Let The Storm In

He wasn't sure what he had been hoping for. Reassurances, maybe. A realization of just how stagnant their relationship had become. Maybe an apology or an explanation or a promise to put more intention behind their time together. Even if she hadn't said anything and just came to bed that might have even chased away his doubts for a time. Instead, he was met with one of the heaviest silences he had ever experienced and a short and simple response. I...guess not. He stood there, staring at her for a while, grappling with the choice that was placed in front of him. He could accept that this might be how they spent their lives for the rest of their days in order to stay with the woman he loved or he could leave in hopes of chasing the larger picture he had always had for himself. He didn't want to hurt Vanille, but how much more of himself and his own desires was he willing to sacrifice?

As hard as it was to face the obvious answer, he knew what he had to do. He sighed softly as the silence continued without her even able to meet his gaze and he glanced away toward the ground for a moment. He had expected this to hurt, but he wasn't sure what hurt more–the heartbreak or knowing that Vanille would have been content to lead him on to the end of time if he hadn't spoken up. He quietly stepped toward her and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "I'm sorry," he said softly, looking away from her. "I love you and I probably always will, but I don't want to waste my life like this." He turned toward the entrance of the den, pausing only long enough to say, "Keep this den if you want. It's yours." He stepped out into the evening air before the hard knot in his throat could betray him and went to find somewhere else to sleep tonight.

"Arc & Vanille"