It started out slowly.
Two people exchanging heated words in the passageway, each convinced of the others inferiority.
Gradually they grew to look forward to these battles. They each viewed them as a chance to test their wit and courage against someone who would never back down.
The years past and each had challenge they had to face. Loyalties were tested. Minds were challenged. And all the while hearts, arguably the most important, were ignored.
Time seemed to move a hundred times faster than it was ever meant to, stopping only at the most crucial of moments. A quick pause during a chance encounter, when each person exchanged the first more meaningful glance. Another pause when their skin first made contact. The longest pause expanding over the ball, when the young man and woman were at their finest and proudest.
Time hurtled forward once again, not slowing until the biggest and most important moment. The moment when each sealed their fates by fighting in a war they were born into, hopelessly entangled in their webs of loyalty. She could no more abandon her cause than he could forsake his.
They shared only one night, filled with the fear and anger, the love and longing that they had always shared. For one night, it didn't matter that the world was falling into ruins, that when they awoke in the morning, they would wake as enemies. For one night, they shared their whole beings with each other; heart, soul and mind.
They awoke in each other's arms, understanding what needed to be done. They dressed and prepared silently before turning and walking in opposite directions. She to fight for her cause, and he to fight for his.