Lie used to think that happiness just didn’t suit him. He truly denounced all attempts at a peaceful life and suffered at the hands of brutal apathy for years and years. He cared so much he told himself that he did not care at all, rather than endure the pain of feeling so wonderfully, powerfully, and deeply.
For in all the beauty, he could not face the raw, bloodied beating of his heart and everything that it yearned for.
And now, it yearns so desperately—so loudly—that he almost feels like the shell of a man he once was. Staring into Altissima’s eyes, he begins to think he’s been lying to himself about feeling peace all this time and forgetting to prepare for the next thing to shatter him will finally be his undoing.
A simple yes changes the route of his thoughts, changes him.
Renews and broadens that peace and hope he's spent all this time carefully discovering.
An unyielding smile tears his mouth wide open, crinkling his gemstone eyes at the corners. He didn’t know he was capable of carrying such relief as it washed him with wave after cleansing wave. She did want to talk to him, even if it was a simple yes; and what if he could begin to repair all that he tore down in the years that he missed?
Litotes sucks in a reverent breath but doesn’t lose the smile on his face as Altissima finally speaks again. He can’t help himself when he steps forward and means to pull her into a quick, tight embrace.
“That’s incredible. I . . .” Lie trails off, gaze flicking to the scenery swaying in the breeze around them. He almost says that he would love to meet them, but does not know how deeply the tear between them runs. If he would be welcome, or if it would just be simpler for them to exchange words and leave it at that.
“Are you happy?” He leaves it at that. Knowing she is happy would be enough, for now; and if she is not, then he’ll offer to hunt the entirety of their world for those that made her unhappy.
as it softly glides across your back
and i hope you leave right before the sun comes up
so i can watch it alone
