[for cameron] I took my love and I took it down

[fallen_ancient]

When she rose from her meditation that morning, Morgan knew it to be time. She had known since after the afternoon spent with Bill, but she had waited out of prudence. She had moved hastily in initiating a romantic relationship with Cameron and hurt them both thereby. In ending it, she wanted clarity, certainty, and wisdom. She wished to act from a

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[sgmitchell]

He was pretty sure that wasn't always true, but...maybe. One day, when it wasn't as raw and painful, he might see her and tell her. Until then...he was fairly certain Morgan knew well enough he wouldn't be seeking her out, anyway. Whether or not she knew he had witnessed Bill, he was fairly certain she knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't.

It was...fortunate, though, that there had been no talk of lingering 'friendship'. No half-lies. Just a straightforward end. It wasn't spectacular, but it was...something he could believe Morgan could do.

At her last phrase, the quiet resilience he clung to did crumble, just a bit. Enough that he reached over, and pulled her into a tight hug. When one of them stood and walked away, the closeness would be finished. Even now, the time for any level of intimacy was passed.

But a farewell...embrace, hug, or whatever it could be called...that he couldn't quite argue against.

His voice was low, and caught with restrained tears when he did speak, still holding her for what would quite likely be the last acceptable time. "I'll miss you, too, Morgan."

[fallen_ancient]

Embraced, Morgan allowed herself to soften against him. Her hand slid up into his hair as it always had and drew his head to her shoulder. Her heart beat strong and solid, pulse quiet in her throat. The desire she felt for him had not faded, but the situation was not one that lent itself to that sort of intimacy. One day perhaps, but not today.

Instead, her voice fell warm and soft, hushed, quieting even the air around them it seemed to her. "I do not mean for us to be estranged, Cameron. I will give you time and space to accustom yourself to not seeing a girlfriend when you look at me, but do not imagine I intend to remove myself from your life." Unless he wished it, and then she would.

Although it was time now to leave, kindness demanded she let him choose the moment of it, so she did not physically disengage when she said: "Be well, love. I will be watching." Her lips quirked even as unexpected tears pricked at her eyes. Once felt, she blinked them easily away. It had been a very Ascended thing to say.

[sgmitchell]

Her words brought a soft, bitter smile. He wasn't certain there would ever really be a time he could look at her and see her as just a regular person. He knew well enough he'd move on eventually--not think of her every time he thought of...home. He'd probably interact with her just fine some day. But he doubted it would ever get to the point where he wouldn't see her as...not as his...but...as...special.

He also had a feeling, when she said she would be 'watching', she would be seeing him long before he saw her again.

His expression smoothed once more, when he did release her, and he summoned a slim, strong smile. "I'll..." It wouldn't be waiting, and it wasn't looking forward to it. "Keep an eye out."

He gave a brief nod, gripping her shoulder briefly. "You...good luck, Morgan. I hope you find that...new life. Really. You deserve it."

[fallen_ancient]

Leaning in, Morgan tilted her chin up to brush a kiss against his jaw, then lay her hand against his cheek.

There were no words left but the practical details of disentangling their lives and she had no need of speaking them. Cameron would not be so petty as to prohibit her access to what had been her home. He could not be.

"I will see you," she said, and then slipped away before either of them could say or do something to make it more difficult.