almost held her hands up to protect herself from how fast the moving sounded.

Then—

CLICK!

The door opened, rather calmly compared to the panicked running mere seconds ago.

Lace tensed a little, realizing the bug who opened the door was super tall, as her eyes only just barely reached their chest when she was looking straight forward.

The stranger opened the door more, crouching a little to appear in view, so their eyes could meet.

“U-uhm— Hey! You must be my roommate—”

Lace cut herself off, eyes widening her whole body freezing as if she had been dumped with water and thrown out to the harsh cold of Mount Fay. She was dead silent as her eyes met her roommates. Those cold, empty eye sockets, to be precise.

Her roommate… Her roommate was…

—

Quiet tears rolled down the white chitin of his head, looking out of the window, to where the car was driving away from. Her…

He let out a shuddering breath, heart breaking as he saw the girl sink onto the sidewalk. He was this close to screaming at his father to stop the car, to let him stay, not leave.

He never wanted this, he never wanted to leave her. He wanted- no, he ached to comfort the girl whom his family’s car was driving away from.

“I swear… I won’t forget you…” he whispered to no one. Or more to himself.

—

Hollow had moved back to Pharloom. He did it for personal reasons, and because he got into a college there. He had been more and more anxious everyday for the past week. Driving all the way from Hallownest with a car full of boxes, alone.

Moving here had been fairly simple, his father gave him spare geos to trade and get rosaries, just enough to last Hollow for a few weeks. Enough time to look for a part-time job, which should be easy enough. Hollow is one strong bug after all, so jobs regarding heavy lifting or athletic movements could be fitting for him. Though it doesn't mean he can’t do anything else! Hollow was smart as well, he aced this college’s entrance exam, perfectly.

Hollow had been unpacking his boxes, having to shift one of the two beds to fit all of his belongings, which Lady had insisted he wouldn’t bring. But Hollow did, without shame, at that. He had been planning much about being back in Pharloom again, he would be spending a year here, so he wanted to bring luggage from Hallownest as much as he can. So much to do.. and people to meet…

He was lost in thought, when suddenly a knock on the door jolted him awake from his own thoughts. He nearly dropped a lamp. It was partly just from surprise at the knock, but…

That voice… No, no… It couldn’t be, he didn’t- he planned—

Hollow tensed in shock, almost stumbling as he ran to the door, his usually confident, long strides panicked. He stopped at the door, and took a small breath, before opening the door. Hollow leaned down to look at the figure in the hallway.

What he saw shook him to his core.

That soft, white figure… petite, shorter than him (obviously), those white-dotted eyes widened to the sizes of saucers. And that gasp, short and sweet like he had remembered her sounding like. So different, yet so familiar.

Lace. His Lace. The girl who had made him feel on top of the world when she clung to him…

For moments, both of the bugs stood in shock, looking at each other.

Then, both of them yelled, at the same time—

“LACE!”

“HOLLOW—?”

Chapter Text

Neighbours. Lace had never had those. Well, one house next to her mother’s was empty, the other one belonging to a beetle who never left the house, thus making Lace ignore their existence altogether.

But real neighbours, interactable, actually real? Those she didn't have any experience with, more used to the quiet life in the smaller part of her town in Pharloom.

Yet, Mother Silk had told the little silk girl of new neighbours? 

Lace couldn’t help herself, it was as exciting as it was scary.

It was apparently a whole family of four, and maybe even expecting a fifth member in the near future! Actual neighbours! Just as Lace was used to the peace!

Silk hadn’t told Lace when they would arrive either, making the wait that more nerve-wracking for her. The day would only prove to arrive quicker than she thought…

…

The sun was a warm glow over one morning on a Sunday in July.

Lace awoke to the sounds of a car outside, different from the sounds of mother’s car.

She jolted up from her bed with a shocked squeak.

Racing to get her clothes on, brushing her teeth and getting her boots on to get ready as fast as possible. She was scared, yes, but still curious. 

It seemed Mother Silk was outside as well, talking to someone from the unusual sounds of actual social activity in this quiet part of town.

Lace was right. Where her tall mother stood, in all of her regal elegance- way too much for someone in the modern day- she was speaking to another, of root.

Lace had to admit, she never even considered someone matching Silk’s height and possibly surpassing it.

They also appeared to be cradling a small, sleeping spider in their hands? That served to fuel the silk girl’s curiosity further.

“Mama…?” Lace asked, walking up behind her mother while rubbing her eyes with a yawn.

Silk, who was lost in conversation with the new neighbour’s wife, let out a sigh, and looked down to where her daughter was clinging to her legs silently.

The silk woman reached down, and picked up Lace. She then proceeded to smile at the root-kin facing her.

“And this, Lady,” Silk continued from where she left their conversation off briefly, holding Lace up a bit more, “is my nine-year-old daughter, Lace.”

Lace shyly glanced at the women in front of her. So Lady was her name… She made a small, unintelligible murmur as greetings.

Lady leaned a bit forward, minding the small spider in her arms, smiling as she looked at Lace

“My, aren’t you adorable?” she asked with a chuckle, as the silk girl turned her head into her mother’s shoulder. A shy one.

The tree woman hummed while straightening up again, carefully shushing the stirring spider.

Lace nuzzled against her mother, who let out another sigh and continued talking: “Yes, just the best I could ask for.”

“Well, what has brought you to Pharloom, may I ask? You did say you had a son who is Lace’s age?”

“Ah! Yes, sorry. We came here due to my husband. You see, he got a job transfer here. We cannot afford to lose our main income, though very hesitantly, we accepted and moved here. As for our son, he is with his father. They should be inside the house, deciding which rooms belong to whom-”

“Mom!” a small, giddy voice giggled as a bug ran out suddenly from the house, startling Lace in Silk’s arms.

Lady laughed and gestured to the small boy, shushing the spider in her arms back to slumber, before crouching down to talk to her son: “Shh, your sister is still sleeping, dear.”

“Sorry, mama!” the vessel whispered while giggling. He then noticed the people his mother was talking to.

The tall one he wasn’t interested in, he already saw her. Rather the girl in her arms made him tilt his head.

-

He had only heard from his parents during the car ride here to their new home, that the neighbour had a daughter.

Well, Hollow was half-asleep as they told him that, looking out of the window.

Now that he had a closer look at that said daughter, he was childishly baffled for seconds.

The girl was one of those silk constructs? Cool!

Immediately, Hollow’s mandibles curled up into a smile, waving at the tall silk woman and her daughter.

“Hello! I’m Hollow!” the vessel greeted enthusiastically.

Silk chuckled fondly and nodded, before turning her gaze back to look at Lady.

“I am guessing this is your son, then?” she asked, already knowing the answer, of course.

The Root nodded with a smile that could only be described as motherly.

She patted the top of her son’s head and her conversation resumed with her neighbour.

Hollow tried his best to stay invested in the small talk his mother was making, but his attention kept going back to that girl in the neighbour’s arms. Lace, was it?

“Mama…” he eventually whispered, tugging on Lady’s sleeve.

“Can I play with her?”

Hollow looked up at his mother and Silk hopefully, who looked more than eager to let her hands rest from holding Lace.

“Oh, well… If it’s okay?”

“Of course it is. It would be refreshing for her to make new friends.” Silk said with a small nod.

“Mom…” Lace muttered reluctantly, not wanting to leave her mother’s arms, to which the woman’s expression got a bit stern.

“Lace. Be polite. You need new friends and they’re our neighbours.” Silk scolded her daughter, a bit harshly.

Lace was quiet for a few seconds, startled by her mother’s tone.

Afterwards, she let out a shaky breath.

“O-okay…”

Strange… Lady found it strange, that small hesitance and the scold Lace received for it.

She would’ve been fine if the silk girl didn’t want to play with Hollow, yet her mother made her accept.

Hollow’s eyeholes widened in excitement, and practically dragged Lace off by the hand towards the porch of his house.

He sat the girl down on a bench outside, and stood in front of her, buzzing with too much energy to spare.

“Hi! What’s your name?” Hollow asked.

“It’s… Lace.” she replied nervously. She didn’t want to socialize, having been used to being a loner.

“... Ha… ha ha ha! Like shoe-Lace!” Hollow chuckled.

For a moment, he suddenly quieted, seeing Lace silently looking at Hollow, like she was about to cry.

Instead, the silk girl let out a small snort, and it softened into a giggle, holding her hands to her mouth.

“No, dummy! It’s just Lace!”

Hollow started chuckling again, a small wave of relief washing over him as he realized he didn’t mess up.

Because who would want to be on bad terms with the neighbours, right?

Recovering from their round of laughter, Hollow looked at Lace curiously, making the girl shyly shift in his gaze.

“Well… Let’s play tag, silky!” Hollow said with another, smaller giggle.

Lace tilted her head, confused at being called silky, before Hollow poked her shoulder.

“You’re it!”

Lace sat still, before she stood up, watching Hollow run away from her. Slowly smiling, she started chasing the vessel.

Oh, it was exhilarating, honestly.

Even as her hair was in a bun, it felt great to have air run through it as she chased Hollow.

It took a little, but eventually Lace managed to catch Hollow at his backyard, poking his back.

“You’re it!” Lace giggled breathlessly, holding her knees when she ran away to a safe distance to catch her breath for at least seconds.

Hollow was on her tail instantly, forcing her to keep running.

Lace ran for a while, luckily being abnormally agile and flexible, enabling her to make complicated and sudden turns at corners to avoid being tagged.

They played, chased and tagged each other for a few minutes.

Until, when Lace was it, she reached Hollow once again, but she tripped on a rock. She ended up accidentally lunging forward, pushing the vessel face-first into the fence.

…

Both were quiet, Hollow staggered back, falling back into sitting on the ground.

Then-

He let out a cry, a loud one, tears already flowing down the smooth chitin of his now slightly cracked face. Ouch.

Lace’s eyes widened in panic as she ran to Hollow and knelt.

“Hollow…?”

Before Lace could even begin to think about anything to do, suddenly the front door of Hollow’s house slammed open.

A hand firmly landed on Lace’s shoulder, yanking her away from Hollow.

A man, no, rather Wyrm. His head was crowned with prongs and he was quite a bit shorter than that Root lady.

“Hollow!” the man said, voice laced with worry as he turned to the vessel.

The Wyrm hugged the boy as he clung to him instantly, letting out another cry of pain.

No– jeez! That crack on the right eye of Hollow’s mask was massive!

Lace, who remained on the grass from the force she had been yanked off with, was quiet, staring at the scene with wide eyes.

“Papa…” Hollow whimpered into the Wyrm’s arms. Oh, his father.

Lace gulped, before Hollow’s father turned to her, furious. “You! Go away! Now.”

He snarled.

The silk girl’s breath caught as she staggered back, tears pricking the corners of her eyes, stammering shaky apologies. 

“I-I’m sorry— I didn’t mean— we– we!-”

“Bully!” Hollow cut Lace off.

She froze at the insult thrown in her face.

Lace sniffled and stood up, running off to her house as Wyrm carried a very dizzy and injured Hollow to theirs.

Great first impressions. Great.

****

Both stared at each other in shock, too surprised to talk yet.

The first thing Lace immediately noticed was that scar. That damn scar on his right eye.

Lace only managed to let out a gasp, once long arms- once blissful to be held by - wrapped around her. Tightly.

Her breath caught. Hollow. Hollow was hugging her.

“L-Lace…” Hollow murmured shakily, like he was already about to cry.

His arms were strong, much stronger than years ago. Yet he held her so carefully, like she was made of glass, and even weaker silk.

“Lace, oh gods… Lace, I—”

“Y-you idiot!-” Lace cut Hollow off, slapping him sharply with a hand she wriggled out from his grip.

The slap made Hollow stagger, not from pain, but just shock. He didn’t expect something like a slap… In fact, he didn’t expect this! He hadn’t planned this!

Lace had long dropped her suitcases and duffel bag, taking steps back.

Her expression twisted. Hurt, anger, heartbreak, relief, and quiet joy making her heart skip a beat.

But that joy was only a needle in the haystack.

“You idiot!” she shouted, her breaths getting smaller.

Lace cursed at herself as she brought her hands up to wipe her eyes frantically.

“Lace, wait… Lacey—”

“Don’t you dare say that. Don’t say that name!” Lace screamed at Hollow, voice cracking into a broken sob.

Hollow was motionless, watching Lace cry like that…

“Y-you… You left!” Lace shouted again, her cries attracting a small amount of other student’s attention.

“Without a word! You— you threw me aside as if we never meant something!” Lace sobbed freely now - loud and ugly, holding herself.

Of course, she didn’t mean it. Not fully. She was too overwhelmed by emotions, seeing Hollow again, after years. Four years, was it?..

Hollow flinched at the silk girl’s tone, hurt, pained.

“... I’m sorry.” Hollow said finally, kneeling a little, to be eye level with Lace. “I’m so sorry. I… I know. I know that I’m an asshole, Lace. I know, I left for years with basically no explanation.” He said hoarsely, tears quietly dripping down onto the floor.

“I—” Lace suddenly lunged forward herself, crying as she clung to that hard-shelled head of Hollow’s.

The vessel was quiet, unsure whether Lace needed someone to hold her.

He didn’t let his fears consume him though.

“I’m back, Lace…” Hollow eventually managed to murmur, gently embracing the girl he loved like she was made glass.

To some comedic timing of fate, they ended up as roommates in the same dorm, in the same college. That wasn’t exactly what he planned, but it gave him great relief nonetheless.

Lace weakly clutched the back of Hollow’s hoodie, terrified of moving, like a single step back from them would make this moment disappear.

Yet those hands and claws holding her felt real. Solid. Not some dumb dream she would be dreaming.

As their tears calmed just slightly, Lace pulled back enough to look at Hollow, who smiled softly at her. “What?”

Hollow kept smiling, even through his tears and leaned closer, pressing their foreheads together.

“Nothing. Let's get you inside.” Hollow replied softly. That was the softest Lace had ever remembered him talking to her.

Although reluctant, Lace let Hollow pull away from her, straightening up and taking her luggage with him as he held the door open for her first.

The silk girl wiped her eyes, letting out a soft chuckle- real, soft, warm, just like Hollow remembered, making his heart skip a beat- before walking into the room.

It wasn’t big, but spacious enough for both of them.

Two beds on opposite sides of the room, a shared desk between, a singular window in front of said desk.

A comfy looking bathroom with a shower, toilet, sink and a washing machine.

On the unclaimed side of the dorm, at the bed was a small kitchenette in the corner. Nothing fancy, just a microwave, stove and a sink.

Of course, one side was already littered with boxes. Obviously Hollow’s. His bed was shifted a little, to fit all of the unpacked boxes into his side of the room. So that was what that noise was when Lace first arrived at the door, that shuffling and moving.

Lace then turned around, watching as Hollow followed her into the dorm, putting her luggage at her bed. “Great, now I get help with carrying my luggage? Just a few meters?”

She giggled, as Hollow scoffed.

Hollow rolled his non-existent eyes, and strode over to his side of the dorm. “Be grateful I even did it.”

He replied dryly.

Lace silently smiled at the vessel, before she sighed, a bit dramatically. “And what’s with the boxes? It’s a dorm for a year, not an apartment.” She teased.

Hollow let his gaze roam over his side, literally boxes just everywhere. “It’ll… take a while to explain. I can tell you as we unpack?” He suggested, to which Lace paused and slowly nodded, her smile softening.

“Yeah, let’s do that. Unless you bore me to death with your stories?”

Just like that, she was back to her old self. Like the old times. When Lace and Hollow were in love.

Chapter Text

It felt unreal, even as the room they would call their dorm for a year or more, was filled with the sound of cutting tape, opening boxes and setting their belongings up. The silence was quiet, tense. Obviously tense. The two bugs had not seen each other for years. There was bound to be pressure and tension. On both of them. One with guilt, for leaving without a word, without even daring to keep in contact, the nightmarish vision of her collapsing onto the sidewalk on that day fresh in his mind, especially now. The other with anger, longing and hurt, at being the one left so abruptly.

Lace felt happy though, like a weight had been pulled off of her shoulders. Of course, her silk felt like they were pulled taut. She had cried enough. Yet not nearly as much. It felt uncanny how quickly they just went on to unpacking, like years lost between them didn’t even exist. They would need to talk. That much was sure.

Hollow moved his - roughly - sixth empty Box aside to the door. It dawned on him now, that he really overpacked. Yeah, sure. He did want to be prepared. Moving to another city was too big to just take a few clothes with him, even if said city was familiar or not.

And he noticed. That silent pressure in their silence. How Lace’s shoulders were hunched ever-so-slightly. His heart only tightened, guilt dripping into every drop of his hemolymph. He would do anything to just walk to her and gather her into his arms to comfort her. Hollow couldn’t do that though. He knew, he knew how Lace was secretly angry at him. Who wouldn’t be? Anyone would be heartbroken and angered at their lover leaving without explanation, practically abandoning them (if Hollow could even dare to hope that Lace would consider him a lover at this point.)

A small shuffle snapped Hollow out of his quiet thoughts. He turned his head to see Lace moving a chair to a wall on her side of the room. She reached up to adjust something in her hands. Bundles of lights? That’s new. And yet another small knife twisted in Hollow’s heart as he realized further just how much they actually most likely not seen about each other over the years. ‘Does Lace even fence anymore?..’ He thought, absentmindedly gazing at the silk girl adjusting, not tall enough to hang the lights up to her liking.

And suddenly, due to either recklessness or not paying attention, the chair dipped and fell as Lace had stood too high up on it, on the backrest.

She fell with a surprised scream, eyes widened in shock. A jolt went through her, about to fall onto her back, when suddenly she was picked up, barely preventing her injury. Lace stared up at Hollow with a frozen, startled expression, or whatever could be only two visible parts of her face, widened to double the size mean.

Hollow had caught her… and so quickly! He was on the other side of the dorm when she fell. Lace felt her heart nearly stop as she realized something else as well, the thank you on her tongue dying as she noticed how close their faces were. Breaths almost, barely mingling as she was close enough to even see that healed scar near Hollow’s right eye from childhood.

They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, but most likely just mere minutes.

He had moved on pure instinct. One second, Hollow had been watching Lace adjust some aesthetical lights up, the next? She was falling onto her back, and every fiber of Hollow’s being screamed at him to move and catch Lace before she could get hurt. It was a habit he had gotten from his father, always protective towards the ones he is closest to. And now they were just looking at each other, almost awkwardly.

Lace felt her face heat up, somehow, despite having no actual blood beside some weird silk and soul concoction, which she was made with, the root of her existence, which her mother had oh so graciously attached a metal frame to, and spun silk around until it took fork form to what she wanted to call her “perfect daughter.”

Same was with Hollow, as his own shell burned faintly, too scared to say anything and ruin this moment. Truth be told, he enjoyed this. He hadn’t seen Lace blush in years. Not like this, anyway.

He took a small breath to compose himself and straightened up, placing Lace on her own feet.

She felt small disappointment hide in her relief as she was set down. “Thanks…” she muttered quietly, face still burning.

“…”

“... You, um… look pretty…” Hollow muttered, before immediately regretting it as he heard Lace squeak from surprise, flustered as her otherwise pitch-black face paled enough to match her eyes and silk.

“W-well!- I mean, I just saw you a bit closer when I caught you, and I just—”

Hollow cut himself off with a groan, turning and walking to his bed. Well, at least the dorm looked better now, without a dozen of his packed boxes everywhere.

He glanced at Lace’s side, much more quickly set up, all aesthetical and cute. She always had a thing for trying to be adorable, Hollow noted to himself.

Lace was still blushing as she pouted up at the wall, the lights she was adjusting still weren’t to her expectations. Though falling again, maybe not being caught and saved from a severe injury was not appealing, so she decided to have it as is. 

With a dramatic sigh, she sat down onto the floor, with her back pressed against the bed, creaking softly against her - albeit small - weight.

Silence overtook the dorm once again, both bugs wanting to spill out everything, every feeling, explanation and confession. Yet they were too scared to say it, or at least start the conversation.

Hollow was the first to start it. “... How… well… How are you, Lace…?” He asked, cursing silently as he caught his tone being absolutely awkward and shy. Damn it, did he mess up already…?

Lace took a small breath, and raised her head up to look at Hollow, her legs crossed under her as she gave him a small smile, holding back a huge storm.

‘What to say..’ She quietly wondered, before steeling herself.

“I’ve been better.” Lace eventually said, dryly, almost jokingly in its dryness.

“... And you?” She added after a moment.

“I… I’ve been okay.”

Hollow paused and sighed, oh who was he kidding.“... I missed you.”

Lace tensed at those words, breath hitching a little.

“You missed me. Are you sure?” She asked as her voice was noticeably quieter. Hollow silently looked at the silk girl, his supposedly expressionless eyes carved into his shell soft. His heart tightened.

“Of course I missed you. I thought about you everyday, y’know.” Hollow said, his joke lightened and joked a little, chuckling as he sat down on the floor as well, facing Lace as he pressed his own back against his bed.

Lace’s heart fluttered. Hollow had thought about her… that reassured, but also fed her need for a reason. An answer. An explanation. Anything. Truly anything to make it feel like he didn’t abandon her without thought, throwing her away like a broken toy, to rot as he continued his joyful life.

“Why. Why, Hollow? Why did you leave? You—” Lace cut herself off, biting her lip as she held herself back from sniffling. “You left. Without a word.” She whispered, raising her knees.

“... Lace, I… I’m sorry.” Hollow knew this question would eventually come. Thinking of his answer, he tried hard to not go over to Lace. Seeing her so clearly hold back tears made his instincts scream to comfort her.

“We were moved. That job my dad has? It made us transfer back to Hallownest. It was bullshit, honestly. We couldn’t lose the job, it was dad’s only way of making money for my family. Lace, believe me. I was forced. I couldn’t do anything, it was too quick. Too sudden. I was too focused on packing to even- even say anything to you! I– I’m so sorry, Lace. I’m so sorry.”

Hollow explained without taking a breath, his voice cracking from his own emotions wavering. He only realized he had moved (rather crawled) over to Lace when their shoulders brushed, sunlight painting soft, golden streaks over the silk girl’s face, buried in her knees.

“I was pathetic, Hollow. I was- I couldn’t be. I don’t want to be without you. I’m too attached to you.” Lace whispered shakily, leaning against Hollow’s side slightly, despite sniffling and not trusting him to hold her again. “God, I really am pathetic, right?”

Hollow’s breath hitched, then sighed,hesitantly placing a hand over Lace’s knee. “No. You’re not pathetic, Lace. You’re far from it. You—”

“I’m pathetic! You know it!” Lace pulled away, scooting to put distance between them, whimpering. “I get too attached too easily! I love too easily! I’m obsessed too easily! I fall in love if I get one bit of kindness a stranger could give me! And I get hurt. Everytime! That is the consequence! You! You leave me as I practically connect us together like I was a leech, taking all of your care and affection-”

“Lace. Listen to me.” Hollow cut her off, slowly closing their distance like Lace was a wounded animal, giving her time to pull away.

He was only met by Lace lunging forward, arms wrapped around his waist as she clung to his side.

Hollow froze, but composed himself, turning and facing her, hugging her back.

“... You’re perfect. You were perfect. Lace, you were everything. You’re not pathetic for getting attached to anyone- like me- who gives you affection. You’ve been starved of it! It’s completely justified! I’m just an asshole! I left, without a word! 

Gods, I couldn’t stop loving you! I saved up money for years and I’m ashamed to admit that I momentarily had forgotten the plan I promised myself on that day. The only reason I came back here, to Pharloom, alone, to this college, was you! 

Even though the part where we are conveniently roommates wasn’t a part of my plan!” Hollow let out a shaky laugh, pulling Lace closer, cradling her into his lap, protectively and fiercely as he heard soft sniffles against his chest.

“Gods, I came back because I love you! You’re not pathetic! You’re everything! Perfect! I-I… I love you, Lace! I never stopped!”

That.

Those words.

Those three words.

Lace whimpered against Hollow’s hoodie, breath catching. “H-Hollow-” her voice cracked off on a sob. Not loud or ugly like earlier today. It was broken, hurt, heartbroken, sorrowful.

She curled tighter into the vessel’s embrace, desperate for the sense of comfort he had given her when they were younger. It was overwhelming. To be held once again. To reconnect with the one she used to be her boyfriend.

“I love you too. I love you so much, Hollow— Hollow- please-” She let out another soft sob, nuzzling against Hollow’s chest, hairstyle getting messed up. "Don't leave. I’m yours. I always was. Please, stay with me…”

Those whispered pleas broke and mended Hollow’s heart all at once. The desperation, hope, and sorrow behind them ignited a fierce, protective urge in Hollow.

“Lacey, I promise you. I promise on my life. I won’t leave. I will stay. You’re mine. Just like you said. You’re mine. And I’m yours… my love.” Hollow said, cupping Lace’s cheek, to which she desperately nuzzled into his clawed hand. Lacey… that stupid nickname which made her blush when they were younger.

And in an act of desperation, she practically lunged forward once again, their mouths capturing in a kiss. A messy, emotional kiss, carrying the unsaid suffering of both bugs over the years of loneliness.