isolation had become so easy to him, as he put his head in books and tara brought him magical items to consume. it would have been like that until he died of natural causes or the shard in his chest were to explode. he had not planned on meeting any of his current companions, and caring for them in the way that he does. the confession she gives startles him, creating an icy feeling to run down his spine. ❝ i did not know this. i am sorry. ❞ bastard.. how could he have left his unborn children and wife? if only gale were so lucky to have a family.. ❝ it seems as if you are better off without him.. if you don't mind me saying. ❞ the words left his mouth and he already wanted to shovel them back in. gods, will this awkward feeling ever fade?

⧼ ☾✦ ⸻ she let out a small chuckle hearing his dismay over her belated husband. ❝ i don't think he had much choice. ❞ she said softly, as she focused on the rough fingertips of gale that seemed almost delicate as he traced out the lines of her hand.

oddly enough, she hadn't found this comfort from any other for a long time. the bond she created with others in the campsite didn't compare when it came to gale.

❝ death is a fickle thing, even elves will succumb to it, our bodies rot like any other mortal, just give or take seven centuries. ❞ her blue eyes which were as dark as the midnight sky found his as she listened to his small speech.

she lifted his hand up, as she untangled their fingers and allowed their palms to touch. ❝ my children are grown now, my story is still being written and if that story ends with you, so be it. ❞ her lips curled into a small smile.

back, sender gives receiver a back hug.

beckon, sender beckons receiver closer with a finger.

blood, sender cleans blood off of receiver.

book, sender helps receiver get a book from a higher part of the shelf.

care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick.

catch, sender catches receiver by the waist after they bump into each other.

choke, sender saves receiver from choking by giving them the heimlich.

cold, sender places their jacket over receiver's shoulders.

cry, sender wipes tears off receiver's face with their thumbs.

dance, sender sticks a hand out to receiver and invites them to dance.

dip, sender skinny dips in front of receiver and invites them to join.

dog, sender's dog pulls them in receiver's direction.

drive, sender drives receiver somewhere in their car.

drag, sender drags receiver into a room and closes the door behind them.

draw, sender draws receiver like one of their french girls.

face, sender turns receiver's face towards them.

flower, sender gives receiver a flower.

footsie, sender initiates footsie with receiver under the table.

forehead, sender presses their forehead against receiver's.

grab, sender grabs receiver's wrist to stop them from leaving.

jump, sender jumps onto receiver's back.

kiss, sender kisses receiver.

link, sender links arms with receiver while walking.

massage, sender offers receiver a massage.

patch, sender patches up receiver's wounds.

piano, sender teaches receiver how to play the piano.

pin, sender pins receiver's hands behind their back.

pluck, sender plucks something out of receiver's hair.

press, sender presses receiver against a wall.

propose, sender proposes to receiver.

quiet, sender gestures for receiver to be quiet.

rest, sender rests their head on receiver's shoulder.

serenade, sender serenades receiver with a song.

sign, sender walks into a sign and receiver sees.

size, sender measures the size of their hand against receiver's.

shoes, sender removes receiver's shoes for them.

sun, sender rubs sunblock onto receiver's back.

tattoo, sender gives receiver a tattoo.

tie, sender helps tie receiver's tie.

tuck, sender tucks receiver's hair behind their ear.

umbrella, sender lets receiver under their umbrella.

warning, sender presses a knife against receiver's neck as a warning.