[Barry's breath catches in his throat. He doesn't say anything for a while then, doesn't dare exhaling too hard into the freezing air between them, fearing that if he does, he'll break the spell.
He'd never thought she'd suggest it. Never thought she'd even entertain the thought. While Barry doesn't know much about her kind, he knows that family is everything. They rely on each other, migrate together, forage and hunt, protecting their young, their sick, their elderly fiercely from outside - read: human - threats, protecting their way of life with their very lives. And he knows there's more in her tribe for her than just a community, just a people. She has family there. A brother. Talks about him all the time. Barry knew in his heart of hearts that, no matter how much she'd grow to care for him during their annual meetings, she wouldn't ever consider leaving them for him. And he couldn't come be with them. This is what he's resigned himself to. Meeting her like this, in secret, once a year for the rest of his life.
He scarcely dared to fantasize about running away with her. But his subconscious is seemingly entirely dominated by thoughts of her, of them, together, not just in the flesh, but for life. Sharing a life together. Sharing his limited years. He dreams about her every night, every day, whenever his thoughts start to wander. There's nothing he wants more than to be with her until his dying day. But he knew it wasn't meant to be.
Or, he thought he knew. Because here she is, looking him dead in the eye, resolve and excitement and something indescribably tender written all over her beautiful face. Barry draws a slow, shaky breath, shivering not with cold, his eyes stinging a little.]
Do... D-Do you mean that? You want that? [He reaches for her, fumbling a little without his glasses until he finds her hand, taking it in his. He needs to touch her right now, needs to squeeze her hand, feel her close.]
no subject
He'd never thought she'd suggest it. Never thought she'd even entertain the thought. While Barry doesn't know much about her kind, he knows that family is everything. They rely on each other, migrate together, forage and hunt, protecting their young, their sick, their elderly fiercely from outside - read: human - threats, protecting their way of life with their very lives. And he knows there's more in her tribe for her than just a community, just a people. She has family there. A brother. Talks about him all the time. Barry knew in his heart of hearts that, no matter how much she'd grow to care for him during their annual meetings, she wouldn't ever consider leaving them for him. And he couldn't come be with them. This is what he's resigned himself to. Meeting her like this, in secret, once a year for the rest of his life.
He scarcely dared to fantasize about running away with her. But his subconscious is seemingly entirely dominated by thoughts of her, of them, together, not just in the flesh, but for life. Sharing a life together. Sharing his limited years. He dreams about her every night, every day, whenever his thoughts start to wander. There's nothing he wants more than to be with her until his dying day. But he knew it wasn't meant to be.
Or, he thought he knew. Because here she is, looking him dead in the eye, resolve and excitement and something indescribably tender written all over her beautiful face. Barry draws a slow, shaky breath, shivering not with cold, his eyes stinging a little.]
Do... D-Do you mean that? You want that? [He reaches for her, fumbling a little without his glasses until he finds her hand, taking it in his. He needs to touch her right now, needs to squeeze her hand, feel her close.]
Wh-Where would we go?