She always breaks her promises and it always breaks her heart and this time, this time now, will be the last time. She would promise it to herself if she wasn't afraid of breaking it again. Flo keeps telling her to stop blaming herself but Ellie has no-one else to blame. But then Flo lives in a dream world where rainbows and flowers are abundant and there is no blame, no fault, no-one owning up to mistakes they have made. Nothing brings a fairy down like being stuck with an overly optimistic cat who believes everything will be okay in the end.
If there even is an end, Ellie doubts it will be fluffy clouds and unfiltered sunshine.

The path to the castle is well worn, though unfamiliar to her. She knows where he is, where he waits, but he cannot be waiting for her, surely? Maybe he's moved on – she couldn't blame him, could she, for finding someone more stable and steady and certain. Someone who doesn't disappear with no explanation, no excuses. She easily navigates the castle though she's never been here before, she slips along corridors and darts up staircases, through doorways and across courtyards, walking quickly away from the negative thoughts, towards the truth. Towards Flynn.

She hesitates at the door that hides him, but Flo jumps up and pounds her paws against it. Not that the sound would be heard through the wood, but Ellie smiles at the cat before knocking herself. The breath catches in her throat, and she wonders, despairs, at what awaits her. Tugging at her hair, Ellie counts the seconds as if they are hours, making promises she doubts she will be able to keep.

i o d i n e .

one step away from
spilling my guts to you.