Sweet Escape (sidebar to Princess Ball)

[Sky]

Sky's heart lurched at Bloom's softly spoken words and he found himself unable to look down to meet her persistent gaze. God, that night in the park felt like an eternity ago. Back then, he had been so certain that Bloom was it for him - that he would never again be able to find someone to complement him so well. She made him laugh, he rarely fought with her, he had fallen head over heels in love with her.

But had it been too perfect? Too easy? Had it really been real?

Because what he had with Christine, that was love too - a different kind no doubt, though. His relationship with Bloom had been dream-like, perfect, everything he had always thought love was supposed to be. But with Christine, though there were rough spots, it was realistic. Love was about hard work, not about walks in the park. No, with Christine, Sky couldn't even remember all of the times they had been at each other's throats. All the times that he had made her cry and she had made him feel guilty. But it wasn't always like that, Sky knew. There was the other half of the time when he was as happy and carefree with her as he had been with Bloom. And somehow, it all balanced itself out and made something wonderful.

He loved them both - he had long ago finally admitted that fact to himself. But he couldn't have them both and he had already made his decision. Christine. He had to stick by that, no matter what. He wasn't going to flake out on her again. They deserved their shot at happiness.

And so, gently moving Bloom away from the door, Sky's answered quietly, his voice tinged with regret, "It doesn't work like that, Bloom. I'm sorry. I'm just...sorry."

[Bloom]

No, this wasn’t happening. She couldn’t let this happen. She had to find a way to stop him! She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she let him walk back through those doors, that she would lose him forever, and not just as the love of her life, but a friend as well. If she let him leave, she wasn’t sure she’d ever talk to him again, ever see him, and the thought was unbearable. But then again, if she did, she was pretty sure they could never be just friends. All the sleepless nights and the stress of the past few weeks suddenly seemed to catch up to her, and as the panic set in she started to hyperventilate.

“But it could!” she pleaded, holding onto his arm. “Maybe Stella was right and guys just want the girls that make them feel all heroic. The ones who can’t defend themselves and always put themselves in danger and come running to them crying about everything from a broken nail to hurt feelings.”

She was talking more to herself now than him, her tone sad and bitter. If that was really true, then she was going to be alone forever. She was independent and proud of it and she wasn’t willing to change for anyone.

“I’m sorry I can’t be that girl, but I thought you liked strong women,” she said, finally looking at him again. Maybe she should just tell him about the spell, but what good would it do? Of course he wouldn’t believe her. It would prevent him from even thinking there could be a possibility.

[Sky]

She was pleading with him and begging him to see what she saw, and Sky could hardly bear it. Because the more she clung to her belief in him - her belief in them - the more Sky was reminded of why he had once been so sure of his love for her. Because standing before him was a genuine person. Her tears, that desperation in her voice, wasn't some disgusting ruse or last resort to guilt him into being with her. She wanted him. She loved him.

But he couldn't go there with her. He had to stay strong; he couldn't be swayed. He had to accept that this was going to hurt - but most of all, he had to trust that her resilience would get her through the pain.

Because Bloom was right: she was strong. She had the mental toughness and the ability to persevere no matter what that Sky had witnessed in very few people. She might not want to, but she could live without him. Could be happy without him. Somehow, he didn't think the same could be said about Christine. Though she was a fierce Specialist, she was fragile in a way that Bloom wasn't. Breaking Bloom's spirit was a temporary matter; she would doubtlessly find a way to sweep up the pieces and put herself back together. But Christine...Sky worried about Christine. Break her spirit and she would never quite be whole again - something he had witnessed firsthand.

And so, taking Bloom's face between his palms, Sky bent down and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. Then, releasing her, Sky stepped back toward the doors. With his hand on the glass knob and his back turned away from her, Sky said mournfully, "Goodbye, Bloom."

Slipping past the doors, Sky re-entered the crowded ballroom, feeling almost as though someone had died despite the festive mood. But perhaps that was the reality of the situation; he had never had real closure to their relationship. And now that the end had finally become official, he was grieving. It was natural to feel this sense of loss, right?

Now possessing even less interest in remaining at the ball, Sky shot his gaze around the room. Surely, no one would miss his presence if he left early.

[Bloom]

Closing her eyes at his touch, his kiss... his words, Bloom found that her voice had left her. She couldn’t argue anymore; all she could do was whimper softly in response. Standing stock still, she could feel him moving away from her... leaving her behind.

It hadn’t worked. She had been so sure! She had been so sure that she could break the spell. True love was supposed to be able to conquer everything! Stupid fairytales. None of it was real! Lies. They were all lies. Horrible, beautiful lies dreamed up to make little girls believe in something that didn’t exist. Something to set their hopes high only to have them dashed by reality.

Love didn’t conquer all and there was no such thing as happily ever after.

Turning away from the door Bloom stumbled over to the nearest wall that wasn’t glass and sank down against it. Didn’t he see? Christine hadn’t only ruined Bloom’s life, but Sky’s as well. She’d isolated him, cutting him off from everyone and making herself the only constant. Without Bloom, he had no ties to anyone at Alfea. Brandon had been taken and transformed, Riven had quit the squad and left Red Fountain and Timmy had vanished. All that Sky had had left was Christine, and she had made sure of it, weaselling her way into Red Fountain so that she was there, 24/7. And what if his parents actually didn’t like her? If he defied them for her, he would have nothing left. Nobody left. Nobody but Christine. He would have to depend on her, just like she wanted. There would be no one else, not really.

Bloom knew she had to save him, but she didn’t know if she had enough heart left to try. Even if he didn’t want to be with her in the end, she couldn’t let the witch destroy him. She could handle losing him as long as it wasn’t to her. She could handle losing him as long as he didn’t lose himself. He’d had such a bright, beautiful spirit, but it was so faded now. She had to help him. She loved him too much to let him go like this.