Dragoncrest Cliffs Till my heartbeat stops

for val, this moment of physical intimacy eclipsed the embers of hurt that frayed his soul. he needed it in the way plants craved the sun; he hugged rosalyn all the more fiercely, wishing if he just held her tight things would never change, and he would never let go.

but he knew reality moved on with or without his willing participation in it. eventually the pair pulled away, and val was left feeling a little more empty than before after rosalyn's sweet gesture across his forehead.

he tucked such a feeling away, keeping his eyes bright so maman would see none of it. what do you want to eat?