A/N: i have no idea where this came from, but i was studying, and then it hit me. and now, here it is for you to read, think, criticize, spit upon, joke about, smile about, wonder, like, and just for me...because this one is different from what i've written, and it doesn't matter whether you read and like, or read and hate, i wrote it, and that's all that i need to know. as you can tell, i've suddenly found myself in a dark way, and this is my expression of it.
A stolen pebble, snatched from the shore, placed delicately in his rough palm. A stolen smile as he throws it in the air, catches it deftly, holds it questioningly. A stolen glance when he looks ahead, grips the stone, focuses his gaze.
A long second later, a stone flipping across the water suddenly drops to the depths. A long sigh comes, along with the action of putting hands in warm pockets. A long moment of silence, but then the waves laps sourly at the shore.
The man stands erect, professional even in reflection. The man almost salutes, realizing there's nothing to salute. The man never smiles, thoughts keep washing over him.
The wind blows, slightly roving across his face. The wind whispers, nothing can be secret. The wind changes, directions are never wrong.
Darkness shadows in the sky. Darkness echoes from the deep blue before him. Darkness follows him forever.
With a sigh, he lowers his head. With a breath, he remembers life. With a prayer, he finds his salvation.
She doesn't say anything. She doesn't walk to him. She doesn't pray for him.
Smells of ocean water drift to her face. Smells of rain slowly waft her way. Smells of pain float awkwardly.
Slowly, her legs carry her forward to where he stands. Slowly, her hand rests upon his shoulder. Slowly, her face looks up to his.
Barely, he feels her come to him. Barely, he senses the warmth of her. Barely, he pulls himself away from the water.
The water's dark where deep ends shallow. The water's calm where frenzy meets placid. The water's swallowing where choke meets breathe.
Lies are all he's kept. Lies have kept him shackled. Lies keep him alone.
Trust keeps her far. Trust gives her space. Trust makes her lonely.
Without a word, he turns to her. Without a sound, he touches the hand on his shoulder. Without a thought, he grips it as if he won't see tomorrow.
Not afraid, she grasps his hand back, hoping he will be fine. Not afraid, he lowers his cheek to hers, feeling the breath of her on his neck. Not afraid, they hold each other.
The water's dark.
"Thank you."
She's dark.
"It's fine, Booth."
He's dark.
"It means everything."
He's too dark though, even for the water.