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No matter what the weather, Ardre could always be found sitting among the branches of the oak tree right before sunset, her back resting gently against the bark, and her legs straddling the branch as she poured over a book. Usually they were fairy tales, but occasionally, when the weather was perfect and there was no chance of rain, the teen would bring out her precious book of animal anatomy.

Always, she would sit out there, even when the sky was covered with clouds, and rain was pouring down, even hard enough for a couple drops to trickle through the protective leaf cover and onto Ardre’s head. The tree had been there for ages and ages, and even Ardre couldn’t tell how old it was.

Often times, Hoshi would come out to be with Ardre, and he would sit at the base of the tree, and sometimes they would sit in silence, or sometimes they would talk of whatever was troubling them, whatever was on their mind. It was rituals like these that created a bond that was more than father and daughter, and they had become close friends.

It was on a night such as this, as the two sat in their respective places right after Hoshi had come outside and settled into his own place as they watched the fiery sunset fade, that Ardre brought up the thought that she had been trying to work up the courage to ask for a long time.

“Dad?” She asked quietly, her voice low in the sacred light that humbled them both.

“Yes, darling?” Hoshi responded, his head shifting back to try to catch a glimpse of Ardre’s face, to read the type of question that might follow.

“Tell me about Shina,” Ardre’s voice was even softer than at first.

Hoshi had known that question was coming, for Ardre had never known the woman, though she shared many of Shina’s traits. He took a deep breath and leaned farther back into the tree, hoping for some support.

“She is a beautiful woman, as gorgeous on the inside as she is on the outside. You have her beautiful smile, her eyes, her jewel, wings, gentle spirit, and beautiful soul,” Hoshi nearly whispered, his eyes no longer watching the sunset, but somehow looking past it, as he remembered his precious Shina.

“She is always so kind, so warm. She was stubborn and strong willed, but never too much, and she cared, cares for every single thing that has ever lived, just like you, duckling,” Hoshi whispered, not realizing the slips in his speech between past and present tense. “Our love has gone across generations, and I could not ever imagine being with another,” He said, releasing a small breath as he pressed his eyes closed.

Hoshi could feel the weight pressing down on his heart, and he shivered in the warm air, realizing just how much he missed his beloved that he had been committed to loving for all eternity.

“I miss her so much.” He whispered, and reached up to his cheek, feeling a small droplet of water running down it. Hoshi buried his face in his hands, and shook quietly, finally giving in, and letting down the barrier he hadn’t let himself pass before.

{ Reserved: Kissing, babies, clothes, boobs, and other related objects }