@thornsong        cont.

^{it’s weird       /        his body layered with bruises and cuts and gaping holes that healed throughout the years could never amount to the bandaid she had placed once upon a time,   another life ago.   during a time where the stresses of life haven’t clamped down on them and they were blind to the harsh reality of this world.  childhood innocence    -    a foreign concept to grasp now, but it was so normal for them back then.}

^{she remembers      ..       he does,  too.   how could he forget ?}

^{looking at her grown up is almost surreal.  the realization slapping a hand across his face and a piece of him is glad she’s okay.   another wonders how she is,  and a small sliver of him questions if being here to see her is a good idea at all      ——–}

^{and then her arms are around him.  he tenses.   she’s the only one alive now that’s known him at the core before scraps of passing years started to clot him and cover him up, turning him only into a husk of what he once was.   a hand rises to softly touch her back but it isn’t half the hug she gave him.     his hand returns back to his pocket and he isn’t sure what this feeling inside is doing to him.  it’s been a while since he felt anything.}

^{he doesn’t dwindle too much in the past   -    he’s been trying so hard to run away from it.}    

^{“   you’re not disappointed,  are you ?  “     he asks,  wry.     he’s gone from the hug when he gives a glance around,  regarding the dimly lit bar with a cigarette haze in constant suspension of the atmosphere here.   when he looks to her he finds his smile hard to reach his mouth but he does so anyone.   there’s so many things he wants to say but never can / will —    “  must have a lot of usuals here.   “   including the more hungrier bunch of patrons which spike regards subtly with a sharp glance.    “  can’t say i’m surprised.  i thought i was the only one who got to hear you sing.  “}