EVEREST
Ever’s gaze drops to the hem of his shirt, pinching the fabric between his fingers and realigning the seam near the side hem. "No. This one passed my own inspection," he says, deadpan but with the faintest spark of amusement. "Mateo did try. He presented a sequined vest with tassels. Said I was wasting a golden opportunity to show clavicle." His thumb resumes its earlier pattern over Isla’s knuckles—three strokes, pause, repeat.
When she mentions the odds being in his favour, Ever looks at her, then briefly away, then back again. It’s a flicker—like a buffering circle in the mind, catching up to something warmly said. "I’ll take those odds," he says softly, and though his smile is small, it’s sincere. His hand tightens very slightly around hers.
At the mention of returning inside, he gives a firm nod—twice. "Yes. We should. It’s Flora’s night. She deserves to see that her guests are having a good time." Another pause. "Also, if we’re not seen, Mateo will start rumours. And worse, he’ll elaborate them."
He rises, brushing nonexistent wrinkles from his pants in quick, symmetrical swipes. Once upright, he extends a hand to Isla again—not because she needs it, but because it feels right.
~fin
When she mentions the odds being in his favour, Ever looks at her, then briefly away, then back again. It’s a flicker—like a buffering circle in the mind, catching up to something warmly said. "I’ll take those odds," he says softly, and though his smile is small, it’s sincere. His hand tightens very slightly around hers.
At the mention of returning inside, he gives a firm nod—twice. "Yes. We should. It’s Flora’s night. She deserves to see that her guests are having a good time." Another pause. "Also, if we’re not seen, Mateo will start rumours. And worse, he’ll elaborate them."
He rises, brushing nonexistent wrinkles from his pants in quick, symmetrical swipes. Once upright, he extends a hand to Isla again—not because she needs it, but because it feels right.
~fin
the boards will still creak
the leaves will still die
the leaves will still die
