Told you not to worry, but maybe that's a lie
The pendant sits warm against her sternum, heavier on the heart that lies just beneath. Her hand raises to brush against the gems, the jagged edges feeling eerily similar to the wounds in her chest. At first the touch is gentle - cautious - to caress the memories and the man it represents, nervous it might break under her fingertips, shattering the moment.
But then the feelings press up again, the pain and desperation and the imminent departure that has her gripping it hard against her palm, squeezing her eyes shut when the sharp edges dig into her skin. She doesn't release it, letting it be the reason the tears well in her eyes when he places that bittersweet kiss on her cheek, the reason her breath stutters again as his arms wrap longingly around her, the reason she winces when the words finally come.
Her nod feels like a death knell, a gavel cracking down on her spine, confirmation of the end.
Turning to face him in their last moments, Thal feels herself drawn closer in the orbit of his gravity, the universe she'll never get to see with him. Her hand reaches forward, an indulgence of her own as she memorizes the curve of his jaw, the curl of his hair, the depth in his eyes. "Just - " - don't leave me like this? - don't forget me? - don't let anyone else take my place? They're selfish, pathetic thoughts that she can't bring herself to say.
She swallows, trying to grasp at whatever fire and strength is banked beneath the flood of emotions, trying to give him one last glimpse of Thal, a memory less tainted by sorrow. It's impossible to rally more than a small spark, a simmering beneath the tearful expression; her tone doesn't sear through the flooding emotions and her eyes don't blaze through the building rainstorm, but she manages the fiery words that whisper like a smoky breeze, the ghost of fire on her pursed lips. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."
But then the feelings press up again, the pain and desperation and the imminent departure that has her gripping it hard against her palm, squeezing her eyes shut when the sharp edges dig into her skin. She doesn't release it, letting it be the reason the tears well in her eyes when he places that bittersweet kiss on her cheek, the reason her breath stutters again as his arms wrap longingly around her, the reason she winces when the words finally come.
Her nod feels like a death knell, a gavel cracking down on her spine, confirmation of the end.
Turning to face him in their last moments, Thal feels herself drawn closer in the orbit of his gravity, the universe she'll never get to see with him. Her hand reaches forward, an indulgence of her own as she memorizes the curve of his jaw, the curl of his hair, the depth in his eyes. "Just - " - don't leave me like this? - don't forget me? - don't let anyone else take my place? They're selfish, pathetic thoughts that she can't bring herself to say.
She swallows, trying to grasp at whatever fire and strength is banked beneath the flood of emotions, trying to give him one last glimpse of Thal, a memory less tainted by sorrow. It's impossible to rally more than a small spark, a simmering beneath the tearful expression; her tone doesn't sear through the flooding emotions and her eyes don't blaze through the building rainstorm, but she manages the fiery words that whisper like a smoky breeze, the ghost of fire on her pursed lips. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."
Thalassa
Honey, what's your hurry? Won't you stay inside?
