01-28-2026, 02:25 AM
Liv studied Nika- her dimpled smile, her brught eyes- and thought she saw something. Strain. A mask. Did she see it? Or was it something else? Her hand was warm, calloused in places, soft in others. But Liv couldnt shake the vision. Nika, im a bed, tunes hooked up to her.
It wasn't the Angel's breath, not directly. But still....it was like the dream of them older and a lifetime of love and pain, sorrow and joy.
Masks. Nika was deflecting. Isn't that what you did? a voice asked her? Acting as if it hadn't hurt, as if she didn't miss Nika, as if she didn't feel bound to her. But how can I say something? She was terrified. Terrified of opening herself. Of taking a chance. Of putting herself out there.
Masks.
Liv took a breath and dropped hers. "I did miss you. It hurt. But I knew I had no right to be hurt. You didn't owe me anything. it came out in a rush. She plunged on. "I like you. And I am scared. Because the last time I did this, I got hurt. Bruises. A broken wrist. The words that stabbed like knives. "But I like you. And I hope this is something.
It wasn't the Angel's breath, not directly. But still....it was like the dream of them older and a lifetime of love and pain, sorrow and joy.
Masks. Nika was deflecting. Isn't that what you did? a voice asked her? Acting as if it hadn't hurt, as if she didn't miss Nika, as if she didn't feel bound to her. But how can I say something? She was terrified. Terrified of opening herself. Of taking a chance. Of putting herself out there.
Masks.
Liv took a breath and dropped hers. "I did miss you. It hurt. But I knew I had no right to be hurt. You didn't owe me anything. it came out in a rush. She plunged on. "I like you. And I am scared. Because the last time I did this, I got hurt. Bruises. A broken wrist. The words that stabbed like knives. "But I like you. And I hope this is something.