[open] wild women don't get the blues

[Garett]

He doesn’t know why, but he wouldn’t have moved if she had not first. Garett’s entire body was screaming at him to flee, to get away from the thing that scared him most in this world (which was perhaps a testament to how sheltered his life had been). But it was a new sort of thrilling to stand with someone who loved what he feared. His legs were starting to tremble just slightly when the periwinkle girl turns and runs for the trees. For a moment he continues to stare up at the clouds but then he blinks and realizes what’s happening. It had not occurred to him that admitting his fear would have this reaction. The first strike of lightning causes white to rim his eyes and then he finally moves - galloping after her and into the safety of the trees. He’s focused entirely on the destination as he tries not to think about how his heart feels as though it will burst in his chest out of fear. The trees seem to stretch out towards him, encouraging him forward. The BOOM of the thunder causes him to falter in his steps and he stumbles more than steps into the forest. He sees her wild eyes and knows his are similar as he sucks in deep breaths - not thinking to be embarrassed by the rather dramatic effect the storm is having on him. He closes those bright green eyes for a moment and inhales the rich scent of the damp foliage to ground himself. When he opens them again to look at her as she apologizes, they are less wild and shine with a smile. “That’s okay.” He says with a smile, tilting his head a little to the side and feeling remnants of rain waters slide down his face. He was the one who had been standing out there, after all.  “It’s good to face your fears, right?” His heart would say differently - it was still thundering in his chest and had yet to calm down, though he felt relief. He resists the urge to shift the canopy above them to block out all the rain - remembering how just a few moments ago she had stated that she loved the rain. And he did not have the heart to remove her entirely from it. “I’m Garett, it’s nice to meet you Mako.” The downpour on the trees above them is soothing - until another rumble of too-close thunder makes it feel as though the earth is shaking. Or perhaps that’s just him. But his voice is at least still enough when he asks curiously “Do you… do you mind if I ask what you love about storms?” garett

art by dozymare

@[mako]