A/N: For Jyn and Cassian, because I will never be over them *cries eternally*
ยทยทยท
The future never turns out the way one expects.
The blink of an eye,
A flash of light,
The sound of a voice,
'Your father would be proud,'
and all that's familiar can change, except for the almosts.
They never change.
They will haunt people in their last hours as they reflect upon life and think,
About their choices,
About their actions,
About their words,
And how things could've been different,
How they were almost different.
Almost, but not quite.
The word itself is an emotion with the ability to contort the heart and coil around the brain.
It can hold the breath of many promises, yet to be unbroken,
It can provide the comfort from a longing never obtained,
It can whisper the possibilities of a future that's gone unseen,
A future where things are bright, one without uncertainty and fear,
A future where love will live in the hearts of those who strive for peace,
A future where they could've had a chance together, a chance to start anew,
A future without suffering.
A future that could've been possible, was almost possible, but not for them.
Almost, but not quite.
The word is harsh and unfeeling, yet soft like the sand beneath their feet,
It can carry the weight of the futures of all those who've been wronged or blessed by it's meddling in their lives,
It can bring joy to those who've barely escaped misfortune woven into their path,
But for them, it can only provide the bitter reality that's acquainted with missed opportunities.
And when that time finally comes,
When life's been stretched as far as fate will allow,
Almost will be present in their minds.
All those times,
All those moments,
All those memories,
All those regrets,
All those sacrifices,
They will come back to them, and it can't be helped but to wonder whether things could've been different,
How they were almost different.
Almost, but not quite.
Even after they're gone, people will always wonder,
Always speculate,
Always marvel,
At the selflessness they displayed,
And how they almost made it,
How they almost survived.
Almost, but not quite.