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The ballroom was empty, as it had been for as long as Jean could remember. She stared blankly at the closed curtains, barely open to let the moonlight peek into the poorly lit hall. A silence broken only by the soft wind ruffling the white feathers in Jean's dress and the beautiful, lilac coloured bouquet she held, mindlessly fiddling with her hands, mumbling to herself the words to a song she could barely remember after all those long years. She looked back anxiously, before fixing her hair with her hand, looking into a full-length mirror on the opposite side of the hall. It had to be perfect. Just today.
— Darling?
A soft voice spoke, nearly whispered, from behind Jean; Lisa. She wore the most stunning, delicate purple gown Jean had ever seen. Her eyes lit up as she fully turned her body into her lover’s direction, smiling gently.
— Lisa, my love… You- you look beautiful! — she stuttered, blushing.
Lisa laughed softly as she slowly walked towards Jean, holding her vacant hand tenderly.
— You, too, look absolutely stunning, Jean. — The blonde looked down into her own hands as she handed the bouquet to Lisa, who held Jean’s hand along with it. Both looked down before looking up into each other’s eyes, gaze so deeply enamored as it had been so many years prior.
Jean opened her mouth, but stuttered as the first syllable attempted to come out, and Lisa softly shushed her, smiling. She held the bouquet in her own hands now, brought it closer to her face and smelled it, the aroma bringing back the memories of their very first date. Her eyes squinted as her smile got wider; Jean shyly tilted her head, smiling, as Lisa now positioned the bouquet over a counter. In one swish movement, she turned on a record player, a soft melody started to play as she pulled the other closer.
— It has been far too long since we’ve met like this, my love. I’ve missed this…
Lisa held Jean’s waist, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear before caressing her cheek.
— Lisa, I’m so deeply sorry for-
— Shh… Don’t apologize, my dear. Let us enjoy this moment, without any past regrets. We’re here now, and that is all that matters. Now.
Jean’s preoccupied expressions softened into a relieved one, both her arms now tightly holding Lisa’s waist close to her own.
— Yes, you’re right, love. I, too, am glad to share this moment with you now. To cherish a date like this with you, after so many years… I hope I didn’t make you wait too long for this.
Lisa sighed, laughing innocently. Jean is too sweet. She took a step backwards and put her hand out, shifting her gaze - and consequently, Jean’s - to her palm, before looking lovingly into her lover’s eyes, inviting her for a dance. Jean takes Lisa’s hands, and as their bodies approach each other, their eyes meet.
It felt just like their first time all over again.
Lisa nodded gently, reassuring an oddly nervous Jean, before taking the first step, following the sweet melody that brought them so many memories, unintentionally buried throughout the years. They start to pick up, finding the rhythm to their love all over again.
They had both grown. Changed. And the current moment served as unambiguous proof that, despite time, they would always be that which they once were. Two souls so deeply in love, bound to cross paths and become what they did. Jean and Lisa were meant to be. Soulmates.
Lost in thought, Jean stumbles over her own feet, losing balance. Lisa holds her tightly, reassuring her by caressing Jean’s back.
— Sorry, I-
— PLease don’t apologize dear.
They regain composure, Lisa staring into Jean’s eyes, although the blonde doesn’t reciprocate it; her gaze downwards, embarrassed.
— It seems I have forgotten… It all feels so distant today… I’m so sorry.
Lisa caresses Jean’s cheek before tilting her chin upwards, Jean still reluctant to look back into her lover’s eyes.
— Jean… Don’t bash yourself. You know it could not have been any different. And it’s not your fault you couldn’t change it. Don’t blame yourself for the circumstances.
— Lisa, I-... I should have been there more. I should have made time for us- for you… I love you so much and could never forgive myself for all the lost time. — Jean’s eyes start to water and her voice cracks; her throat feels hot as she holds back tears.
— You did everything you could, darling. Your whole life, you have been there for this nation and its people, I could never resent you for doing what you were meant to do.
— And for what? I couldn’t beat the abyss order, I couldn’t avoid Stormterror’s lair being taken away by those monsters… I couldn’t save you… — she adds, reluctant, barely louder than a whisper.
— Jean, you did save me. Spending my life by your side was the best thing that could have ever happened to me, and even if you think we didn’t have enough time, to me it will always be the most important thing you could have done. If I had to choose, I would relive every single moment with you again. So, in every sense of the word, you saved me. And I will always be grateful for that. I love you, so, so much. I always have. And I will keep loving you. — Lisa spoke so surely but so softly, every single word couldn’t have come from anywhere besides the deepest parts of her heart, as sincere as anyone could ever be. Jean’s choked up tears now had turned into sobs, as she hid her face deep into Lisa’s neck, the latter holding the former close to her and caressing her hair.
— I love you so much it hurts… — Jean’s words are muffled by Lisa’s skin.
— I know. And I love you with every inch of my body.
…
— Please don’t go… I still need you…