Work Text:
The weathered planks of the bridge creak as you cross
You've crossed this bridge together at least a thousand times, you counted once
The August air is thick with humidity and heat, but there's something else too, an electric tension that started at the restaurant
When the waitress assumed you were a couple, and, despite exchanging a few self-conscious smiles about it
Neither of you spoke up to correct her
When she brought you the check she asked how long you'd been together
And your sister looked at you and smiled
"Feels like my whole life."
Now you're in the park, tracing well-trodden paths
Layers and layers and layers of memories and footprints and August evenings
She sidles up to you on the bridge, such a familiar presence
You look at her, to ask half-seriously how her anniversary was
But your question dies in your throat
She's haloed by the streetlamps and shadowed by August dusk and she's just so beautiful and so precious and
For the hundredth time that night you wonder how anyone could mistreat her, lie to her, betray her
You wish you could wrap her up, protect her, insulate her from the world, from those who don't see how kind and delicate she is, or worse yet, those who would take advantage
But any signs of the breakup, of Him, are gone from her demeanor
And she's moving again and coming closer to you and the tension is back and the air is thick and
Did she just look at your lips?
She won't meet your eyes, but she's inching forwards
Closer
And you understand the tension now, it all makes sense and and and
"If, if this is my anniversary date... can I have a kiss?"
Finally she meets your eyes and your heart shears in two
you can't
you have to
you mustn't
you need to
"I... I want to- to be kissed by someone who I know loves me," she whispers. "Please?"
All of your objections and inhibitions grind away under the weight of that 'please'
You bite your lip, knowing better but doing it anyway. "Just this once, okay?"
And you take her in your arms with the greatest of care
Caress her face
You kiss her, tenderly and gently and softly
A kiss of lavender and warm earthy air and soft buzzing streetlamps
As if you can impress a lifetime of love and care and joy into her lips, the love she's been missing
Then you realize how long you've been kissing her for, draw back
She's blushing a little. You think you are too
You look out at the creek, streetlights shimmering under its surface
Deep breath
Almost shyly, she takes the first two fingers of your hand in her own
"Home?" She won't meet your eyes again, but she's smiling
"Home." You take her hand and cross the bridge once more