[private] we could all be brought to pieces

[Altissima]

Altissima is already retreating within herself as she watches Tarian. His short, dropped sentences bring out a smile but she is already too much in her head to tease him that of course she and him, who else would she be talking about? The affectionate word idiot never makes it off her tongue as she tries to sort out the part of her that knows Tarian, that knows he would not turn away from her, and the part of her that expects it anyway. It is too late to pretend she doesn’t love him, or that she could salvage her heart, but she could leave if he isn’t happy about this. She was strong enough to at least do that, even if she also knew her thoughts would never truly leave his side. So much races through her mind right up until he reaches for her - and she sees the smile growing on his face and feels her own brighten to match with relief. Her eyes deepen to a rich violet and she reaches to bridge the gap between them, her voice quiet. “A child. Ours.” Her wings disappear from her sides then and if he’ll raise his wing she’ll press against him again. There is not much difference in their heights but it is enough to make this comfortable. And, though she won't admit it, she is starting to like the idea of Tarian helping to hold her together instead of doing it on her own. “If it’s anything like Senna, it’ll practically raise itself.” She tells him, thinking of the rainbow-hued girl with blue hair that had followed Altissima on her wild wanderings until leaving for her own. Not all of the tension has left Altissima, so she tries to force it out of her with a quiet joke while tugging lightly on his mane. “You will, of course, not be allowed to name it. Can't trust your tastes.” As though it wasn't her that had come up with the nickname Glowworm - and the way her smile shines now should make it obvious she's well aware of this hypocrisy.

artwork by cal

@Tarian