"You have to go back, they're your people." She hesitates just a breath before continuing "that's why I…"
My breath catches and I stare at her lips, willing her to continue. To say the words that will break me. The only words that can drive me to forsake my people and stay here, with her. To stay here for her.
"That's why you're you." She finishes, eyes welling up with unshed tears – unspoken words.
I nod, understanding. She needs me to be the one to walk away this time.
"Maybe someday you and I will owe nothing more to our people" I speak softly, pushing as much meaning as I can into the words. Maybe someday we can love without consequences. Maybe someday we can have a real life together without politics and war getting in the way.
Her expression betrays her for a brief moment, the sadness seeping in around her lips. "I hope so". She extends her arm to me and my heart clenches as I press my forearm to hers.
"May we meet again."
I've heard those words hundreds of times. But now, looking into pained eyes, I never want to hear them pass her lips again. Without her, I'm not me.
I draw in slowly, but steadily. Maintaining the intense connection between our eyes before she catches up to me and our lips meet in the middle. It's a short kiss, brimming with meaning, and I draw back for only a second before I need to feel her again.