A/N: Hello, lovely reader! First off, I would like to thank you for giving my miserable excuse for a story an oppertunity. Your interest is very much appreciated ^_^
Secondly, I would like to say that this was completed with a time span of half an hour, so please don't expect much of it. This was actually written in an attempt to get the creative juices flowing (I haven't written in half a year, and therefore am out of practice).
Thirdly, I would very much appreciate constructive criticism- In fact, I am in dire need of it, seeing as my writing skills have deteriorated to what it is as of late. Please leave a comment, or vote if you deem it worthy. Thank you so much!
~Starlight
She gazes down at the withered, decrepit figure of the man perched upright in the lone alley. Hesitantly, she reaches out to skim her hand against his hallowed cheekbones, ensconced under a layer of coarse hair. A smile tugs at the ends of her lips as he leans into the touch and his eyes gently flutter open. She watches patiently as he shakes his head, struggling to get a bearing of his surroundings. Gradually, all traces of the disoriented expression fades from his expression and his eyes focus on her lone silhouette.
“Abby?” He croaks disbelievingly as he stretches out a hand towards her. She smiles in reassurance and intertwines her fingers with his gnarly ones. He stares in disbelief as a drop of water pools over and makes its way down his scarred skin. “How are you here?”
She merely smiles endearingly at him as she leans forward to whisper into his ear. “It’s time.”
“I-I don’t understand. Wha-” His question is cut off by a distraught wail.
“Daddy!” She steps aside as a figure rushes past her and throws itself against him, shaking. “No! NO, this can’t be possible!” The woman takes his head between her hands and presses her forehead against his. “Please, don’t do this to me lord. Please..please...I beg of you.” The woman collapses against the cool stones, blubbering unintelligibly as her fingers tightly clench the flannel of his shirt.
She captures his gaze as he rises and glides his way toward her. His eyes flicker towards his body, lying on the ground, and comprehension dawns on him. Cautiously, he lifts one hand to caress the side of her face before suddenly sweeping her into a tight embrace. “At last,” he murmurs against her hair, and her eyes prickle as she tightens her hold against him.
“At last,” she agrees, pressing her face against his broad chest. He rests his chin against her head, and the dam inside her breaks as the crystalline drops cascade down her ethereal face. He gently pulls away to wipe away the tears and capture her chin. Leaning down, he gently drops butterfly kisses on her eyelids and cheeks before finally pressing his lips against her own.
As she fervently kisses back, she senses the evidence of years of toil disappearing from his body. She threads her hands into his mane of hair and pulls him closer, eager to have him against her after years of separation. He threads his arm around her waist in response, and they stand there in blissful oblivion.
She eventually pulls away from him, gasping at his newly transformed appearance. His youthful eyes stare at her unabashedly, glowing in happiness.
She is suddenly brought back to her senses by muffled sobbing, originating from a curled up figure resting her head against the immobile corpse of an old man. Distressed, she crouches down and envelops her in an embrace. The other woman stiffens underneath her as she gently plants a kiss on her hair and whispers, “Don’t be sad, my angel. We’re always with you, wherever you are.”
Slowly, her breathing calms and tears stop trickling down her face. She lifts her head slightly and calls out in a fragile voice, “Mom?”
She feels a hand resting against her shoulder and glances up to see him looking into the light. “It’s time to go,” he informs her gravely.
She nods, turning towards the shuddering figure. “I’m here, baby. Mommy loves you. Remember that. Forever and always.” Her voice breaks as she chokes out the final notes and swoops down to press her lips against her nose.
He clears his throat and chokes out, “Don’t cry, my blossom. We’ll be back for you, your mom and I will. Promise.”
She trails her hand against her hair as she rises and takes his hand. He takes a deep breath and moves toward the light. She looks down at their intertwined hands, then at his profile.
“Are you ready?”
He glances at her as they walk into the unknown and smiles.
“Always.”
