Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

SIXTY-NINE

'Broken hearts love in fragments. Half of a whole, a ghost of what once was, the love of the damaged cuts like shards of glass.'

-An extract from the book 'Evolutions' written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

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SIXTY-NINE

Wall Maria, South Region, Port Noaks, Hyde Residence

As she did far too often, Lorelai retreated to Romero for safety and comfort.

The watermill house was as normal. Spring had settled over the place comfortably; outside, bees buzzed over new gardenias, and wisteria had grown around the brick in great weeping branches. It had been about a day since Lorelai had announced her plan. Everything had been set in motion so quickly. Too quickly.

But they didn't have time to allow her space to adjust. They just didn't.

The white gardenias outside reminded her of wedding bouquets, so Lorelai turned and moved away from the window.

"Feelin' any better, kid?" Romero appeared once more in the doorway of the snug little kitchen. "'Should really eat something."

She only shook her head, holding her mug of black tea close to her face to catch its aroma. "Thanks, old man. I'm okay."

He sat down at the table with a knowing sigh. "You say that, but you only 'eva visit me when you wanna complain..."

She chuckled. "I do not..."

"Come on, kid. Talk to me."

Lorelai caught another glimpse of those loathsome gardenias. "What's there to talk about? I'll marry the archbishop, saving everyone quite heroically in the process, and then..."

"And then what, kid?"

She could sense the advice on the tip of his tongue. "And then I'll continue serving Erwin as agreed in court," Lorelai retorted.

"Is that really what you want?"

"'Wanting' has nothing to do with it. I must. You know that."

Romero poured himself a glass of whiskey. "You've always been very noble about these things, kid. You don't need me ta' tell you that."

"...I'm sensing a but."

"Tsk... But," he conceded, "Is marrying this old chump..." Romero flicked the latest letter, resting on the table. "Is this really where you picture your life goin'?"

"My life has never been mine, Romero. I've belonged to Havas since the night you found me."

"Kid-"

"And marriage?" she chuckled mirthlessly. "It's a contract—nothing more. I tried love, and a few thousand died for it."

"So what? Things go wrong, and you decide you must pay for it with your happiness?"

Lorelai fell silent.

For most of her life, Romero had watched how the cold, calculative woman before him took form. She'd had a spark once when she was young, and the world's misdeeds hadn't yet become a pattern. But, as the same old wrongs were done against her over and over and over again, the spark went out. He didn't blame her. She was more resilient than most. But, human beings could only see so much violence before quiet sufficed for happiness.