six_word_stories | (no subject)

[For the first time ever, Cesare hesitates. He looks at for a moment, frowning.]

I do not understand, Sis.

[But in truth he thinks he might understand all too well.]

[Like that, she's up on her feet, face red, and already chiding herself for such feelings and daring to express them]

Never mind.

[The last thing Cesare wants to do is embarrass her. He panics, standing up and calling after her.]

Sis. Please.

[She wishes she had more willpower than this but Lucrezia doesn't move an inch when he calls after her. She looks back at him then takes steps toward him until she's throwing her arms around his waist and holding him close.]

[He lets out a shaky breath and begins to stroke her hair.]

Now what was it that you meant?

I feel safe when I'm with you, Cesare. I can hardly imagine myself loving anyone as much as I do you.

[She tries to mumble this into his doublet. A whisper of confession. The darkness that hung in her heart. For she could not see herself loving anyone else but him.]

You will find someone, Sis. I assure you.

[Though he's not sure that's entirely quite what she wishes to hear from him. He does not yet know if he dare imply anything else.]

[She looks into his eyes, pleading, there's a bit of heartbreak if he truly looked close enough]

It isn't that I will find someone; I don't want anyone else.

[He sighs sadly and presses his lips together.]

Sis. What we have...it is different. [It has to be. They have no other choice, do they?]

[She closes her eyes and holds onto him tighter]

Perhaps we could move away. No one would know our names.

[He gives her a small squeeze.]

And why would we do that? We would lose our family... Sis.

[He puts his thumb to her chin and moves her face up to look at him.]

Anything that is...worth hiding would be very grave indeed, should we partake in it.

[She looks up at him, finally]

Love is pure and good, is it not?

[She is hopeful]

[Ouch. Cesare grimaces slightly as she uses his words back on him and he looks at her sadly.]

Lucrezia... [It is not that he does not want to. It is just that he doesn't dare.]

[She had been wrestling with this too.]

Cesare, I know this to be the truth in my heart of hearts. It doesn't matter whom Papa tries to marry me off to, I will never love anyone else.

But still...that does not mean that we... [He looks away. He still can't say it, just in case he is misunderstanding her.]

We should go to dinner. Father will be waiting for us.

[She wants to throw a fit. Instead, she just lets herself be held by him.]

He can stand to wait a moment longer.

But I do not know if I can... [This is all too much. He is so used to evading difficult questions and situations that he does not like. Now he is considerably stuck in one and can't get around it.]

[She closes her eyes then lets him go, not knowing how to take what he says]

You don't know if you can wait to dine with Papa?

I do not know if I can cope with this tonight, Sis.

[He looks at her apologetically, slowly releasing her from his grasp.]

Please. let us talk of this another time, when we have thought on it?

[Her lip wobbles but Lucrezia tries to stand with the poise that she had learned from Mama and Signora Farnese. She walks off to get cleaned and freshened up for dinner with their father, but spares a glance back to look at him.]

[He feels terrible. He frowns, watching her leave, his fists clenched nervously.]

We will discuss this later. I promise.

[It is strange how easily he could inspire hope in her heart. She gives him the smallest of smiles and goes off, skipping.]