After You

Kurogane sat behind him on the steps, watching him watch the turquoise ocean, the waves gently lapping at his feet and retreating and then splashing up the shore once again playfully as if it was trying to entice the owner of that pair of feet into a game of jump and chase. The pair of feet didn’t budge but dug its toes deeper into the soft, wet sand enjoying the coolness hidden beneath its surface.

The warm yellow gold of the setting sun lit up around his silhouette, framing his slender frame in a halo of golden light, the gentle evening breeze teasingly ruffled his pale blond hair and the crimson silk kimono he is wearing, making the white flowers embroidered onto the kimono looked as if it was really swaying in the wind, the red silk producing a glaring contrast on his fair ivory skin, making it look even more perfect if it was possible. It was mesmerizing, the purples and pink hues of the dusky sky seems the perfect background for the man standing in his vision.

Kurogane wonder if he would ever tire of such a sight, would he be blessed enough to watch over this man for the reminding of his life. He prayed often that their newfound bliss would never be destroyed and would never end.

He remembered the day when everything started falling apart and how the mage lost his eye to the clone, remembered the icy tone when he called his name after he saved his life and turned him into the creature that he is now and the deliberate distance he kept since they left Acid Tokyo. It was heartbreaking and Kurogane wondered then how much would he have to take before he ends up falling apart himself.

Then came the day when they landed in Celes. That cold embittered country that the mage had come from and he realized everything he had gone through hadn’t been so bad, the mage had been through worst and Kurogane understood then the man that stands before him today, why was he so adamant in keeping his distance from everyone, why he kept refusing the love he was trying to give. But now, the memories that haunted the mage was gone, his twin granted the peace he ought to have the day he died was now finally at peace. Fay had found the closure he needed from the sin he thought he had committed all those years ago.

Although Kurogane had lost his arm and the long unshakable chains of fate were still at work, they were at least given some reprieve from everything temporarily and this loop had allowed them to come together briefly and reconcile their differences. Allowed everyone some time to come onto their own and recover from recent traumas.

He also thought about how he had changed ever since he met them, his make shift family. He had lost most of his fiery temper by now and think about everything much more then he used to. He learned that power and strength isn’t necessarily gained by killing others stronger then you, it doesn’t mean that you have to be the most powerful in order to be the strongest.

The will to live and make the necessary sacrifices to protect the ones you love was what makes one the strongest and Kurogane thinks that it was the ultimate sacrifice that he has made that caused the mage to change his mind about what was happening between them. Somehow, it made everything he had suffered, worth his while.

“Hey…” a mellow calm voice called out to him and he look up as he came out of his thoughts to look into that azure eye that had held him captive ever since he looked into them at the witch’s boudoir.

“You think too much nowadays, Kuro – sama.”

Fay smiled as he posed his question to the man seated in front of him. His eyes unconsciously traveled to the fabric that hung loosely around the stub of Kurogane’s arm and his heart cringe involuntarily as the image of a bloody arm came back to him again. He didn’t want this…so much sacrifices made for him. He should have came back to Japan safe and sound…not burdened with a leech that was going to drain him of his blood forever and missing important body parts that is so crucial for his survival as a swordsman. The only things that didn’t change was that the man still looked as imposing as ever whether he had both arms on him or not, he still smirks in that arrogant way of his as if he’s the king of the world and still look at him with his crimson eyes burning with love and desire…that look that always causes his stomach to end up in knots and sends butterflies fluttering to his chest.

“Hn.” Kurogane grunted his reply and continued looking at Fay.

“Do you plan on telling Tomoyo-hime about it?” Fay query as he sat down on the step beside Kurogane and leaned his head on his shoulder. Kurogane savor the moment, it was still rare for the mage to initiate an act of physical intimacy.

“She knows well enough, I think…I’ll go as far as to say that she has been expecting it.” He had no doubts that the shrewd princess knows what was going to happen since she has the same abilities as the witch to see into the future, albeit given vague glimpses of it.

“Will you regret it?” Fay asks looking at the ocean ahead. He knows the answer but somehow he needed more assurances from the man himself.

“Will you stop being the fool? After so long, I’ve finally gotten what I wanted…I’ll never be able to let you go.” Kurogane grasped Fay’s chin and tilted his head till he was staring at the azure eye again and stray his thumb across the patch that covered his damaged eye. Somehow, he shouldn’t be surprised that Fay would still ask questions like this, after all, he did fervently wished for his return to his motherland but it was impossible to stay even if he wanted to…they had to find Fei Wang and prevent him from further carrying out his crazed plans. He has to be stop or there will be no end to their suffering.

Fay just had to close his eye to prevent his tears from falling and thought it wasn’t healthy that he was crying much more often then before. How could Kurogane turn him into this shriveling heap of a damsel? This is what love does to you…love makes you weak against your emotions and desires…makes you forget your pain and see the present…one always comes undone by the love they carry. Fay thought and he smiled again as he look at Kurogane with tears welling up in his eye…these tears, Kuro, they symbolizes the happiness that you have bought me…only you…only you can see them..see me like this.

“At least I’m a fool for you…” Fay answered and burrowed his head against Kurogane’s neck and pulled the haori that he was wearing over the both of them to avoid the chill that was descending and they sat on those worn steps looking at the sunset and they were still there long into the night when the moon took over from the sun, lighting up the night with it’s silvery brightness.