"How does it feel?" a sweet voice asked.
"It feels great," the young man replied, lying flat with his head resting in the girl's lap.
She smiled, her fingers combing lazily through his soft, pink hair like it was the most precious silk she'd ever touched.
"You know I love you, right, El?" she asked, so casually.
The young man's eyes fluttered open. He looked straight at her, sensing something was wrong .
He reached up and cupped her cheeks with both hands, holding her as if she might vanish if he didn't.
"What's wrong?" he asked seriously, brows drawn tight.
Her smile didn't falter, but something in her gaze sharpened.
"…We'll have to be apart for a while," she said gently.
"I understand that. But… why do you sound like I won't be seeing you again?" he asked. His voice had dipped lower now—wary.
She leaned down, pressing her forehead to his. Her hands slipped around his, warm and firm.
"It's nothing," she said. "I just want you to remember—you can't love anyone else."
