Sorry these chapters are getting shorter, but I'm finding it easier to get them out like this. Here's some more Butch and Ana!
"Do you ever wonder what a sunset looks like?" Ana asked, her head lying on Butch's shoulder.
"Well, we do have pictures in some books, ya know," Butch replied, his hands aimlessly running up and down her back.
"No, not a picture. A real sunset. Don't you wonder what it looks like?"
Butch thought about it. He and Ana had snuck down to their hideaway in the vault. It was nearing three in the morning, and they knew they should be heading back to their rooms, but neither of them had the intention of getting up from their worn out mattress and getting dressed anytime soon.
"Well, I guess...it would be bright," Butch finally answered.
"Bright?"
"Yeah...ya know, lots of bright colors. Pink and red and purple and orange...bright."
Ana considered him for a moment before humming in approval and cuddling closer into his side.
Silence spread between them and Butch started to doze off, figuring the conversation was over, and then Ana asked, "What do you think it feels like?"
"What?"
"A sunset. What does it feel like, do you think?"
"Shit, Ana, I don't know. What do you think it feels like?"
Ana became silent once more and thought her own question over.
"A sigh of relief. That's what a sunset feels like."
"A sigh of relief? Why?"
"Because...well think about it. At the end of the day, no matter how bad the day was, you can look out and see this big, beautiful sunset. A sign of the day coming to a close, and a new one beginning," Ana tried to explain, sitting up on her elbow and looking down at Butch.
He looked at her, one eyebrow raised at her explanation, before thinking she was probably right.
She always was.
"Ya know what, Ana?"
"What?"
"Someday, you and me, we're gonna see a sunset."
"You think so?"
"I promise."
Ana smiled and kissed him before getting herself up from the mattress and getting dressed.
"I'll hold you to that. Now, come on, we should probably get going," Ana said, throwing him his clothes.
Butch stood, dressed, and followed her back up to the living quarters, making sure to avoid the guards patrolling the halls. He walked her to her apartment and they lingered at the door.
"Goodnight, Butch," Ana whispered.
"Goodnight, Ana. I'll see you tomorrow," he replied.
He kissed her goodnight and went into her apartment, taking care not to wake her father. She crawled into bed, but sleep didn't come. Her mind was filled with sunsets and a promise she hoped would be kept.
Butch dropped his pack on the ground next to Ana's. They were in Arefu for the night and decided to sleep outside. It was the middle of summer, hot and humid. Sleeping in one of the metal huts would be a huge mistake.
Ana was sitting with her feet hanging off the side of the overpass. Her eyes were on the horizon and Butch couldn't help but stop and stare when he saw her. The sunset made her glow, not like one of those creepy, glowing ghouls, but like a goddess. Butch smiled to himself and collapsed down next to her on the ground.
Ana smiled at him as he sat and laid her head on his shoulder. His arm curled around her waist.
And then he heard it.
The sigh of relief.
A promise kept.
Nine chapters left! I've been thinking about where I want to go with this story and it should (hopefully) be done with in the next week or so. Thanks to everyone who continues to read and review on this story! We're on the home stretch!