Longing


xxxxx


"Daryl." Her voice breaks over his name, soft and tremulous, and suddenly, he's there again. Right there, wrapping his strong arms around her, pressing his forehead against hers, and she can feel the wet flutter of his eyelashes against her skin as her own name is lost in the breath between them. "I…"

"Shh. Don't. Just…"

His nose nuzzles gently against her own, seeking, and his fingertips paint promises along the lines of her back, his rough hands sweep along her collarbones, cup her jaw. The sob rises like a cresting wave from the deepest parts of her until he swallows it down, pours his hopes, his regrets, and his bittersweet lies into his kiss, and love stirs inside of her, fierce and fragile, licks and smolders until it is a tiny, growing flame. "I can't go with you. Not yet. I want to."

"Know. S'okay."

His eyes are a glittering blue in the darkness, his heart a thundering beacon of home beneath her palms, and she tucks her tears and her pleading words into the curve of his neck. She kisses him there, holds him, breathes him in, and finally, lets him go. She smiles. "Stay safe."

"Still got a few lives left."


xxxxx


Feedback would be lovely.

Thanks so much for reading!