Unfulfilled Promises
"So, this is it?" she spat bitterly into the wind.
The sun set her skin ablaze, a faint orange halo outlining her figure. Her snowy-white hair lashed around her, a few strands stuck to her tear-stained cheeks. Her eyes frantically darted to and fro, blinking erratically. A crow cawed in the distance.
"Corrin, I—"
"Don't touch me!" She smacked his hand aside, teetering back. Her face was flushed crimson, twisted into a grimace. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes once again. If only she'd let him wipe them away at least.
"Corrin, love," he sighed, "I don't want to part like this." He held his arms open invitingly, smiling gently. He caught his breath when she finally met his gaze. Her brow furrowed as she regarded him warily. Finally, her expression relaxed, the wildness in her eyes dulled, as he sighed in relief. He stepped closer, but was halted a breath's away, as she reached behind her neck.
She held up the chain holding her ring and quietly unhooked the clasp. She let the chain and ring crumple in her hand, clenching her fist around it. After a moment's hesitation, she drew his left hand and gently pried his fingers open.
"Love, what are you—"
The ring and chain fell into his hand with a soft clink. She folded his fingers around it, lingering for a moment, before stepping back.
"I don't—," her voice cracked, "—I don't need it, anymore." She glanced at the sky, the sunset accentuating her profile.
Lost, he stammered, "B-but, love, how will you remember me now?" His heart thudded and the blood rushed to his ears. It was all he could hear— the erratic beating of his heart alongside the roar of the wind.
"I'll always remember you, Laslow," she assured, speaking softly. He strained to hear her. "But I don't just want a memory to remember you by. I want... more than that." She smiled wistfully, her jaw set. "Goodbye, Laslow." The tips of her fingers ghosted by his cheek. She leant it, and for a moment, he thought she would kiss him. But she simply dropped her hand, shaking her head before retreating.
Laslow choked on his cries. Didn't she promise, he wanted to shout, that she'd follow him wherever he went? But he seized his jaw, knowing it to be a futile effort.
He could only pray that their paths would cross again.
A/N: I momentarily considered posting this in Indulgence because of how short it was... but it's not fluff stuff and I'm still debating whether I want to continue it or leave it as is with an unhappy ending. :,)