[Sveyn]

s v e y n

He was here too long. Much too long.

Countless nights have been spent in Gemini with minimal progress to show for solidifying an alliance, which was his ultimate reason for leaving his home. There would be minimal virtuous news to share with Rainer; it caused a glimmer of worry for Sveyn, concerned for how his King would respond. But that worry was not as prominent as the guilt he felt when he turned his back and retreated from the wall. While he may not be returning to Bacchus with success, he did not feel as
though the trip ended without reason. The relationships he’d be leaving behind were enough to make him feel full, he’d felt accomplished with those alone.

Paws as heavy as concrete dragged through the dried grass. When he arrived, there was a thin layer of snow covering the Earth. It had been long melted by now, truly making the time lapse true to what he already was well aware of; it was time to go.

Reath, much larger now than when he’d found him, was following close behind. He, too, was reluctant to leave. But the young boy wouldn’t leave Sveyn behind, their bond closer now than it was before they’d arrived. He would finally have the chance to bring him home to Bacchus. But would he love the tundra as much as
he’d grown to love the lush in Gemini?

Sveyn did not want to disappoint anyone else with his choice to leave.  

[Harriette]

For all the months that Harriette had spent alive and on this earth, she could never quite get a handle on how quickly time could slip through the fingers. It seemed she was constantly grasping at the minutes that ticked by, willing the sun to come back up from the horizon, or wishing the moon would not fall down and give way to yet another day.

It wasn’t necessarily a fear of growing up, or growling old, but rather complete bewilderment at how quickly things can change. If only the days had slowed, her sweet brothers would still be alive; her aunt Derringer would not have left quite yet; she’d have more time. She wasn’t even sure what it was exactly that she wanted to do with this excess of time she wished so hard for, but she knew she’d cherish it more the second time around. She would play with her brothers, rather than sitting on the sidelines. She’d spend time in Derr’s den, having the occasional sleepover. Her mother would have more time to spend with Harriette, because the other siblings wouldn’t have come along yet.

Harriette sighed deeply, slowly. The sun was coming up now and she felt something pulling at her insides, telling her to get a head start on the day so she could make the most of it.

Rather than heading for the Living Tree, she found herself wandering toward the wall. Perhaps a new face would be there, someone to meet. Or maybe no one would be there, and she’d just have to turn around and head to work anyway.

Regardless, she made her way to the wall and did so at a pace slightly quicker than that of leisure. As she walked, she admired the plants and flowers that she passed, feeling the air slowly grow warmer as the sun rose higher and higher.

Approaching the wall, a familiar scent wafted into her nostrils, jarring her slightly for a moment.

Sveyn?

Her pace quickened and her eyes flashed here and there, searching desperately for him. He was at the wall. That meant he was … Leaving.

She knew he was leaving soon, but she had assumed he’d come find her so she could walk him out. She knew he was not fond of goodbyes, but how could he just leave?

“Sveyn?” She called out as she stepped through the opening in the wall. “Reath?”

Her eyes landed on a mass of white up ahead, and she leapt into a sprint, eager to reach him, hollering out his name again to hopefully halt him.

Once she reached him, she felt a dozen emotions rising up into her throat. Happy to have caught him before he left, a little angry that he didn’t give her the chance to walk him out, and sorrow at the sight of him actually leaving Gemini. She knew it was coming, they’d discussed it a handful of times. It was no surprise, and yet, she couldn’t help but feel blindsided by this departure.

“Why didn’t you… I wanted to walk you out,” she breathed, more out of breath from the wave of emotion that was swallowing her hole rather than her short sprint.

She’d glance at Reath and smile down at the growing boy. “Reath, you’ve grown up so much since you got here. Maybe the journey home won’t feel so hard now.” She recalled the child being so exhausted upon arrival at Gemini, his poor paws raw and aching, his body rundown from the journeys they had made prior.

Looking back up at Sveyn, she inhaled deeply. Why is this so hard? she wondered in her mind, trying to be strong and fight the tears welling in her eyes. “I wish you didn’t have to leave, we’ve all loved having you both here.” That was unfair, and she knew it. “But, I know it’s not up for discussion. And I just…  I wanted to tell you that I’m so thankful to have met you. You’ve given me a taste of the world outside of Gemini, and I am so appreciative.” She’d smile at him then, head tilting slightly.

“I truly hope our paths will cross again in the future. I would love nothing more than for that to happen.”

With that, she stepped forward and buried her face into the fluff of his chest, nestling into him like a child would to their mother.

Harriette wasn’t used to being given the chance to say goodbye. Every person she loved that had left her life did so without her being able to give her farewells.

She wasn’t sure which she preferred.  

A E S T H E T I C

[Sveyn]

s v e y n

Hearing the shout of his name, once and then twice again, caused Sveyn’s reflex to snap backward in the direction it’d came from. However, he did not have to avert his gaze to recognize who the voice belonged to. The sing-song tune of Harriette’s call was something he learned to distinguish in his time in Gemini. Though, with the context of the events unraveling, it both lifted his spirits and completely shattered him.

She looked hurt at his attempt of leaving silently, as she rightfully should. The grim regret of leaving without disturbing Harriette was setting over him now, much
sooner than he anticipated it would. How could he explain that none of his strength was enough to allow him to say good-bye. It was more than he could bear to make her upset, the way he had only a night ago, and effortlessly and without the intention to, it’d seem as if he’d done it again.

“I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye to you.” Just loud enough for her to hear. He hoped she'd understand, but would understand if she couldn't. These intimate bonds were foreign to Sveyn and he was still learning how to maintain them. He smiled at the exchange between her and Reath, nodding to the boy to notion that he should move onward after he said his farewells. This had to be difficult for him, too.

He looked back to Harriette as the boy dragged his feet further away from them, selfishly needing a moment alone with the princess. He watched her eyes fill with tears as she choked on her final words to him, welcoming the nuzzle she persisted in his hollow chest. He wasn’t sure how to reciprocate the feeling without giving into her pleas, he could stay, couldn’t he?

If he didn’t, when would he see her again?

Would he ever?

“Harriette,” He whispered, bringing his paw to her back then up her neck, pulling her closer into him. “I am walking away from you as someone who is broken, a piece of me will forever be yours.” He stepped away, but only to lift her chin to initiate their gazes to be locked. He wanted to see her bright eyes one last time. “When I see you again, I will be whole once more.” With that, Sveyn pressed his forehead against hers, licking her cheek softly before he turned away.

He didn’t look back, afraid that if he did, he wouldn’t have the strength to leave Gemini. To leave Harriette.

[shortyhooz]

mMINE HEART

[Harriette]

Harriette did not often wish for more than what life had already offered her, but right then, she wished so hard for this moment to never end. She never knew a goodbye to hurt so badly, to be so difficult, but she also never had to say goodbye to someone, possibly forever. Especially someone she’d suddenly appreciated so much. This was not her strong suit, and she wasn’t sure if it would ever get easier, either.

Sveyn pulled Harriette closer into him as he spoke, his voice rumbling deep in his chest, the sound muffled in the pale girl’s ears. “I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye to you,” he admitted.

Harriette squeezed her eyes shut. Tears, hot and damp, soaked into the fur around her eyes. It’s better than saying nothing at all, she wanted to say to him, but this moment was already so raw, so fragile. The bitterness of her thoughts would only complicate things, and she chastised herself for feeling such a way in a moment of pure, sweet tenderness. It was out of character for her, and likely due to the fact that she was simply feeling so many things. A feeling of protectiveness, of possessiveness. She didn’t want to let him go, but it wasn’t her place to fight for him to stay.

He continued to speak, eventually pulling away from her to bring a paw to her chin, lifting her head up to meet his gaze. At first, she didn’t open her eyes. Part of her was afraid to look at his face – afraid to see if he was sad, as it would break her heart, or if he wasn’t, which might even break her heart more.

She swallowed hard as he spoke what would be his last words. “When I see you again, I will be whole once more.” Harriette opened her fire-and-ice eyes then, gazing at him wide-eyed before he pressed his forehead against her own, his tongue lapping against her tear-soaked cheeks. She couldn’t find any words to say that would level with the weight of what he just told her, and so she said nothing. His words simply resonated within her, striking so many different chords in her heart, leaving her breath caught in her throat.

When.

Her body was frozen, her mind incapable of comprehending the unbearable amount of raw emotion that was coursing through her veins. She did not move as Sveyn turned away from her, did not speak or try to break the silence. She did not beg him to turn around. She did not say goodbye. She only watched, with empty eyes and a heart so full.

When.

The word rang loudly in her mind. He said when, not if, she thought. Was he being serious? Or simply being hopeful? What did this mean?

Teary eyes watched as Sveyn met Reath, and they walked away from her, from Gemini, side-by-side. Sveyn didn’t once turn around, though she thought she saw Reath sneak a couple glances back at Harriette before they disappeared out of sight.

Unable to move her feet from where she stood, she simply remained in that spot. She remained in that moment, feeling the phantom of Sveyn holding her tightly against his chest. Feeling the phantom of his kisses on her cheeks. For a long while, she forgot to blink, to breathe, to exist properly. Swallowing again, she looked down at her feet, her eyes slowly drying up.

Was it possible to miss someone so much after they had just left?

A E S T H E T I C