Difference between revisions of "Without You"

Revision as of 22:07, 2 January 2017

Without You

“It’s only for a month…” She reassured him, wrapped in his loving arms.

“A month far too long, if you ask me…” He responded, admiring her long, rich auburn hair as he rubbed the lobe of her perfect Inarian ear. “Oh, how I wish you didn’t have to stay.”

“I wish I didn’t either, but remember that it’s to show off your gift. You’ve honed it far beyond what it used to be. You’ll be able to silence your critics with awe this time. If you don’t go, you will forever live in fear of their spiteful words. Besides, you’ll be back before I know it, right?”

He smiled and kissed her forehead right where her hair parted oh so perfectly. Her supple skin felt so pleasant against his lips. Her touch was addicting; it was a soft, gentle feel he could not bear to ever live without. The sound of her alluring voice could calm even the fiercest of storms within him. She was his drug, and he wished to forever be high, “Right.”

She smiled back at him and hugged him tightly for the last time for what would seem like a lifetime. They had been together for most of their lives, having been friends since they were young. He had finally worked up the courage to propose to her a month before this and every moment together had felt like a blessing since. Their lives had so easily intertwined that it felt as if their union was destiny.

He gazed upon her smile, allowing it to comfort him. Her smile had inspired him at every turn in his life, always showing him she would trust in any decision he made for them. She believed in him, even when he failed to believe in himself.

They closed their eyes and rested their foreheads against each other.

“Try not to be so critical of yourself, dear. This is why we came here, isn’t it? You’ve had the chance to perfect your art without the constant critique of others. You’ll do fine, Francis… I know it.” She told him without a hint of doubt behind her words.

Her voice felt so powerful against his ears. He couldn’t fail as long as she believed in him. It just wasn’t possible.

“Thank you, ma chérie.” He said as she planted a soft kiss upon his cheek.

“Excuse me, Odette,” A voice called from behind Francis, “I apologize. Alas, I must steal your betrothed from you now.”

“I know, Fernand. I know…” She sighed.

“Just a moment...” Francis smiled as he grabbed her by the waist and pressed his lips to hers. He captured the moment in his mind, acknowledging how breathtakingly smooth and wonderful her lips felt. Bringing this moment to life with his powers over illusion would be the closest he would be able to get to the real thing, for he would have to go without for a small while. He then grazed his nose against hers and pulled back from her.

“I love you,” he said, looking into her radiant blue eyes.

“I love you as well,” she replied. “Come back to me soon.”

“I shall as swiftly as I can. Nothing could ever stop me from that.”

He stepped back from her, holding her hand until nothing but their fingers met, and let go. He then turned and began to walk towards the terminal alongside Fernand.

Francis and Fernand had been close friends longer than he and Odette had been. Their fathers had been just as close, bringing them together often. They were brothers at heart, and nothing could ever come between that. Francis recognized their bond as the only one that could match that of his with Odette.

“Look after her for me while I’m gone,” Francis asked of his friend.

“Of course I shall, brother. You realize it’s but only a month that you’ll be separated, don’t you?” Fernand laughed.

“Yeah,” Francis chuckled at the thought, “it’ll just be the longest we’ve been apart in such a long time.”

Francis looked back to catch one last glimpse of his beloved as he continued down the terminal. As he searched for what had been her comforting, earthy brown aura. He then realized when he saw her gorgeous hair flowing through the crowd that her aura had changed to that of a bright yellow, indicating fear.

His heart fell at the discomfort, but he took a breath and continued on with Fernand. “Don’t worry,” he thought to himself. “I’ll return soon, my Odette.”

(by Chet DeLano)