Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me
Submitted by theblahblahblahxx.
hopesaved reblogged
All too easily, his nerves and fear were washed away by the sweetly tone of her voice, by the sincerity that surfaced in her blue eyes. Even as she spoke about the thrill and niceties of space travel, it was nigh impossible to deny how beautiful she looked. Not just on account of her appearance alone, for no one could deny how gorgeous she was, but by how her entire heart seemed to carry through in all that she was. In the curling of her hand, in the hopeful twinkle in her eyes, and the strength in that weary but kindly smile. Powerful and endlessly mesmerizing. It was the impression he had of her several lifetimes ago and it was one he carried with him even to this day. Though, it felt somewhat–different, now that he was older.
‘She really hasn’t aged a day. But what can be said about her heart?’
Riku blinked, hard, tearing himself out of his stupor and focusing on the heartfelt apology she was spilling out. His mouth seemed to open of its’ own accord, eyebrows briefly furrowing at what she might have been implying–and then quickly closing his lips when the memory appeared. The image of her in that dreary place, blue hair burned silver like the moon, eyes a feverish bright yellow and her attire in dark tatters. The tips of her fingers colored scarlet, as if stained with blood.
A sultry and wicked grin splitting across her darkened face as she moved towards him, her voice cutting the air with its’ power and silken nature, her haunting eyes moving across his body all the while. “Ah… I see now. No fight left in you, Riku? You want something else. You want to f–”
❝Ah… that. I–it’s… it’s fine, Aqua.❞ His cheeks were burning, feeling the red searing themselves into his skin as the man attempted to look directly towards her, simpering awkwardly but strongly as he stepped to her. ❝You weren’t yourself. There’s really nothing to apologize for, I promise.❞ And yet, he couldn’t help but feel as if he was shoving things aside, burying unsaid words that even he couldn’t discern at the moment. In spite of that, he simply looked down at the fellow master, before leaning forward to wrap his arms around her frame, embracing her lightly but fully. His voice was carried just above a whisper, a smile still present in the words he spoke. ❝I’ve said my fair share of humiliating and things under the influence of darkness. You can ask Sora anytime.❞
A short and soft laugh fluttered out from his lips, recalling the countless one-liners delivered all those years ago, sporting that dark attire that belonged to someone else entirely. When he was horribly young and stubbornly selfish. Riku pulled back just barely, peering down at her with his hands placed on her shoulders. ❝I was never upset with you. Just worried… and maybe missing you. A lot.❞
strong & admirable he was . admittedly , she could look to him for guidance in times of distress . there share a similar connection , one wrapped in the ties of darkness . even now , it remains painful to picture the once young riku , hardly reaching her stomach when standing on his toes . it must have been equally horrible for him ━━━━━ no , she knew it in her heart that it was . what held her together with these thoughts was for the simple fact that he was here now , standing tall & under the warm sun to speak of his tale .
it wasn’t a challenge to spot the difference between the riku that is here now , & the one she met on destiny islands . beside his obvious height increase , now scaling above her , which in a way , suited him . perhaps his built frame fit the image of cool , mysterious keyblade master . a fitting look aqua would only speak of to herself .
it wasn’t until the dreaded flashbacks of her vengeful self setting her back into focus . how she could utter those words ━━ say it with such stride , collected in her being , confidence just like any other who has joined the other - side , just . . . who was that ? despite all that’s been said , all that’s happened , she was relieved to hear what he had to say afterward . ❝ it’s hard to imagine you saying something just as humiliating as what i said . ❞
& cue a soft fit of chuckles part from glossed lips . there was some humor to be founded among the image of riku himself speaking such shameless words . her guilt was swept away by the tides , replaced with a feeling of comfort . she almost didn’t catch wind of what followed afterward.
❝ riku . . . ❞ a wave of comfort washed over her , followed by hues of rosy pink painted on her cheeks . in an act of instinct towards a person deemed trusting , aqua wrapped her own arms around him , pulling him just a bit closer for her to rest her head upon his chest for a moment . she pulled herself away once he did , her eyes no longer looking to him . instead , she looked onward to the moving bystanders behind him , one hand now cupped to his that was felt on her shoulder . the change in her expression was proof enough that something was different in her . she couldn’t allow riku to pick up on that minor fact .
❝ i’ve missed you too . i think now calls for some catching up . what do you say about eating somewhere ? i’ve always enjoyed the food in twilight town much more than other worlds . are you hungry ? ❞
❝I’m… mostly okay. …I was just–mainly concerned with you.❞ A week rolling by since their last time together, after the events of all that had transpired. Relinquishing her from that awful realm of shadow, freeing her from that eternal dark oblivion. Yet she sought to leave without question, notably avoiding him entirely.
No blame was held towards her, nor any disdain. Only concern for her well-being.
❝But like you, I traveled in my spare time. Since there’s time for us to do it now, it’s… actually rather nice.❞ A faint simper turned upwards from his lips as he looked up, eyes settled on the scarlet and shadowed sky behind the piercing clock-tower. ❝I stopped here just to reminisce and take a break. And, well–❞ He stopped for a moment, looking back down towards her, teal eyes focusing on the deep blue tides of her eyes. If he looked hard enough, he could perhaps glimpse a touch of shadow in them.
A sheepish chuckle was made in tandem with scratching at the back of his neck anxiously, eyes swiveled down to the copper street beneath their feet. ❝–I was hoping to run into you, truthfully.❞
her guilt only sunk deeper . was he concerned for her all because of what they last spoke about ? it couldn’t have been easy . between ven & terra , it seemed aqua always knew what to say . enemies aside , she enjoyed talking to people , strangers included , of course . but now , with her fist raised to her chest & her fingers clenched , ocean blue eyes gazed up to him . she knew it was only right to apologize now .
his words were heard clearly , & a lump could be felt at the back of her throat . was he ready to speak about it ? good . her appearance in twilight town couldn’t have been timed better . she was there for a quick stop : restocking on necessities & perhaps a comfortable nights rest . now or never , she took in a deep breath & exhaled , a smile still present but her voice now filled with a new sense of courage . ❝ i’m happy to hear things have been so well for you . it is nice to travel around at our leisure . . . it’s been so long since i’ve last done it , it almost feels like a dream now . ❞
one more inhale of air . . . & out it goes with the chains that once held her down for so long . there was no need to worry . there was now a different feeling to riku . a softening in his eyes as he looked down at her , his words felt as if they were chosen carefully . . . as if he hoped she wouldn’t run off in the opposite direction . there was no need to worry , aqua told herself . it was now her heart in guidance , reminding her that riku has always been one to trust . didn’t she feel this way once before ? back then on destiny islands so many years ago , a memory she still cherishes so many years later .
❝ but i’ve been wanting to apologize to you , riku . . . for some time now . i know i could have called , but this is something i need to say face to face with you . i can only blame so much on the darkness having control over my body , but back then . . . it wasn’t appropriate to say & i feel so embarrassed that you had to hear me say those words to you . . . ❞
hopesaved reblogged
Therein lied a streak of hesitation when his eyes caught sight of that azure crown, where the blue was darkest at the top and lightest at the ends of her hair. Her form, powerful and athletic as always, though not without a new mournful lethargy that seemed prevalent. It was something bound with him as well, in his movements, in his breath, in his very eyes. And as much as he wanted to help her, he began to wonder if she even wanted it. In retrospect, did he?
❝Aqua.❞ Her name was said softly, but loud enough for her to hear, as he approached her from across the lot. Twilight Town’s colors seemed to clash with theirs, of silvers, grays and blues; but he could only focus on the azure in the middle of all that scarlet. His hands were pocketed, stopping just feet in front of her as he regarded her with a kindly expression, tilting his head with one eyebrow raised. ❝…Been a while, yeah? …Are you doing any better?❞
footsteps halted in their tracks , his voice was heard . she turned to him , caution present in her smile . it was only a matter of time till she had to face him . how long has it been now ? a week ? more than that ? it hasn’t been painstakingly long , but there was a gap in time since their last encounter . this wasn’t like aqua at all . sure , she’s felt her fair share of embarrassment due to a man , but to push herself away from that same man because the shame she felt still lingered within ? she almost couldn’t recognize herself .
pushing aside her pent up feelings with a tone that longed to speak to him ( longing to apologize ) , aqua gave a short wave of her hand as a first means of greeting him . ❝ hi , riku . . . yes , i do believe some time has passed since we saw each other last . i think i’m starting to feel better now thanks to the traveling between worlds i’ve been doing . how are you feeling ? is everything okay ? ❞
for you, i would carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. and if i fell, i would be fine knowing that i had died for you.
hopesaved reblogged
after leaving the realm of darkness, aqua struggles with depression that she is able to speak about but doesn’t do so unless someone asks her first. she doesn’t wish to burden anyone with her troubles but she knows it isn’t healthy to fight this internal darkness alone so she does make an effort to reach out for help if it becomes too much to handle alone 😔
she couldn’t help the laugh from escaping , hand cupped to her stomach as she dipped her head forward , composure was gone for only a moment . if there was one thing she could name off the tip of her tongue that she favored most about yang was her lack of timing . others may find this trait to lean more on the infuriating side , but not aqua . she enjoyed small , laughable moments such as this one . worries no longer remained . instead , it was replaced with amusement .
❛ i’m sorry , yang , i didn’t mean to laugh . . . & i shouldn’t say i’m surprised that happened , but it seems there’s never a dull moment when you’re around . & yes , there’s still plenty of food left . it looks like not too many of our classmates came out for breakfast this morning . ❜
♥ / GOLDRAGON.
hopesaved reblogged
—— &&; my heart has wept for those that i could not save
she examines him thoroughly as he moves into the light , her expression remained stern as ever . genuine , & justified curiosity was another emotion that could be read on her being , her tone following suit in response . ❛ i should be the one telling you that . i don’t believe i understand why you’re following me when i haven’t brought harm anywhere , or to anyone . please , explain yourself to me . ❜
hopesaved reblogged
종현 (JONGHYUN) - 하루만이라도 (Just for a day)
hopesaved reblogged
chaerum
“I have lain down among the rushes and offered myself to whatever it was within me, calling.”
— Nausheen Eusuf, from “Not Elegy, But Eros,” Not Elegy, But Eros (New York Quarterly Books, 2017) (via memoryslandscape)