*tap tap* is this mic on?
The car pulls in just as the sun is about the rise. Gale nods to the officer as he opens the gates. The gates screech and drag along the gravel as they open.
The sky is washed in layers of orange and maroon. Thin strips of white cloud stretched across the sky. Thereās a soft breeze ruffling the top of the overgrown bushes and small trees scattered around the wide road.
The car comes to a stop near the side. Gale looks at the horizon, sunās starting to peak its head from the east. He can see the planes from a far, their silver metal shining.
Clear skies. Conditions are perfect, Gale thinks. Perfect for flying. For leaving.
āSo guess this is itā John breaks the silence, taking his seatbelt off. Gale turns to look at him, the motion almost painful. John looks back, he grins at him, eyes crinkly, smile dimming as he locks eyes with Gale. Itās like he knows Gale wants to say something. He knows. He knows what Gale is about to say before Gale knows it himself. He hears words before they leave his mouth.
He reaches and slaps Gale on the knee āthanks for the ride, Buckā
Say something Galeās brain screams. Say something. Anything.
A lifetime ago, John had shouted at Gale to āgoā, to ārunā, to get out of here. He had shouted while krauts wrestled him to the ground. Gale had looked back.
John had shouted again. Told him to leave. Gale had left.
Now, presented with a similar choice, Gale wished he knew what John was thinking then. He wished he knew how John had demanded he leave. He wished he understood the mechanism of how John had put Gale before himself without a second thought. He knew John was a better man than heād ever be. He knew, because now, Gale couldnāt do the same for John. He couldnāt let him go. He couldnāt ask him to get out of here.
He slapped his hand over Johnās before he could take it away. He felt his nerves come alive the second their skin touched. He took a breath.
He wanted to John goodbye. Tell him to have a safe flight. Leave. Save yourself. save your heart. Be safe. Run. leave.
Was what came out instead.
John was looking ahead. Smile long gone from his face. His eyes were set, jaw tight, fingers digging into Galeās knee where Gale held it. Galeās eyes traced his adamās apple as he swallowed.
For a long minute, none of them said anything. The sound of the engine was lost to Galeās heartbeat thundering in his ears. He tried to take a breath. His throat was tight, narrow, stomach clenched.
Johnās hand squeezed Galeās knee one last time and moved, slipping his hand from under Galeās hold and grabbing his duffle as he opened the car door in one swift motion. He didnāt spare one more look at Gale as he got out.
Childhood desperation took over his body. He remained frozen in place, teeth digging into his lips hard enough to draw blood as the door slammed close. He wanted to beg. He wasnāt above it. He would beg. On his knees, if thatās what John wanted. He would. If that would get him to stay.
He felt his eyes fill. Hot, shameful, selfish tears blurred his sight as he watched John walk away towards the short building near the tarmac.
Gale had. He thought. He had looked back.
there is more but lemme know if u guys wanna read it. Iāve become super insecure abt my blabbering over the past few months.
