Work Text:
There's the tree! Oh my gosh. It's enormous.
It must still be alive, since it can exist in any element.
The flowers are all closed.
Oh, please, Wade, take me close to one.
There! Yes! There's one…
!?
It's…opening!
This dream I've always had. To see one before my eyes.
And…
They're all opening! My heat and light must be doing it!
Ahhh! Glory!
I remember what I thought as a child: 'This tree can thrive in any environment. We can all see it, together. The whole world can join and enjoy it.'
Oh, that vision. I loved the tree because of that vision. And then…
…no…
…that pain…
…those people, being so mean to Àshfá…and how hurt he was, and so angry…
…I was terrified, to see something that would threaten Àshfá, who was always so strong…
…and what I didn't notice was that my beautiful dream got lost in that moment…the dream of everyone being together…seeing the vivisteria…
I did not cry. That day, that night. Ever.
I was too shocked to cry. Too scared.
To cry…would bring the dream close again…and then watch it being crushed. No…
So I forgot about the dream for a long time.
Until you came.
And now it is on my mind all the time.
The exhibit. My excitement. My dream. What happened. How beautiful I still think it is, even though the world put up all sorts of barriers around it.
Here I am—Fire. Inside a bubble of Air. Being guided by Water. Looking at a tree: Earth.
My dream! Of all the elements together. It's happening, at least just this once.
I have tears in my eyes once again.
This time from joy.
What are you doing to me?
It feels wonderful…but it scares me.
I feel like I'm not supposed to have anything this wonderful.
Why are you showing me this beautiful vision…that I can't have?
Part of me wishes I'd never met you…so I could just remain safe in Firetown at the shop and never think about things as beautiful as this.
'Follow my heart'? My heart wants to go two places: to my parents, who have given their all for me; and with you, Wade, wherever you are, you dear miracle, though I can't even touch you.
So my heart wants to tear itself in two…and it hurts.
But while we are here together, I don't have to choose. Yet.
So please...just let this moment last forever...