This is Part Five of my Steemit-exclusive, ColorChallenge-inspired, FreeWrite story series. No edits, no going beyond the designated time. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who commented and read the series. All of you are a treasure!

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<< Part Six

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_{One half of the heart and the other}

The pair sat silently, gazing at the vibrant park. They had been here before, sitting at the very same bench. It was a very different time, full of unrest and uncertainty. Not that things were any better now. In fact, it could be argued that they were in more turbulent times. But, they speak as if hard days are behind them, so that translates to how they feel.

They had been through so much together, and they couldn't imagine a life apart from one another. That was the conundrum they found themselves in. It was the natural outcome, considering one of them didn't look at the other the same way. Even though they tried to skate around the issue, there was just something off about the whole situation. It made them uneasy, and it strained their relationship, even though they didn't want to admit it.

The sound of leaves rustling was drowned out by the noise of the playing children. Their smiles were infectious, and they could certainly uplift anyone who saw them or heard them laughing. The parents that accompanied them chattered amongst themselves, throwing shade and nasty glances. Not at the children, but towards the pair that sat on the bench.

It was wooden, and had seen better days—talking about the bench. But, the same could be said for the pair's relationship. They were at a crossroads, and it was high time for them to make a decision. One that could very well dictate the course of their lives for years to come.

The one on the left tilted her head and rested it on her companion's shoulder. They breathed a long sigh almost at the same time. It used be that they would sigh exactly the same time. But, those were during better days.

    "What changed?"

    "I think I did."

    "You want to know what I think?"

    "Not really, but I know you're going to—"

    "I think that you've always been this way, you just got tired."

    "Tired of what? Pretending to be someone else? Because if that's what you're—"

    "Tired of me."

The pair stayed silent upon the agreed realization. Suddenly, her companion's shoulder felt foreign, so she lifted her head upright. At that moment, three black vans rolled up near where they were. Men clad in black suits emerged from them not long after. With their arrival, the people in the park cleared out, except for the pair who sat silently in the wooden bench.

XJ-1920 grabbed VI-0818's hand, and squeezed it tightly. She wanted to tell her to not be scared, and to come back to her, but her mouth betrayed her.

    "I love you," VI-0818 said. "That will never change."

    "I love you," XJ-1920 replied.

VI-0818 stood up and went with the men into their van, leaving XJ-1920 alone at the park, sitting at bench, listening intently as the vans drove away, waiting silently, patiently. Loved.

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<< Part Six

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The #ColorChallenge was initiated by @kalemandra, and #FreeWrite was initiated by @improv.

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