Monthly Bonus Content #3—Spring Scenario Special (Primrose—'I can't live without you') - Nat

(I'm not sure why this ended up being from N's point of view, but it just came out as I started writing! Much in the same way N's overprotectiveness just came out too... ;D)
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At the Park. During a Mid-Morning Walk…

Nat stoops down to the carpet of creamy yellow, listening to the buzz of bees as they dart from one primrose plant to another. A wash of Spring sunshine has the flowers swelling in the grass, as though proud to be strong enough to be out so soon after winter’s harsh grip.

“Aren’t the primroses—”

“Very good at acting like a distraction against discussing the real issue?” [Name] cuts in, folding their arms, knowing exactly what Nat’s hopeful plan was.

She stands with a sigh. “It’s a difficult topic.”

“It wouldn’t be if you were talking about it with any other member of Unit Bravo,” they retort.

“But I’m not madly in love with any of them,” she replies, smoothing her hand down their arm to take their hand. They don’t resist the touch, which hopefully means they’re not too annoyed.

They even draw their joined hands up to clutch them to their chest. “Which means you should trust my instincts even more.”

“It’s not your instincts I don’t trust, ya rouhi. It’s everyone and everything vying for your blood.” She swallows thickly, the lump that had formed in her throat since [Name] had told her of the mission still raw and painful. “You’ll be alone on this mission. Away from Wayhaven.” She steps in closer. “Away from me.”

“That’s not exactly a prospect I’m looking forward to either.” They smile, and it lifts every part of Nat, as though the mere expression is enough to unlock a flood of calm throughout her. “Being away from you…it’s like leaving a part of my heart behind.”

Nat has heard versions of this statement many times before. From lovers who she wanted to give her heart to as much as they had given theirs’ to her.

But [Name] is the only one who has ever captured her heart fully and completely.

And it scares the shit out of her.

Her hands tremble slightly, so she draws them out of [Name]’s grasp and wraps her arms around them instead to hide the sign of fear. “What if something happens to you?”

“What if it doesn’t?” They shrug. “I’m part of the Agency now. This is my job. I want to do everything I can to help protect people. I thought of all of Unit Bravo, you would understand that the most.”

“I do understand.” I just can’t let you go. The invasive thought catches Nat, but she manages to bite it back before it spills from her.

“Then stop fighting me on this,” they plead, grasping at her shirt. “I’m going whether you want me to or not. But I don’t want to leave after arguing with you. You need to trust that I can do this. Why are you so against it?”

“Because…” The confession lingers on her tongue, bitter and yet sweet. “If something happens to you, I…” Her words trip and stumble again. She groans. Being tongue-tied is a new experience and not one she’s cherishing.

[Name] reaches out, brushing their fingers through her hair. Her eyes fall closed at the soft touch, a wave of safety calming the barrage of anxiety strangling her voice.

“It’s ok, Nat. You can tell me,” they encourage, as though already aware of what it is Nat’s going to say.

She draws in a breath and brings [Name] tighter into the embrace. “You’re going to be amazing on this mission.”

Disappointment clogs the air between them, but both of them hang onto their smiles beneath the weight of it.

“Thanks, Nat,” they reply, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

They draw away, though [Name] takes Nat’s hand again, both walking on through the park and enjoying the soft sunshine.

As they walk, Nat’s focus keeps sliding to [Name]. And the unspoken confession echoes inside her mind, haunting her with its truth.

Because if I lose you, I will lose myself. I cannot live without you, [Name].

She tightens her grip on their joined hands and tries to ignore the unsteady slog of her heartbeat—though she already knows it will barely beat until [Name] returns back to her.