Chapter Text
The cold seeped through her jacket as she lay on the ground. She remembered the way the trees reached toward the sky, thick with grey and gloom. The smell of the dirt beneath her mixed with the gentle scents of violet and lavender that outlined her silhouette where she lay. It smelt like spring, longing. And it smelt like him. Turning her head, there he lay next to her. He was always there, always constant. He lay across from her, his face obscured by the shades of violet and lavender flowers that framed his face, close enough to her to see the way they swayed closer to him with each breath she took. She wanted to reach out and touch his face, anticipating the cold tingle on her fingertip as she drew her finger across his cheek and jawline and pausing at his chin while gazing at his lips. She wanted to, but kept her hands clasped and rested them against her stomach. She knew he was looking at her. She could always feel his gaze on her. He was always looking with unabashed curiosity, a permanent question, curious as to why she chose to be near him, longing to be near her yet never allowing him to give himself over freely. Love and longing permeated his gaze, yet she could never look at him fully, fearful she might crumble under the intensity. It was too much, all encompassing, she felt as if her heart might burst if she ever let herself sit and bask in his love. So instead she looked at him in parts, his hair, a darker shade of red underneath the thick cloud cover, how his hands rested against the ground, and the way he remained so still, no breath nor heartbeat.
She watched as he lifted himself off the ground, arms lithe and graceful and began walking away from her. Her heart lurched at the thought of being away from him, away from his constant presence. It was as he heard her thoughts, pausing for a moment and turned to her, a mischievous grin etched onto his lips as he looked over his shoulder with a tilt of his head. She would follow him anywhere. Getting up, with much less of a degree of grace than him, trodding the flowers in her path in her desperation to reach him. His long legs carried him forward through the valley of flowers, the blends of greens and purples parting as he marched forward. She tried matching his pace, falling in step but it felt as if the roots held herself back, legs heavy as if trudging through molasses. She felt a panic build, begging him to wait and call out his name as he drifted further and further. But then he stopped. In the time she struggled, she didn’t notice him unbuttoning his shirt, taking one last step forward and shrugging the material off his shoulders.
There he stood. The veil removed his countenance glittered. The sunlight graced his form, caressing his now exposed skin - arms, shoulders, chest and back. It took her breath away each and every time she witnessed it. Despite the beauty, she couldn’t help but feel the pit of anxiety that bubbled up within her chest. She wanted to plead with him to cover up, dreading that anyone would see him in all of his beauty. Once again, he turned, with a knowing look on his features and beckoned her closer.
She would cross any chasm to be close to him. She drew nearer, her gait suddenly light as if his stare were lifting her feet. As she reached for his hand a sparkle caught her eye. Her hand rested in his palm, his grip cold but light. Again, the sparkle caught her eye, brighter this time. Eyes drifting to their combined hands she finally took notice of her own hand in his. Her own sparkling in his. Her skin, too washed an alabaster tone, shattered diamonds glittering on the back of it. Pleased but confused, her eyes flicked back up to his, meeting the awe and enchantment staring back at her. With understanding blooming, her heart burst at the certainty that this felt right, this was meant to be. She couldn’t help but smile back at him. Her heart.
Her love. She stepped closer, her hands now pressed against his chest, recognising that they were the same temperature now and allowed herself to bask in the love he had for only her. His eyes traced her face, his fingertips following the path of cheek, jaw where they reached their resting place - her lips. He paused, to ensure the feeling was reciprocated. As if she could ever deny him. He cupped her cheek in his palm and drew nearer- her lips tilted upward, expectant.
He was hers.
She was his.
Forever.