Week: Seven
Prompt: Fall
Word Count: 400
Rated: G
Warnings: None
Notes: This is my last drabble in this series. I was voted out of the competition this past week. Thanks to all of you who have read this "story", reviewed it, and loved it. You've been great.

Kaleidoscope of Pulsing Shades

It was the kind of day– the kind of scene– an artist can only dream about.

In a small, nearly-deserted park in the middle of London, autumn had finally presented itself. The rain had stopped the day before, but the sky was still slightly overcast; it caused the late afternoon rays of sunshine to spread softly across the changing trees, giving off a kaleidoscope of pulsing shades. The cool breeze blew gently against the fallen leaves littering the walkway, pushing them into the open air and carrying them towards the north end of the park. It was there, nestled beneath a large painted oak tree, that they stood. In that sea of colour– vibrant red, burnt orange, crisp yellow, fading green– the couple stood; their fingers were entwined and their bodies close.

The contrast between them was striking– her eyes as dark as his light; his hair as blond as hers brown; she as short as he tall. Yet, the way they looked at each other was one and the same. They were in love– so completely, so truly– and the intensity of their gaze could warm the brisk, autumn air.

Leaves swirled at their feet as he pushed a stray curl behind her ear and kept his bare hand against her reddened cheek. She rubbed that cheek against his hand before turning her lips to press them against his palm.

"I'll only be gone until December." His words were hoarse, laced with emotion, but he smiled at her warmly, trying to allay both of their fears.

A single tear slipped from her eye and, as if the wind knew her pain, it pressed against them colder than before. "I wish it were here already." Her voice quivered with unshed tears and she took a small step closer to him.

Instinctively, his arms wrapped around her thin shoulders draped in a much too lightweight coat and pulled her against his chest. He buried his face into her dishevelled curls and sighed. "I know," he murmured. "I know."

She nodded; the tears fell harder.

The clouds broke just as the sun was setting below the horizon. The couple stood, arms wrapped around each other, and watched the reds and purples of the sky mix together with the russets and auburns of fall, each wondering what the next season would bring.

And an artist looked on with a sigh of content satisfaction.