safe in my arms

Jude

Verbal comfort is a sufficient, if temporary, replacement for her physical presence. It helps that he can watch her, reminding himself with every moment between blinks that she is here even if he can't touch her. Even so, he counts the seconds until she is sitting beside him once more, the click of the plate on the table loud in the otherwise tense, silent kitchen.

He mimics her if only because it's easier, though he picks a tarter blackberry jam because of his preference for less sweet things. It doesn't taste like much in his mouth when he takes a bite but he can't find it in himself to care. Merely silently eating until both portions are consumed, and then leaning sideways into Sohalia's side, head resting on her shoulder carefully so they don't topple off the stools.

"I'm glad I found her," he murmurs, the words coming easier now after some time to think and breathe. "But I got so used to not having her. I don't...know how to have her again." It's gracelessly worded, but Jude trusts Sohalia will understand. "I don't need her the same way I used to." And that sounds cruel, but he doesn't know how to need her again. Differently, now.

stop trying to keep this alive
you're pointing at stars in the sky that already died