Alchemised

by SenLinYu

“It’s a pity the way you wasted yourself.”

“You have such a singular mind. Even when I’m not inside it, I can still see it churning away behind those eyes of yours.”

he felt like something she might drown in.

He smiled. The first real smile she’d ever seen from him.

“I wasn’t sure what to do,” she said, handing another metal back for grading. “It felt like whatever I chose, someone was disappointed. Everyone—” She fluttered her fingers but, catching herself gesturing, folded them in her lap. “Everyone wanted a lot for me, and I’m not sure I ever knew what I wanted.” She shrugged. “Probably good that I didn’t, since it didn’t matter in the end.”

“I think I’ve nearly memorised you,” she said. “Especially your eyes. I think I learned to read them first.” The corner of his mouth twitched, and he caught her hand, capturing it against his chest. “I memorised yours, too,” he said after a moment, and then sighed, looking away. “I should have known—the moment I looked into your eyes, I should have known I would never win against you.”

She reached out, her fingers brushing back his hair. “Don’t worry. I’m always going to come back to you.”

“Every time you asked, I promised I was yours. Always. There aren’t any exemptions or expiration dates on always.”