OVERHEAD , THE MOON WATCHED QUIETLY her silent vigil set upon them , lovers ---- intermingled in the soft glow of candlelight . the heavens gazed down , a gentle light to guide the movements of their hands . for the revelry had ended , and the guests had gone , and now it was just the two of them sat in the dwindling lights of a theater . and akakios felt , all at once , both light as air , and as if the weight of worlds rested against their chest . and when his eyes met that of a god’s , it was terrifying and exhilarating and everything he could have ever dreamed of . their eyes tore away , suddenly shy , fingertips twisting nervously in their lap , ❛ i suppose i should go soon , then . though i thank you deeply for the invitation ---- ❜ and before they had time to breath , warm lips crashed against their own . a pause , heart trembling in their chest ---- the beating of bird’s wings against the cage of their ribs , and their breath caught in their throat as erik pulled away . in the light , their eyes were wide , and curious , and almost aglow . slowly , the breath they were holding loosened , and with a grin they threw their arms around his neck , crushing their mouths together once again ( and perhaps it was wrong ---- perhaps it was selfish , and greedy , and they were all too aware of the trickery and ties that vuenar held looming over their head ) but in that moment , in the warmth of summer , with the ocean breeze just barely reaching them that far inland / in the darkness , and the embers of dying light , they could allow themselves a moment of freedom , to know what a real , and true , love felt like .