#pridetempt.

DRUNK TEXTS, temporarily accepting; @pridetempt.

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, accepting; @pridetempt.

❝ is that why you and mom left? for love? ❞

was that what love was? she shuffles, steps uneasy, though she'd grown so much taller whenever she faced him she always, always, felt so much smaller. so young, bright eyed, nervous darting, and forced uneasy smiles. a tall child, so long now though it may have been since they'd last spoken, actually talked. even longer the distance from when she was the littlest apple of their eye parading around in her mother's too big heels and father's tipping top hat like the ring leader of their very own circus. she hadn't quite outgrown her penchant for playing a part, hadn't quite grown at all. dissonant dreams and rainbow rich disappointment. they'd been close once hadn't they? did he even remember that? ── did she? ── the good before the sour? or was a failure the only thing her parents saw when they looked at her. and now, was he judging her for her words? did she need to soften them, round herself out further? would he understand, did he want to? would they ever?

her voice wobbles, she tries to smooth out the edges, her fanged bite. bitterness was a nasty flavor. no smoother yet to swallow than woe either curled around the whispers of nostalgia, she was caught between them. wills herself not to cry though the going was tough, very nearly bows to it, flicks her gaze up and past him. she was going to later, there was no question about it. the fires of hell could've yet been smothered by her tears if she let them.

there are things you do only for love.

she cries hope, harkens to it. and with arms holding herself with clawed thumbs to self soothe, she carefully extends her heart to the olive branch he was offering, seeking understanding. crinkles her nose as the edge of her lashes pin prick stab her; you're an adult charlie. act like one.