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Something that closely resembled a laugh escaped him when Veronica noted the party and its lack thereof. “No, not after we left there wasn’t,” Justin noted playfully, a comment far from the truth that entailed sympathetic faces, words of condolences and grand bouquets. He knew that the next few months would probably look like that, if not years. He had become the son of a dead parent, and with that came the endless urge from others to help him, to offer advice and comfort - all of which he didn’t want. Didn’t need.
But with Veronica it didn’t feel like that. With her, Justin hadn’t felt the need to heavily acknowledge the nature of today, nor talk about his feelings. Her eyes weren’t filled with the pity that he dreaded to see. It made him feel comfortable, enough to even make jest of the situation without worrying it would cause awkwardness. So when she extended her offer for future moments away, Justin nodded his head genuinely. “Careful, I may take you up on that,” He told her lightheartedly. “Hope there’s the room on your roof too, then.”
What he expected next for them to head back down the stairs, putting an end to this unconventional day. But before they could, Veronica pointed out that Justin still owed her a grand finale. Now that did sound like something he might have said… without thinking that a future Justin would actually have to act on his words.
Justin let the moment of silence linger, to leave her wondering what this supposed big move would be. The flowers gifted to their family today had truly piled up, the overflow of which being taken upstairs to whatever surface that could hold them. Careful in his movements, Justin advanced to one of the filled vases next to them, his fingers brushing lightly over the delicate petals before singling out a white rose.
Then he faced the awaiting Veronica again. “A token of my gratitude,” Justin explained softly. He slowly reached forward to tuck the stem of the flower behind her ear, pausing for a moment as his hand grazed the dark strands of her hair. A small smile crossed his face, appreciating the way the light bounced off the soft petals and enhanced Veronica’s beauty. Then he broke away, anticipating her reaction to yet another silent but weighted moment.
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