i think your love would be too much, any

[Velkan]

There’s absolutely a split second where I think she’s being serious, that she actually didn’t know that she was on fire, and I panic. My black eyes widen, but there’s no white in them to show my fear. Just more blackness – there isn’t a single thing about me that shows anything other than that shadowy colour – but maybe that’s for the best. Because it’s not long before I realize she’s joking, that the flames aren’t hurting her. Which is great, because I wouldn’t have known how to help her. Would I knock her over and kick some dirt over her? Would I try to pat the flames out? Being on fire isn’t exactly one of my life experiences. She’s cheeky, which I guess is exactly appropriate for someone who is on fire all the time. “I take it… it doesn’t hurt?” I ask, hopeful and curious. Now that I know the fire is just a part of her I can appreciate how cool she looks without feeling afraid. I do wonder whether it would hurt me but I figure we’ve got at least a little bit longer of an exchange to pass between us before I go around trying to touch her fire. “I like it. I probably wouldn’t feel the same without my antlers, either.” Even if I can never get a good look at them! Their weight on my head is a comforting one.

photo from unsplash

@[Ember]