InsaneJournal

Vol1.Week4 - scifi_muses
Character: Helena Campbell
Fandom: Mirrormask
Rating: PG
Word Count: 441
Prompt: Keys

Helena found him juggling, in the empty grounds of the orbiting giants. She watched him for a while, smiling slightly as he tossed the stones up and over. After a few minutes she stepped out from behind a staircase and approached him, reaching out and snatching the stones one by one, until she was juggling them instead of him. She tounged her teeth cheekily as Valentine crossed his arms and watched her. The glimpse she caught of his face was unreadable, so she stopped her juggling.

"Haven't see you for a while," he said, and she shrugged. It was true Helena hadn't been to the city for some weeks, and though she would never admit it to Valentine, she had missed his company.

Valentine took a few steps closer to her, and took the stones out of her hands. She let him do it, momentarily confused by how close he was. He tossed the stones away and pulled a box out of his coat pocket, placing it in her still upturned hands. 

"I got you something," he said, and she blinked at him a few times. "Well? Are you going to open it?" he said. She nodded in shock. She pulled the lid back and frowned, not entirely sure what she was seeing.

With an impatient huff, Valentine leant forward and reached into the box, pulling out a delicate silver chain. Suspended on the chain Helena was suprised to see a bright silver key. He held the key to eye level and let her examine it. 

"I thought, you know. Since you couldn't keep the mirrormask, and there wasn't a reward..." Helena smiled in recognition. 

"Valentine! I love it!" she took a hold of the key and wrapped both her arms around her friend, hugging him tightly. He froze for a moment, then returned the embrace. Helena closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, before catching herself and pulling back out of the hug. She smiled shyly as she slipped the chain over her head. She had never been that close to Valentine before, and she was suprised at how comforting the hug had been. He smelled like apricots.

Valentine ran a hand through the back of his hair and cleared his throat, clearly out of place with the display of affection. "Just thought you'd like it," he muttered. Helena smiled her thanks and traced her fingers over the key. 

Several hours later, when she woke in her own bed, Helena was relieved to find the key was still around her neck. She smiled as she stretched, and pulled on her slippers, wondering if there was any apricot jam for breakfast.    

(The Key that Valentine gives to Helena - From the movie Mirrormask)