Tasteful Darkness

Chapter 15

Peter - Four years ago

Peter and Althea met underneath the moonlight for the second time. They collided like stars unable to burn alone any longer.

"I've missed you," Peter whispers against Althea's skin.

She laughs, the sound making Peter's heart dance. "I just saw you the other day."

He holds her closer. "Too long ago."

Althea pulls away so Peter can meet her eyes. "So," she says. "What do we do now?"

"Enjoy the night?"

She smiles. "For now, yes. But what about in the future? What does this mean? I know you said you were afraid—"

"Not of you."

"I know. But I am too. Not of you."

Peter smiles. "We don't have to do anything right away," he tells her. "We can go day by day and figure out what we want from there. Does that sound all right?"

Althea takes this in for a moment. "Yes. That sounds perfect."

Without warning, she grabs his hand and starts dragging him from the garden. He lets out a small sound of surprise, but keeps his step in turn with hers. They leave the lush green and enter the desolate streets. Peter suppresses his urge to ask where they're going and lets her lead him away.

Peter has no idea where they are, even after Althea stops. He looks at the buildings around him, and only one looks remotely familiar.

"Is that...?" Peter asks, drifting off.

Althea nods. "The apothecary. This is the back way."

"And why are we going this way, exactly?"

"Can you climb?" Althea asks, brushing aside his question.

He blinks. "Um. Sure?"

"Good."

She enters the narrow alley between the two buildings then hoists herself up onto the wall. Without a moment's hesitation, she begins making her way up the side, smiling to herself the entire time. Once she's reached the top, she lifts herself up onto the roof and is gone for a moment. Peter stands still, stunned. Althea's head pokes out from above, her mouth pulled into a smile.

"Need some help?" she asks.

Peter closes his gaping mouth. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

Hopefully.

Somehow, he makes his way further and further up the side of the building, his heart pounding the entire time. Peter whispers thankful prayers that neither of them fell on the way up.

Althea is waiting for him at the top and offers her hand once he makes it all the way up. He takes it gratefully and she helps pull him completely on the roof.

"Well this is..." Peter looks out over the city. "Quite a sight."

"Afraid of heights?" Althea asks, her eyes looking out on the horizon.

"Not usually," he admits. "Do you come up here often?"

"When I need quiet, yes. It's nice being alone with the stars." She looks over at him, her golden eyes twinkling. "But I didn't realize I was missing something until you were here with me."

Peter's face gets hot. "The stars were always so beautiful in the country," he reminisces. "I watched them every night when I was a child."

"Why did you stop?"

"I don't know. Life became busy." He slides his hand into Althea's. "Maybe I could take you there someday. Show you the stars."

She smiles, her eyes lighting up. "I would love that."

Peter can imagine taking her back to where he grew up. He knows that she would love exploring the forest that rested just a short while away from his house. The same forest he would find himself getting lost in, but he never felt out of place. He would learn the ways of nature and admire in silence.

"Where are you?" Althea asks quietly.

He smiles at her question. "In a forest," he tells her softly. "I thought that you would like to see it someday."

"A forest? Did you live near one?"

He nods. "No one else in my family wanted to explore it. They were afraid of what might be living there. I never seemed to mind, though I'm sure I should have."

"It seems like the both of us were adventurous children. I always used to walk away from my family whenever we left the house. They called me a wanderer, but I managed to find my way back to them every time."

"I think young Peter would have admired young Althea."

She smiles. "You would have been a rare sight."

He tilts his head. "What do you mean?"

She shrugs. "I was never particularly skilled at making friends. It's always been that way, though. I'm not complaining."

"I'm glad we found each other." He doesn't realize how strange it sounds until it's already left his lips.

Althea doesn't seem to mind. "I'm glad it rained that day. Just another reason to enjoy the rain so much."

Peter's smile has yet to fade. "Yes. I agree."

The silence that follows is comforting. They sit together, listening to each other and saying things without words. Peter's hand tightens around Althea's, and she slides closer across the roof. Close enough so she can lean her head on his shoulder. Sparks flicker in his chest as he lays his head atop hers.

Peter clings to this moment. The stars. The quiet city. Althea being so close to him.

He has a habit of connecting things to people. Whenever he sees lilies, he is reminded of his mother and how she would always have them in their house. When he spots a crow soaring through the air, even though it's a rare occurrence, he is reminded of his friend's obsession with the bird.

Now, whenever he looks up at the stars, he is sure that Althea will appear in his mind. And he won't ever want her to leave.

Author's note:

If you're enjoying it, I would really appreciate votes and comments :) Have an amazing day!
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