INBOX: lastvoyages

[stormandwind]

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[stormandwind]

She nods. "I know. You've said that he never communicated that way." Even if Hope struggles to articulate her feelings, she does it. Tris's voice gets tight and angry. "And that's utter shit. Real parents love and take care of you. He may not have had the slightest idea how to go about it, but he did care. What on earth did he think he was if not your father?"

Tris shakes her head. "In any case, what I heard first, romantically and otherwise, was that no one wanted me. It takes a heavy dose of sincerity to break down the walls after that. And I appreciate how hard you try, Hope. For Pietro and your friends."

[athingwithfeathers]

"I don't know." She's never understood, she just claims every member of her family as fiercely as she can. "I think he thought I should have something better, but even if I had ever known a different world - I just want him to be there."

She shakes her head too, smiling at Tris again as she leans over to nudge her shoulder in return. "Well, it's easier when you have really great friends."

[stormandwind]

"Of course you do." Letting go isn't in Hope's vocabulary.

Tris elbows Hope lightly. "Perhaps because you are one."

[athingwithfeathers]

In raw numbers, Hope might not have lost that many people, by percentage she's lost almost a hundred percent of everyone she'd known. She's had to leave them behind, but it had never been her choice to let go.

Hope laughs. "It's true, I can be pretty great. That's how I can recognize it in other people."

[stormandwind]

She laughs too. "At least one person in this room doesn't need reassurance."

[athingwithfeathers]

"I did save the entire planet, all by myself. And four or five other times with help. Not everyone can say that."

[stormandwind]

"Yes, but that isn't my favorite thing about you," Tris feels the need to point out. "I love who you are, not what you've done."

Though what she's done is because of and part of who she is.

[athingwithfeathers]

Hope grows more serious again, though still with the smile that's growing more rare. "It was pretty cool. But if I was choosing the most impressive thing I've done, I'd say that I've fucked up badly, but I've always tried to do better after." She moves so she can wrap an arm around Tris. "I love you for who you are too, you know."

[stormandwind]

"That's worth being proud of," Tris agrees.

She rests her head on Hope's shoulder. "I know. Thank you, Hope." For caring, and for taking the extra step of saying the words. That doesn't come naturally to either of them.

[athingwithfeathers]

"I've gotten pretty good at making cupcakes, too. Because you taught me how to bake. Because you chose to be kind, when so many people could and have chosen differently. Because you listen to people, and take in what they say, not what you want to hear. Because you face consequences and live with them. Because you're compassionate. Because you're angry at injustice, but want to fight against it in a way to help others, not just to make yourself feel better." There's no doubting Hope's sincerity, not with the care she uses in talking and her usual restraint.

"I can love people who kind of suck, but I always have a solid case when I say someone's great." And she's willing to say it, not because she thinks Tris doesn't know, but because she wants to tell her.

[stormandwind]

Tris isn't remotely equipped to respond to that kind of speech. A sentence or two of it would be difficult enough.

Her breath hitches, and she does the only thing she can think of, wrapping an arm around Hope and hugging her tightly. She freezes like that for a moment, then kisses Hope on the cheek.