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| SO FRAGILE TONIGHT by Wren <<< Part 1 PART 2 Cyd threw on a pair of jeans, a black turtleneck, and her heaviest jacket. James, who was still wearing his clothes from last night, threw on his coat and they both departed, holding each other's hand. As they reached the pond in the park, the rain cleared up and it was merely cloudy. They took their places in front of the pond and Cyd stared catatonically at the ducks passing by. James tries to nudge Cyd out of her catatonic state, but thoughts weighed heavily upon her weary mind. So heavily that it was as though there was a deep set lock keeping those thoughts in place. The lock was so buried in her soul that it seemingly just couldn't be unearthed. After a moment, James cuddled her close. "No need to say anything, love. I can feel it." He gently kisses her forehead. Suddenly, she felt something break inside her. She stumbled down, despite James' attempt to keep her upright. She crawled towards the pond as if someone was beckoning her. She couldn't hear James screaming her name behind her. The ducks scatter away as she approaches the water. James finally succeeds at catching her and holding her as if she was over the edge of a cliff. She suddenly loses all inhibitions and cries as James slowly kneels down with her. She wails as if age regression had taken place. Once a shell of mere existence moments before, it was as if her soul had been replaced with that of a child who had just witnessed her beloved dog meet his end in the form of the front of a school bus. Symbols of a healthy childhood clashing to create a horrible irony was quite heart-wrenching. She wailed until she heaved as James tried desperately to calm her down. She finally rested on his lap, her eyes red and drained of life, as James tenderly stroked her hair, wiping away her tears. This was one of those moments where he felt so powerless, disabled of the ability to stay strong. He fought his forming tears immensely, though his frustration grew and his spirit was crushing increasingly. He sees the failing spirit that remained of Cyd and understood that death turned people this way in mourning. He understood that perhaps this is what she needed to do now. There are moments in grief when people surrender themselves to the decedent, to let them own their mortality for a moment. As to how long it takes, it could vary. He would let Ana take Cyd's soul for now. James suddenly remembered nights of crying alone, with an empty bottle of Jameson's in one hand, a half empty pack of Marlboro Lights in another. He pondered while holding Cyd, soothing her with his gentle touch. "You think you're able to walk now, love?" James held her chin up with his index finger and thumb. Cyd nodded weakly and James propped her up. She was still trembling. They walked home without saying a word, only thinking. James held Cyd's hand with another arm around her waist to keep her from falling. She'd lost the spirit of a heartbroken child and remained lifeless. "Please, love. Try to drink this." James places a cup of tea in Cyd's trembling hands. She moves the cup to her lips as he drapes a blanket around her shoulders and turned on he TV. Cyd paid more attention to her tea. James fixed her a bowl of chicken soup which she ate ravenously. James smiles as Cyd reclines back on the couch, and in turn makes room for himself, resting Cyd on his lap as he plays a DVD Cyd had in her player for a few days. It wasn't important what the movie was, only for something to break the painful silence. She shuddered under the blanket, burying her face in James' warm chest. Three hours later, the forlorn Cyd woke up, without realizing she fell asleep in the first place. James was not one to disturb a sleeping young woman, especially one as tormented. So he'd been playing the same movie over and over for her sake. "Well, Cyd. You've eaten and slept since. I'd say that was progress." James says as he strokes her hair. She murmurs something unintelligible and rubs her face against his jawline. She pulls her face up to gaze deeply and lovingly into James' eyes. She moves one hand up to caress his beardy chin. "I do love you." She whispers, her voice like gravel. "I love you too, Cyd." James says softly. "I love you for everything." She squeaks. "Cydni, love." James moves her hair out of her face, holding her chin up. "No need to tell me this now." "But I want to. I want you to know how much you've meant to me all the time we've been friends, but I was so scared of you!" "Oh love!" James laughs. "How could you have been afraid of me? You scared the hell out of me frequently!" "But you made me feel so dumb sometimes! I didn't think we'd ever get past toleration!" "Tolerance, love." James corrected as Cyd smirked. "Besides, I've been afraid of you for years until this moment. You'd always seemed like the kind of girl who could take me on in a fight, what with what you did to the last guy that tried to have his way with Ana." Cyd laughs. "Oh, she told you about that, huh?" "You were lucky no one pressed charges!" "Seriously, James. Would you? I could see it. 'Officer, this lady who I'm twice the size of beat the shit out of me.'" You both laugh gently remembering. "But yeah, Cyd." James continues. "How you've appeared...You hurt like I do, and I want to do everything in my power to make you happy. I've always felt like that. I always understood there was a sadness behind that tough-as-nails exterior, but I wasn't about to go up to you and be kindalike, y'know 'Cyd! Let me love you!'" (ed - It's not a James fanfic without the ol' Wamesy stammer.) Cyd bursts out laughing for a brief moment, then gazes in his eyes as he gazes into hers. They hold each other very tight, deeply and passionately kissing. It seems to go on for an eternity or two before they come up for air, gaze into each other's eyes, now filled to the brim with long, repressed love now surfacing. They return to kissing madly as they continue holding each other tight, with no intention of letting go. "I don't even want to think about how this would have gone had I been alone, James." Cyd proclaimed. "I don't ever want you thinking about being alone ever again." James says in an extremely promising tone as he pulls Cyd closer. She looks at James and for the first time in days, she had a sparkle of hope and mischief in her eyes. "I've missed you, love." James smiles. 12:14 AM, Friday. THE END <<< Wren's stories |