#vignettestcnemcss

Philo had been forced out of the room against every ounce of protest he put forward. He’d heard as Vignette struggled through the door, and the moment a shrill cry pierced the air he barged in. His breath halted in his lungs as the midwife turned with a small squalling child in her arms. His eyes burned as he looked at him, taking hold of the blanket that was handed to him before he took the child who was cleaned. He wrapped the small boy up in the blanket, “Shh,” he quietly shushed as he settled the baby against his chest. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, his fingers brushing along the boy’s back, his small wings stretching and fluttering with each movement his son made. He looked over at Vignette and smiled, trying to ignore the tears that filled his eyes.

        now she had his full attention. he put down the book he’d been thumbing through, and turned his gaze to her. she’d given him something before, and giving those beads back to her had been one of the worst mistakes of his life. he’d wanted to give her a chance to move on, to be happy without him, because all he’d been able to do so far was make her miserable. they were together now, but he knew he couldn’t wouldn’t, ask for them back. he lifted his free hands, stroking his fingers softly against her cheek. ‘ what is it, vignette? ‘

      without thinking on it, and with only a quarter heartbeat of delay, he’d shifted his hand, putting it in hers as requested. it didn’t occur to him to ask why before he did it, only that she was asking and it was within his power to give her what she was asking for. except, AFTER handing it over, that was when she started to wonder. ‘ wait, why do you need my hand? ‘