Hiraeth

Chapter Thirty Four

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Sage's room, casting soft golden light over her belongings scattered across the floor. She moved with purpose, her heart racing as she stuffed clothes into her satchel. Each item was a reminder of the life she was trying to leave behind-one filled with pain, uncertainty, and the echo of Beckett's name.

Sage had made up her mind; she was leaving today. A fresh start awaited her, away from the whispers of betrayal and the suffocating weight of expectations. But even as she folded her favorite dress, a pang of guilt twisted in her stomach. Was leaving truly the answer?

As she zipped up her bag, the sound of footsteps outside her door caught her attention. She glanced up, her heart quickening in her chest. She wasn't expecting visitors, not today.

Before she could even call out, the door swung open, and in walked Fleck, his wavy dirty blonde hair tousled, and his brown eyes wide with urgency.

"Sage!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of concern and something else-something deeper. "I've been looking for you."

Sage's heart raced, her breath hitching in her throat. "Fleck, I'm kind of in the middle of something right now," she said, trying to keep her tone steady.

"I know, but I need to talk to you. Please, just give me a minute." He stepped closer, his expression earnest, almost pleading.

Sage's stomach flipped. "I really don't think-"

"Just hear me out," he interrupted, stepping even closer. "I can't let you leave without telling you how I feel."

The air thickened with tension as Sage's pulse quickened. "What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

"About us," Fleck continued, his voice lowering as if they were the only two people in the world. "I've had feelings for you for a long time, Sage. I thought I could ignore them, but I can't anymore. Not when I see you hurt, and I want to be there for you."

Sage blinked, shock washing over her. "Fleck, I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, her heart racing.

"You don't have to say anything right now," he said softly, taking another step closer. "But I want you to know that I care about you. I would never betray you like-" he paused, clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check, "like Beckett did."

The mention of Beckett's name hit her like a blow. She had been preparing to leave him behind, yet here was Fleck, standing in front of her, vulnerable and open. The conflict in her heart swelled, a cacophony of emotions battling for dominance.

"Fleck, I'm leaving. I need to figure things out on my own. I can't..." Sage's voice faltered, feeling trapped between two worlds.

"Why? Because of him?" Fleck stepped closer still, his gaze intense, searching her face for an answer. "You're worth so much more than that. You deserve someone who sees you, who respects you."

"I know, but I just..." Sage shook her head, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She wanted to let him in, to believe in the warmth he offered, but her heart was still entangled with Beckett. "I can't. I can't do this right now."

"Please," Fleck said, his voice low, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Just let me show you how much you mean to me. Just one moment. That's all I ask."

Sage's breath caught as he moved closer. The world around her faded, the only sound the thumping of her heart echoing in her ears. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the longing and the warmth, and for a moment, it felt like all the pain she had been carrying could dissolve into something new.

But just as Fleck leaned in, closing the gap between them, the door flew open once more.

"Stop!" Beckett's voice rang through the air, cutting through the tension like a knife.