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The Twilight Twenty-Five

TheTwilight25 dot com

Prompt: #10

Penname: meliz875

Pairing: Quil/Claire (give it a chance!)

Rating: T

Word Count: 496

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She told him to meet her at the wishing well.

It was a spot she loved when she was little, tucked just behind the Forks Library. She always leaned too far over the side. Quil's heart would jump in his throat before he snatched her back, reminding her more times than necessary to be careful.

He missed those days, when she was younger. When he knew what he was supposed to be to her. When there was no pressure, no expectations - both of which grew as she did. When childish lines turned into lush curves and youth was replaced with an incomparable beauty.

He loved her, more than life itself.

But he couldn't look at her like that.

He couldn't love her like that.

He couldn't see her any other way than the small girl who wrapped little arms around his legs, despite the way her gaze changed with time. Despite how she let her hand linger on his. Despite the pain in her eyes when he always pulled his away.

And it killed him, because he was supposed to give her what she wanted.

Instead, he gave that part of him to others, trying to forget what he saw in her eyes. Telling himself they all looked like that, searching for proof in the ones of those pinned between him and a mattress.

He never found it, but it didn't matter.

He couldn't give her that. Ever.

His bond was cemented in stone long before, refusing to give way beneath the demands of time.

So he stayed where he was, bending as far as he could while still refusing to move. He couldn't move. He'd never been able to, but he didn't want to be there. Not where he was. Not anymore.

But he couldn't go back.

Quil felt her vibrant presence next to him long before he looked up from the dark depths of the well. Still, he could feel her eyes on him. Studying him, seeing how far away he was despite being right next to her.

He smiled. No matter what, she always made him smile.

"Make a wish," he whispered, handing her the penny clasped in the hand.

She took the coin, but didn't move. Several seconds passed before he looked up, heart stilling when he saw the helpless look in her eyes. One that mirrored his own. The same one he saw staring back at him in the mirror every morning.

Claire smiled anyway, her voice barely a whisper when she spoke.

"I wish you were happy."

He closed his eyes the moment she released the coin. Not knowing what she meant when she did.

Yet somehow feeling it everywhere as the penny ricocheted off the well's stone walls. As it hit the water below, the ripples it caused extending far beyond the well. Stealing his breath. Feeling it somewhere else. Feeling it inside him.

Somehow loosening the bonds that held him in place.

Finally allowing him to move.

Review if you like. :)

I promise not ALL prompts will be so angsty!