One Time She Opened It

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

New Dream

Faye quickly realized that, when it came down to it, she didn't have much experience in the way of confessing to or courting someone.

Loving someone, yes. Being devoted to that person and willing to dedicate everything to them... She knew a lot about what that was like.

And she knew wanting her feelings to be returned. Wanting it so badly that she felt like her heart would burst from longing.

But confessing, admitting her love in the hopes that her fondest dreams would come true... Well. There had been only once. And she could still remember the look Alm had given her as she'd spoke to him.

Even before he had opened his mouth to reply, she'd known what his response would be.

"You're very special to me, Faye. Just... not in the way you want."

She'd shut down then – or very nearly so. For the next few days she'd just went through the motions – not talking or saying anything more than she had to, and trying not to let the cracks in her heart show.

It had taken a long time for her to recover after that, to be able to smile and laugh, and to mean it.

And now, here she was once again, preparing to lay bare her heart.

She barely paid any attention to the food she was making for dinner. She'd chosen something light and easy to make – to be honest, most of her focus was given to how she should bring up the subject at all.

At times, Faye got the feeling that she should have prepared for this – went and bought Silque a gift, or maybe set up a more elaborate dinner, done something. But at the same time the idea of doing that didn't suit Silque. She was so... open, and trusting. With a heart that seemed to accept and see the best in everyone.

Trying to pull off a grand gesture seemed shallow in light of that.

And yet, Faye still wanted the occasion to be special. Which was why earlier in the afternoon, when Silque had went to visit the markets, she'd made her own trip outside the port town to pick wildflowers and arrange them into something she'd hoped Silque would like.

"Oh, how beautiful" That evening, when they had settled down for dinner and she noticed the flowers that Faye had left standing in a small glass bottle, Silque had smiled and reached down to run her thumb across one of the delicate petals. "These are from the flax plants that grow around here, aren't they?"

"That's right." Faye ducked her head, feeling her face grow heated. "The blue... well, it reminded me of your hair."

Silque had chuckled at that, a pleasant sound that always reminded Faye of a bubbling stream rushing over rocks, and then conversation turned to how the visit to see Alm and Celica had gone well, and what the next destination on Silque's pilgrimage would be.

"I've been considering heading to Mila's Temple next," Siilque said, her expression thoughtful as she wiped at the crumbs on her face. "I've heard that there've been large numbers of people making pilgrimages there, to pray for healing or aid."

"What?" Faye frowned. "But why? With the Mother gone, the Temple... well, it's still an important building, of course, but why would it attract people now?"

"So many are still desperate," Silque said, and a face took a despondent cast. "Even if they know the Mother is gone, perhaps they believe that her dwelling place still holds an echo of her power within it. And that's why I wish to go to. If only so I can join the others to provide aid to the needy."

"Well, if you think it's a good idea, then you should head to the Temple, Silque." Faye gave her an encouraging smile. "And I'll follow you, wherever you want to go."

Silque smiled at that, although. "Thank you, Faye."

Should I speak up now? Taking a deep breath, Faye opened her mouth. "... Silque?"

Silque looked up from her food and fixed Faye with an inquisitive look. "Yes, Faye? What is it?"

Faye looked into Silque's eyes – Her expression was open and expectant. Patient. So patient, so understanding.

"I..." And Faye found her words sticking in her throat. For a moment, she remembered.

"So do you think that dream will come true?"

"I'm sorry, Faye. But... no."

"Faye? Is something the matter?" The smile had faded slightly, and Silque now had a curious look on her face.

She shook her head, offering a slight smile as she did so. "No, it's nothing. I was just... wondering if you'd like to take a walk after dinner?"

Silque blinked once before glancing out the window. It was a waxing moon, and nearly full that night. "Why, yes. It is lovely weather for a night-time stroll, after all."

And so they traded smiles and Faye tried to ignore the feeling of creeping disappointment as she stared down at her food.

Later. She'd try again later, when the mood was right.

Silque had been correct – the weather was perfect for a walk. A gentle breeze blew in from the ocean, and the streets of Zofia Harbour were quiet that night, allowing both of them to walk side by side in comfortable silence.

They were nearing the pier when Faye noticed that Silque's pace had slowed. She turned on her heel to face her. "Silque?"

"Faye... is there anything weighing on your mind? All this evening, you've seemed... distant."

Distant would be one way of putting it, she supposed.

She opened her mouth, prepared to dismiss Silque's concern, to laugh it off and allay her worries.

And then she closed it instead.

No.

Silque had been the one to reach out to her, time and time again. The one who had sought Faye out when she had become lost in herself. She had been the one to save her. And so Faye owed her more than a cheap lie.

No matter the outcome, Faye owed it to Silque to be honest about herself.

Faye took a deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it out in a loud sigh.

"I used to... have a dream," somehow, leading straight into a confession didn't seem right. This was important to her and, well, she didn't want to rush it. "A dream about... well, settling down. There'd be a cottage in the village, and a small garden, and it would be ours. I guess it may seem small and simple to most, but that really was everything I wanted out of life. Just a simple, quiet life... with him."

Silque remained silent.

"Well, that dream died." She sighed. "And you know that already. For a while, I was... lost. I went back to Ram alone, not even because I really wanted to, but because I didn't have anywhere else to go. But then, you came to find me. You saved me, Silque."

Faye turned to look out at the vastness of the ocean, stretching away into the darkness. The moon cast a wavering path of silver light down onto the waves. She almost felt like she could walk on it.

"Travelling with you was wonderful, Silque. Being with you, being able to learn so much more about Valentia... it's something I would never have dreamed about, back in Ram." She laughed and shook her head. "I still do want to settle down someday – but for now, this is good."

"I'm glad to hear that. But I wasn't the one to save you, Faye," Silque shook her head as she walked closer. "All I did was invite you to come along with me. If you were able to move past your hurt... if you were able to find a new path in life, then that is something you did on your own."

"You think so?" She heaved a sigh. "But you know? Even if you're right that I moved on on my own, it was only because you were at my side. Encouraging me to keep moving. I don't know what I'd have done if it weren't for you. And sometimes, I can't help but worry – what would happen if one day you went away? I..."

Lost in her own dark thoughts, she wasn't aware of Silque stepping forward, but suddenly she felt Silque's hands clutching onto her own. She looked up into her face, her gentle smile lit by the light of the moon.

"I won't leave you, Faye. I promised, didn't I? And I'll give you that promise again, as many times as you need to hear it."

"I know. I know you won't leave me; it doesn't make sense to worry about it, but I don't think I've ever been the most rational of people." Faye laughed once, and as the sound petered out she took a deep breath. "Silque, you are my new dream. I can't – I don't want to imagine my life without you in it."

Silence. Faye swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I love you, Silque."

She watched Silque closely, waiting to see how she would respond. She didn't dare to breathe. She barely dared to blink.

For a longest time, Silque did not move. And then she blinked – and Faye saw tears trickling down her cheek.

"I'm sorry, I-" Freeing one hand, Silque reached up to rub at her eyes. "I'm just..." She let out a sound that was a mix between a gasp and a laugh. "I'm just not sure how to respond right now."

Faye felt her heart sink. But Silque deserved the time to process her thoughts, and so she nodded. "I understand. But you don't need to sugarcoat it for-"

"No," Silque shook her head, and another almost-laugh. "No, that's not what I meant. I'm just... so happy, Faye!"

Happy? Then... "You mean... you..." she almost didn't want to say it. As if pressing forward too hard could suddenly break what they had. What they shared.

Silque nodded, and she was still crying, even as she rubbed at her eyes and nose, and suddenly Faye found herself feeling awkward, seeing a side of Silque that she had never seen before. She dug in her pouch for a handkerchief before handing it to Silque.

After a moment, Silque seemed to calm down, and her shoulders drooped as she took a deep breath. Faye remained silent, waiting to let her speak.

Silque finally spoke up again. "You know, when I first saw you, in the Deliverance, I always felt drawn to you. I wasn't sure why at first. But then I realized... it was because you always seemed lonely. You reminded me of myself, back then."

Lonely? Faye's first instinct was to deny it, but... it was true, she knew that now. And so she nodded.

"So that's why. I was drawn to you, even from the start. And as I got to know you, that feeling, that attraction, only deepened. When you agreed to travel with me, I was happy that I was able to help you, but... I was also glad that I would be able to spend more time with you. And that hasn't changed. If anything, it's only deepened." Silque took a deep breath and offered Faye a tearful smile. "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I love you too, Faye."

The moment Silque's words left her lips, Faye felt a knot in her chest loosen and unravel, fading into nothingness. "Really?" she finally said, hardly daring to believe. "You're really... okay, with me?"

"Okay with you?" A shake of her head. "I want you. I want to be with you, Faye. Now, and always."

And Faye found herself being drawn into an embrace. She did not resist, moving her own hands up to hold Silque close as well. "Then I – I won't leave you alone, Silque. I won't leave you, ever! And – and I promise..." another deep breath, "I promise to make you happy."

"I know you will," Silque said, her voice soft in her ear. "And I promise – I'll do the same."

The two of them pulled apart slightly, gazing deep into the others' eyes. And then, on an unspoken signal, the two of them leaned in, closing their eyes as they shared their first kiss.

The moon shone overhead, and the two remained, locked in a passionate embrace, and lost in joy.

Together.

Story End

Author's Notes: Aside from wanting to write some sappy fluff (and YMMV on how well I pulled that off) I also want to take this chance to practice writing dialogue in more emotional scenes without getting it weighed down or seeming to drag on, because I found that's a recurring issue with my writing.

In any case, thanks very much for reading my story! I hope you all enjoyed it, and as always, comments and criticisms would be very much appreciated!