leaving footprints to remind us

It does matter, Isla wants to say, but she's too busy enjoying the way his arms wrap around her, the way it feels like she can finally breathe again, even if she doesn't need to. Her gaze, though, drops to the ground as he speaks about Cal, Isla shrugging her shoulders and feeling really rather small to think about all of it. "He is?" she mumbles, smiling despite herself. "I had hoped you would like him, but..." Her head shakes again, as if it's too little, too late. "I still should have told you first," she mutters, sounding guilty. "Just because you had Ronin at home, it doesn't mean we weren't anything. I'm sorry I hurt you, Remi." Gazing up, not at the sound of his voice but at the way the sky sours overhead, Isla reaches up for him, carefully wiping the tears from his cheeks. "Just because I might not be with you, it doesn't mean I care any less about you," she murmurs. "You know that, right? I'll always love you, Remi - it doesn't matter what happens. I know you too well not to love you." ISLA pray for me pray to me