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They met in the rain.
It was a chance encounter. Kafka had taken the time to go on a walk outside. The rain had always been something she enjoyed. The soft pitter patter that sprinkled her umbrella as the world was enveloped into the rhythm of nature.
She didn't expect to bump into someone else.
It wasn't a collision, both of them were too dexterous for that. Kafka twirled out of the way and the newcomer was able to stop on a dime.
Only after Kafka locked eyes with a familiar golden hue did she realize just who it was that she ran into. It sent a myriad of emotions shooting through her heart, some good, some sad, but not a single bad one.
It could never be bad with her.
The Hunter was the first one to talk. "Hello Stelle. Fancy meeting you here." She said, twirling her umbrella as she did so.
A tiny droplet of water flew from the spinning item. It landed on the silver haired woman's face and seemed to pull her out of her shock.
"Kafka." Stelle said simply, the tone of her voice making it seem as if she couldn't believe it.
“That’s me.” Kafka flashed a smile.
Silence descended between the two of them. There were so many things that Kafka wanted to say to the woman in front of her but couldn’t.
Things like Hi, how are you?
Are you doing okay?
How have you been?
I miss you.
They were supposed to be enemies. At least for now. Soon they could talk on friendlier terms. But, the time wasn’t right. The script demanded her to wait just a little longer. She had been patient for a long time. A little more waiting wouldn’t kill her.
It would just hurt. Cause the only part of her that could still feel things to ache and weep as she waited for Stelle.
“Kafka…” Stelle repeated, more breathless than anything.
“That’s me.” She echoed.
“Why are you… here?”
There were so many things she could say to that. She could be snarky. Could fire off a teasing remark. Some vague line about how destiny is always nearby. But she settled on the truth.
“I was just taking a walk and… well, I guess it was a coincidence.” She said truthfully.
“Really?” Stelle said, there was a noticeable amount of doubt in her voice. But when Kafka nodded she seemed to accept it.
Silence again. If it didn’t twist her heart so tightly until all her extremities were going numb she might have made a joke about how they were acting like awkward exes. Something to lighten the tension between the two women who didn’t know how to act around each other. But how could she?
How could she make a joke when even her, the one with all the memories, didn’t know how to define her relationship with the other? It wasn’t fair to Stelle.
Perhaps it was best if she just left.
“I think I should go.” She confessed.
“What?” Stelle seemed genuinely surprised at her words. A new sort of alarm was present in her tone. “No. Wait.”
“It’s too early for us to meet like this.” Kafka said, forcing the words out more than she wanted. She took a few steps backward before turning around.
She wasn’t prepared for this meeting. Not between just the two of them. Each and every other meeting had been premeditated. She had time to prepare. To steel her heart and soul. Not this time.
“No. I have so many questions for you.” Stelle begged.
“I’m sorry. Everything will make sense soon.”
She turned and attempted to walk away quickly. She had a feeling that if she got far enough Stelle wouldn’t pursue her, but she never got a chance to.
Kafka got two steps before a hand gripped her wrist. It wasn’t tight, or anything. In fact it was limp and weak. She should have had no problems simply wrestling out of the grip, a simple tug would have been enough. Anything would have been enough.
But she couldn’t. It was as if she was caught in a snare.
“Please. I need to know what you are to me.”
Another painful twist in her heart.
“I’m sorry.”
“Please.”
“I’m sorry.” She repeated.
“I-I remember you. I feel things about you. I know- I know you’re important to me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know your favorite song is about marriage. I know your favorite color is gold. I know you can handle the cold but you aren’t good with heat-”
“Stelle.”
“I know you’ve always wanted a cat. You like pancakes but not waffles. You like coffee but prefer tea.”
“Stelle please.”
“You play the violin but prefer listening to the piano. When you’re alone you like to watch noir films.”
Kafka bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood.
“Please.”
Like a machine that ran out of steam. Stelle’s hand went limp and released her grip from Kafka’s wrist. The other hand, the one holding the umbrella, followed suit and let the tool fall to the ground. Rain started to soak the Stellaron host.
There were three words, no more than a whisper, carried through the wind. So soft and light that Kafka almost didn’t hear them if they weren’t so distinct.
Almost.
Instead it was as if lightning had struck her. Her spine straightened and she couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp at the words.
“What did you say?” Kafka asked, turning around. Her own umbrella had fallen, forgotten.
It was difficult to lay eyes on Stelle, she looked defeated, with the wetness of her hair clinging to her face only further emphasizing such a thing. But her bright golden eyes still rose up to meet Kafka’s maroon own.
“I need you.” Stelle repeated.
Three simple words was all it took.
Memories long past rushed through her. For a beat she was no longer in the rain, but in a meadow fully bloomed. She could feel her body lurch forward, one step at a time until her arms were wrapped around the woman in front of her.
“I know.” Kafka whispered back.
The Hunter cupped Stelle’s cheeks with both of her hands and rested her forehead on the silver haired woman’s own. They were so so close to each other that Kafka could feel her entire body flush with happiness at their proximity. It yearned to be even closer.
“Won’t you please tell me?”
“Soon.” Kafka cooed. “I promise. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll let you know how much you mean to me. We can hold hands and go on dates. Kiss and laugh together. Spend time, grow old.”
“Soon.” Stelle echoed. “You really promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
“I miss you.” Stelle murmured.
I miss you too.
“I know.”
The rain never stopped. But eventually they disentangled themselves. The Hunter disappeared into the storm, leaving behind a golden eyed woman.