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“We had a good run.” He chuckled as he turned to Roxana. “Don’t you think so? At least you wouldn’t need to worry about me dying in the field anymore.” Despite the jovial delivery, the tears in his eyes corroded the facade quite quickly.
“Reginald…” She turned to him, eyes also brimming with tears. The sight of the resigned denial in his slumped shoulders created an illusion that it was carrying the world. (She’s not far off. He does feel like he’s carrying the weight of his world changing permanently, never becoming whom he wished to remain as.)
“We can’t… Well, I don’t think I have anywhere else to go. As much as the agency would be willing to help me build up my life, you know I can’t do that, Roxana. The agency’s been my life since… well, since forever. I can’t imagine a life away from the agency. You know that.”
Reginald looked out, noting the skyline as he leaned onto the railing as she leaned close, yet distantly amazed at his fearlessness.
The wind whispered to them under the sight of midday sun, flushing their cheeks from the heat. It was enough to disguise the glistening eyes on Reginald’s face as the reality cruelly made itself known to him once again.
“I find this incredibly unfair.” He mumbled, bitterness lacing his voice, only for the resentment to melt under her touch. “Roxy…”
“Reggie, look. It’s fine. You can cry.” She averted her gaze as she stepped closer to him, slowly enveloping him within her arms. “You… well, you’ve lost… your life. Your heart’s been ripped out.”
His flinch soon gave way to his arms wrapping around her, face burying in her shoulder as he quivered from the amount of tears he’d been holding back.
Her warm embrace soon contrasted with the fervid wind that caused tiny wisps of his hair to poke and prod his skin, causing him to dive deeper into the sensation.
Roxana looked lost, feeling his shaking as he started pouring his heart out for the life he’d lost. The retching as he chased after his breath stabbed at her as guilt over the once careless words she muttered while fussing over some broken tools he’d left behind during a mission finally seemed to come to fruition, in the way she never wanted.
Her hands awkwardly patted his back as the way he clung to her was far from the field agent who barely bothers to linger around, off to the next adventure. Yet, now that he’d landed here with her, it felt hollow as his feathers were plucked.
He wasn’t staying because he wanted to. He’s here because he had nowhere else to go. Was there really trust when one does not have the option to leave? His wings have been clipped, leaving him lost. Was she the option he’s settling with because she’s all he has left? Or is he staying because she is what stability looks like to him.
“I’ll become a handler soon. After I get the clear, I’ll go into training immediately.” He whispered to her. At least, I get to see you more often. And I’m really glad for that. I like seeing you and being with you.”