The late afternoon air held a kind of quiet balance—neither hot nor cold, as if the weather itself was holding its breath.
A soft breeze stirred the edges of the city, brushing past buildings and fluttering the loose ends of scarves and sleeves. The sky was a washed-out blue, streaked with delicate strands of cloud like unfinished thoughts. The sun lingered just above the horizon, casting everything in a golden-grey hue that made the world look softer, sadder—like an old photograph starting to fade.
At the edge of the city's departure terminal, where glass walls shimmered with the reflection of slow-moving clouds, the air was filled with sounds that felt oddly muted. The low rumble of suitcase wheels, the occasional distant honk, footsteps echoing off polished floors—none of it felt rushed. Even the birds circling overhead moved slowly, as if time had thickened for a moment.
The trees lining the walk outside were in full leaf, swaying lazily as they caught the breeze. A few dry leaves broke free, floating to the pavement without urgency. The scent of warm cement mixed with faint whiffs of coffee from a nearby kiosk, grounding the space with something real, something ordinary—against the extraordinary weight in the air.
Everything felt like it was waiting.
Solace and Lily sat side by side on a roadside bench. None saying anything. Just feeling the silence.
Lily wore a light beige trench coat over a soft cream dress that brushed just below her knees. The fabric moved gently with the wind, like a memory refusing to settle. Her hair, loosely tied with a silk ribbon, had strands escaping with the breeze, brushing against her cheeks. She didn't wear much makeup—just a touch of peach on her lips and a little shimmer under her eyes, perhaps from leftover tears or from the morning light.
She looked delicate—like a petal caught between seasons. But her gaze, though calm, held the quiet weight of someone who knew they were about to leave something precious behind.
Solace wore a dark grey button-up, sleeves rolled to his elbows, paired with black slacks and his usual leather watch—subtle, clean, and understated, just like him. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he hadn't paid much attention to it, and the shadows under his eyes hinted at a night spent thinking too much.
There was a calmness about him, but not the relaxed kind—it was the stillness of someone holding everything in. His presence felt grounded, like a wall trying to stay upright in the wind, even if it was cracking silently inside.
Solace took a slow breath, steadying his voice.
"So… when's your flight?"
Lily didn't answer right away. Her eyes lingered on the ground before she murmured,
"Tonight."
A beat of silence passed.
Solace looked ahead, then back at her.
"No need to overthink it, Lily. Our meeting was destiny… and maybe this parting is, too."
She gave a faint nod, but her eyes glistened. The tears were already welling, shimmering dangerously, held back only by sheer will.
"Look at me," Solace said softly.
But Lily didn't lift her gaze. She kept staring at the pavement like it held the answers she was looking for.
He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. The moment his skin touched hers, the tears slipped free—quiet, unstoppable.
Sadness flickered in his eyes.
I can't break down now. One of us has to stay strong, or we won't be able to walk away at all.
With his thumbs, he brushed away her tears—carefully, slowly.
"Don't cry," he whispered. "If we're meant to find each other again… we will meet again."
But Lily couldn't stop crying. And every silent sob cracked something inside Solace.
Still, his face remained steady.
He had to be the one who held it together.
Lily couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward and threw her arms around him—tight, desperate, as if letting go meant losing everything.
She sobbed quietly into his chest. Her hands clutched the back of his shirt, trembling.
Solace didn't say a word.
He simply held her.
Sometimes, words only made the silence heavier. Sometimes, letting someone cry was the only comfort you could offer.
As the tears fell, they carried away a little of the weight lodged deep in her heart—softening the pain, even if only slightly.
Minutes passed in quiet grief. Lily's sobs slowed, but her arms didn't loosen.
Solace gently spoke, voice almost inaudible, "Lily… it's time."
She didn't respond.
"Lily?" he said again, more tender this time.
Eventually, she pulled back. Her eyes were red and glistening, her face pale. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"Will you remember me?" she asked, her voice small and broken.
Solace looked at her, and his answer came without hesitation.
"I will.
We both will… I hope."
Lily nodded.
Then slowly, almost reluctantly, she turned to leave.
***
From a distance, Ryan and Claire stood silently—watching.
Ryan stood with his hands tucked in the pockets of his dark-grey overcoat, the collar turned slightly up as the evening breeze brushed past. He wore a black turtleneck underneath, paired with fitted navy trousers and polished loafers. His hair, tousled by the gentle wind, framed his sharp features—jaw tight, brows slightly furrowed as he watched the scene unfold. Though he usually carried himself with easy confidence, now there was a softness in his gaze—a rare quietness. His usual smirk was absent. In its place, a heavy stillness. One only close friends could feel.
Claire, beside him, looked every bit composed—but her eyes told another story. She wore a long camel coat cinched at the waist, the hem swaying just above her ankles. Underneath, a pale beige blouse peeked through, matched with slim cream slacks and ankle boots. Her hair was tied into a neat low bun, a few strands slipping loose to frame her face. Light makeup, understated jewelry. Sophisticated as always. But her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and her lips were pressed together. The tension in her shoulders betrayed the ache she tried to hide.
Together, they stood like quiet sentinels in the background—two people watching something precious unravel… unable to stop it.
***
The airport buzzed with movement, yet a strange stillness lingered in the air—as if time itself was pausing between departures and goodbyes.
Large glass panels stretched across the terminal, letting in the pale light of the setting sun. Outside, planes rolled along the tarmac like giant silver birds preparing to take flight. The sky was streaked with soft hues of amber and blue, neither too warm nor too cold—mirroring the quiet ache in the hearts of those about to part.
Inside, the polished floors reflected hurried footsteps and rolling suitcases. Families gathered in small clusters—some whispering goodbyes, others holding hands tightly. Announcements echoed across the hall, a neutral voice calling out flight numbers and final boarding times with unwavering clarity.
The scent of brewed coffee and airport perfume hung lightly in the air, blending with the faint whir of luggage wheels and the occasional rustle of boarding passes. Security lines crawled forward in slow motion, while beyond them, gates awaited with glowing signs and ticking clocks.
Lily bid farewell to her family and friends. Her mother held her a little longer than usual, and Claire opened her mouth as if to say something—but the words never came. She simply gave a nod, eyes glassy, and stepped back.
With one last glance, Lily turned and proceeded toward the check-in gate. Her steps were slow, heavy. She didn't look back.
She passed through security without trouble. The airport lights shimmered above her as she clutched her boarding pass a little too tightly. Soon, she'd be boarding the plane.
Elsewhere near the airport.
Solace stood beside Ryan's motorbike, leaning back against its frame. A cigarette rested between his fingers, smoke curling up into the quiet night. His eyes, though distant, were fixed on the starlit sky—calm and endless.
Ryan stood beside him, saying nothing. He understood. Some silences shouldn't be broken.
Lily stepped onto the plane. She found her seat by the window and settled in, placing her small carry-on in the overhead compartment.
"Attention passengers: this is your captain speaking. We'll be taking off in approximately five minutes."
The announcement echoed through the cabin. Around her, passengers buckled in, whispered, and adjusted their seats. But Lily just stared out the window.
The plane began to taxi down the runway.
She pressed her hand gently to the glass, eyes fixed on the shrinking view below. The city lights began to blur. Her thoughts, however, were crystal clear.
Solace looked up. A single aircraft cut through the stillness above, its lights blinking like a moving star.
He brought the cigarette to his lips, then slowly exhaled.
Lily…
It seems our brief journey ends here.
As the plane ascended into the night, Lily and Solace, miles apart, shared the same thought:
"Will we meet again?"