[They're both here. They're both alive. They're both clinging to this moment for dear life--and that does, somehow, make it a little easier to breathe through everything.
Slowly, he pulls his lips back for air--just far enough to find his breath and heartbeat again. Hopefully they can just linger here until the life feels less likely to be snapped away at any moment.]
[ he pulls back to drag in air and lara remembers to breathe, too, forehead pressed against his even if it means she has to stay stretched and he bowed. the difference in height is not something lara actively thinks about except in moments like this when necessity demands contortion from both of them.
and it is necessary. it's utterly necessary to remain close, to feel physical proof that they are both here and alive. to keep feeling it. ]
[ don't go gets stuck in her throat because she can't ask. asking is admitting something she's not ready to say and so she lets him go, even if her fingers take a moment to untangle from his shirt.
lara croft doesn't cling. she takes a step back, instead. ]
[There's really only time, now, to bring his knuckles to his forehead in the echo of a respectful salute.
The relief is that there will be time, when the dust is actually settled, to wind up at her door. (It would be difficult to imagine sleeping without being able to reach out and touch her fingers in the night.)]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2021-10-10 08:53 pm (UTC)Slowly, he pulls his lips back for air--just far enough to find his breath and heartbeat again. Hopefully they can just linger here until the life feels less likely to be snapped away at any moment.]
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Date: 2021-10-24 06:26 pm (UTC)and it is necessary. it's utterly necessary to remain close, to feel physical proof that they are both here and alive. to keep feeling it. ]
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Date: 2021-10-28 02:30 am (UTC)Another moment, and he shifts to press his lips against her forehead.]
I'll be back.
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Date: 2021-11-06 07:07 pm (UTC)lara croft doesn't cling. she takes a step back, instead. ]
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Date: 2021-11-07 04:41 am (UTC)I will.
[It needs repeating as he steps away. Repeating isn't lingering.]
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Date: 2021-11-07 02:59 pm (UTC)You better, Hornblower.
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Date: 2021-11-07 04:58 pm (UTC)The relief is that there will be time, when the dust is actually settled, to wind up at her door. (It would be difficult to imagine sleeping without being able to reach out and touch her fingers in the night.)]