➜ 7 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙡𝙙 . itoshi sae

28.

now that you are 28,

    the swings are a place you often visit when going through difficult times in your life. sitting on the swings makes you reminisce memories from the peak of your youth, although many things in your life changed since then, the swings would always remain the same. tonight, things are different. you aren't the only one here.

as you sit on the swing ss it creeks softly, itoshi sae is now there to stand in front of you, once again. teenage features are now fully gone, and the years have changed the both of you in many aspects. though there has been various things that differed, the comfort and warmth that fills you whenever you are met with this boy still wavers.

"hey," he is first to break the silence. "hey," your voice almost a whisper. an awkward silence follows, the only thing being audible is the wind and the noise coming from the swing, where you rock yourself slowly back and fourth. "do you want me to give you a push?" he says, attempting to make a light hearted joke to ease the tension.

you laugh lightly, and smile. a smile filled with nostalgia as you think about how many years have gone by apart, only to be brought back together again. you shake your head and say "no," followed with a "how have you been?"

sae smiles too, saying that he's been good, and then asking you how you've been on your time apart. again, you smile and say that you've been doing well when the conversation seems to pause, ss sae says "stop it."

"stop what?" your brow quirks as he's words are spoken. "stop forcing yourself to smile like that," he says, he claims that he know it isn't genuine. silence fills the air as tears start to slip down your face, voice trembling, you ask "would you prefer me to be sad then?"

sae replies "yes cry, be sad, it's only normal for you to do so." he steps closer. calloused hands from many years of training cup your face as he wipes as many tears as he can with his thumb.

you let out a shaky breath, tears threatening to spill into a full blown sob, but your body restricts you from doing so. as you feel his touch on your face, you couldn't tell if its comforting or discomforting as you let yourself be vulnerable, despite how many years have gone by.

unsolved feelings linger in the air as you place your hands atop his and ask, "why?" his grip tightens slightly as he leans down to be eye level and he replies, "i don't know." silence continues as he wraps his arms around you, pulling you into a warm embrace. "forgive me," he says.

feeling the steady beat of his heart, you lean your head against his shoulder. every snowflake that falls serves as a gentle reminder of the passing of time and the memories made in this park. the snow is still falling all around you.

the last of your doubts vanish in the warmth of his hug and the honesty in his voice. you give him a nod in opposition, a silent acknowledgment of the past and the present. "i forgive you," you reply in a whisper.

knowing that some endings are actually fresh beginnings in disguise, you both find comfort in one other's company in the peaceful park as the swings creak gently in the background.