Daphne sat alone, shivering in the cold night air, atop the Astronomy Tower. She gripped the steaming cup of coffee in her hands to keep them warm, but it did little to chase away the chill or wipe away the exhaustion that was etched across her face. Her eyes, normally sharp, focused, were heavy. The weight of the past weeks hung over her like a dark cloud that pulled her shoulders down. Her every movement is sluggish.
Susan arrived quietly ensuring that her footsteps were soft on the stone floor. She paused at the sigh of Daphne, her form outlined by the starry sky, the cup of coffee cradled in her hands, the way her body seemed to droop under an invisible burden. Concern flashed across Susan's face as she approached with a gently smile.
Daphne looked over at her girlfriend, she watched as the redhead settled beside her before she leaned into Susan. Her body took comfort in Susan's solid presence at her side while her head found a resting place on Susan's shoulder. The touch familiar. Grounding. For a moment the blonde closed her eyes, letting herself simply be.
The chill began to bite at her fingers, the night air was clear but cold, the stars twinkled like tiny diamonds scattered across the vast black sky. Silence enveloped the couple, broken only by the soft rustle as Susan adjusted herself to support Daphne more comfortably while she slipped on her fur-lined gloves to keep herself warm.
A streak of light suddenly shot across the sky, bright but fleeting. Daphne's eyes fluttered open just in time to catch the tail end of the star's journey. She sighed softly, the sound filled with longing that words could not fully capture.
"If only wishing on a star could actually change things," Daphne murmured, her voice tinged with exhaustion. Her tone spoke of more than just physical tiredness. It hinted at a deeper emotional weariness that had been building for some time. It was a vulnerability that Daphne only let escape her in the presence of Susan.
Susan leaned down slightly to place a tender kiss atop Daphne's head. Her lips brushed against the soft blond hair. The gesture was simple, yet it spoke volumes. It was a promise that she would always her there. Through the cold. The tiredness. Whatever the war-torn future might bring.
The pair sat together in the quiet night, without another word passing between them. Their troubles were suspended in the stillness of the night. Despite the chill in the air, a warmth spread between them along with a silent understanding that whatever came next, they would face it together.
Word Count: 443