The forest is the last place Litotes expects to run into Starsin; and yet, there she was, alone and quiet like he’s never quite seen her before.
How long has it been since he felt that twisting in his chest, that devilish pounding? When he looks at her without the damning weight of another’s gaze, there is unabashed affection, pure adoration, and depthless sorrow. Once they lived their lives allowing such emotions to lead their every whim; but now—now they have families, spouses, and peace.
Did Litotes and Starsin ever stand a chance for such a lovely thing?
But he doesn’t reveal the racing of his mind or the rush of blood in his heart, no. His only tell is the outpouring in his gaze, and even then he quickly recovers with a polite smile.
“Starsin,” Lie announces, trying to disguise the tension he feels at their quiet solitude. He remembers the last time he saw her, just a smile and a hello in passing as Lilt visited her family and he tended to their children. The feeling always seemed to be mutual: their interactions were minimal, and if one were to be at a family reunion, the other would find an excuse to keep their distance. It had to have been a year, perhaps two. And many more since they had an actual conversation.
It was too painful, truly. Even if their hearts remained elsewhere.
“How, uh, how have you been?” Lie finally manages, holding his head high and peering at her (that quiet hopefulness never leaves his eyes, even if he tries to mask it with indifference and niceties).
as it softly glides across your back
and i hope you leave right before the sun comes up
so i can watch it alone
@Starsin