Vanya
HALI
even the sky and sea cannot contain me
At his pride in himself, I can’t help but grin and give his arm a squeeze. “You’d better,” I say, earnest and bright. “You have so much to be proud of.”
My laugh bursts out as he launches into talk of his age, the sound light and unfiltered. I’ve seen enough to know he has plenty of excuses to be damn tired, but still… well. He’s old too. I get to be forever young—something I’d already made peace with by the time I found my way to Mort’s halls. “Tell that to the mirror, silver fox,” I tease, voice curling with affection.
I nod at his shrug, my eyes softening just a little. “No, not final visits. You’re right,” I agree, quiet but certain. “I’ll see you again one day, Captain Taliesin—mark my words.”
A deep breath escapes me as I step close, a little slower now, savoring the nearness. I reach for his glass without asking and take it from his hand. “But good,” I add, the corner of my mouth lifting into a smirk before I sip from it, then set it beside my own. “Last stop then.”
I step in front of him, the surf washing higher up the beach to nip at the backs of my legs. I take both his hands in mine, hold them gently but with intent, grounding us there. I stare down at our joined hands for a moment, smiling to myself. Thrilled. Maybe it’s childish, to pretend nothing ever changed—but after everything? I think I’m allowed. It doesn’t hurt anyone. Not even me. And I’ll carry this—him—with me forever.
“Well, if that’s so…” I glance up at last, eyes warm and glimmering—
And I haul him back into the surf with me, laughter ringing out loud and full into the night as the tide crashes around us. A swim in the Ocean together for the first time since they were all in Northaven.
My laugh bursts out as he launches into talk of his age, the sound light and unfiltered. I’ve seen enough to know he has plenty of excuses to be damn tired, but still… well. He’s old too. I get to be forever young—something I’d already made peace with by the time I found my way to Mort’s halls. “Tell that to the mirror, silver fox,” I tease, voice curling with affection.
I nod at his shrug, my eyes softening just a little. “No, not final visits. You’re right,” I agree, quiet but certain. “I’ll see you again one day, Captain Taliesin—mark my words.”
A deep breath escapes me as I step close, a little slower now, savoring the nearness. I reach for his glass without asking and take it from his hand. “But good,” I add, the corner of my mouth lifting into a smirk before I sip from it, then set it beside my own. “Last stop then.”
I step in front of him, the surf washing higher up the beach to nip at the backs of my legs. I take both his hands in mine, hold them gently but with intent, grounding us there. I stare down at our joined hands for a moment, smiling to myself. Thrilled. Maybe it’s childish, to pretend nothing ever changed—but after everything? I think I’m allowed. It doesn’t hurt anyone. Not even me. And I’ll carry this—him—with me forever.
“Well, if that’s so…” I glance up at last, eyes warm and glimmering—
And I haul him back into the surf with me, laughter ringing out loud and full into the night as the tide crashes around us. A swim in the Ocean together for the first time since they were all in Northaven.
for i am endlessly free
