all the light we cannot

Deidre drops onto the couch beside Verge, so close they’re touching, and wraps a leg around one of Verge’s own. It’s the gentle expressions of physical intimacy like this that most have Verge simultaneously reveling in it and wondering if they should be making a mad dash for the door.“What’s wrong, Verge?”“Nothing is wrong.”It’s a lie, of course. They’re staring down the barrel of the end of the world. It may just be doomsday for Earth, but for Verge—who has never been part of a community in their life, never even considered that they might be able to in this lifetime—it’s increasingly starting to feel as if the whole galaxy and its nearest five neighbors are on the brink of collapse. They would leave, as Eldin is urging them to do every chance they get, but Verge refuses to leave without Deidre. Deidre, who won’t leave, but is begging Verge to leave. It’s like a Ravorkian stand-off and Verge wishes they could suspend time here in their room and stay with Deidre forever.*The end of the world as they know it looming, Deidre cooks Verge dinner.