They stood on a beach, a stormy, dark, cold beach.

The light was fading from the world and soon night would
overcome it entirely. There were to be no stars that night, only thick clouds with the promise of rain. The wind
tugged at their clothes. It mocked them and laughed at her distress until a swift movement from his hand halted
it in its tracks. The sand and waves still moved with the gusts, but they were left untouched.
He took her hands. They were so cold. so delicate compared to his. So beautiful. He wished for nothing more
than to have cold, breakable hands. Hands that grew calluses when worked, hands that chaffed and grew
sweaty with the change of weather. He brought them to his face and kissed her knuckles. He held them there
and let his breath warm them.
She was crying from the moment their skin touched, for she knew that once that connection was lost, it was
gone. This was their last meeting; it needed no declaration. Here, on the beach where they first met, it seemed
the weather was mourning her loss. It had been beautiful when she first saw him. The sun was high and
embracing, the waves had been peaceful. It had been the most temperate day. That autumn seasons. a surprise
to the town’s inhabitants. Now ugly and desolate. The tears thickened with each careful, precious kiss he laid on
her hands. He looked as untouchable as he had the day they met, but she knew she had grown. unkempt with
the wind. He needed no jacket, but she needed a thick scarf, coat, and turtleneck.
She was scared to break the silence, like saying something would blow this wonderful dream away, but she had
to ask. “Why are you leaving me?” She must know.
He pressed one of her hands over his heart and reached for her face. He cupped her cheeks and brought
warmth to her reddened and roughened skin. “I must.” There would never be another answer, one that would
give her condolence and peace of mind. There would be no comfort for her pain. in doing so, he knew, it would
be cruel. He had already harmed her more than he ever wanted. By meeting her and loving her, he had done her
the greatest disservice he could ever done. They were fated to pain from that first moment. “I must.” He
repeated.
A loud sobbed escaped her lips, attempting to smile through it. He let the tears wash over his hand. “I know.”
She whispered, rushing past his hand to hug him desperately. It was a hug she knew would not last, and she
would not force it. But if this was to be the last time. Her arms constricted around him, and he pulled her in
closer. He smelled familiar, he smelled like home. She smelled distinctly mortal, a smell sweet and floral, like
flowers, they last only a fraction of eternity. A blink of an eye in his own lifespan. He kissed her hair softly and
memorized the feeling of it between his fingers. He had always held it, tangled his fingers. In it, when they’d lied
in their shared bed and simply enjoy each other’s company and love.
Love.
They loved each other dearly, but the dearer the love, the more painful the separation. He realized after a tear,
his first but lonesome tear, that he didn’t want to let go. His conviction faltered, but her movement away from
him pulled back the resolve. He could not stay, and she knew she would never forgive herself if she caused him
to stay. Taking his hands, she kissed them. Her lips were cold and chapped against his flawless skin. After she
had finished, they shared their last kiss. In the moment, it was infinite and everything. There was no fitting
description to describe their parting kiss.
But it was not infinite but temporary, and it came to an end. Their hands drifted away reluctantly, and hers fell
limply to her side in the absence of his touch. The moment he left her side, the wind was back to tugging on her.
It was truly the end. He faced and walked to the ocean, stopping just before the waves. His final whispers,
carried on the wind, it was a secret. Only for her ears. Then he was gone, and she was left alone on that stormy,
dark beach. She fell to her knees grieving. She mourned for a love lost but more importantly for the love she
had received. She wept because their time together had been the most precious thing in her life. And now. It’s
gone.