like lipstick traces on pillowcases

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

Quiet settled between them for a moment, and Soh was grateful that Flora didn't immediately jump to reassure her, to dismiss her fears and hesitations as something silly or unremarkable. And when she did speak, it was with a soft, but firm voice, one that was as encouraging as could be expected under the circumstances. If Flora hadn't already been her best friend, she certainly would be now, what with the way she set aside whatever emotions she might be feeling in favor of cheering Soh on, advising her the best way that she could. And even if Soh didn't take the advice (and, let's be honest, she probably will), it was appreciated all the same.

So she thought about it, and she took a deep breath, and she let it out as a sigh, tilting her head back and gazing up at the brilliant blue sky above. "D'you know, I think you're always right?" she asked Flora with a soft laugh, rolling her neck until she could gaze affectionately at her friend. "You'd think I'd have learned all that, after everything. It's just, when I look back, all I can see are my mistakes. And I'm tired of letting that dictate my future, but it's terrifying. But I guess someone has to be the brave one and take the leap, right?"

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

Flora hums, low and warm, the sound more exhale than agreement but laced with something fond. "Someone’s gotta," she murmurs, glancing sideways at Sohalia. The smile that curves her lips this time is smaller, gentler—less the weaponized grin the world knows and more a quiet reminder that she’s still here, still with her, even if the cracks are starting to show.

"I think.." she begins, stretching out her legs again and letting her fingers toy with the edge of her sleeve. "That if Koa didn't feel the same way about you, he wouldn't have asked for time. He'd have made up some excuse about this not being the right time or something like that. And honestly, knowing him," because she does, gods she does. Or did, anyway. "He probably just wanted the time in order to you get you two matching embroidered jackets or to train a choir of chorus bees to sing your name when he sees you next."

The breeze picks up again, tugging at the hem of her top, and Flora tips her head back, letting the sun soak into the hollow of her throat. It was precisely the sort of over-the-top gesture Koa would excel at; precisely the sort that would never once cross Jack's mind.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

"A choir of chorus bees?" Soh laughed, before remembering that this was probably a whole lot harder for Flora than she was letting on and sobering abruptly. The Doubletake excelled at showing the world what she wanted it to see, but Soh liked to think that she knew her best friend better than that. And yet Flora still soldiered on, and Soh admired her all the more for it.

Impulsively, she leaned over to wrap an arm around Flora's shoulders, burying her face in her friend's hair. "I love you, Flora," she said, her voice muffled and thick with emotion, because she hadn't done anything in this life to deserve a friend like Flora, and yet here she was anyway. Pulling back, Soh smiled - a small, soft smile, but a smile nonetheless. "And don't think this changes anything for us," she teased, trying for a breeziness that Flora had always excelled at but Soh had yet to master. "I already have a house warming - boat warming? - party planned, and girls' nights, so..."

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

Flora melts a little under the sudden affection, the ache in her chest momentarily softened by the press of Sohalia’s face against her curls. She tilts her head, leaning into it with the ease of someone who’s been loved this way before, who knows how precious it is when someone reaches for you just because. Not to fix or solve or carry the weight—but simply to remind you that you’re not alone under it.

"I love you too, you know," she murmurs, voice quiet but sure, her fingers finding Soh's hand to squeeze it once before letting go.

The teasing that follows draws a more genuine smile to her lips, crooked and real. "Oh, thank gods," she sighs, dramatically flopping back into the grass like she might die if she had to plan her own party. She turns her head to look at Sohalia, eyes still a little red but brighter now, lit from within by something more hopeful. "Maybe I'll go visit my mom again in King's End. You can use the magic of the rooms for more than just sex, you know. I could make it feel like I was falling asleep in the Greatwood again with Enzo."

Or aboard the Ark with Jack.

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

Soh's teasing drew out the more playful side of Flora, and she giggled at her friend's dramatic flop to the ground. "We'll have all your favorite snacks, and drinks, and music, and of course gifts will be required," she promised with a grin, twisting to lean on one hand as she looked down at Flora resting upon the grass.

Of Flora's plan to visit her mom, Soh brightened. "That sounds like a great idea," she agreed, perhaps a bit wistful. She didn't envy Flora, exactly - gods knew that her friend deserved a family to love and cherish her - but she'd always wondered what it might be like, to be able to surround oneself with people who loved unconditionally. But then, she supposed that having so many people like that also opened one up to great pain when a family member was lost. "It might be nice, just to... exist, for a minute, you know? No pressure, no responsibilities."

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia

i could be the reason you can't sleep at night

"Yeah," Flora says after a moment, her voice softening around the word like it’s been worn down smooth inside her. "That sounds... really nice, actually. Just existing. Pretty sure I've forgotten how to do that." Her fingers trail idly through the grass, like she’s grounding herself in the little green blades and the shape of the world beneath her. For all the power she wields, all the titles and bravado, sometimes it’s the simple things that feel like luxury.

She’s quiet for a bit, long enough for the breeze to tug at the edges of her curls again, before she lifts her gaze back to Sohalia. There’s no bitterness there—no spite or resentment—just a shimmer of sadness that’s soft and genuine, and held carefully so it doesn’t spill over. "Things are probably gonna be hard for me for a little while," she admits, her voice raw but steady. "So I don’t know how easy it’s gonna be to hang out with both of you at the same time. I’m not gonna pretend that seeing you together isn’t gonna be hella weird for me at first, but I want you to know that I want you to be happy. Both of you. I mean it." Her smile wobbles at the edges, but it’s real. "So don’t feel like you have to walk on eggshells around me. Don’t keep stuff in just because you’re worried it’ll hurt. If he does something sweet, or dumb, or absolutely unhinged in that charming Koa way, I want you to tell me. Gush. Be as happy as he’s gonna make you."

Flora reaches out again, nudging Sohalia’s foot with her own. "Promise?"

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to say goodbye

"Yeah," Soh agreed just as softly, considering Flora for a moment. "You know, being away from Stormbreak has sucked in so many ways, but honestly? I've gotten to do things that I never would've been able to as its Heart." She gazed out over the water, her expression a little wistful. "And I can't say that I wouldn't take Stormbreak back in a heartbeat, because I would if I could, but having a break, even a forced one... I think maybe I learned some things about myself that will help me in the future, you know?"

They fell quiet for a while, and Soh turned her face into the spring breeze that danced across the Oasis, flickering through her hair and across her cheeks. When Flora spoke again, Soh offered her undivided attention, and when her best friend nudged her foot gently, Soh offered a smile that was both hopeful for her future and sad for her friend's pain. "Promise."

fin

Everyone wants to see heaven
But no one wants to die

Sohalia