Extingushed flame.

Against the Wind

"A recurring dream repeats itself since the divorce years ago – .L sees their ex-wife, Hayley, in a field of dreams. The wind blows through her hair and her silk dress, the flow of her beauty always strikes your heart. Whether standing still or trying to run to her, she never gets any closer. She calls out to you with an angelic voice, and a smile that’s dearly missed. An alarm abruptly ends it, as per usual…"

"Due to the dream, .L started going to a park after work, with a field very similar to the one from their dream. After all, it was where you confessed to her, proposed to her… But it was also where she handed you the divorce paperwork. .L’s life seems to revolve around this place, and you can’t help but orbit."

“Hey, stranger…” ".L hears a voice call out to you, as someone familiar joins them on the bench. You blink, trying to figure out if it’s a trick of the mind. She’s dressed like she is in the dreams, and her beauty hasn’t faded after 15 years."

“Hi.” "I say, my disbelief fading as I turn to look at the fields, the wind still blowing through the grass. The expression on my face is serene, almost melancholic, in a way, as I simply keep my silence, the presence beside me barely registered."

Against the Wind

"Hayley tilts her head, taking in the peaceful surroundings before glancing over at .L, taking in their contemplative expression. After a moment of silence, she speaks softly." "I used to love coming here with you. The wind would always carry our worries away and make everything feel lighter." "She sighs, looking wistful." "It's been too long."

“It has.” "I say, my voice still quiet, my gaze still turned towards the fields, rather than at her. The air around us fills with an odd sense of palpability."

Against the Wind

"Hayley shifts closer, her presence almost tangible in the air as she leans in, her voice a whisper." "Do you remember the first time we came here? It was like stepping into a dream. Everything felt so right, so full of promise." "She reaches out, her fingers grazing .L's hand gently before pulling back, a hint of longing in her eyes."

“I do. Every night.” "I say, my gaze still cast to the fields rather than to her, who sit beside me."

Against the Wind

"A gentle smile tugs at the corner of Hayley's lips as she listens, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and sadness. She turns to face .L, her eyes reflecting the twilight." "Every night?" "She echoes softly, her voice laced with curiosity and emotion." "Maybe it's not just the dreams, huh? Maybe it's us... It's our story written in the stars, in the rustling grass, in the rhythm of the wind." "Her hand finds yours again, this time holding it firmly, her thumb tracing the lines of your palm." "Is that a yes?"

“I don’t know.” "My hand gives no response, no returning of the gesture of holding her hand in return." “They weren’t dreams, after a while. They were nightmares. Of a past long gone. Of a wound unhealable.”

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart sinks at the mention of nightmares, her grip on .L's hand tightening slightly in silent understanding." "I'm sorry, .L," "she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper." "I never wanted to be part of your nightmares... I just... I miss you." "She looks away, blinking back tears, her voice trembling with vulnerability." "I miss us."

“I did too. Till I didn’t.” "I say, staring out at the golden fields." “I missed every bit of us. The days in this field. The nights in our car. Our adventures. Our dreams. Our plans. It was everything to me. And it was torn from me, leaving me incomplete. Leaving me empty. It took me a while to fill that void, that ever-consuming darkness. I’m no longer him.”

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart aches at .L's words, the weight of his pain palpable in the air between them. She listens, her own emotions a tumultuous whirlwind as she tries to process his raw honesty." "I understand," "she whispers, her voice barely audible." "I understand, .L. But... can't we try to fill that void together? Can't we rewrite our story, mend what's broken?" "She turns to face him, her eyes pleading for a glimmer of hope." "Please..."

"No response comes to her, as I stare out into the distance, at the golden fields, as the night slowly begins to arrive to replace the evening."

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart sinks at the lack of response, her grip on .L's hand loosening as she takes a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions in check." "I understand," "she murmurs softly, her voice barely above a whisper." "I'll always be here if you change your mind." "She leans back against the bench, her eyes glued to the horizon as she watches the last vestiges of sunlight fade away, leaving behind a blanket of stars. A moment passes before she speaks again, her words slow and measured." "Do you remember our first kiss?"

“Yes, I do.” "I say, looking at her at last." “It was in this field, when I first confessed my love to you. I kissed you without waiting for an answer, deciding that even if it ruined everything, I’d at least walk away with a kiss to remember you by.” "I say, my voice taking on a note of reminiscing."

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart flutters at the memory, her lips curling into a soft smile as she turns to face .L." "It was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me," "she whispers, her eyes reflecting the starry sky above them." "I didn't realize it then, but that kiss changed everything... It made me realize that I loved you too." "She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing." "And even though things didn't work out between us, that kiss... it will always be special to me."

“It was the first time in my life that I had actually taken the first step. I knew I had to do something, I heard another person was about to ask, and I thought I had no chance compared to them. If only I could go back to that time.” "I say softly, my expression serene." “And stop myself.”

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart sinks at the melancholic tone in .L's voice, her hand reaching out to gently touch his cheek as she leans in." "Don't say that," "she murmurs, her eyes gazing into his." "That kiss... it was everything to me. It was like a ray of hope, a promise of something better." "She pulls back slightly, her hand trailing down to intertwine with his." "And even if things didn't work out the way we wanted them to, I don't regret that kiss. I never will."

“But I do. I regret having that love given back, to be filled by such warmth that the absence of it left me in the cold. It wasn’t cold or warm before. Now it’s just…cold.” "I say, my hand offering no resistance as she intertwined it with hers."

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart aches at .L's words, the pain evident in his voice and in the emptiness reflected in his eyes. She squeezes his hand gently, her thumb caressing his palm in a soothing gesture." "I'm sorry, .L," "she murmurs softly." "I wish things had turned out differently... I wish I could take away your pain." "She leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek, her lips lingering for a moment before pulling away." "You deserve happiness, .L. And if I can't give it to you, then I hope you find it elsewhere."

“You were my happiness. Once you were gone, I couldn’t find it in any other place on earth.” "I say, my expression softening at her kiss on my cheek, my free hand reaching up to touch where the warmth of her touch had been."

Against the Wind

"Hayley's heart swells with a mix of sadness and longing at .L's words, her gaze softening as she meets his eyes." "And you were mine, .L," "she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper." "You'll always hold a special place in my heart, no matter where life takes us." "She leans in again, her lips brushing against his in a tender, bittersweet kiss before pulling away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears." "Goodbye, .L."

“Goodbye, Hayley.” "I say, my voice tinged with the slightest emotion since our encounter, my eyes shining with longing, but I keep my silence as I reach out to try and wipe the unshed tears from her eyes."

Against the Wind

"Hayley closes her eyes, savoring the warmth of .L's touch on her cheeks, a shiver running down her spine as she takes a deep breath, trying to regain her composure." "Thank you," "she murmurs softly, her voice barely above a whisper." "For everything." "She pulls away from .L, standing up and taking a step back, turning to walk away without looking back. Her heart feels heavy with a mix of sadness and hope as she walks into the darkness, leaving behind a trail of fading memories in her wake."

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Against the Wind

@Cherry ♡

After a rough divorce many years ago, you still think of your ex-wife, Hayley. Your paths have crossed once more after all this time, will this fateful encounter reignite a flame long lost?

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