( He expects a yes. And when Ish begins, there escapes from Hwylryn an exhale - too weak to be a sigh, but still the heart of one.
When he had told Ish just the day before he wouldn't let anyone else be this thing that Hwylryn is for him, he, of course, excluded Norna - because she's more. He gets that. Hwylryn may be a voice in duet, but that's how a grain of sand compares to shore. At least, that's how it is when he thinks of Gwawlyn, and he would grant Ish no less.
So, it's okay. He'd complained of Ish being busy here, but he'd been less busy than he would be, would likely enjoy being, with Norna. And he's glad he had this time with him here. He understands Ish has spoiled him.
He's not like Ish, who can think he'd be satisfied so long as the other looks his way every 70 years. But he can resign to it, because he's never been able to cease the love in his heart.
"I don't think so."
He doesn't expect this. And it startles him enough that he lifts his head - still weak, but even with his flagging heart, it had beat again - bright and alive and well - it had beat, at least once, when Ish had said the word love. )
Are you sure? Don't you want to be with her? You miss her so much...
( He seems bewildered; he seems happy; he seems flattered; he seems worried, for Ish - isn't this what he'd been working so hard for? To be with her again? Hwylryn is sure he isn't worth nothing - but a grain against the shore; a creek against the ocean - surely he isn't worth so much. )
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When he had told Ish just the day before he wouldn't let anyone else be this thing that Hwylryn is for him, he, of course, excluded Norna - because she's more. He gets that. Hwylryn may be a voice in duet, but that's how a grain of sand compares to shore. At least, that's how it is when he thinks of Gwawlyn, and he would grant Ish no less.
So, it's okay. He'd complained of Ish being busy here, but he'd been less busy than he would be, would likely enjoy being, with Norna. And he's glad he had this time with him here. He understands Ish has spoiled him.
He's not like Ish, who can think he'd be satisfied so long as the other looks his way every 70 years. But he can resign to it, because he's never been able to cease the love in his heart.
"I don't think so."
He doesn't expect this. And it startles him enough that he lifts his head - still weak, but even with his flagging heart, it had beat again - bright and alive and well - it had beat, at least once, when Ish had said the word love. )
Are you sure? Don't you want to be with her? You miss her so much...
( He seems bewildered; he seems happy; he seems flattered; he seems worried, for Ish - isn't this what he'd been working so hard for? To be with her again? Hwylryn is sure he isn't worth nothing - but a grain against the shore; a creek against the ocean - surely he isn't worth so much. )