Disclaimer: All rights to characters go to Murakami.
Author's Note: I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! I really mean it m(_ _)m There is no excuse for such a time gap between chapters but I did not and will not let this story die so, please! Don't worry! I hate to make excuses but the end of the semester was very busy for me. Then, after finals, I got very caught up with work and Christmas time. I had no time to write anything. And, even now that I have something written, I'm not confident in how good the content is...UGH! I'm sorry! I'm just so conflicted but it can only get better from here since I'm on winter break. Again, I'm sorry. But, thank you loyal readers for your patience. I'll try not to do it again.
Anyways, this chapter...I don't know...I wrote it in such weird intervals of time. I hope it will hold you over until I put up the next one. Good news, though! I have FINALLY put them in fucking Vermont! Took long enough, right XD Ok well, please read and enjoy and, once more, I am so sorry for the delay. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!
The next morning dragged on invariably and emotionlessly; the fiery passion the couple that had been felt over the course of the past few days almost completely fizzled out and things had returned to normal. Shuichi did his best to avoid Yuki, afraid of setting his pent up anger aflame and wanting only to be civil with him. Shuichi thought that maybe, if he was quiet and submissive enough, Yuki might come to him and ask what was the matter or at least let last night's question blow over with out being too mad. This wasn't Shu's typical style which normally consisted of whining and crying until he got an answer of whether or not Yuki hated him. He hoped that this change in approach would lure Yuki in but, so far, it hadn't, his fantasy growing more and more wild as he had time to think as he packed mindlessly. The only benefit to their mutual silence was Shuichi's motivation to work. Along with keeping his mouth shut, Shuichi thought that if he worked diligently and got his packing done early, Yuki might be impressed and maybe even compliment him on a job well done. With that in mind, Shuichi pressed on with the mundane task.
Yuki had already finished packing all of the liquids properly for their trip to the USA, succumbing to the ridiculous regulations of how one should pack liquids. Shampoo, soap, and even tooth paste had to be put in a gallon sized zip lock back if it were to be taken on with carry on luggage, which would save room in Yuki's regular luggage. Nevertheless, Yuki had cleared out the bathroom of all the things they would need over the two weeks. He wouldn't pack his pills until that night when he would take his last two before bed. He left them on the kitchen counter as a reminder.
Throughout this process, Shuichi did not even cross his mind. His silence made him seem invisible and his presence was almost unknown to Yuki. Although Yuki realized this was his doing, he couldn't find it in him to apologize. Maybe I really didn't change after all…he thought, an eerie feeling slowly growing in his gut. This feeling was familiar; he had felt it before. It was the same feeling he gotten a week before during his terrible nightmares and mental breakdowns. He threw his hands up, clutching his head between them, a violent headache stirring at his temples, pinching and biting at the inside of his head. If he didn't know any better, Yuki would have sworn that his brain was being melted with acid, boiling slowly into a bubbling pool of pain in the bottom of his skull.
Where is Shuichi anyways? Yuki thought, his eyes darting, frantically scanning the room for any traces of Shuichi's presence. He's here, right? He's got to be here. Yuki tried to stand but the pain in his head brought him down like a wild animal being ruthlessly poached. The room was like an oven cooking Yuki alive and blurring his vision, the smoke of his burning, fizzling mind blinding him as he dropped to the floor, groping at his clothes and forcing them off, tossing his sweat drenched t-shirt aimlessly to the side. The room was inescapable and the heat was consuming Yuki, his mind totally void of any thoughts but his body pushing on, looking for the one thing that could bring reality back.
Sweat accumulated on Yuki's forehead as he squirmed on the floor, reaching out for Shuichi but he wasn't there to answer Yuki's begging hand. He tried to call out but his throat was dry, closing up at any effort of speaking. Desperate to get to his feet, Yuki grabbed the coffee table, putting all his weight on it as he lifted himself up, fighting through the pain that grew stronger and stronger in his head. The pressure of his full weight caused the feeble table to tip and smash to the floor, bringing Yuki down with it. Yuki writhed in pain, clutching his body, his mind becoming more and more paranoid. Like a child, Yuki poked his head out from under his folded arms, his eyes fixated on the corner of the living room. There waited the figure of a person, a complete shadow with the glowing eyes, staring at him, waiting. Yuki couldn't break his gaze with the figure and, as he stared, the shadow multiplied. More and more shadow people stood waiting in the room, waiting for the chance to take Yuki's body and do what they would with it. The room had warped, the paint pealing off the walls exposing the throbbing flesh of the building, blood spilling onto the floor. There were hundreds of thousands of newly hatched spider crawling from the veins of the hideous building's exposed flesh, covering the shadow people as well as Yuki. Yuki tried his best to wipe them away, to rid his skin of the horrible tickling sensation of the spider's miniscule leg marching across his body. He squeezed his eyes shut, keeping the image of the approaching shadow people out of his sight, their fingers, like knives, caressing his faces, cutting it cleanly. As suddenly as he had fallen into the shadows, he was brought into the light by Shuichi who dashed out of the bedroom at the sound of Yuki crashing to the ground.
"Yuki! YUKI!" Shuichi called out, taking Yuki by the shoulders and shaking him violently. "Yuki! Wake up!" Yuki slowly opened his clenched eyes; the image of Shuichi's face flushed with concern staring back it him. He lifted himself into a sitting position, putting his head in his hands. "Yu…Yuki? Are you alright? What happened?" Shuichi's words came slowly, sinking into the quicksand of Yuki's frantic mind. Yuki looked up at Shuichi who sat across from him on the living room floor, his eyes trying to suppress the fat tears waiting on the brim of his eyelids. Shuichi looked at Yuki's clearly shaken state, nothing else mattering but Yuki's well being. Yuki's harsh words voluntarily slipped from Shuichi's mind as he reached out and drew Yuki close.
"It's ok, Yuki." Shuichi said, blushing as he held Yuki, feeling his hot tears scatter across his shoulder. "Can you tell me…what's happening?"
"I…" Yuki's response came as hesitantly as the question presented, not knowing fully himself what happened but feeling an unmatched comfort in Shuichi's arms. "I just didn't know where you were." Yuki breathed deeply, inhaling sharply, trying to regain control and feeling immensely vulnerable. "I didn't know where you went and…I just…wanted to find you."
"What do you mean?" Yuki's answer didn't help clarify at all leaving Shuichi even more confused. "I never left. I was in the room all along. You could have just called for me if you needed me for something."
Yuki wiggled out of Shuichi's embrace becoming more and more agitated by his lover's ignorance. "What don't you understand?" Yuki said, taking a stern tone. "I just didn't know where you were and that was it. I tripped on the coffee table and…that's it." Yuki put up his defenses realizing how little sense he was making but how could explain the things he saw or how he felt in those few long minutes? I just need to act normal and everything will be ok. He's overreacting. What happened…was nothing…Just one little loophole in my recovery…it's bound to happen; I'm not perfect yet. Everything is fine. Convinced, Yuki got to his feet, wiping the remaining tear tracks from his face.
"Are you sure you're ok, Yuki? You look like a mess and you ripped all your clothes off. Why would you have to do that if you were-"
"I told you I'm fine!" Yuki sharply interrupted. Shuichi stayed frozen, kneeling on the floor, staring up at Yuki. Something seemed different about Yuki's combativeness. It was clear to Shuichi that Yuki was hiding something but it seemed desperate, hopeless as if Yuki was embarrassed of his own weak mind and anxious for Shuichi not to find out. Shuichi got to his feet and looked at Yuki a second more before breaking the silence.
"If you want to talk, Yuki, I'm here, ok? And I'm not leaving you." Shuichi's tone was absolute, yearning to reach out and comfort his distressed lover but knowing that it was better to keep his distance; to wait for Yuki to be ready to talk and not push him. Without another word, Shuichi began to walk off and finish his last minute packing but Yuki swiftly grasped him by the arm, his head down and his grip loose, his lips slightly parted as he tried to speak but the words clung in his throat and he quickly gave up, releasing Shuichi. He turned away and began packing the small things they would need on their trip, his mind temporarily at ease by Shuichi's presence. Shuichi walked back to the bedroom, looking back with a worried expression. Now he couldn't tell what Yuki was feeling or if he was still mad at him or not but, nevertheless, he still needed his help. Shuichi quickly finished up packing and sat in the living room watching television solemnly, letting his presence be known. The silence between them made him feel uneasy but Yuki was in such a tender state that he dare not speak his mind.
After a few minutes, the apartment was so quiet that Shuichi couldn't help but glance over his shoulder. He could hear no movement, no zipping of luggage, and no shuffling of items. Shuichi saw Yuki standing in the kitchen, the lights turned off, the three-fourths empty glass sitting idly beside his had. Yuki's head was down, his face unable to be seen, his arms gripping the countertop, his shoulders tense. Shuichi could hear over the television the sounds of Yuki's labored breaths but he could not piece together what was happening to him.
"Are you finished packing?" Shuichi asked from the living room, staring at the devastation standing firmly in the kitchen. After a moment of silence, Shuichi stood and asked again but still no answer. He flipped the light to the kitchen on and stood beside Yuki, laying a hesitant hand on his tensed shoulder. Yuki's head quickly dashed to meet Shuichi's confused peer.
"Don't forget to pack you medication." Shuichi said, continuing to look at Yuki, searching for an answer in his mysterious eyes. For a moment, they seemed dead. Something about those brilliant, moist orbs seemed dark and ominous but only for a moment before Yuki moved out of his tense state and answered.
"I won't. It's the last thing to pack." He said robotically.
"Yuki…" Shuichi said looking after Yuki who was zipping his pills in a zip-lock bag and placing them in his carry-on. Yuki grunted, signaling Shuichi to finish his thought. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about what happened today?"
"If I have to tell you I'm fine one more time, I'm going to beat your ass. Don't worry; it was nothing." Yuki said unconvincingly.
Shuichi's lips formed a disquieted frown. "I just want to help you…" he muttered.
Yuki abruptly turned around in a rage, every muscle in his body enveloped in hot anger, his fists tightly clenched as his long strides brought him to Shuichi who remained in the kitchen, looking out unto the apartment.
"I swear, if you don't want to get killed then please shut up. I'm going to tell you once more and ONLY once more that I'm fine. I told you what happened and that's it. So drop it or you'll be dead before tomorrow, understand? Dimwit?"
Shuichi tried hard to suppress his own anger not wanting to get on Yuki's bad side but he couldn't help but feel like something was very wrong. He couldn't let the feeling pass. He pressed on even further.
"You can lie to yourself all you want but I know there is something wrong and you're just keeping it from me. Is it so wrong that I want to help you, Yuki?" The seconds ticked by as years, the room feeling like a fiery cauldron filled with a boiling soup of rotting corpses, the air thick as pudding. The heat quickly rose to Yuki's face and coursed through his body. Blinded in anger, he moved slowly toward Shuichi. With each move from Yuki, Shuichi stepped backward until he was cornered between the wall and the refrigerator. As a last ditch effort, Shuichi tried to push past Yuki knowing danger was imminent but Yuki caught him instantly, throwing him back into the wall causing the fridge to shake and the clutter that sat atop it to fall. Shuichi was hesitant to look up, keeping his eyes to the ground and treating Yuki like an animal in a newly aggravated state. Yuki kept his bulging eyes on Shuichi but saw nothing at all. His mind was lost in fury, his own conscious state swept up from under his feet leaving him blank and maniacal. His thought processes stopped completely and his body functioned on instinct alone.
Although Shuichi felt that there was no grounds for him to be apologizing, he just wanted this nightmare to end. His eyes still to the ground, he began to apologize, apologize for being a good lover and apologizing for trying to help.
"Yuki, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sure you're right. It's not my place to question you. I'm sorry. Now, can you please let go." Shuichi winced at his own words, unable to believe that he was apologizing for nothing. Now more than ever he felt like nothing more than Yuki's pet, under his complete control no matter how wrong he was. But, even with the forced apology, Yuki would not back up. Unsure of what to do, Shuichi simple stood there, feeling his glare as Yuki remained hovering, cornering Shuichi and pinning him against the wall. It took all of Shuichi's strength to retain his own pent up anger and, after a few long minutes, he couldn't take it anymore. The tears he tried so hard to repress quickly penetrated the barrier of his eyelids and splashed to the cold kitchen tiles. Finally, Shuichi lifted his face and showed his hurt, distressed expression to Yuki but Yuki didn't budge; he was so fully detached from the reality standing right in front of him.
Shuichi clenched his fist, deciding whether or not he should try to escape this human cage or whether he should continue to wait it out. He stood thinking just a bit longer, letting the scattered tears multiply on the kitchen floor but, before he could make an honest decision, his fist answered for him. Without much range for a proper wind up, Shuichi's punch into Yuki's jaw was fairly weak but strong enough to snap Yuki out of his blinding rage. As Shuichi sulked to the floor, Yuki stepped back, cradling his jaw, surprised at his surroundings and the state of his riled up little lover. Looking around curiously as if he had just woken up, Yuki stared at the mess strewn across the white tiles and wondered how long he had been out. What the fuck just happened? Don't tell me this shit is starting up again. Yuki remembered just last week when these episodes came commonly, close to everyday; large chunks of time simply forgotten and lost a horrific, vivid nightmares and daydreams that consumed him. He thought they had all ceased after their stay in Osaka but was he mistaken?
After a moment of pensiveness on the floor, Shuichi stood up and dashed to the bedroom, uninterested in anything Yuki had to say. For all Shuichi was concerned, the trip was ruined before it had even started. What he thought was bliss was already crashing down on him. And, even though he still didn't have the strength enough to say it, he knew the reason for this behavior. How long would he allow himself to suffer before taking action? How long would he pretend to be happy? How long would he force himself to please Yuki just to avoid episodes like this? How long was Shuichi willing to be his dog? It scared Shuichi to think this way but, something in the back of his mind told him that he would do this forever. Too afraid to leave Yuki alone and broken and too scared to break the fatal attraction that forever bound him to Yuki, Shuichi decided to do his best to ease his pains and keep on pretending. But not forever.
Shuichi threw himself into bed and hid himself under the heavy comforter, the warmth of the covers pressing down on his small, fragile body, still heaving with tears as he snuggled close to the cold pillows. That's exactly what Yuki wants…for me to wait my entire life for him to get better…He knows exactly what he's doing and he has an excuse to abuse me but I'm not going to wait forever. I'll give him to the end of the year and if he's still like this, I'll leave him…for good. Confirming the unsettling thought in his head, Shuichi turned over in bed, lying on his side. Just as he was succumbing to his forced sleepy state, he heard Yuki enter the room.
"Shuichi?" Yuki whispered, unsure if Shuichi was still awake or not. Fuck! Shuichi thought to himself, deciding quickly whether or not he should answer.
"What?" Shuichi answered reluctantly with hopes of a sappy apology on Yuki's part, his typical fantasies running wild in his innocent head.
"Are you going to bed?"
"That's what you want to ask?" Shuichi said with a tone of sarcasm. "Isn't it obvious?" Shuichi inhaled sharply as his infamous tears returned. His body trembled as he tried to keep quiet, wishing he could fall asleep and never wake up, to leave this nightmare behind.
"Well…" Yuki began, picking his words carefully, still not fully aware of what happened or why. "Our trip is tomorrow so, it's probably a good idea…" Yuki sighed at his own stubbornness, yearning to apologize but completely unable.
"I know…" Shuichi said, his voice wavering. He squeezed his eyes shut, desperate to force sleep upon himself and forget the nuisance Yuki had become.
"Shuichi…" Yuki said placing his hot hand on Shuichi's quivering shoulder. The moon shown brightly on them, the city lights destroying the stars. The moon hung alone in the dark sky, showing its face to the humanity below. Yuki looked to the moon for an answer, the mythical feeling many felt toward the moon radiating out but Yuki could not hear the answer. Not even the celestial guardian of the night could guide his way and yet he could not find the path on his own. He sighed deeply, shutting the curtain, becoming alone as the moon in the light-polluted city. We can't sleep like this…I have to say something…Yuki thought, coaxing himself to say the words his mouth refused to utter.
"Shu-Shuichi…Since we leave tomorrow…And, it'll be Christmas…Well, I don't want something like this to prevent us from having the time of our lives…Ok? I…"
"Don't say it if you don't mean it." Shuichi stopped him before he could utter those irretractable words, feeling the emptiness behind them. "Let's just forget it, Ok? We'll leave tomorrow and have a good time, don't worry. We'll leave home behind." Shuichi said, hardly convincing himself. Yuki could still sense Shuichi's frustration but, desperate to leave it all behind, he accepted Shuichi's uncertain words.
"Goodnight, Shuichi." Yuki snuggled into the covers on the opposite side of the bed, frustrated himself. He wanted so badly to take Shuichi up in his arms and go back to the way things used to be but he couldn't. Now he couldn't. He was bound by his own unpredictable actions and he paid the price. Shuichi was more distant than ever; Yuki felt it now more than ever, the area between them in bed putting galaxies between them, the gravitational pull between them completely lost in the blackness of space. If only I could stop these outbreaks, we would have some hope for this recovery…Yuki pushed the disturbing thoughts out of his head and forced himself to sleep, feeling very conflicted and alone. Shuichi lie on the other side of the bed, feeling much the same, his lover even more untouchable than ever before. By the end of December…I'll know my answer…His eyes pushed out their last tears for the night before sleep overtook him.
Tokyo's sky still shown dark when the alarm clock buzzed loudly, startling Yuki awake. Their flight was at 6 AM but, to have ample preparation time, Yuki had planned to wake up at 3. Instead of hitting the snooze like he normally would, he sat up on the edge of the bed, rubbing his sleepy face as he tried to wake up, the thoughts of the night still floating around in his troubled head. Although his sleep was undisturbed, he couldn't help but feel the emptiness beside him. It was as if Shuichi purposely pushed himself to the complete opposite side of the bed, avoiding Yuki at all costs even in his sleep.
Yuki looked over at Shuichi who was still sleeping, breathing gently through his parted lips. A horrible weight of guilt pressed down on Yuki's perplexed heart. Shuichi had done nothing but love Yuki from the very day they met and, through it all, Shuichi had never given up; giving everything he had to offer to the insensitive, uncaring man. Yuki felt that guilt looking down at the bundle of dreams and hope that lie before him. I can't disappoint him on this trip…that would just be the icing on the cake…Yuki thought. Everyone has a breaking point…it's just a matter of time until he reaches his. How long will he wait? That's it…this Christmas I'm going to quit fucking around and show him exactly how I feel.
Giving Shuichi's sleeping face one last look, he got up and took a shower, allowing Shuichi to sleep in just a little longer. While in the shower, Yuki thought long and hard, somewhat stressed by the thought of the trip. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin Christmas for Shuichi. He always hated to see Shuichi sad especially around this time of year. Shuichi loved Christmas so much; Yuki had to be on his best behavior if he had any hopes of winning back Shuichi's heart and getting married someday. After his short, relaxing shower, Yuki felt a new wave of confidence wash over him. No matter how corny or unnatural it felt, Yuki would try his best to treat Shuichi the way he deserved to be treated. Determined, he gulped down a quick breakfast and choked down his pills before going back into the bedroom to wake Shuichi.
The door creaked softly open as Yuki tip-toed in, letting a slice of light shine in from the living room. A refined, sharp slice cut into Shuichi's dormant face, his radiant skin beaming in the sliver of artificial light. Yuki snuck up beside the bed, admiring Shuichi's cherubic face. His limber fingers ruffled Shuichi's warm pink hair as Yuki brought his face in for a kiss so soft, not even the finest cashmere could compare. He held his lips on Shuichi's until his eyes fluttered open.
Shuichi kissed back, resenting his actions but overtaken by the overwhelming lust that still lingered between them. No use in letting yesterday mar today…Shuichi thought, justifying his feelings.
"Good morning." Yuki whispered. "Are you taking a shower?" Yuki broke the gaze and went to his dresser, picking out the clothes he would wear for the day, still in the dark.
"What time is it?" Shuichi asked, the sheer darkness of the room deceiving the time.
"We should leave in about an hour so, you've got time to go take one if you wanted." Yuki answered, tugging his shirt over his damp head, opting for something comfortable and uncharacteristic. The plane ride would be over 10 hours; Yuki didn't care whether or not he looked his part.
While Shuichi showered, Yuki went through their luggage making sure everything was there. Finding that everything was in its rightful place, he went to his study to kiss his things goodbye for the next 2 weeks. He organized his papers and as he did, a tiny folded piece of paper dropped to the floor. Recognizing it immediately, he refolded it and stuck it in his pocket, remembering the night that seemed so far off in the past; the most perfect night lovers could ask for; no animosity, no bickering, just absolute bliss. We will relive that night. Yuki thought, standing as he heard Shuichi shut the water off in the shower.
As Shuichi finished getting ready, Yuki fished through the paperwork they would need for their flight, triple checking that everything was there and ready, hoping beyond hope for a seamless flight to the snowy, mountainous cabin waiting for them in Vermont. Without a word, Shuichi threw on his new coat and waited by the door with his luggage while Yuki gathered up his things. Before exiting, Yuki stood, looking down at Shuichi, seeing the resentment still lingering in his tired eyes. I really did it this time…Yuki shook his head, brushing away the depressing, nervous thoughts that cluttered his mind.
"We have everything?" Shuichi asked, weary of being in the apartment, eagerly awaiting their descent.
"Yeah, sorry." Yuki muttered, finally making his move for the door. "The limo is probably waiting for us so, let's go."
The couple dragged their suitcases down to the sidewalk, city lights illuminating the sky in a dim, neon glow. The sun would not rise for another couple hours, the air retaining the frigidness of the moon, chilling them to the bone. Yuki lifted his face to the sky once more, looking at the lonely moon struggling in the pollution of man-made light, its own illumination greatly outnumbered. He sighed, his breath visible in the crisp winter air, slowly dissipating upward toward the lonely sky before accepting his seat in the limo.
The ride to the airport was silent and mundane; almost as glum as the flight there. The only thing that could brighten their flight was the subtle fact that everything had in fact gone according to plan but the weight of the tension was more than the two men could bear. Though they sat next to each other on the daunting flight, they were left to their own separate thoughts; Shuichi gazing out the window, growing more depressed as his submissive thoughts took over his malleable mind, his hope diminishing more and more as he thought of Yuki's repressive state. Was he so wrong to feel like there was some progress being made? For those few days after their big Osaka concert, it seemed to be true. But now…now it was back to what it had been. Yuki's unexplainable actions puzzled Shuichi. More than that, Yuki was beginning to scare him. It was no question at this point. Shuichi new the answer to this behavior but, if he was to voice it, who knows what consequences would wait for him. December…
Yuki sat, reading in the aisle seat of their first class arrangement or rather appearing to read. His mind anxiously wandered, worrying about various things. How could he make it up to Shuichi? What if he had another black out on the trip? What if he had one on the plane? Though Yuki was outwardly strong, uncaring and aloof, on the inside, he had many mental struggles between his relationship and his own mental wellness. Though he tried to settle his mind with a book, he couldn't help but feel anxious about the trip. This trip was supposed to be the best time of their lives and yet Yuki felt an ominous grey matter lingering between pure happiness and the façade. If he had any hopes of warming up and eventually having Shuichi for the rest of his life, he would have to win over his heart on this trip, this Christmas, without fail or else he felt that he might lose the most precious thing in his life a second time. This time, it was not an option. This time, he would stop being a coward hiding behind a stone wall and finally surrender to the feelings he knew to be true. He just needed his mind to hold out as long as the end of the month, the end of their vacation, and he would be in the clear.
Finally, after 12 long hours and two layovers, Yuki and Shuichi arrived in Burlington International Airport in South Burlington, Vermont. Although they were both horribly tired and anxious, the tension between them quickly faded as they stepped into the busy airport, the hustle and bustle of busy feet feeling very reminiscent of home but, through the massive glass walls, the couple could see the magnificence that lay before them, the radiant winter sun just setting in the states painting the picturesque scenery shades of purples and pinks, kissing the snow before moving to its next location in the world. Their tired eyes met, the mutual excitement quickly felt between them. They rushed to grab their luggage and stepped out into the cool mountain air, picking up their cab and heading toward their hidden cabin up in the snowy peaks of Vermont.
Shuichi and Yuki sat in the cramped cab, their luggage in the trunk, and their carry-ons in their laps. Shuichi stared excitedly out the window, watching the natural scenery pass endlessly. Yuki looked over at him, sensing his excitement and feeding from it, feeling warm at heart. No matter what the mutual feeling between them, though, they were still silent, still on edge. Yuki decided finally to take action. He reached out, slowly and unnoticed, until his big hands captured Shuichi's idle one. Shuichi gasped at the sudden touch, looking over to meet Yuki's beaming face, red hot from embarrassment. Shuichi smiled back, flipping his hand over and lacing his fingers in Yuki's, telling him without words that he felt the same. Both were too tired to speak but the small gesture was all the reassurance any of them needed. They looked their separate ways, admiring the vastness of the forest and snow surrounding them, but stayed linked the entire ride until they finally arrived at their destination, the cabin that would decide their fate.
Thank you for reading and so much love!
To be continued...