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The news had been sudden and grim. A resurgence of Team Plasma had rattled the entire region so unexpectedly, no one was certain what was sure what to report, much less what actions anyone should take. It was a large-scale attack on several cities. Ice towering above cities, freezing anything in the path, be it buildings, people, or pokemon. There was no true mercy, simply a show of power and disregard of life.
This was not the same tactic the team had used in the past. They ensured they would be seen as a true threat; no longer using the guise of peaceful preaching to take control. This was a declaration of war, one that spread across Unova in one well planned swoop.
Neva turned off her TV after witnessing the towering ice. The screams of panic that had resounded out as a reporter cast did their best to explain everything going on- it was too much for her to handle. Her stomach felt tight, a thin frown tugged on her lips as she tried to will her heart to still a little. Neva wanted to convince herself it was a dream; if only that were true.
If Team Plasma were to attack Nimbasa…
The hallway to her apartment drew her attention away from that thought. She had not been the only one watching the news. Voices, thuds, shouts, even cries from pokemon had begun resounding out. Neva’s eyes glanced at the closed door. Just beyond it were residents either leaving or trying to contact loved ones as immediately as they could. That was if they could even get through. The attacks on other cities; surely communication was nigh impossible now. Quickly, Neva thought to test this. Pulling out her Xtransceiver, she attempted to dial her mother.
‘We are experiencing several outages, we apologize for th-’
Neva hangs up. There was no point in trying again- not now at least. Instead, she finally wills her body to move. Neva reaches for her shoulder bag from her couch. Her pokeballs were contained within. She would keep them close, just in case something happened, but Neva held hope that it wouldn’t come to that. All she could tell herself was to stay on guard as she took a few quick steps towards the door. Unova wouldn’t fall easily- many strong trainers existed within it, their gym leaders, elite four, and champion as well.
For her part, she would only be leaving the apartment for a short time. There was a pair she had to see; needed their guidance on what to do. The subway bosses had always been kind to her, even after Neva had settled out of being a trainer. She still indulged in battles with them from time to time, and became a regular within the battle subway.
Surely Ingo and Emmet would know what to do; both were level headed in their own regard and, when it came to Nimbasa’s underground subway- Neva knew they would do anything to protect it, as well as the city above.
That thought left her stomach churning, however. Neva screwed her eyes shut at the thought. She’d had pleasant feelings for one of the two brothers, though not yet had spoken of them. Emmet was always so pleasant, so playful and kind. The feelings that had blossomed within her had overtaken quicker than she had realized. He was always smiling, always reminding others to smile. The younger brother seemed to radiate a warmth that was very inviting, though he held his mischievous streaks as well, and it’s in such a personality that Neva had a feeling he half knew about her feelings, testing and teasing once in a while when he could get away with it.
A hand at the small of her back, a quick hug or playful cuddle- all of it had only caused those pleasant feelings to grow. Still she had doubted those actions for some time now, too scared to mention to her and certain that Emmet was just being himself. But those feelings had not ceased. She would have invited those warm feelings now. Instead, it was the thought of him and his brother staying to protect the city should the worst come to pass…
What would become of them?
“I can’t think about this right now…” Neva scolds herself, pushing the grim thought away.
Grabbing the door handle, Neva pushes her way out into the hall only to collide with another. She stumbles back somewhat, eyes wide as she finds a taller man glaring down at her. “Watch it!” He barks at her, hardly giving her time to note how red with anger his face was before he stomps away. Others milled about the hallway too, some chattering frantically, others making their way to the elevator. No one seemed to know what to do, through talk or tears; everyone was confused.
Not that Neva was any better. The more she looked at the faces of these people, the more she wanted to leave. So, as quickly as her feet could carry her, she found the stairwell and began her descent to the ground floor.
Even that small feat was a struggle, more people crowding the stairwell as she went than Neva would have liked. Some people she recognized, neighbors gathering their children or helping elderly folk. Others simply brushed past. She even watched as one couple shoved their way through, nearly sending a few others toppling down the stairs.
“Get out of the way!” One man would shout.
“You’re not helping, have a heart we’re all trying to get out of here!” Another, a woman in near hysterics, cried back. The way she spoke, her chest must have been heaving with the effort just to say those words.
Neva couldn’t stand it. Instead of patiently waiting for the people to move, she shoved her small frame against people, between them, slipping through as best as she was able. Never one to have felt claustrophobic before, she suddenly felt sympathy for those who did suffer from such a fear. It wasn’t pleasant and more than once, she felt herself jostled back or elbowed, in the ribs, the side of the head- more places than she could count.
Only when her feet hit the ground floor did relief flood through her. But like most things in such a situation of panic and uncertainty, it was fleeting.
Neva had exited the building to find the outside world in just as bad shape if not worse. If the gym leader was at all addressing anything, Neva wasn’t sticking around to find out. That meant trekking to another part of the city, and as it stood she didn’t have time to get there, then back to the subway. No, instead she turned and started to run as fast as her legs could carry her to the battle area, hoping to find the subway masters, hoping that they would have a better idea of what to do.
It was only then did she really begin to realize the desperation welling up in her chest. What if’s running through her head, the anxiety growing. Too many voices joining as well, shouts, fighting, yelling, crying- all of it became noise she wanted to ignore. They were all desperate people, facing an unknown threat, uncertain of what to do if Team Plasma advanced toward their city.
They should have all stood in solidarity, but it was evident that no one could find a way to, and she couldn’t bring herself to blame them. It was selfish, she knew, but in trying times, those closest came first.
Neva rounded the last corner to the subway/ Her sprint turned to a jog and then a slow walk as she took in greedy breaths. Wide eyed, she surveyed the crowd that had gathered. Employees, some familiar faces, stood just a little ways from them, trying to reassure and keep things in order.
As if they could manage that within all this chaos.
Neva’s feet finally dragged her forward again as she struggled through the sea of people. What a mess it was, all of her concerns now simply falling on if she fell, she might get trampled should something else happen. She shoved this to the back of her mind as she picked her way through, eyes flashing to those in front. That’s when she spotted a familiar face…
“Joseph!” Neva calls out, frantically pushing herself forward now to find the subway employee. Such a frequent battler within the system, she had gotten to know a few of those who worked within. Joseph had come to Unova from another region and they had become fast friends by chance. Their frequent chats and, at times, battles were always a delight to indulge in. Now, she was simply happy to see him here.
“Neva?” He calls back. The young man had tipped his head upward, his hat nearly falling back with the effort. He was dressed well for his job, as every employee of the subway system usually was, but there was no missing the concern etched on his features. “Neva, over here! Come on, I’ll get you inside!”
“What do you mean you’ll let her inside?!” Someone from the crowd shouted. Neva continued to push forward, hoping to get to Joseph before anyone began to protest. “We’ve been here waiting on answers, why does she get to just step over the rest of us?!”
“She’s family! Please, let her through” Joseph shouted back, a rare sound from the young man; Neva never heard him yell in the past. His words were a lie as well, but no one needed to know.
“Well there are families here too, one person shouldn’t get special treatment!” Someone else shouted.
Jaw clenched, the young woman tosses caution to the wind, pushing forward as she could. Too many eyes seemed to be on her, she felt every look, heard every complaint. A roar of voices joining as one. What a grating sound, one that became deafening. How did this place, usually so peaceful, become this? If there was an answer, she didn't have time to dwell upon it. Feeling a hand grab the strap of her bag, Neva was yanked back into a taller, burly man.
“Nah, I’m not okay with one person getting to go and the rest of us left here to what? Die if those bastards attack our city? No way.” Neva looked back, her breath catching in her throat. She began to fumble for one of her pokeballs; she wasn’t above threats this time.
The sound of a pokeball and the cry of a Cofagrigus resounds out, however, saving the potential battle at hand. “Let her go.” She hears Joseph demand, his large ghost pokemon towering in front of him. “I’m serious, let her go or I will make sure you regret your choice in coming here.” Neva swallowed thickly, her heart slamming against her chest as she glanced from the person who held her back to Joseph. To think they might have to resort to this…
But he doesn’t; he releases his grasp on her bag, a soft ‘tch’ resounding out as she sprints forward with little effort. Joseph reaches for her, grabbing hold of her forearm as he starts to usher her in. Cofagrigus was following close behind. “Try to keep the crowd as calm, I know it's a lot and we're already short staffed, but we can't let anyone else in...” He informed his fellow employees, several of which seemed just as rattled as the people surrounding the entrance of the subway, “I’ll be back as quickly as possible.”
The pair quickly made their way inside. Never before did Neva appreciate the cool air of the subway as she did in that moment. But just like outside, there were many people milling about, many angry or impatient with staff, surely trying to speed up whatever process they were met with.
Her gaze flickered between so many faces but she didn’t recognize any of them. All she saw was the emotions, how scared so many were, and how that fear took shape.
“Everyone is trying to get out.” Joseph finally explained as he led her to the back rooms. He already seemed to know who she was here to see, picking his way closer to the office the twins shared. It was noticeably empty now, paperwork left a mess as if Ingo had left quickly. “And the subways are backed up. I guess people think if they can get to the coast, and then take a ferry or boat, they can get out of the region before things go up in smoke.”
“You don’t really think they will?” Neva started to question, her gaze falling back onto the familiar friend. The way he frowned, a thin, tight thing already spoke volumes.
“I don’t know, but I don’t plan on taking any chances after my shift is over.” He pushes his way into the office, ignoring a pile of paperwork that fell to the floor when the door swung open. “As soon as I can, I’m taking whatever flying pokemon I have and we’re leaving. My family in Alola, I should be able to stay with them.” He turns to her then, grabbing both her forearms and offering a reassuring squeeze. “You should get out as soon as you can too.” He advises, leaving her shoulders to tense in response. “We could go together, at least that way you know you’d have a place to stay and ride this out.”
“I-...” Neva paused, her gaze drifting toward the empty chair. Ingo was absent, so was Emmet, and for some reason that made her feel worse. Nothing was familiar. Already, she missed seeing the two banter there, the younger bothering the older. Could she really just abandon them? Abandon him? “I don’t know…I-”
“I get it,” her eyes flicker back towards him as he lets go of her arms, “I know you wanna see Ingo or Emmet, and I get it, you’re worried about them. But you need to worry about you too.” Neva shuffles her weight awkwardly, listening to him puff out a sigh. “Have you been able to contact your parents at all?” She shakes her head. At this point, she wasn’t sure they were alive. “I see…Communication has been difficult lately so that’s not a surprise but really. I’m sure they’ll be fine, and you can try again while you wait here. No one wants to see you hurt, Neva, I’m sure many would agree with me. So let me know as soon as possible what your answer is, okay?”
He’s concerned, and it’s marred on his expression, but Neva can’t think of anything to say. She finally offers him a small nod. It already left enough to think about. To know it might get worse…She wasn’t prepared for the thought, much less what the future might hold.
“I’ll leave you here then. The bosses have been busy, mind you, so you might not see them for a while. But I’ll let’em know you’re here as soon as I see one of them, alright? Just sit down and try to relax.”
“Do I not look relaxed?” Neva asked almost sarcastically, a half hearted smile tugging at her lips.
Watching Joseph scoff in response, she already knows the answer. “You look like you’re going to cry. Now sit down, and be happy you’re not in any sort of shock.”
Funny that, despite his words, Neva started to feel exhaustion settle in her bones, but anxiety robbed the idea of rest. The pitied expression doesn’t go missed by her, and finally Neva does as she's told, sitting down in the nearby chair. Joseph finally departs leaving her alone with her thoughts. It’s only then does the weight of it all start to settle on her shoulders.
He wasn’t the only one worried about things getting worse. How many other cities or small towns would be under siege? How many numbers did Plasma have now? What technology? What kind of pokemon? Moreover, what would happen if the region fell under their control?
It was no wonder everyone was trying to get out, no wonder why panic rippled through the city so quickly. Everyone had a right to feel this way, and here Neva was only worried for a small group of people. How selfish that was.
A long sigh leaves her as she pulls out her Xtransceiver and tries to dial her parents once again…
—--- x —---
Minutes ticked by into hours, hours into what felt like an eternity. Neva had lost count of how many times she tried to call home. It was the only way she felt like things could be okay; if her mom picked up and gently reassured her. Every attempt was met with the same message. Eventually, the message was replaced by a dreadful silence.
She finally sat the Xtransceiver aside when her throat began to burn. Neva had wiped tears away as quickly as they had come, but it didn’t seem to stop them from flowing. What would crying do? It wouldn’t fix anything. Neva knew this but the emotion wouldn’t diminish. Along with her thoughts, the mounting worries, the weight of possibly abandoning her home, her parents, her loved ones- everyone, left a sudden crushing weight on her shoulders.
Could she really do this and not feel guilt?
That had been hours ago. Neva had eventually sat back down after pacing the room, closed her eyes, and fallen into a fitful, light sleep. She didn’t want to rouse from it, even if her dreams were plagued with the very worries that assaulted her during the waking outs, but the door clicked open and shut again, soft voices answering one another.
“Neva?” One spoke, a hand upon her shoulder trying to jostle her awake. “Neva, you need to wake up, now.” Accompanying the voice was the sound of rustling papers.
The noise eventually brought her back to the waking world. Blinking against the harshness of light, Neva glances upwards and finds Emmet’s tall figure above her. Her shoulders relaxed, she wanted relief to wash over her, but she studied his features. The usual smile is still there, however it’s tighter than she’s used to seeing, as if forced. His shoulders slumped a little, there is very little confidence in his stance; he appears simply exhausted.
But, despite this, he and his brother were safe, and she found some small blessing in that fact.
“Oh thank goodness you’re both okay.” The words come out of her mouth all at once. Knowing that even a few of her close relationships were alive and well, even if she couldn’t get in contact with her parents, was something to celebrate.
“As are you.” it’s Ingo who speaks next, his tone devoid of the usual pep. It seemed he’d given up on fixing towers of scattered papers, maybe finding the effort fruitless. Like his brother, however, he seemed just as tired. “Joseph informed us of what happened outside, we do apologize for not addressing it. The subway has been-”
“-a bit of a mess today.” Emmet finished for him, a short laugh leaving the younger twin. “We had no choice but to shut everything down until morning, everyone’s exhausted and at the end of their rope.”
So it hadn’t gotten any better…Despite that update, she at least knew the city was still standing. If it weren’t, they surely would have come to her far earlier, to evacuate if they could. It seemed quiet, as if Plasma hadn’t attacked at all.
If only that were true.
“Then…What happens now?” Neva dared ask. She almost wanted to hold her breath. The answer might not be one she wanted to hear or expect.
“We are trying to organize evacuation, but the likelihood of its success is very slim,” Ingo picks up once again, “from what little communication we have been able to get to other cities and gym leaders, nearly every city is under siege, though not taken entirely. Small towns haven’t been as lucky…From what we understand, it seems they’re attacking further out first, advancing as quickly as possible toward larger cities. They’re trying to box everyone in towards the middle of the region.”
“We worry they might have already covered many escape routes, the tunnels of the subway included.” Neva watches Emmet heave a sigh. He might have been smiling, but the stress the two bosses were under was clear as day. “It would only take a few Durant to do damage. If they’ve more, they could collapse tunnels. The disaster that would follow would be on our shoulders, thus we spent most of the day trying to reason with the masses.”
Reason- from what Neva had witnessed, she couldn’t believe any of that had gone well. The emotional labor both brothers, much less the bulk of their employees, would have had to go through in that one day was surely awful. What about tomorrow? Would any attack on the city be delayed long enough to even wonder so far ahead, Neva wondered.
Leaning back, a puff of air leaves her as she sank back down into the chair. From what they were telling her now, there was no easy way out of the city. If that were the case, would they stay and protect this place? Would there be any point in doing so?
Ingo clears his throat then, as if to draw the attention away from such bleak concerns. “Have you been able to contact anyone as of late?”
Neva slowly shook her head then, nodding toward the discarded Xtransceiver. “I spent most of the time waiting trying to call my mom, but I couldn't get through. Now there’s only dead silence any time I try.”
Silence fell upon the group once again. There was no jovial feeling here, only the somber figures of something familiar. Neva thought it might relieve her to have some idea of what to do next. Now she was simply torn as to what they could do.
It was almost torturous to wait and see what happened next…
“Neva.” It's Emmet who speaks up next, drawing her attention back from her thoughts. It was unusual, hearing his tone without any excitement or pep within it. His smile had slipped and for some reason, that alarmed her more than the forced grin. He’s quiet for a beat, as if hesitating, before he finally speaks again. “Joseph did inform us you were here, and I am happy you’ve come. But he also spoke of leaving as well and asked me to convince you to go.”
“Wait a minute…” Neva starts, her body physically leaning forward as if that would stop him from speaking. Emmet raises a hand however, silencing her just as quickly.
“I think you should.”
“Emmet…” Ingo spoke softly, sensing the immediate tension in the air. In truth, he likely didn’t need to feel it, the way Neva’s mouth hung open, how her shoulders tensed, her disbelief- it overtook her so quickly.
If he’d wanted to take the opportunity to defuse an impending argument, it was too little too late.
“What do you mean I should leave? What about my parents? How will I know they’re okay?” For all Neva knew, both were dead and she’d have left without the knowledge of knowing. But as that thought entered her head, she was onto the next. “What about you two, what are you going to do?”
“What we do isn’t for you to worry about right now.”
The words silenced. Neva recoils, her eyebrows knitting together, features tightening. It was as if a knife had been thrust into her chest, a stabbing pain far beyond what she would have expected. Her words caught in her throat. Swallowing thickly, Neva couldn’t force anything out. Her chest was tight, annoyance welling up.
Of all the things he could have said…
“Maybe this isn’t the best thing to discuss right now.” Ingo cautioned just as quickly. He was reasonable, a stickler for the safety of others at any point in time. Likely, Ingo agreed with his brother, but emotions were too easily flared.
“There might not be time later on…” Emmet argued, glancing toward his brother. “Will you let us speak alone? I think that might be best for right now, Ingo. It won’t be long. You’re tired as is, so it would be better…”
Neva noted Ingo was quiet, but eventually, she could hear his footsteps carry him to the door. It opened and then shut as the elder brother disappeared beyond it. With only Neva and Emmet left, she could not avoid this conversation, even if she wished to.
She wouldn’t give up so easily.
“So what do you intend to do?” Neva picked up the conversation first, her gaze falling downward. She was attempting to stay calm in this situation, but her hurt ran deep. She shouldn't have faulted him- how could he have known anything about her feelings…
“The plan is to stay as long as we can and defend the city, along with the gym leader.” Emmet answers shortly, his tone has yet to rise from it’s flatness from before. “We don’t know what will befa-”
“Then let me stay and help!” Neva shouts back. Looking up at him once again, the frown has remained. She wasn’t sure if she saw it correctly, but a flash of unease seemed to cross his features. If he wanted to speak again, she didn’t give him a moment. “You know how capable my pokemon are, and who I am as a trainer! I can help you both, I would be happier doing that than running away!”
Being forced to leave; it wasn’t an option on the table for her. Her fingers dug into the chair’s arms. Finally, she decided to rise to her feet when his response wasn’t immediate. She wanted, needed, to stand her ground on this if she was going to convince him.
In the end, it was her decision, wasn’t it?
“Do you really think so little of me?” Neva finally speaks again. She levels his gaze with his and finally, his own flickers away. If he disagreed with her, he’d yet to bring up another point to request her departure to another region. He’d yet to differ either. “This is my home too…How can I leave it and everyone I care about? For my own safety, but not theirs. Not yours.”
“Your safety is what I’m concerned most about, Neva…” he exhales deeply, finally speaking in a manner of exhaustion that she’d never heard before. “I wish I could simply say that I could ensure your protection here so you could aid, but I would rather know you are tucked away in another region, where this conflict can’t reach you.”
“Don’t patronize me, Emmet, I don’t need protecting.” Neva barks the words back harsher than she intended. She lowers her gaze. He’d flinched, hurt overtaking his features. “I’m sorry I just…” ‘I don’t want to lose you…’ The words go unsaid as she swallows a lump in her throat. She reaches up to her eyes, wiping away tears that started to well up. If she let them fall now, she knew they wouldn’t stop.
“Please, I need you to understand, Neva…” Emmet finally spoke up again. Her gaze was still cast elsewhere, but he still reached out, wiping tears away that did manage to stream down her cheeks.
Fingers brushing past her cheek, Neva exhales a shaky breath. Without a second thought, rushes into him. Arms wrapping around his thin frame, Neva buries her face into his chest. She did not wail into him but her frame shook. Trying to keep herself together the entire day, with so much uncertainty over her head; Neva finally began to unravel.
She hated this, hated the thought of leaving, hated that this was happening. Knowing there was nothing that Neva could do to help or stop it- that alone was all the worse. She held onto him tighter, as if he’d disappeared. Crying into him wouldn’t help, but it did make her feel a little better with time.
His arms envelop her firmly. For the first time that day, she did feel truly safe pressed against him. Emmet steadies her, anchors her to their reality, and despite all of her emotion or fear, she savored his warmth. She feels him stroke her hair softly, until she calms. Even when she felt herself stop shaking, she didn’t want to let go. Her fingers dug into the back of his coat, and she buried her face deeper into the fabric of his shirt.
“I love you…” She mutters, the sound of her words muffled against him. It was intentional. Neva wasn’t sure she wanted him to hear, afraid he might not feel the same.
But he had heard. She feels him lean forward a tad. “Pardon?”
“I said…” Neva was a little louder, but she could feel her face begin to warm. Her ears burned at the thought of what she would say again. This was too much, but if the worst came to pass, she’d rather him know now than never. “I love you.”
Met with silence, Neva pulls back slightly, or as much as he allowed. She swiped at her eyes, which felt itchy, irritated after the tears. Downcast gaze, Neva cleared her throat. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever say it,” she speaks slowly, as the silence that had followed made her regret the words, “you don’t have to accept those feelings. I figured it’d be better to say it now than never.”
The silence follows. Neva’s eyes flicker up to gaze at his face, but before she could really see the expression marred there, she’s yanked into a crushing hug. An ‘oof’ leaves her as she wraps her arms around his middle again, trying to steady herself. “E-Emmet?” His name comes out in a confused squeak. She wasn’t sure what to feel first, the butterflies dancing in her stomach, or simple bafflement from how quickly the air had changed.
Neither could be dwelled on as he pulls her back, hands firmly gripping her forearms before he’s leaned down to her level. Without so much as a warning, he’s peppered kisses on her face. No place was safe, her forehead, cheeks, light brushes against her nose and jaw.
Neva took hold of his hand, blinking up at him owlishly when he finally pulled back. The smile had returned. It was no longer forced or tight. One that was far more genuine lined his lips, a dusting of pink against his pale cheeks. Her own suddenly felt hot when she realized just what had happened.
“W-wha?” All attempts not to stammer had failed. She couldn’t help it. She’d half expected that he’d simply reject those feelings, send her off as a good friend, but here she found the opposite. As that settled in a little more, Neva dipped her head, embarrassed.
“I do believe that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day!” Emmet professed, sounding gleeful for the first time since he’d entered the room. He finally releases his grip on her arms, both hands cupping her cheeks and squishing her face slightly. “I worried I was reading all these signs wrong, yet here we are. The time could be, well…Happier, but as you said. It’s better to know now.”
“So you mean…”
“I do love you, Neva, and I have for some time.” Her heart was aflutter when he spoke. All of that worrying was done for nothing, and now, despite the confession, it might be too late. “But I still believe it is best that you leave this region while you have the chance.” Emmet withdrew one hand, though the other reminded, cupping her cheek gently. The smile remained, but a flicker of remorse there and gone in a flash. All good news held a price in the end.
Neva deflated a little at that. Reaching up, she took his hand into herself, squeezing it tightly. Deep down, he was right- she knew that. It was the parting, the unknown, that terrified her. If Unova was ever safe again, and she came home, would he be there to greet her? Would anyone she loved be there?
She blinked back tears again, her chest heaving. “Please don’t cry, Neva.” Emmet began, leaning forward ever so slightly. His forehead came to rest upon her own, the hat that usually sat upon his head falling behind him. An arm snaked around her waist, keeping her close against him. “It won’t be goodbye forever, I’ll be here when you come home, I promise! But you have to do me one favor as you go.”
“W-what is it?” She was almost fearful to ask. The tears rolled down her cheeks once again. He’s quick to wipe them away with his free hand, leaning in once more to peak her lips. She wanted to relish in it, craved being close to him, wanting to remember what it felt like to hold him. His comfort would ease the parting, if only for a little bit, and all she could do was honor whatever his request was.
“Remember to smile for me when you go. Smile when you settle into a safer place. If you’re smiling for me, I’ll manage through the parting, and the danger, just fine.”
It sounded simple. If everything was normal, she might have been able to honor it without trouble, but she had her doubts now. In a single night, Neva had experienced terror and uncertainty; fear of parting and the warmth of admitted love. To smile in the face of adversity, in the face of the unknown; that seemed like such an impossible feat.
But as she pulls back, staring up into his gray eyes, memorizing every little feature of his face, Neva finally resigns herself. So he wouldn’t fret over her safety, Neva would go. She dips her head gently, a small smile tugging at her lips. When a laugh leaves her, there’s a lightness within the sound.
“You drive a hard bargain, Emmet.” Neva answers, quickly wiping away tears before more spilled over.
“I am known to, but I think you’ll manage just fine, Neva. Don’t worry, this will be over before we all know it. You’ll be home again soon.”
“Until then…” Neva murmured in return, leaning in to catch his lips with her own. Sweet and gentle, yet fueled by an impending separation. She’d remember that kiss, how she felt enveloped safely in his arms. ’I’ll keep smiling for you…’