HEART-SHAPED WOUNDS ────── keith kogane⁰ ✓

v. ────── static electricity

As they wandered deeper into the embrace of the park, the world around them transformed into a tapestry of colour and sound. The sound of children laughing in the distance could be heard, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above, the fragrant flowers swayed as if celebrating the newfound connection between them. Keith could hardly remember the harshness of James' words; instead, all he could focus on was Isla's laughter and the way it wrapped around him like a warm embrace.

The pair had taken a weekend off from the Garrison. They navigated the winding paths, Isla leading with a buoyant energy, stopping occasionally to point out her favourite spots-the perfect bench under the trees, a hidden nook where sunlight danced upon the small body of water, and finally, an old wooden bridge decorated with vibrant wildflowers.

"Here," Isla said, motionion for him to stop. The setting sun bathed the scene in a golden light, and for a moment, time itself stopped, "This is my favourite place to sketch, though I don't come here often anymore. The Garrison and all," she said, her eyes sparkling as she pointed towards the water as it reflected the sunset. "It brings out all the colours that make me feel alive."

Keith turned his gaze to her, mesmerised not just by the beauty of the scenery, but by the passion igniting her features. Her enthusiasm stirred something profound in him, a sense of purpose he hadn't fully recognised until this moment.

"I'd love to see your sketches," he said, leaning closer. "I bet they're amazing."

Isla smiled shyly, a hint of bashfulness softening her confident demeanour. "Maybe..." she said, her voice trailing off. "If I feel inspired enough."

Keith chuckled, their banter filling the air with ease. "I can inspire you. Why don't we marke some art together?"

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

"Why don't we sketch each other?" He suggested, brimming with nervous excitement. The thought of being so exposed felt daunting, yet he trusted Isla more than anyone.

"Right here?" she asked, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

"Why not? It's the perfect backdrop," he replied, gesturing at the vibrant scenery.

"To be fair," she said, biting her lip and looking contemplative, "you must promise not to laugh when I make you look like a potato."

"Only if you promise to capture my true essence," he shot back, laughter spilling from him like a cascade of joy.

They settled near the edge of the bridge, an easy comfort between them as they set to work. Isla sketched quickly, her pencil moving with a fluid grace, while Keith tried his best to mirror her creativity. He could feel her eyes flitting occasionally his way, a playful glimmer that made his heart flutter.

After a while, Isla let out a soft laugh, breaking the soft sounds of nature surrounding them. "Keith, I have to show you this!"

"What is it?" he asked, turning to meet her gaze.

She held her sketch in front of him. It was a playful, exaggerated caricature of him-wide, cartoonish eyes and a goofy smile-dressed as a potato, complete with sprout-like limbs. He burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the park, and Isla's laughter joined his, brightening everything around them.

"Okay, okay," he finally managed between chuckles, "I can see how you draw inspiration from my incredible potato-ness." He flashed her a mock-serious expression which only made her laugh harder.

"Now it's your turn!" she urged, sprawled out beside him.

With shaking hands filled with enthusiasm, Keith worked to capture the essence of Isla. As he drew, he became increasingly mesmerised by her-the way her hair caught the wind, how her eyes sparkled under the fading sunlight, and the gentle curves of her consciousness that made her so uniquely captivating.

When he finally turned the sketch around to present it, Isla gasped, genuinely taken aback, once again sending warmth pooling in his chest. "Keith, this is beautiful! You really captured my spirit!" She wrinkled her nose playfully.

"Only because I'm so inspired by you," he said softly, a vulnerability lacing his words.

A moment hung between them, delicate and powerful, much like the sketch that lay between them. It was fleeting, but Keith felt an unmistakable shift in the air. Their laughter faded, falling into a comfortable silence that begged for something deeper.

"Isla," he began, his voice a hesitant whisper, revelling in the warmth radiating from her presence, "I've been thinking a lot about everything, and-"

Before he could finish, she leaned closer, and suddenly there was an electric tension that filled the gaps where fear used to reside. Keith's heart stopped as she met his gaze, the unspoken words hanging heavier between them than anything they'd said before.

"Can I... can I kiss you?" With a boldness unexpected from her, Keith urged his heart forward.

"Yes," Isla breathed, her voice barely a whisper yet filled with earnestness.

In that moment, everything else melted away-the mocking laughter, the shadows of the past, everything except the two of them, leaning into each other beneath the sprawling sky. Their lips met softly, an explosion of warmth and possibility, drawing them into a world where hope flourished.

As they parted, breathless and wide-eyed in the aftermath, they shared a smile that transcended words. In the distance, a flock of birds took flight, silhouetted against the twilight sky-a symbol of freedom and new beginnings.

"Let's go conquer the world together," Isla suggested, her eyes alight with determination.

"Together," Keith agreed, feeling as though he had just stepped into a new chapter of his life-a journey untraveled but worthy of every heartbeat spent in pursuit of Isla's luminous spirit.

With their hands intertwined, they left the park, embarking on a new adventure, emboldened by the thrill of conquering their fears and uniting in their fears and aspirations. For amidst the laughter and sketches, they had discovered something far more precious: a shared courage that would illuminate every shadow on their path ahead.