Zavien
Having dressed in a new t-shirt and jeans, Zavien felt like a new man. The day was still young, the affection between them slowly growing, and he was on a date. It still felt weird to think about. He hadn't been on a date in well over a year and he couldn't seem to decide what to do with himself. Despite how natural it felt with Soh, caution laced his every move, wondering if the spell might break as quickly as dawn had.
As they'd walked through New Haven, he'd found himself debating whether to reach for her hand. They'd done so much more, but there was something different about doing it in the privacy of his home and doing it for all the see. It felt like Koa could appear at any moment, catching them in the compromising position of their hands interlocked. People were always watching, and he worried about what they might say or what they might ask, whether he was ready to announce this fragile relationship to the world, or risk people finding out about it before he had a chance to tell them.
But Zavien had said he wouldn't live in fear, and he had promised to make this work. It wouldn't be easy - but then it wouldn't be life.
So he'd grabbed her hand in the street, taking a deep breath before letting the stiff hold soften to something casual and natural. Then they'd worked their way through the various shops and errands, gathering the pieces for their picnic and giving Soh a chance to change into something more fitting of the colder weather - Leafchange had arrived in full force. He didn't release her hand until their arms were both full of coffee and bags. While she carried the food, Zavien had the blankets.
When she paused atop the hill, he looked out to the misty landscape. It certainly had the elevation for a view, although he wondered if the mist would dissipate when the sun strengthened, curious what it might be obscuring. But there were small dottings of flowers and gourds to decorate the hillside, and he hadn't come for the view anyways.
Smiling to Soh, he nodded his head. "I think this spot will work." With the decision made, Zavien set aside his own coffee to start assembling the blankets among the grass, similarly hoping it wasn't a disguised tomb.
As they'd walked through New Haven, he'd found himself debating whether to reach for her hand. They'd done so much more, but there was something different about doing it in the privacy of his home and doing it for all the see. It felt like Koa could appear at any moment, catching them in the compromising position of their hands interlocked. People were always watching, and he worried about what they might say or what they might ask, whether he was ready to announce this fragile relationship to the world, or risk people finding out about it before he had a chance to tell them.
But Zavien had said he wouldn't live in fear, and he had promised to make this work. It wouldn't be easy - but then it wouldn't be life.
So he'd grabbed her hand in the street, taking a deep breath before letting the stiff hold soften to something casual and natural. Then they'd worked their way through the various shops and errands, gathering the pieces for their picnic and giving Soh a chance to change into something more fitting of the colder weather - Leafchange had arrived in full force. He didn't release her hand until their arms were both full of coffee and bags. While she carried the food, Zavien had the blankets.
When she paused atop the hill, he looked out to the misty landscape. It certainly had the elevation for a view, although he wondered if the mist would dissipate when the sun strengthened, curious what it might be obscuring. But there were small dottings of flowers and gourds to decorate the hillside, and he hadn't come for the view anyways.
Smiling to Soh, he nodded his head. "I think this spot will work." With the decision made, Zavien set aside his own coffee to start assembling the blankets among the grass, similarly hoping it wasn't a disguised tomb.
I love you with everything I am,
everything I've been,
and everything I hope to be.
everything I've been,
and everything I hope to be.
