The Slower Path
Would she ever see him again?
The words kept repeating in her mind. Her silent mantra, over and over. Rose felt that if she stopped saying them – they wouldn't ever find their conclusion.
It hurt, that she couldn't touch him. So much of their…friendship? Relationship? Whatever it was…was emphasized with them holding hands, hugging – the tiniest detailed touches. And how cruel was the universe, having her say goodbye to the man she loved most in the world, and not allowing her to touch him.
The cold breeze chilled her to the bone – or was it the impending loneliness that was threatening to crush her? She had lived the past two years like it was never going to end – like he'd always be hers. She laughed an empty, humorless laugh. She knew deep down that it wouldn't be forever. He had never been hers. Not completely, not fully like she had wanted him to be. She had realized it when they met Sarah Jane…and with Reinette. But still, she felt that for a little while he had been hers. The hugs lingered a little longer, his hands found hers more often. She wanted so desperately to hear him say the words, the ones she forced out of her heart and mouth onto the bay. Forced, not because she didn't feel them – forced because she had kept them to herself for so long. But if that was to be the final time, and it was, she was going to say them.
She thought for a moment that he was going to say it back to her. Her heart had palpitated with the anticipation, the sheer incredulity of hearing him say those words to her. Who knows, maybe he was going to say them. She would never know.
Now she'd have to live the adventure he never could – a normal life…day by day on the slower path. Without the man that would have made that adventure so much more worthwhile.
I thought I had posted this before, but I don't think I have. However, I may not have noticed it, so if it's floating around here somewhere, let me know okay? I'm kinda sleepy.
I hope you like. I love it, it breaks my heart really. Thanks for reading.