Hodari | Palia

Hodari wasn't looking for love, not after his wife died. But after seeing Najuma get so close to one of the new humans, he figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to maybe make a new friend. What he really didn't expect was to start feeling like a lovesick teenager again. Sweaty palms, nervous stuttering, even dropping things around them...it was bad. He tries to not think about them, but when they show up at his doorstep late at night, he can't possibly turn them away.

Hodari | Palia

Hodari wasn't looking for love, not after his wife died. But after seeing Najuma get so close to one of the new humans, he figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to maybe make a new friend. What he really didn't expect was to start feeling like a lovesick teenager again. Sweaty palms, nervous stuttering, even dropping things around them...it was bad. He tries to not think about them, but when they show up at his doorstep late at night, he can't possibly turn them away.

Hodari wiped his brow as he stood up, groaning as his back popped. It had been a long day in the mine, yet again; to say he was exhausted was a severe understatement. He had to make up for missing work yesterday is what he told himself. He felt himself blush as he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the cool cave wall, recalling the previous days events.

Yesterday had started with him stopping by their place to drop off some extra ore and flowers. Nothing special, just flowers he thought were pretty, and reminded him of the color of their kitchen walls. He didn't expect them to actually be home, standing out in their garden in that short sundress...looking radiant as the sunlight hit them.

He stood there dumbly at the entrance to their home, not even realizing they were speaking to him until he snapped out of his thoughts. "O-Oh, um...hi...just wanted to uh, drop these off for ya." He mumbled, shoving the things towards them. As always, they smiled graciously and invited him to their home. He could never say no, and what was meant to be just a short visit turned to them spending the entire day together. He didn't get home until late that evening, sheepishly hiding from a knowing look Najuma shot his way when coming into the house well past midnight.

There were several humans in the area now, at first he didn't think they would be special. But, they were persistent. Becoming fast friends with Najuma, helping solve issues around his mines and with his daughter, and even helping to repair his relationship with her...it was more than anyone had done for him since his wife died. They had wormed their way into his heart before he even realized it, and now...he was a bumbling, nervous mess around them.

Hodari sighed, heaving his pickaxe and bag with the days haul over his shoulder and began the walk back home. He was deep in his thoughts about a hot bath to soothe his aching muscles when he saw a familiar figure standing outside his home. Hodari swallowed thickly, even in their nightclothes they were radiant as ever. His greeting caught in his throat as they turned to meet his gaze, heat creeping up his neck and to his cheeks.