cascade | kotlc

11. Stars: Light and Shadow

more of a oneshot than a part of this book, but it works nicely and i like writing oneshots. 

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"Feel free to scream," June told Fitz as they leaned against a towering sequoia facing the Everglen property. "Or cry. Or anything."

He sighed. "Yeah. I think- I just need some time. Maybe... give me a moment? I... need it."

"Mmh." She turned her eyes to glance at the glittering lake, the waves gently rippling westward and lapping against the delicately maintained beaches with perfectly golden sand.

Alvar had settled into Everglen already, and Biana had left for her room. The door had slammed and June had heard tears, and viridescent light had seeped under the crevices of the polished oak door. Alden and Della had cried and trembled, and she saw Alden reach out like he wanted to take Alvar's hand before it would fall limp by his side and he would close his eyes and tilt down his head.

But Fitz had taken it differently. He hadn't taken it angrily, per se. Perhaps her presence had managed to calm him, and he had often cried on her, screamed into her chest, grip his hand like he wanted to take out his anger, before his face would crumble and he would cry and scream again.

Her fingers curled inches away from his. Should she take his hand?

Probably. She took his hand, and he glanced at her for a second before he smiled and kneaded his thumb over her palm.

"How's Faye doing?" Fitz finally asked, his lips barely parting.

It wasn't the question she had expected to hear, but it allowed a smile onto her face. "Oh, she's doing great. Grady's been taking great care of her. I heard she's working on taming the gorgodon with him."

He looked away. "That sounds nice. I wish I could've been there. I wish I could have your family."

June didn't know how to respond, instead scooting closer and wrapping her arm around his shoulders. His body was warm, and hers was too, and he leaned against her, his breath hot against her neck as the cold night wind blew. His hair fluttered into her eyes.

"You know," Fitz murmured, a smile rebelliously tracing onto his lips. "Whenever I'm with you, I'm just... happier. And whenever I'm not, I feel something empty. Like I'm not myself without you by my side."

He shook his head, laughing. "Is this love?"

"Mmh." She tried her best not to grow hearts in her eyes. "It depends on you. Do you want it to be love?"

He locked eyes with her, his bright teal eyes staring into her, and he extended his thumb and brushed a lock of her hair from the bridge of her nose. "Of course. I really want it to be."

Golden light spilled from his hand, its light toasty at the touch. It danced along her skin, her skirt, the grass blowing around them, and June took his hand, watching a gentle red gash run down from his elbow.

"You're hurt," she whispered softly, taking his hand and resting it over her shoulders. "How does it happen?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know. I honestly... have no idea why this is happening." He studied the wound, running his thumb down the line. "This is my ability, I think. Something about self sacrificing."

She shook out her hair and flipped it over her shoulder. "That sounds ominous. Does it hurt?"

"No, it doesn't. That's what I don't understand," he groaned, raking his hands through his hair. "It doesn't hurt at all. I can barely even notice it. But whenever it happens, the golden light comes and I can hear..."