nekare

This is really lovely! I tend to read original writing by fandomers half-heartedly, but this was really engaging and well done! It reads like a professional short story.

I don't know if you're into concrit at all (I generally never offer it, but I figure original writing might actually benefit from it, whereas fanfic doesn't go through drafts, or whatever), but I actually think that the piece stands alone without the last segment. The sentence about living a lie is a strong note to end on, and the repetition of ages gives it the feeling of being tied up. Just my two cents! Again, I really enjoyed it!