the blood you bleed is just the blood you owe

Maea

And I hope that you don't suffer
But take the pain

She could have settled for the hand. Been content with the small gesture, the quiet presence, whatever small token he would permit her. He surprised her by not only taking her hand, but pulling her in too, for a kiss so warm and sweet it made her ache in a slightly new way. It brough to mind the first one they'd ever shared, hesitant and tentative, and all the warmer for it. Maea brought an arm around his waist, brushed her hand over his back, the rare shirt an unfamiliar barrier to separate her from his sun-kissed skin. Unusual... but not unpleasant.

Her lips quivered softly under his. The pang of regret almost visceral, when this small, simple gesture brought it home to her clearer than any words that... ah, he really did love her. Didn't he? Such a remarkable thing... why could she believe it so fully only now, when it was almost over?

Or was it? Could it be that this was just the start of something else, something new?

It was a hope to cling to, even as she slowly, reluctantly broke the kiss, and eased herself back. Gazed at him, as if to fix his whole being into her memory.

Something to live on, until next time. Whenever that was.

"Better go then..." She cast a final look around the room. It was a beautiful dream... some small vision for a future she never would have thought of on her own.

To think, they had been smiling when they came here. How quickly things could change.

Hope if everybody runs
You choose to stay