Anyhow, below the prompt and my entry.
Scarlet Lovers.
They had come a long way together, this pair. Running side
by side through bright, dewy parks over fragrant grass. Lazy lunches, kicking
freely by duck ponds or dockyards, watching the industry of fowl or fishermen
as they waved and winked at them. Evenings of tramping through the town,
sharing smiles as passing strangers stumbled from curbs and into cabs.
And the nights! Oh God, the nights! Nights spent tangled and
entwined, giggling stupidly at every trip and dizzying spin as they leapt and
danced! Wandering home, sticky and light-headed from drink and fun, and settling
into their dark corner to enjoy shared but silent sleep.
The love never died. It continued despite the wonky eyes,
dishevelled hairlines and frayed edges. They accepted the tear together, not
questioning the cause, but acknowledging that time was trickling away.
They were always, always together. Never once had they lost
each other. It had happened to all their friends at some time or other, but
never to them.
She saw it first, dazzling and tall before them, its history
displayed in deep crags, missing chunks and clashing repairs. Older than them;
perhaps older than time. Born in some distant past only guessed at by this
fading duet.
He talked of the foundations of the earth, and they told of
distant lands.
She tried to move on, but he couldn’t leave, and fearing the
farewell, she stayed by his side. In the end, the ageing pair bared their souls
and rested.
Pip
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