never let me go

you're somebody else

Ateş stands there, frozen, and so does she.

He looks different. Still as handsome as ever, of course, but- she doesn't know how to describe it, it's as if his features have sharpened, his eyes are darker, and his mouth is set in a harsh line. He looks at her with something akin to indifference, as if he's seeing a stranger on the street.

Her heart hurts at the thought.

"Anne?"

He eyes are on Ateş when her daughter calls her name, so she sees the exact moment the little girl's presence registers. His eyes become impossibly softer, and his lips quirk up in a small smile.

Feraye tears her eyes away from his face and down to look at her daughter. "Yes, honey?"

Yağmur tugs on her jacket, urging her to get down to her level. When she does, her daughter whispers in her ear, "Anne, who is he?"

Feraye pulls back and smiles at her. When she looks up at him, she finds his eyes on them both, incredibly soft- it's the way he's always looked at her.

"That," she starts, looking back at her daughter, "is your-"

"I'm Ateş," he interjects, smiling down at her little girl. To her surprise, Yağmur doesn't shy away from him. Instead, she goes up to him, until she's just a foot away, and looks up at him.

"You're tall," she mutters in awe. Feraye can't help but laugh, and so does Ateş. He crouches down, holds his hand out to her. Yağmur puts her little hand in his and Ateş shakes it gently. His eyes roam her face, taking her in. "I'm Yağmur," she tells him.

"Very nice to meet you, Yağmur." His hands rub her arms gently, before he gets up. "If you two ladies will excuse me, I have to go. Yağmur," he starts, "I guess I'll be seeing you around since we're neighbours."

Her daughter nods seriously, and Ateş' smile widens as he ruffles her hair- and thankfully doesn't notice her minuscule flinch at the sudden movement. He doesn't look at Feraye even once before he leaves.

Her daughter seems disappointed at his abrupt departure, and she can't blame her. "Come on, baby, let's go see your grandpa.

🌕

"Ateş!"

Feraye jerks at the sound of her daughter's cry, watching her as she abandons her bike and goes running in his direction.

They've been here for a week, and Ateş has somehow become her daughter's favourite person. Every morning, while they're in the garden having breakfast, they see him as he's going to work, and every morning, Yağmur insists on wishing him a good day. Her daughter had been shy at first, voice barely above a whisper as she told him good morning then ran away. But then, she'd gotten bolder, and Ateş had lost the stunned look on his face.

Honestly, watching them together has been the highlight of her day, every day since she got here.

Ateş hands over a small pastry, and Yağmur readily hands him a bunch of fruit she'd especially picked for him. Feraye holds her breath, waiting for his reaction, hoping he's not disappointed.

Ateş grins and pops a strawberry in his mouth. "Thank you very much, Yağmur hanim," he says, and he seems actually genuine.

Her daughter's face absolutely lights up, and she bounces on the balls of her feet. "You're welcome! I picked them from our garden!"