Case Reopened

An Honest Discussion

Someone mentioned that they missed Donovan. Your wish is my command. *bows*

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The noisy hush of the library surrounded Carter as she sat in her chair, observing the couple across the way. They alone were the college students who didn't seem aware of the stress of assignments. All they seemed aware of was each other.

Carter smiled a little as Maddy leaned in to whisper something in Link's ear and his whole face softened. When she pulled back, he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked at him with eyes that Carter could only think of as loving. Their emotions weren't only easy to read but felt they were being screamed to the world. These two people loved each other and only a few days ago had decided to get engaged.

Their love was palpable.

Carter glanced at Donovan sitting next to her, his focus entirely on his screen and the paper he wrote. For a moment, she mentally stepped away from the table and viewed herself and him as someone else would.

What would they see? Their emotions wouldn't be loud like Link and Maddy's. Would they see two people who'd been in a two-year relationship? Or would the space between them, the lack of obvious affection, and the divided attention make some people they weren't connected in that sense?

If the conclusion was they weren't connected, that could be explained away. After all, they were there to study, they weren't going to be showing signs of affection. But what about other moments in their day?

If someone spotted them crossing the quad, sitting in the coffee shop, in class would their relationship be noticeable?

With that viewpoint, Carter got the sad sense people wouldn't see it. Their acts of affection weren't shown in public, it made Carter uncomfortable to show that side to people. Holding hands felt fine but beyond that, she didn't think was anyone's business. But how often did they hold hands that it would show the world they were together?

More than that, when they held hands what did Carter feel? At first, she felt this warmth at his touch, this unexplainable sense of peace when he locked his fingers with hers. This thing she felt she'd been missing without knowing it.

But now? After two years? His hand felt normal, natural in hers. There were no sweeping emotions that came when he joined their hands. It simply was.

Was that feeling she had when holding his hand translated to their relationship?

The image of Donovan and her from the outside played out like snapshots in her mind.

"Do you think love can die?" Carter asked.

Without looking up from his computer Donovan answered. "Yes."

He continued typing, even as Carter stared at him.

After a second, he glanced over and paused.

"What?" he asked.

"You think our love will die?"

Donovan straightened, detaching himself completely from his paper.

"No. But that's not what you asked, you asked if I think will can die? I do. Love is like everything in this world, if it's not taken care of it will die." He leaned back in his chair, propping his ankle on his knee. "Think of a potted flower. You can put it in the ground and the flower will look pretty for a few days, but if you don't water it, encourage it to take root then it won't last. Depending on the flower, it might look like it dies in the winter but if its roots have gone deep enough then come spring it will bloom again."