“A feeling of love and nostalgia gripped her heart every time she looked at that photograph of …. “
A feeling of love and nostalgia gripped his heart every time he looked at that photograph of the two of them, crinkled at the edges in spite of his care over the years. It was a sharp feeling, bittersweet at best, and it always eventually left him breathless with pain.
He didn’t think it would ever go away.
Sofia and James. She stared out at him, as serene and lovely as the night they met. The still image couldn’t capture the playful vivacity she’d had in life, carefully cultivated and carefully wielded. She’d caught his eye. He’d asked her to dance. Her husband had been so busy that he hadn’t noticed her waltzing with the young merchant he’d snubbed only hours before.
In her arms, waving gleefully at the camera, was James. Jem. He would have been… four years old. As bright and clever and playful as his mama in spite of the suffocating rigours of life as a dignitary’s son.
He felt the guilt crawl up his throat, choking him. They’d never been his in the first place… and it was his fault they were gone now.
They’d been together for less than a year, but it had been the happiest year of his life. She’d filled his life with passion and laughter and intrigue while James had instilled a parental fondness that he hadn’t known he possessed. Everything had finally fallen into place; he’d had everything he needed… and still he’d wanted more. He’d been hungry for so long, he hadn’t known what it was to be satisfied.
That mistake had killed them both in the end.
So this is absolutely the same character from Writing Prompt #2, and he’s one of my favourite characters from the ttrpg I’m currently running. This is all backstory of his that my players haven’t found yet and maybe they won’t ever get there… but I adore him and all the complicated decisions he’s made.
That’s all for me this today! Please like, comment, and share if you enjoy what you’ve read.
Above all, be kind to one another.
Love, Charlotte
Blue Orchid 