“What do you want?”
She whispered impulsively.
“What do I want?” He
repeated, surprised. “There are too many things to count.”
“But what do you want. At this moment what do you want
more than anything else in the entire world? What do you want more than your
own life, more than your mother’s love and your father’s approval? More than
salvation and strength, courage and money? What do you want more than a safe
home and a free country?” She paused, breathless, her eyes broken hearts in
pools of moonlight. “What do you really want?”
She blinked back the tears that wouldn’t stay captive. He nodded, understanding,
as he brushed a free-falling drop off of her cheek.
“That’s easy. What I want more than any of that, more than anything I've ever wanted, is to hear you laugh again.”
~*~
“What are you doing?”
She asked.
“I’m planning.” He
replied, still staring thoughtfully into the void.
“Planning what?” She
licked her gelato and grinned cheerfully, adjusting the flowered scarf that
hung loosely around her neck.
“My dream castle.”
“I didn’t know men
had those.”
He smiled. “We do.
Most men just don’t admit to it, or recognize one when they see it.”
“That’s silly.
Everyone should have dreams.”
“I agree, everyone
should. Sadly, too many people have been taught to starve their dreams and
pursue complacency.”
She shuddered and
replied, “For me complacency is the closest one can get to death without actually
going all the way.”
~*~
“How is it that I can
be so truly happy, at a time like this?” She murmured, her voice soft against
the vibrant smoothness of the music.
“Because some things
just aren’t as important as the world tells us they should be. You and I are
two of those fortunate people who recognize what really matters. Not even war
can take that away from us.”
“Maybe not. War
itself might not take anything away, it is too full of purpose. But what about
the distance?” She asked, tossing her head. “Would you still love me, even from
ten thousand miles away?” She tilted her head back, smiling up at him. “Or time?
What about in a thousand years? Would you still love me then?” His reply was a
whisper.
“I would love you no
matter how far, how long, or how impossible.” She studied him for a moment,
weighing sincerity and finding it complete.
“Then kiss me, and I’ll
never doubt it.”
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