truce

Caution and I walk through the kitchen while HE’s talking in the living room, the low
murmur of his voice flowing through the hum of conversation. She taps me on the
shoulder and (*ahem?*) clears her throat as he rolls a musical phrase off his mother tongue
down my spine and she’s just in time to keep my knees from visibly knocking.
(Good old caution!) Paranoia takes a moment to remind me that Haven’t you been
standing in the same spot a bit too long? And perhaps you should act a bit more casual?
Yes, that’s much better – she pats me on the shoulder for having the foresight to glance
past his smile to check the time. (And yet, there’s a warmth in his smile that makes time
irrelevant, and his eyes persuade me to lose my caution…) Insecurity leaps to kick me
back down into the world where countless women find favor in his eyes, every one of
them more captivating than myself. Preoccupied and wrestling with my allies, his hand
on mine overthrows them all with one frantic surprised beat of my heart. He speaks to
me through that devastatingly sweet mouth, and asks if he can help with something.
He may have to help me stand up, but I’m not about to tell him THAT, and I find myself
laughing, and he grins back at me, and suddenly it’s all so simple and easy and human,
and I find myself wondering if he and I can strike a truce before the allies recover their wits;
I say Yes.

Truce (?), n. [OE. trewes, triwes, treowes, pl. of trewe a truce, properly, pledge of fidelity, truth, AS. treow fidelity, faith, troth. See True.]

1. Mil.

A suspension of arms by agreement of the commanders of opposing forces; a temporary cessation of hostilities, for negotiation or other purpose; an armistice.

2.

Hence, intermission of action, pain, or contest; temporary cessation; short quiet.

Where he may likeliest find Truce to his restless thoughts. Milton.

Flag of truce Mil., a white flag carried or exhibited by one of the hostile parties, during the flying of which hostilities are suspended. -- Truce of God, a suspension of arms promulgated by the church, which occasionally took place in the Middle Ages, putting a stop to private hostilities at or within certain periods.

© Webster 1913.