Title: even though
Rating: G
Fandom: Heart of the Woods
Relationship: Tara Bryck/Morgan Fischer
Wordcount: 290
Short summary: Morgan has a moment of doubt, but Tara makes everything alright.
Partly sunny, temperatures in the high 10s Celsius, wind minimal. The park right now is full of people including couples just like them, wearing casual clothes, holding hands. And yet…
“Wanna chill in the shade?”
Morgan realized she’s been squinting. Even though it’s not particularly sunny. Tara squeezes her hand in reassurance, even if Morgan’s problem is not the sun. Far from it.
“Tara…”
Morgan allows Tara to pull her aside, outside the walking paths, to somewhere more hidden. She knows what her problem is. Even though there is no one here who would bother to gossip about them, because there’s no one to tell. Even though there are no punishments awaiting her for having short hair, wearing minimal make-up, dressing in an old T-shirt that isn’t actually hers. Even though there are no visible sigs of what she used to be, the scars are…
“I don’t look good, right?”
Tara scoffs. “That’s ridiculous. You look more radiant than ever.”
And with comical timing, the sun disappears behind clouds, leaving Morgan’s doubtful expression even darker. Radiant? That’s certainly a word choice.
“Like this?” With her free hand, Morgan sweeps from top to bottom, indicating her whole body. Her whole being.
“Yeah.” Tara grins. “Because happiness looks good on you.”
Morgan swallows a lump in her throat as sudden emotions hit. Tara’s not referring to Morgan being happy right this second, but rather… Even on this beautiful day, when the doubts suddenly hit, the scars itch… Tara is here, the balm that soothes her, that keeps helping her heal…
Words can’t express everything Morgan feels properly, so instead she conveys it all by leaning in for a kiss. And when Tara’s hand touches the back of her neck, bare and free…