Aftermath [Active]

[paixaomods]

Character(s): Anyone!
Content: With Paixao in ruins and the townsfolk now unwelcoming of the outsiders, a camp has formed at St. Destino.
Setting: St. Destino church and the surrounding fields, where some of the "outsiders" have been camping since the collapse.
Time: 4-5 days after the collapse
Warnings: None!

This will be another one of those multi-thread posts! Throw whoever, whereever guys!

Compared to the vast array of weather that was once seen inside the domes, outside seems to never change; the sky is simply a dark grey through the day and an inky black at night. There are no stars in the sky, but there is still some light; the white grass of the Elysian Fields glows an eerie blue at night and small orbs of light fall, almost like snow, in the constant gentle breeze.

Usually the fields are hauntingly quiet, but not so much now, as camping outsiders made their way here, using the small, abandoned church as a refuge.

Comments

[fonichymns]

Slowly, as though under the influence of some sort of spell, Tear turned towards him -- as he spoke, her eyes glued to him as he spoke those final words -- and she froze. He... what did he just say? How many times had she imagined it now? Waited, prayed, even, for the chance to be able to hear those words... coming from him.

And that's when it all came washing over her. The memories of their days together -- then his disappearance... the time she'd spent alone. Waiting... hoping...

Just about the same time that her eyes began to well with tears, she launched herself towards him, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck as she pulled herself into his chest, her body shaking slightly as the flood of emotions seemed to overtake her.

"Don't you get it?!" her voice sounded maybe a little more harsh than she'd intended -- and so she quieted it, her tone becoming softer the more she spoke. "I didn't want you to go! I don't want to have to see you run off anymore! I just want..." she pulled back gently, regaining herself, and easing back down to her own height, her hands resting on his chest.

"I want to stay with you, Luke. I can't stand the thought of you leaving again." Her eyes closed, "I... wanted to tell you, back then... that day, but I... Luke -- I love you, too."

[keep_my_promise]

It was only with great hesitation that he slowly opened his eyes to look at her, only to be met with her suddenly launching herself into him. Taken off guard, he was more than a little stunned at first, but then his arms quickly found their way around her waist. Worries of rejection quickly melted away, especially as she repeated those third words back to him.

"T-Tear...!"

She loved him? She actually loved him too? He almost felt lightheaded as the numerous, overwhelming feelings flooded over him. Luke wrapped his arms around her again, drawing her close, brushing his face against her hair. He could feel his eyes go moist; he was just so overcome with happiness and relief and so much more.

"I-I won't," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I won't choose to ever leave you again. I promise."

Luke wished he could promise to never leave her again at all, but he knew all too well that appearances and disappearances here just happened. As far as he knew there was nothing anyone could do. It would be an impossible promise to keep, but this one he could. As long as he had a choice in the matter, it was something he could keep.

[fonichymns]

And she stayed there, not know exactly how much time had passed. She couldn't pull away from him -- couldn't let him see the streaks of tears that had betrayed her, zig-zagging their way down her cheeks silently. But her body didn't shake -- these sobs weren't of that nature... but all the same, she didn't want him to see -- to worry.

It was then that Tear made a vow to herself; she wasn't just going to let Luke slip away -- never again, as long as it was in her power. And if he felt the same, enough to reassure her... then that was all she needed for now.

After a few more moments had passed, she reluctantly pulled from his embrace, quick to hide face as a gloved hand brushed past her cheeks. "We should... get back to the others."

[keep_my_promise]

He would have been happy to just keep standing there, holding her, but when she pulled away, he took the cue to let go, though still reluctantly. He couldn't really complain, however. This confession had gone a lot better than he'd ever pictured.

"Oh... yeah, I guess we should," he agreed, taking a second to realize what she'd said. It probably was time they checked in with the others. Luke just hoped he could collect himself enough beforehand--he was sure he was smiling like an idiot.