Cassian couldn’t help but feel a swirl of emotions as he gazed into Aurelia’s eyes, where joy, longing, and a touch of sadness seemed to dance together. Her laughter was a melody, sweet and familiar, echoing the bonds of their shared past. Her touch, her embrace, they felt like a bridge, connecting their distant memories to this very moment. He sensed the weight of her unspoken feelings, the words she kept locked away, and he respected the silent boundaries she set. Despite the lightness of their banter, he knew there were depths beneath the surface, hidden realms he may never fully grasp.
His own eyes mirrored the fondness and concern he harbored for his sister. As she touched him, he felt a warmth spread through him - an unspoken reassurance that they were here, in this moment, despite the complexities of the past.
As her laughter faded, Cassian couldn’t help but notice the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. He understood the depth of her pain, her struggle to cope with the missing pieces of her memories. He wished he could bear that burden for her, erase the pain etched across her heart. Yet, he tried to respect the his mother’s decision, knowing that, in some ways, their separation shielded her from unnecessary worry and concern.
Aurelia’s admission of missing him tugged at his heartstrings, and he replied with a teasing note in his voice, “I’ve missed you too, Lia. Though I must admit, the whole business of growing and living seems a lot duller without your antics to liven things up.”
Cassian followed along as Lia led him to a stroll through the garden, he felt a surge of nostalgia, reminiscent of the carefree days when the worries were minimal, and their laughter echoed through the hallways. Her teasing about growing taller drew a chuckle from him. “Ah, yes, towering over me now, are we?” he teased back, enjoying the lighthearted banter "I worry Mother will have to raise the door frames if you keep growing at this rate.
The change in her tone, a brief pause, did not go unnoticed, but Cassian chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he matched her lightness, feigning ignorance as they continued their walk. “Ah, the ever-elusive details that mothers choose to share,” he shook his head lightly. “The studies were indeed challenging, but worry not; I’m still in one piece. Ummm… no news on the sister front yet, but who knows what the future holds?” he admitted with a playful wink
He observed her closely, picking up on the subtle shift in her expression. “Now, enough about me, tell me, dear sister, how have you been keeping yourself busy in your absence? in our absence? How do you feel… physically? mentally? are you healthy now? Did any charming suitor steal your heart just yet?” he inquired, his tone filled with genuine curiosity, adding the latter question for the sake of lightening up the mood. Despite the playful banter, there was a subtle concern in his eyes, as if he wanted to ensure that she hadn’t been carrying the weight of solitude during all this time away.
@benitz786 Towering giant