The street was quiet this hour, save for the faint creak of Saint-Justâs boots against the cobblestones as he approached the modest door, familiar now, though he hadnât stood before it in some time. His hand hovered for a moment above the wood. He hesitated, his fingers curling and uncurling. Then, at last, he knocked three times.
The door creaked open moments later, spilling candlelight into the evening air and casting a warm golden halo around the familiar figure within. Saint-Just lifted his gaze, the shadows of fatigue under his eyes softening with something gentler than his usual intensity. His posture was composed, and yet, the moment he saw him, something in his shoulders relaxed.
The words spilled from him immediately, as if each syllable had been carefully shaped and carried all the way here. His breath caught a little, but he pressed on.
âIs itââ he glanced down, then back up, Saint-Justâs expression unusually tentative. âWould it be all right if we talked? Just inside. Iâd like to catch up.â
âItâs been too long. I know Iâve been.. occupied. But I thought of you. Often.â His hand rested briefly on the edge of the doorframe, and he tilted his head slightly before adding with a rueful breath of laughter: âI suppose I didnât know how much I missed the sound of your voice until I realized Iâd gone weeks without hearing it.â
A rabbit rested peacefully on his lap, a gentle hand softly rubbing under its ears, peace that was momentarily interrupted by a knock on the doorâperhaps a familiar one. Couthon made his way to the door, rabbit still on his lap, he opened said door, the candlelight softly illuminated the figure that now stood in front of him, Couthon was bit shocked, and he did not respond initially, letting Saint-Just speak first, "Of course, mon ami, you have been greatly missed too⊠Please, come in," he spoke softly, managing to hide how choking it felt to see the younger man after a while, it was as if a burden had been lifted off him, a burden he was not sure was there at first.
He rolled aside, allowing the other man to come in, he very gently and friendly pat on the back as he walked in, closing the door behind Saint-Just, around other 3 rabbits found themselves around Couthon's living room, two of them in the couch, the other feasting on some weeds and flowers, "Please do not mind them, it was their snack time and I enjoy watching them eat," he said with a smile, unintentionally gesturing the rabbit on his lap as he pet it once again.
