[ IP ] Children of the Sun

The sun was so low, so large. I was reminded of the tales of the gods who drew it on their chariots across the sky, morning to night, and wondered if they had drawn so near to watch our perfect moment, to make the moment perfect. 
 
 
 If we were being watched, it was only by those gods, and the small souls of the birds and the fish, and the drifting attention of the clouds. Was n't that as alone as one could get, in this loud, living world? Let our companion be the constant whisper of the waves, and none more. The gods of sea and sun could keep our secret. 
 
 
 Leo ran the back of his hand down my arm before slipping it into my hand and tugging. `` Let's sit, Lark.'' 
 
 
 I turned my face toward the sun and closed my eyes. In my imagination, I drew stars. `` No. I like feeling unsteady.'' 
 
 
 Turning me to him, he pressed his lips lightly to my shoulder before chuckling. I kept my eyes closed, moving the stars to be his eyes and smile, painting on the background of sunlight shining on my eyelids. `` If you insist, then. But no doing any backflips or handstands. This is unsteady enough for me.'' 
 
 
 Ah, the lover's worry for a dreamer's ambition. He did not see what I saw in the shades where cloud met sun, sun met sky -- but no matter. He still climbed up the rock at my side, still stood tall and let himself be lit in the fall of day. 
 
 
 Slowly, I opened my eyes to squint at him as best I could with the sun's hovering. He was almost lost in the fires of sunset, a mane of light around his face. But those eyes, they were lit by their own fire, and belonged not to the sky or the gods. They were focused solely on me. 
 
 
 `` My lion,'' I whispered, tightening my grip on his hand. 
 
 
 An easy, loose smile on his face. He did these adventures -- the climbs and hikes and strolling until we got lost -- for me, but only when we were standing high above the world did he smile like that. I did the adventures for him, to allow him these moments to smile. 
 
 
 `` My songbird,'' was his reply, a familiar mantra. Leo drew me closer and put his arms around my waist. Smiling down at me, he asked, almost shyly, `` What do you see in the world, Lark?'' 
 
 
 I ran my fingers through his wind-ruffled, hair, salty from the sea breeze. `` I see your problems as stones swept into the sea, pressed down into sand, then eaten by an oyster to become a pearl you will wear at your neck.'' Whispers, almost but not quite stolen by that breeze before they could reach his ears. He was listening, however. He caught every word and kept it close, unrelenting to nature's thievery. `` I see my problems as clouds, trying to touch the ground before the sun burns them away. Try and try, and yet, morning always comes, and they always see how bright the sun is.'' 
 
 
 
 That brilliant smile stayed. `` What do you see on this horizon?'' he asked. 
 
 
 How sweet his expression was. I brought a hand down to trace the shape of his lips. `` I see other mountains, but none we can lean on. I see many stones, but none that will last. I see some clouds gathering, but none can make the rain fall. I see the sun set, but only to come again.'' 
 
 
 `` What do you see in us?'' he asked. 
 
 
 My hand moved to press against his chest. His heartbeat was pounding against my palm, a steadying beat in the crash of renewed waves. `` I see a lion masquerading as a man until the time comes when he can show his strength. I see a songbird playing at being a woman until the time comes when she can take flight. I see the sun in you, and the sea in me. I see us as children, and I see us as gods.'' 
 
 
 Leo's smile grew, and captured the beat of my own heart. `` I see love, my songbird.'' One of his hands left me waist to up my cheek, and he leaned in to murmur in my ear, `` I see shared dreams, and a shared future. I see shared strength and flight. I see pearls and sunrises, and I want to spend it all with you, Lark.'' 
 
 
 Now I truly did feel unsteady. `` I *will* spend it all with you.'' My voice wavered, from emotion. `` Every flight and cloud, every strength and stone.'' 
 
 
 `` Every day,'' he swore, and kissed me to seal the promise. 
 
 
 Ah, as if we had our own choice. The gods of sun and sea could keep our secret, and remember our promise, if ever we could return to it. 
 
 
 *** 
 
 Thanks for the really, really inspiring, awesome image! It was so inspiring, I knew I had to write for it, even though I had no idea *what* I was going to write, haha. Despite just jumping in, and just going along with the flow of my thoughts as I wrote this, I think I like it! I think it's good? Well, I hope you like it, at least.: ) It was also sort of inspired ( or the mood was ) by [ this song ] ( https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=DqsA9uGHSHw )... which I will have to use as an MP someday.; ) Once again, thank you!
