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“I’ve seen a wonderful sight with a bright glow. You are my sea, you are my sunshine; the star, the moon.”
- Light; wave to earth
The sensation of the cold sand on her bare feet felt relaxing. A low sigh left her mouth, and the creeping sounds of the waters brought serenity to her soul.
A small otter played with a shell next to the lake shore where Navia stood. It was uncommon to see those friendly swimmers around that area. Lowering herself to its level, she gently coaxed the animal to come closer. Her fingers ran through its wet fur.
“Are you lost, little one?” She whispered and chuckled when it played with a shell.
“I also am.” Her eyes carried a sadness love never meant to bring to one’s heart. “Everything is so confusing.” She sighed once more, gazing upon the otter. It had white and blue fur. Why did everything remind her of him?
“I am stupidly in love, little one.”
After three years, she freed her heart from the chains of resentment she had carried towards him, yet she hadn’t expected another kind of feeling — lighter but still tightening her chest — to grow in its place.
Moving even closer, the animal waddled to her and leaned on her leg. It held the shell against it. She smiled and took its paw in her hand. It looked at her with its wide and curious eyes.
“I think I have to try, no?” She stroked the small forepaw. “At least to let him know...”
She stood and the otter slipped back into the lake. Navia followed, letting the cold-water wash over her feet.
“You’ll never know if you never try.” The voice of the former archon echoed in her mind.
What result would stay silent have? Would the stormy clouds above her head dissipate if she continued to ignore the way her heartbeat increased when he was around?
“Maybe I should go look for him now.” She whispered. “But it’s quite late, isn’t it? Ah, I don’t want to wait any longer. Not anymore.” She sighed, gently combing her curls with her fingers.
“Miss Navia?”
How could a voice cause one’s skin to shiver like that?
Her eyes turned to him and then, silence settled between them. Their hair danced with the wind. His hand gripped around the paper. Now that she was in front of him, his feet didn’t obey.
“Neuvillette? What brings you here?”
She wore calmness while the waves of the sea inside of him crashed against his chest. He was nervous, fairly. Though, he didn’t know she also wandered under a storm.
“I was looking for you.”
Yet, he talked calmly, not letting his nerves get the better of him.
“Me? Is everything alright?”
“Yes. I...” He took a shaky breath and glanced down at paper in his hand. All the courage seemed to be swept away by the wind, and again, his body seemed to disobey him.
But coming this far, only to let fear dominate my actions?
“I wanted to give you this.” He handed the paper to her.
There is no turning back now. Good.
She looked at the paper, then at him. Ah, those eyes. They seemed to carry the whole ocean, deep, buried with secrets she wanted to unveil.
“This is...?” Navia moved closer and took the paper from him. As she was about to unfold it, he stopped her, holding her wrists gently, yet the movement was slightly abrupt, making her eyes widen.
“You don’t have to read it now.”
“Why do I feel like I should?” She whispered, feeling the warmth under his palm.
Again, silence. Only their eyes spoke as they gazed into each other’s. It was only a matter of time until the small otter, long forgotten about, stood between them, still holding the shell, like it was the most precious thing it had.
The tension slowly faded, and both looked at the animal.
“An otter here?”
“Yeah, I thought the same too.” Navia smiled and then looked at him again. “It looks like you.”
He chuckled and, realising he’d been holding her wrists for too long, he stepped back.
“Apologies.”
“It’s okay.” She looked at the paper again. “Can I really not read it now?”
He didn’t respond right away. When he thought about finding her and deliver her the letter, Neuvillette didn’t consider being present while she read it. Noticing his silence, a low chuckle left her mouth. Their eyes met again, and their heart raced in one beat.
“I was also going to look for you.”
“Me? What for?”
“I had something to confess.”
His throat suddenly felt dry. The sight of her cheeks slightly red. This is too good to be true.
“Does a confession also lie in these written words?” Her fingertips traced over the folded paper. “Or am I being too hopeful?”
He smiled, running his fingers through his hair. “Perhaps.” He whispered, and she chuckled.
“Then, don’t let me linger in my imagination any longer.” She unfolded the paper and this time, Neuvillette didn’t stop her.
He gave her a moment to read; to absorb the words he had poured his heart out to write. The world seemed to freeze, and after that illusion of eternity, she looked at him, flushed, smiling.
To think that all this time, feelings were mutual.
Navia’s body leapt towards his, her arms wrapped around his neck. At first, Neuvillette gasped, surprised, still processing. Never had he expected such reaction from the one who took his heart. Yet, her embrace felt like lying in clouds; like diving into the ocean without losing your breath. His arms came around her waist, drawing her fully against him.
“I also adore you.” She whispered. “I love you.”
I love you.
Archons, what those words, so simple yet deep and filled with affection, caused to his heart.
“I do too. I love you.” He whispered, hugging her even tighter.
In that moment of silence and love, that small swimmer, who had been gliding over the surface of the waters, came towards them once more, then slipped into the lake.
“I think it is inviting us to swim.” Navia said and, burying the letter on the sand, she pulled him toward the lake, where the otter played.
“Are you certain this is a good idea?” He said, slightly flushed, enjoying her hand on his.
“It will be fun!” She smiled and let herself merge with the water. Neuvillette, yet hesitant at first, ended up following her after removing his shoes.
They dove together, the cool water closed around them, as if guarding their secret moment. His hands cupped her face and her fingers rested lightly on his shoulder. And, with the small otter and the waters as witnesses, they shared the first kiss of many.
His hand slowly slid down to her waist, bringing her closer to his body. Navia felt so safe in his arms and dove right in in that sea that once seemed so difficult to navigate.
Then, the starry sky didn’t feel so distant, even being in the bottom of the lake.