Let's Be Perfectly Queer | Quinn Fabray

15. Always

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"Lucy?"

As a snowflake gracefully descended from the clouds, it gently landed on Quinn Fabray's nose.

The playground was enveloped in a serene atmosphere, with the snow-covered surroundings creating a peaceful ambiance. A cool shiver ran down her spine, heightening her senses, as she found herself captivated by the sight before her. The child's eyes were an exquisite shade of blue, radiating a mesmerizing vibrancy that seemed to capture the essence of the winter sky. Flecks of green and gold danced within those captivating orbs, enhancing their beauty even further. Amidst the enchanting color palette, a single whisk of red added a touch of intrigue to their depths.

"You won't forget me, will you?" The little girl asked, tilting her head so her charming little pigtails fell to the side. "Now that you don't need me. Will you forget me?"

Quinn gracefully lowered themselves onto the vibrant red mulch as delicate snowflakes danced in the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. She gently took Little Kailani's hands, feeling their soft warmth, and squeezed them gingerly as the radiant halo above the child's head crumbled. The halo disintegrated into a thousand little specks of shimmering gold, cascading down like delicate snowflakes. Each speck landed with a gentle tinkling sound, creating perfect sparkles that danced within the depths of her mesmerizing blue eyes.

"I could never forget you, Lani." Quinn whispered. "You, and every version of you, holds a special place in my heart."

Little Kailani sniffled, holding tight to the cross around Quinn's neck. "But you'll come back?"

"Not anymore." Quinn held Little Kailani's face in her hands when she tried to look down. "Hey, no, baby, keep your head up. Don't let your crown fall."

Little Kailani's eyes gleamed with unshed tears. "But if you don't dream, I can't dream."

"That's not true." Quinn shook her head. "You could always dream. You've just been scared. I believe in you, Kailani."

"Lucy..."

Quinn wanted to hold this soul as long as possible, but it wasn't hers to keep. The soul she loved so deeply waited for her on the other side in her own world. Her Kailani and only her Kailani.

"Our ten minutes are up, sweetie. It's time for you to dream on your own from now on. You can do it. Go back to your Lucy."

"What if I can't without you?" The child whined. "I want you. I want—"

"You're not sick anymore." The woman somberly cooed. "You are the almighty blue power ranger, Kailey. You can dream as big as your heart can take! You are...Lani, remember... I will always be here in the wind for you, okay? I will always love you... You'll always be number one, Kailani Eleanor. Every version of you."

Gazing adoringly into her savior's eyes, Little Kailani softly uttered a gentle plea, her voice barely audible amidst the hushed ambiance.

"Always?"

Quinn, unable to speak without the threat of breaking down, felt a tear escape her eye, its path tracing through the air before landing softly on the mulch beneath her. She tenderly kissed the child's forehead, knowing it would be their last embrace. As she closed her eyes, she could sense Kailani slowly fading away, carried by the gentle caress of the wind. The delicate touch of her little fingers vanished from the necklace chain. 

The woman mustered the tiniest ounce of strength, enough to part her lips, as the persistent sound of a ticking clock reverberated in her ears. 

Its rhythmic cadence grew increasingly louder, matching the steady beat of her lover's heart—a writer with captivating hazel blue eyes, peacefully asleep under Quinn's ear. That morning, they would wake tangled in one another from their peaceful dreams to the delightful chorus of their children's morning banter.

"Always."

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