The soft glow of perfection seemed to settle over them again, blanketing the pair in the golden haze that seems to shroud memories untouched by the troubles of the world.
Magnus wanted to close his eyes, to open his heart completely and live in the beauty and wonder of the moment. But he also wanted to drink in every detail, to etch this moment into his soul as evidence of the goodness and enchantment that comes from love.
He knew all too well how quickly things could change, and how much pain and sorrow could also come from love. He knew all too well that with brilliant sunlight comes deep, dark shadows.
And he knew there were dark days ahead. That's the way it worked.
Thoughts of Zita rushed back, but he pushed them away again. He couldn't deal with that right now, not in public - even with the glamour he'd (barely) managed to maintain. Moreover, he couldn't let the anguish of her loss corrupt the joy he now felt.
His mind moved on, wandering next to Eularia's question. Did it bother him that she loved them both? Part of his mind railed at the idea that he wasn't enough, that she'd need something that he couldn't provide better. But...that's not the way love works. That's not the way life works. Did it bother him that she loved them both? No. Because he loved her, and loving her meant not only accepting every bit the heart that she could give, but understanding there were also parts that belonged to other people. She wasn't his possession, and he'd never forgive himself if he made her feel like what she was wasn't enough for him.
His earlier words echoed in his thoughts. "The thing I want most in all of Thedas is to spend the rest of my life by your side." It wasn't true. The thing he wanted most was for her to be happy. He only hoped that she needed him by her side for that to happen.
Magnus wanted to close his eyes, to open his heart completely and live in the beauty and wonder of the moment. But he also wanted to drink in every detail, to etch this moment into his soul as evidence of the goodness and enchantment that comes from love.
He knew all too well how quickly things could change, and how much pain and sorrow could also come from love. He knew all too well that with brilliant sunlight comes deep, dark shadows.
And he knew there were dark days ahead. That's the way it worked.
Thoughts of Zita rushed back, but he pushed them away again. He couldn't deal with that right now, not in public - even with the glamour he'd (barely) managed to maintain. Moreover, he couldn't let the anguish of her loss corrupt the joy he now felt.
His mind moved on, wandering next to Eularia's question. Did it bother him that she loved them both? Part of his mind railed at the idea that he wasn't enough, that she'd need something that he couldn't provide better. But...that's not the way love works. That's not the way life works. Did it bother him that she loved them both? No. Because he loved her, and loving her meant not only accepting every bit the heart that she could give, but understanding there were also parts that belonged to other people. She wasn't his possession, and he'd never forgive himself if he made her feel like what she was wasn't enough for him.
His earlier words echoed in his thoughts. "The thing I want most in all of Thedas is to spend the rest of my life by your side." It wasn't true. The thing he wanted most was for her to be happy. He only hoped that she needed him by her side for that to happen.
03-23-2023, 03:43 PM
