whatever you left behind, became all of me.

5.

The sounds of late-night revelers travel down the halls and into the bushes you're currently nestled in. You can hear the music and drunken laughter, shouts of glee now that the country is peaceful again. A toast is raised to you, and another, and another . . .

You rest your head upon your knees, and huddle deeper into the dense foliage. The stars shine brightly above overhead, and a full moon spotlights the shadows and shades of vegetation. Your life might be changing in ways that you could never fathom, but you know that the nature of your element will be a steady constant you can always rely upon.

Movement makes you glance behind. Haitham manages to maneuver his lanky frame into a sitting position beside you. You scoot over to make room for him. In the dark, you huddle beside Haitham, suddenly aware of the places where your body touches him. Your shoulder presses against his shoulder, the side of your leg brushes against his. You lower your cheek onto Haitham's solid shoulder with a sigh, relishing in the temporary closeness.

"Here you are."

"Here I am."

He swallows. His voice is barely audible over the music and conversation. "Are you alright?"

Surprise makes you freeze, then you relax and laugh. It's rare for the logical Haitham to bring up the pesky topic of emotions. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You left the banquet earlier, and no one has seen you since." As always, Haitham has been observing. Even in the darkness, you can see how his face grows unusually troubled. "You're usually the life of the party."

He isn't wrong. You usually prefer colour and crowds and music and life, but today, you've turned to the plants of your element for solitude and solace.

"Oh, I just wanted a space to think and breathe." You shake your head, as if the motion will be able to clear the shadows over your brain and heart. "I'll be fine in a minute or two."

The people are expecting so much of me, and I'm not sure that I'll be able to live up to their hopes.

"You won't be doing this alone. King Dreshret and the Goddess of Flowers have both pledged their support to you, have they not? And I, myself will be with you . . ." Haitham trails off and looks away, suddenly unable to look at you.

Your voice is laced with half hope and half surprise. "You'll continue to stay with me?"

"I promised you I would. Have I ever gone back on my word?"

You smile then, partly out of relief, and partly out of amusement at how insulted Haitham sounds. If you didn't know better, you would think that he was almost pouting. "No. Never."

You and Haitham are silent for several minutes.

"What are you thinking about now?"

"Well . . . I think that . . . With your brawns and my brain, we'll surely be able to change things for the better. I just know it."

Your smile is bright and warm, and Haitham thinks that it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.