What Are We?

Prologue.

The rubbing of her hand on his back and up to his neck used to leave him in a deep state of trance. One couldn't understand how two people could be attracted to each other and yet feel so far away, and for a second she begged silence to hush her thoughts. She slowed down her caresses, allowing herself to feel every fibre of his addictive skin. And while seeing his body resting faced down on that bed mired in her touch, she wondered how many of the mistakes that led her to that moment were correct. There was no turning back or magic powders that could help her get rid of those fears that increased every time he laid by her side, closer and closer as days went by.

She didn't realize her caresses had ceased until she heard her voice breaking the silence.

"What are we?"

His sleepy eyes met hers. Confused by her question, he run his hand through his messy hair and down to his face before meeting her gaze again.

"What?"

Josephine got up from bed, resting her lower back in the table that faced him.

"What are we?"

Silence filled the room again until he reached the edge of the bed to face her. He kept his gaze fixed on the gleaming floor while his fingers entwined around his neck. He knew what was coming, so he just sit there, waiting for her to ruin everything.

"Hero..."

"What do you want me to say?"

His words felt as cold as ice. All she could see in his eyes was resignation.

"Anything but that."

"Really? 'Cause I think that's exactly what you needed me to say."

The disappointment hit her like a wave. She couldn't even hold his gaze, it was always intense but this time it wasn't on her side. She sat on the table, unable to look up from the ground.

"Why."

"'Cause you got fucking scared of all you've seen on this tour and need an excuse to leave."

"I got scared?" Josephine met his intense eyes again, "You're the one who's resigned to end this just because I asked what the fuck is whatever we have."

"Why now and not then?"

"When?"

"When we wrapped. Why do you do this now and not when we separated for the first time?"

"'Cause it's clearly not the same!"

"And what's the fucking difference?!"

Silence. Hero fell back on the bed again, stressed by the tone the conversation was taking. This wasn't the goodbye he got in mind, nor was hers.

"I'm not looking for an excuse to end this..."

He took some air before saying his response, unable to even look at her.

"Don't expect me to put this under a label on the last day, we won't be seeing each other in months, you fucking know that."

Her shoulders fell at his response.

"I wasn't expecting you to put this under a label, I only needed you to define it." She could feel her own anger as she spoke. "Seems like I'm not the only one scared after all."

She could see the sarcasm on his smile as he got up from bed, picked up the pack of cigarettes that was by her side and walked his way out to the balcony...