For the Character of the Week Comp (1/5: character in a romantic relationship)
"Phineas!"
The voice is weaker now, brittle and hollow with age. But Phineas would know it anywhere. His portrait's eyes pop open immediately.
"Ursula," he whispers, his hand moving forward, blocked by the canvas.
She smiles, touching her gnarled hand to where his is. "Look at me," she says. "A withered old hag. What you must think of me..."
"Still as beautiful as the day we met," he assures her.
And he means it. Her hair is silver now, and her skin is heavily lined and sagging, but he still sees the beautiful young woman he had vowed to make his wife.
"I'm dying, Phineas."
"Don't say that."
She touches a finger to his painted lips. "Hush, my love. I will be with you again soon."
As she walks away, Phineas discovers for the first time that portraits cannot shed tears.