Love and deception

"Valerian?" I repeat softly, thinking he might now have heard me the first time. But instead he shakes his head softly, his lips pursed into a bitter grimace. Raking his hands through his mussy curls, it seems it is all he can do right now to keep himself composed.

"Alastor knows," he admits, smiling at empty space before going to fiddle with some of the stray petals on the ground. For a few long seconds, I watch him arrange these flora into a shape on the ground- similar to the one I had seen on that stone of paradise not too long ago.

"But... how?

To this, Valerian almost chuckles a laugh. Wrinkling up my nose, I give him a light slap on the arm- too playful to hurt him, before asking once more.

"Come on, Val, you said you'd tell me."

Nodding his head, he flashes me a cheeky sideways grin. But despite his sarcasm and teasing, I find myself enjoying it. It is nice not to see him plagued by such a bitter melancholy any more.