The Goodbye Look
Nina knew she shouldn't be doing this. If you love someone, set them free. If it was meant to be, they will come back to you. It was the wise words that her Gran had told her softly in the phone two weeks ago. Nina had called her distraughtly, gasping as heart wrenching sobs consumed her body and ruined her ever-calm facade. Fabian had broken up with her. Her love, her life, had left. The world had stopped then and lurched forward seconds later, out racing her still-stopped heart. But now her heart pounded rapidly, furiously beating in her chest. It was almost painful to stand in front of Fabian's closed door. Victor had long past announced his nightly ritual, "It's ten o'clock". But after those words Nina had settled into her usual cold blur. If she didn't feel, she wouldn't have to the hear the words that he had told her. At his door, though Nina couldn't keep the emotions bubbling up. She couldn't help how her fist shook as she knocked on Fabian's door. She heard shuffling behind the door and she already regretted her decision to confront him. As Fabian opened the door he seemed surprised by her presence.
"Nina?", it wasn't too shocking that he was confused. She had been avoiding him for the past fourteen days.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here. It was stupid.", she spun around quickly because as his deep soulful eyes gazed at her, Nina didn't want him to see the tears that had trailed down her cheeks.
"Nina, wait!" Fabian whisperingly proclaimed. When Nina made a move to leave, he grabbed her wrist swiftly (albeit gently) and spun her around to face him. No one could say that Nina wasn't surprised when Fabian pressed his lips against hers. The kiss wasn't like their others. They had two weeks, fourteen days, three-hundred-thirty-six hours, twenty-thousand-one-hundred-sixty minutes, or one-million-two-hundred-nine-thousand-six-hundred seconds of pure misery. Their other kisses had been more careful or respectful, but for this kiss, they just didn't care anymore. Fabian pulled away when he tasted the salt from Nina's tears. He tenderly kissed her damp cheeks and then pulled her tight against his chest. There, Nina sobbed as Fabian comforted her while rubbing soft circles on her back. He slowly walked them to his bed, and then leaned back onto his comforter. Nina's tears diminished when Fabian pulled his soft sheets around them, drying her rosy cheeks with the fleecy fabric. He gently caressed her cheeks with his thumb before reaching over her to turn out the lights.
"I love you.", he whispered into the darkness before placing an affectionate goodnight kiss against her temple. In the dark night, surrounded by Fabian's warm embrace, Nina could only think of one single thing as she snuggled closer into Fabian: Me too, Fabian. Me too.
And after that, Nina spent one of many night in her lover's arms.