reflections - treech

twenty nine

After a long day at work, Treech offered to take Cordelia somewhere, just the two of them. The events of the previous night had left him reeling, unexpected confessions slipping past the barriers he had erected around his heart. Opening up about his nightmares, his struggles to reconcile the horrors of the games with the semblance of normalcy he sought to reclaim, had been a daunting leap into vulnerability.

Out by the tranquil expanse of the lake, Cordelia and Treech settled by the water's edge, mirroring a scene from their shared past when they were just thirteen. Yet, despite the familiarity of their surroundings, this moment carried a distinct air of difference.

For Cordelia, there was a sense of liberation as she reclined by the water, unencumbered by concerns of getting dirty or mussing up her clothes. The cares and worries of adulthood seemed momentarily distant, allowing her to relish in the simple pleasure of the present moment.

Meanwhile, Treech found comfort in the familiar setting, where the lapping of the waves served as a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. Here, amidst the serene beauty of nature, he found sanctuary from the demands and expectations of the world. His parents understood his need for solitude during these moments, granting him the space he required to navigate the complexities of his own thoughts and emotions.

A tidal wave of insecurity crashed upon Treech's thoughts, its relentless current eroding his confidence bit by bit. Doubt crept in like a thief in the night, whispering insidious lies that echoed in the chambers of his mind. Cordelia, with her grace and poise, seemed to exist on a pedestal far beyond his reach. Did her really deserve her? The notion that she might be too good for him took root, insidiously entwining itself with his deepest fears.

In the shadowy recesses of his consciousness, a nagging voice insisted that there must be someone out there better suited to her, someone capable of providing the love and care she deserved. Someone who could offer her the sanctuary of a love unmarred by doubt or insecurity. It seemed inconceivable that he could ever measure up to such lofty expectations, that he could offer her anything more than a mere semblance of affection.

Yet, even as his insecurities threatened to engulf him, a flicker of determination ignited within him, a silent vow to rise above his doubts and prove himself worthy of the love he so fervently desired.

A tranquil silence descended upon them, wrapping them in a bundle of calm.

"Here. For you," Treech broke the silence, extending a small bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers towards Cordelia.

Cordelia's smile bloomed like the petals of the flowers in her hands. "Thank you," she murmured softly, her eyes reflecting genuine gratitude.

Treech returned her smile, his cheeks tinted with a subtle blush that added a touch of warmth to his demeanor. With a graceful motion, he rose to his feet, brushing off stray blades of grass from his clothes. "Want to go for a swim?" he suggested, the invitation hanging in the air like a promise of adventure and shared moments.

Cordelia shook her head slowly, her gaze meeting Treech's with a mixture of embarrassment and apprehension. "I can't swim," she admitted, her voice tinged with reluctance.

Treech's smile widened slightly at her confession, though he quickly suppressed it upon seeing her discomfort. "Don't worry," he reassured her, his tone gentle yet encouraging. "I'll show you."

With a determined expression, Treech proceeded to remove his shoes and shirt, his movements deliberate yet fluid as he prepared to offer Cordelia a swimming lesson.

"Is there anything in the water?" Cordelia's question hung in the air, her gaze scanning the tranquil surface of the water as she stood up, a curious expression etched across her features.