[Action/Written]

[goldenfirefly]

[This past week has been an emotional mess for Stella, and she's pretty sure she knows the reason why. Her relationship with Cloud has reached awkward levels, her relationship with Senel has taken several steps back... and yet she's starting to think about the latter more and more lately. This makes for one tangled web, and Stella's taking

Comments

[filtered]

[goldenfirefly]

[She feels some relief in her shoulders, though it hasn't completely lifted yet. That'll happen if he shows up. Still, she feels like she won't be waiting for nothing now.]

I think you know which lake I'm referring to. I'll be waiting on the far side of it. [Away from prying eyes.]

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[Unusual indeed. She's never been apprehensive about seeing him. Nevertheless, she still fiddles with that flower crown she's holding. It really is like one big web that she can't seem to untangle for the moment, though she knows it'll unravel soon enough.

It'd be easier to just wait until the experiment ends. But for some reason, that's the last thing she wants to do.]

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[For the first part of the week, Stella barely thought of him, which didn't bother her... until these past two days. The fact that she felt next to nothing started to scare her, and now when she thought of him... It was like when they first started dating - she'd giggle to herself and do her best to hide a blush. It was... weird. Like she was a giddy little girl just tumbling into the world of love.

Thus, she anxiously looks around at times. She's almost afraid he won't show up after all. She wouldn't blame him. He fell for someone too, right? It would make sense. Still, it bothers her... And then he shows up. Stella ducks her head to hide a smile, although she doesn't quite succeed once she lifts it up again and waves, letting him know where she is.]

Senel! Over here.

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[As Senel comes closer, the light of the moon hits him. How could she forget how wonderful he looked in the moonlight? Stella looks down again and tugs the coat around herself, half because she's cold, half to hide her nervous hands as they fiddle with the band around her finger.]

I was... almost afraid you wouldn't come.

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[Is that a little blush on her face? It is. Even if it might not be from his heart, the fact that he said it indicates that there's some hope. What she says next comes from her heart, though, even if there's some small hesitation. She meets his eyes when she does, too.]

And I'll always wait for you.

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[She averts her eyes, too, choosing to watch the lake. This was where they joined together and promised themselves to each other. In a few weeks, it'll be their second anniversary...

She shuts her eyes and lowers her head, letting the coat hide most of her face.]

... I'm sorry.

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

Please, just let me...

... I know this is just an experiment, but I still- I nearly broke my vow to you. A promise that's so...

[She resisted crying with Rika. She resisted with Cloud. But this is a different story. Stella presses a hand against her face as she tips her head back, bites her bottom lip, and finally allows the tears to fall. That giant bruise on her cheek that's only partially healed may be visible, but Stella's forgotten all about that. She's so afraid and distressed and... She wants to turn and bury her face in his shoulder, but she's not sure if she's allowed to do even that.]

-important to me, I'm so, so sorry, Senel, I-

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[With her eyes shut, Stella doesn't notice this at first. Until she feels those arms close around her and pull her against him. Her breath hitches and she freezes for a second, opening her eyes just to confirm that it's happening... then shuts them and accepts the embrace.

With Stella's cheek pressed against his chest and her arms tight around her waist, even though the tears still fall and her head stays lowered in an attempt to hide them... It looks like she's already starting to calm down a little. Even though this experiment has been confusing, something inside her knows that this is where she'll always belong.]