It's What You Taught Me

[Alric Kuhn]

He stopped.

His head shook from side to side, a glistening of tears in his eyes. His lips had thinned, his face had become pale, and there was a genuine hint of fear and despair within his gaze. He looked at her, searching for something.

A hint.

A question.

Something hidden away that he was meant to find.

Yet the found nothing.

His heart half broke in that moment, and he simply stared at her in stunned silence. What could he say? Could he resist? Could he yell at her? Grab and shake her? No. He couldn't do that. He respected her too much, cared for her, wanted her safe.

“Were far from done.”

He said finally, his eyes closing, but the audible sound of a show hitting the ground as he turned around and away from her.

“I don't care how long it takes.”

Stern and strong confidence mixed with an amalgam of pain.

“A day. A month. A year. A decade.”

The door opened up before him.

“I'll make it up to you.”

A few step forwards took him into the doorway. There he lingered, his eyes clenching tight for a few seconds, his head bending down to see a single droplet fall. His head shook, and his voice continued, more strained.

“I promise.”

 

[Danger Arceneau]

For the barest moment, as she looked at Alric, one would see unabashed, vulnerable longing in her eyes.

One would see the hurt. The pride. The desire that would never stop eating her.

One would see love.

She loved Alric Kuhn. It went beyond the love of a friend. The love of family. She loved him. Even after he'd told her he loved another. Even after knowing there was no chance. Even after he had betrayed her.

Danger still loved the man standing at the door and always would. Loving something like Alric was a pain the 'verse did not envy. And as he stood, turning away, vowing however long it would take to mend the burnt bridge she couldn't help but devour him with tender concern, searching his body with undisguised ardor.

The only difference between a prayer and a curse is one who stands to profit.

Neither would do so here.

He made his vow, but Danger knew, there was no turning back. Not if she had any hope of surviving the storm he left her in.

One she was at fault for as much as he.

Tears would cut the membrane, fall to trail across her cheeks. She began to tremble, the seconds ticking by as they only grew in intensity.

Promise?

No.

Not when you've already broken one.