Not So Vibrant, Not So Dull (draft) ✔

Chapter One: White Chocolate

You looked peaceful. Too peaceful to be bothered by the world, by me, or by your mum—sleeping soundly, a soft pout adoring your lips. The plane hummed softly like a gentle lullaby that seemed to cradle you in your sleep. The sunlight filtered through the tiny oval window, touching your face in soft, warm strokes.

I couldn't help but admire you. Your features, relaxed in sleep, spoke of a vulnerability you rarely showed when awake. The tension that usually marked your brow was gone, replaced by something tender, almost fragile. My heart ached with a blend of love and guilt. I reached out, my fingers gently brushing a lock of hair from your forehead.

Outside, the world was a blanket of clouds, vast and endless. An endearing soft blue. It felt like we were suspended between worlds, leaving one behind and yet to land in another. But the past is never truly left behind, is it? It's always there, lurking, waiting to catch up.

The soft ding of the announcement bell snapped me out of my reverie. A flight attendant's calm, practised voice came over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent into Milan Malpensa Airport. The local time is 3:45 PM, and the weather is currently a pleasant 22 degrees Celsius with clear skies. We expect to be on the ground in approximately 15 minutes. Please ensure your seat belts are fastened, your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked positions, and all electronic devices are switched to aeroplane mode. On behalf of the captain and the entire crew, we'd like to thank you for flying with us today."

It felt like a sin to disturb you, to break this fleeting moment of peace. And as much as I wanted to keep you in this bubble of calm, I knew we couldn't stay here forever. I gently squeezed your shoulder, the warmth of your skin grounding me. "Ahen, we're here."

You stirred, slowly coming to, your eyes fluttering open. For a moment, you looked disoriented, as if you'd forgotten where we were, what we were doing. But then your gaze found mine, and a slow smile spread across your lips, a smile that made everything else fade away.

"Already?" you murmured, your voice still thick with sleep.

I nodded, my own smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Yeah, already."

You stretched, your hand slipping into mine. The plane began its descent, the clouds giving way to the sprawling city below. I held onto that moment, onto you, hoping it would be enough to carry us through whatever came next.

We were running away, yes. From your family, from my past, from everything that had tried to keep us apart. But we were also running towards something—towards a life that was ours, where we could be who we truly were, together. I squeezed your hand, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear.

The future was a vast, open sky, and we were soaring into it, hand in hand, not knowing where we'd land but knowing we'd be alright as long as we had each other.

The moment we stepped off the plane, you were a whirlwind of energy. It was as if the exhaustion from the flight had been left behind, replaced by an electric excitement that had you practically buzzing. Your hand slipped from mine, only to tug me forward as you dashed ahead, your laughter trailing behind like a melody I couldn't resist.

The airport was alive with motion, a symphony of people coming and going, voices blending in a dozen languages. Sunlight poured through the tall glass windows, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. The architecture was stunning, all sweeping curves and sleek lines like a modern cathedral. Green plants lined the walkways, their vibrant leaves a refreshing contrast to the polished stone floors.

You insisted on taking photos at every turn, capturing the moment with the small camera you had insisted on bringing. It was one of those instant film cameras, the kind that produced pictures you could hold in your hand seconds after taking them. Each snap was followed by the soft whirring sound of the film developing, and then you'd wave the photo in the air, eager to see the image come to life. You were like a child discovering the world for the first time, and your joy was infectious.