We Came For Solitude
By spheeris1
Pairing: Relena/Dorothy
Warnings/Notes: Relena POV, angst, sadness and a conversation
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My thanks to Solas and a whole host of other wonderful Celtic bands
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"How long have you been here?" I asked quietly, so I wouldn't disturb those here for solitude.
"Long enough." she answered me.
"How long has it been?" I wonder. My voice sounds so loud, echoing off of rock and wood walls.
"Not as long as you may think." she states.
Her eyes do not look at me. They stare straight ahead, reflecting candlelight.
Reflecting gold and silver.
Reflecting tiny trails of smoke as they wind their way upward.
I fidget with my hands. I press my fingers into my skirt…my long red skirt.
It feels so soft.
Like skin. Like her skin.
And then her hand is on my hand. As if……as if reading my thoughts.
"How long--" I start, but she stops me with a laugh. So light. So airy. It doesn't echo like my voice does.
"So many questions. Can't you just be happy? I am here. Now." she says softly.
No echo.
No sound reverberating in my ears, in this darkened cathedral.
As if….as if Dorothy was not here.
And I had to remind myself to breathe. In and out.
The hand was removed.
I had to bite my tongue, not to ask anymore questions.
For I have so many questions.
Where have you been? Why did you leave? What changed? What will happen now?
"I brought you something." she says, handing me a small box.
It sits in the palm of my hand.
I do not open it. She does not ask me to.
"Are you still running?" she asks. I shake my head 'no' even though I mean 'yes'.
"When you run, what are you running from?" she asks.
I say I do not know though I do.
I know. She knows. And I know that she knows.
I sit the gift down, staring at the shiny black of the box.
Staring at the satin red ribbon. It matches my skirt.
"I didn't get you anything." I say, inching closer to her, whispering in her ear.
Her eyes do not meet mine as I watch her. Watch her pulse dance under the ivory skin of her neck. Watch her jaw become so rigid. Watch her lips form a perfect line.
"I am not staying. Not this time." she says, her voice cold. So cold. So like ice.
"I have never asked you to." I reply, still moving closer….
…our shoulders touching….
….my breath on her face…
My eyes flutter shut when she kisses me. And she pushes me back and I crush the box.
I feel the sharp corners dig into my skin.
I feel her fingers in my hair.
I feel eyes on us and I know we have ruined the solitude.
We have ruined the silence that we crave.
The control of being alone and the safety of distance has been thrown aside.
And then she is gone.
Just clicking heels. Just murmured words.
I open the box.
And there is nothing inside at all.
The bells chime. The lights flicker.
And I am glad that no one intrudes on my sobbing.
They know to keep away from everyone else.
We came for solitude.
We came to see if there can be more, only to find there is nothing at all.
Nothing at all.
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END