#earthrunes

"August..." she says quietly after a while, "...would you find a place to park where we can talk for a bit? Please?"

"Of course." Softly, and he does. He says the hand brake and turns the car off. Around them, the county park rustles quietly.

((Paused))

A long, quiet moment as they listen to the sounds around them. "August...." Coradel murmurs. "I didn't mean to interfere with you two."

He looks at her, surprised. "I.. I don't think she would have told me what is wrong if you had not. And the two of you are lovers so... "

"Yes...but...she was your lover, first. I didn't mean for...this...to happen." A worried look to him.

"I know." Gently.

She watches his face. "Are you okay?"

August thinks about it, nods. "I will miss her but.. I just hope we can stay friends. Are -you- ok?"

It's her turn to think about it. "I'm troubled about it. I...really didn't realize what was happening for her."

August nods, listening.

"It may not be what she thinks. It may be...infatuation? But...if it is...oh, August, I don't want to hurt her!"

He nods. "I am sure she does not want to hurt or be hurt."

She nods, frowning as she looks out the windshield. "I know we can make it work. I'm sure of it. I'm sure we...don't have to lose her."

August looks sad, and unconvinced.

She turns to catch his look...and looks down, pouting.

"I don't want you to lose her, either." He tries to mitigate his telling expression while -not- giving her court-blank face. "If that's the question... I am willing to take myself out of the equation. If it will keep our friendship."

"August...no! She was your fantasy, your desire. I enjoy Leonora, I do, and I hope to keep our friendship as well...but if it means you cannot be with her, then it's best if neither of us are."

August is quiet a moment. "I'm just saying... I guess fantasies, desires, can change. And if you want her, now, I wouldn't stand in the way."

"They can change. Absolutely. But...oh, August, I don't know now. I don't want to hurt her...but I'm fairly certain that the kind of feeling she's talking about? I don't have that for her. I have it for you. And if that's what she's describing...." She shakes her head. "Maybe...maybe we can't...." Then she stops and frowns. "No. I'm not going to decide anything. Not yet. I want to wait and see what she says." Then she looks at him. "Are you sure you're all right?"

He nods. "She said she was afraid for -you-, not me. I've never really understood -how- Fiona can't feel fear but.... I can understand being afraid for the ones you love."

She sighs and looks out the windshield again. After a moment, she reaches for his hand.

He takes her hand, palm warm.

A grateful squeeze, and she just sits with him for several minutes.

August, as a certain sluagh would know, is ok with silence.

Coradel isn't as okay with silence, but she's learned companionable quiet with him, and especially how comforting it can be.

After a time, she leans over to press a soft, gentle kiss to his lips.

He accepts it, kissing her back. Then he watches her with a question in his soft grey eyes.

She looks sad and somewhat resigned. "We should go back," she murmurs.

"As you wish." He whispers, but doesn't start the car yet. "I wish I could lift that look from you."

A hint of a fond smile peeks through briefly. "I...I know. I just don't know what to do, and I hate not knowing what to do."

"I don't think anyone does. But the thing is.... there isn't anything for you to do. Anything you did would be counterproductive." Earnestly.

"I know. And that's annoying." She's serious, but her pout may undermine.

A sad smile and he traces her cheek with his fingertips before turning to start the car. "I'll get you back to EarthRunes."

"Tomorrow we'll go furniture shopping."

She tilts her head into the touch before he takes his hand away. "Yes. I'd like that."

He nods and takes them home.