Everest
For a moment Everest’s thoughts race ahead of him, lining up skyships and departure times, who could travel together and who would need space for plants, tools, crates. How to minimise chaos by shaping it into something orderly. The mental list is already forming when Isla steps fully into him, and the careful structure dissolves under the simple, grounding fact of her weight against his chest. He releases her hand and wraps his arms around her instead, drawing her close with quiet certainty. His cheek comes to rest against the top of her head, breath softening as he holds her there, aware of how different this embrace feels now, her belly creating a gentle distance that somehow makes the closeness more profound. It still surprises him, in a good way, and he lets himself linger in that awareness rather than rushing past it.
When she guides his hand down, he adjusts without hesitation, palm settling warmly against her belly. He hums a low, contented sound as he exhales, the vibration instinctive, familiar, and meant for both of them. The steady warmth beneath his hand anchors him more effectively than any plan ever could.
His gaze lifts to the envelope as Isla mentions it, the significance landing with a soft but unmistakable weight. Planning, understanding, knowing—all things he leans on—but this feels different, important in a way that even he doesn’t try to analyze too deeply. A small smile curves across his face as he looks down at her. "I’d like that," he says simply.
Reaching out, he takes the envelope from the counter and turns it once in his hands, then holds it out to Isla. "Would you like to do the honours?"
When she guides his hand down, he adjusts without hesitation, palm settling warmly against her belly. He hums a low, contented sound as he exhales, the vibration instinctive, familiar, and meant for both of them. The steady warmth beneath his hand anchors him more effectively than any plan ever could.
His gaze lifts to the envelope as Isla mentions it, the significance landing with a soft but unmistakable weight. Planning, understanding, knowing—all things he leans on—but this feels different, important in a way that even he doesn’t try to analyze too deeply. A small smile curves across his face as he looks down at her. "I’d like that," he says simply.
Reaching out, he takes the envelope from the counter and turns it once in his hands, then holds it out to Isla. "Would you like to do the honours?"
even if i had to lose you to know you,
i'd still be that temporary phase that you grow through
i'd still be that temporary phase that you grow through
