I Would Walk 500 Miles

Was there any real difference in being a guardian and a parent? Either way, Ara knew that she would be there for Novel's children so long as she was wanted in their lives, even if she never found a real answer as to how she fit into their lives. Perhaps the moment of confusion would pass, and things would go back to normal. But it seemed she had opened her mouth too soon, and Novel gazed at her curiosity, knowing she had something to tell her.




Still her tail curled tightly about her hindquarters, as though she might shield herself from worry, from the nervousness of admitting what she wanted to say. It didn't feel fair to accept Novel's generous offer -- to let Psalm and Hymn call her a parent to them -- without telling Novel how she truly felt. Perhaps she ought to have waited. Her father had told her of the moment he'd confessed his love to their mother, near a waterfall, their faces illuminated by the light of the moon. This moment was sweet, but not nearly anything so special. Ara wondered if she should wait to tell her, but if she didn't do it now she feared she never might.


"I think..." she began, pulling slightly away from Novel as she assessed her features. The words seemed to stick in her throat and she felt her tongue going dry. A moment would pass as she licked her lips, gaze dancing unsurely over Novel's features. She felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She was so beautiful; flawless, even, and she didn't know what she would ever do if she somehow lost the friendship that they shared. But she wouldn't ever stop feeling guilty unless she told her this now. "I think I'm falling in love with you." Her words were less certain than she meant for them to sound, for she knew she was definitely falling in love with her -- but still the feelings were so muddled and confused, and she hadn't yet made sense of them all. "I.. I just couldn't imagine going on without telling you." Silently she would brace herself, for rejection, or for confusion. Knowing it would hurt, as Novella had told her, but she also knew she would never feel right until she told her.