Sometimes I think a little bit too hard about how Winter thought his parents genuinely loved him and how he believed that the only way he could show how much he loved Violet was by showering her with money that I start sobbing.
"I have a suggestion."
"What is it?"
"Let's say 'I love you' to each other every morning."
Violet looked surprised. She stared at him with her clear eyes.
".... You're talking like a romantic, for a change."
"I'm more of one than you'd think."
Unaware of Winter's scheming mind, [...] her cheeks went red.
"Alright. I accept that suggestion." She gave him a gentle smile and said it first. "Did you sleep well? I love you."
"..."
Winter's expression went rigid. He soon disappeared under the covers and Violet complained, shaking him.
"Don't you have to say it, too?"
"..."
"Winter."
"...Give me a moment. I think I might cry."
"What?"
While Winter calmed himself under the covers, Violet looked on in wonder. This wasn't like him at all. She tried getting off the bed and Winter grabbed her arm. Violet pulled the covers down a bit and hesitated when she found that Winter's face was red.
Though she didn't understand why, he really looked like he might cry.
Strangely enough, she liked that odd expression on his face. A mean streak suddenly took over and she actually wanted to see this man cry, so she said it one more time.
"I love you."
Winter's breath trembled.
"I'll die of a heart attack."
"Do you want me to stop?"
"I was exaggerating. Humans are not that weak. Please go on."
Having recovered his composure a little, he pulled her closer. She tried to pull away since his injuries were still healing, but he lifted her up lightly and seated on his lap. Violet spoke.
"I'll stop now."
"Please continue," he mumbled, his face buried in her chest. "Please don't stop."
He was pleading with her to continue to tell him she loved him. She cautiously patted his head and whispered it to him multiple times.
- Lovely my Dear. As always. But why now? It's cold and dark and death now.
- Because before we weren't ready. It's not up to you to decide when blooming will be. You can only decide which seeds to plant, how to fertilize the soil and how much to water it. Then, you have to trust it.
Besides, with all ends come new beginnings, and each beginning is doomed to an end. Life and death are just different sides of the same hand, like the palm and the back.