Cutting Ties So They Don't Cut Themselves

[Saveli Pendleton]

Saveli was not over the grief of losing her sister yet, the funeral having been a little over a week ago, and still she felt like she needed nothing more than to be alone. She'd wanted to live out the life her sister didn't get a chance to, and perhaps that meant she needed to make some changes in her life. Changes that while difficult might be for the best. So the letter was written with nary a second glance back at the past Saveli would be leaving behind. After all, decisions needed to be made fiercely and without doubt did they not. So though it pained Saveli with every word, and she cried through writing, when the letter was as ready as it could get she sent it off to Reuben.

Spoiler: Letter

Reuben,
The past two years have been amazing, and don't let anyone take away from you the memories we've made. I don't want you to doubt there was ever an I love you that I meant. I want you to know that no matter what happens I will always consider you my first love. Prudence always wanted to live life to the fullest and she was certain that she needed to find herself before finding anyone else. And maybe she was right. Maybe I loved you before i knew how to love myself. I don't think I know how to do that yet. I don't think I will for a long time. It's wrong to ask you to wait while I figure everything out, adn I'd never do that to you Reuben. I love you. More than you will ever know. I just know that... it's best if we say goodbye to romance. Find someone who loves you unconditionally. Find someone who doesn't need to constantly be told she's beautiful - because a girl should know she has to be gorgeous to have you. She should know you inside out, please don't give yourself anything less than that Reuben. Please.

I'm so sorry Roo.
I love you
Saveli Pendleton

 

[Reuben Pendleton]

Reuben had been back at Ilvermorny for a few days, now, and already he was missing Saveli. He couldn't help but feel, though, as if he'd done something wrong, which was strange, since nothing apparently stood out in his mind that he could use to justify his discomfort. He turned over their last few days together in his head, wondering whether he'd remembered to tell her he loved her before he'd left, or whether perhaps she'd changed up her hair and he hadn't noticed. No - it was more likely that Saveli was simply grieving over Prue. That was it. Anyone would act weirdly after discovering their sister had died, right?

Reuben sat down at the Thunderbird table and nibbled at his breakfast, not feeling particularly hungry. His stomach was full of butterflies. At nine, the mail arrived - Saveli had already written him a letter. He smiled at that, relaxing slightly, and excused himself from the table to take the letter outside where he could read it privately. But the moment he unfolded the parchment, his whole world sank. She was... breaking up with him. He read it twice, three times, just to be sure he'd understood right. No. No, no, no. He'd known it was coming, of course. He'd reserved his feelings in preparation for it. How could he fully love a girl he knew was too good for him? She'd been bound to realise it one day, whether sooner or later, when his heart had become more invested.

He screwed up the piece of paper, tears swimming dangerously in his eyes. He had to get back to his dormitory. He ran quickly, head down, nearly mowing down a first year along the way. How could she end a break-up letter with the words 'I love you'? Who did that? If she really loved him, she'd have talked this through with him, like adults. They could have saved it. What was going on?

It was so harsh, too, to do it by letter. Had she known before he'd left that she was going to do this? If so, it was a horrible thing to do to wait. But Saveli wasn't horrible. She was one of the nicest people Reuben knew. None of it was adding up. When he got back to his dormitory, he got out his quill and a piece of parchment and composed his reply, stopping occasionally to wipe his tears on his sleeve.

Sav,
I don't understand. I thought you knew I wanted to be with you forever, through everything. Maybe I don't care if you haven't figured everything out yet, or if I have to tell you you're beautiful. I just love you Sav, I love you so much. Please don't say it's over. You are all I have ever wanted and dreamed of and this is killing me. This isn't fair. Why did you wait until I'd gone back to school? I don't even have a chance to talk to you. Please, please don't do this, just think about it while I'm gone and then when I'm home we can talk about it and sort things out. Please. I love you, Sav. I don't think I've told you enough but I love you and I think you are the most amazing person in the whole world, so please don't do this.
I love you so much
Reuben