Challengers.
"Walk with me?"
It was as plaintive an offer as any she'd ever made. His acceptance came as a surprise to both parties, but a welcome one. She reached up to touch his fuzzy cheek, a gesture that brought a rare smile to his grim features. The glint in his brown eyes, barely visible by the light of the dawning sky, made her heart ache prematurely; but it wasn't the time for that. She could grieve after he was gone.
_Yes, I know it was late
We were greeting the sun
Before dawn._
Their night had passed. Arm in arm, the two set off, neither speaking, rarely sharing glances, but secure in the knowledge that they'd always have their memories. The rising sun set fire to the city, illuminating the gray skyline with flashes of orange and red. He wrapped his coat around her shoulders, happy to brave the autumn elements if it meant she'd be more comfortable. It made her smile, and when she rested her head against his arm, he didn't pull away.
_On the walls of the day
In the shade of the sun._
Another surprise from her stoic, duty-bound companion came when he stopped atop the hill just outside of town. She didn't question. She just turned with him to enjoy the rest of the sunrise, safe in the warmth of his presence, but already longing for what would soon be gone. She felt tears in her eyes, even as she looked up at him. He was looking at her too. His little smile hadn't faded; that was one of many things she'd taught him.
"Be safe," she said. "Whatever the mess you are, you're mine. Okay?"
He didn't say anything. She didn't expect him to. The grin across his perpetually grim features told everything in his heart; everything his mouth was incapable of saying. Some part of him thought it was the only time he'd ever be able to smile like that.
_Until I see you around
Until we clear the account
Leave it there._
With shaking hands, he embraced her, an embrace that should have lasted forever, and only parted after he'd laid a single kiss on her forehead. When she moved to return his coat, he stopped her. She was surprised to see that his eyes were wet too, softened and shining in the morning light in a way that she'd never seen before. It hurt her to think that she'd never see it again.
_Leave it to us
We are the challengers of the unknown._
It was time to forget each other. Without a word, he turned and walked away from everything that had ever made him happy, returning to a life of loneliness and bounden sacrifice. Some time later, long after he'd disappeared, she turned and made her way back into town, a hole in her chest where her heart had been. She left it with him, and he with her. That is the custom.
Come dawn.
Italicized lyrics belong to the New Pornographers. I know it's not really something to 'enjoy', but I hope you don't totally regret reading it. Feel free to let me know.