A/N: A Christmas gift-fic (brought to you by the LJ community, Suikosanta XD) for redamethyst, with love.

"I want to be free."

Your statement is met with silence, snatched away by the passing breeze. The corners of Ted's lips are curled up slightly in a mirthless smile, and you see in that smile, in those eyes, the glimmer of a different person--the other Ted, the other face of the coin.

"I want to be free," you repeat somberly. "From my father's shadow. I want people to see someone more than a general's son when they look at me."

The other Ted snorts. "It's funny, really, how different our desires seem to be when they ultimately comes down to the same thing."

His words are riddled with mystery. A thousand questions jump to your mouth, and you stifle them. He's looking at you now, making you feel small and childish. Something about his stare sends a shiver down your spine.

(Why am I afraid--?)

Conscious, you let your gaze wander until it settles on the ground.

(I can't even look at you.)

You regret bringing up the subject, hoping that Ted would return to his normal self. At the same time, you're filled with longing to know this other Ted. After all, you need to see both halves to understand the whole. You look up again and meet his eyes, mustering all the courage to ask, "Free of what?"

He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter, does it, Tir? Forget it."

"I just want you to know," you say, your gaze sliding downwards once again. "That whatever it is that you're keeping from me--it won't make you less than who you are. In fact, it's probably what made you into who you are." You smile, quite hesitantly. "My best friend."

Ted's hand clamps down on your shoulder. Squeezes. And you realize that you're no longer afraid of this other Ted. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," you murmur.

He leans forward and presses his lips against your forehead. And in that moment, although he says nothing, you hear his promise--Someday. Someday you'll understand.

- + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + -

"Good... That's good. Who needs a body that can't be controlled." Ted chokes out a triumphant laugh. "I now return... the three hundred years of life... that you gave me, Soul Eater..."

Windy is screeching something, but you're not listening. You barely even notice it when she disappears, because the only thing you're concerned about is Ted.

"Don't look like that..." He chides, his voice is barely a hoarse whisper. You have to strain to make out what he's saying. "I chose my path. I think it's..." The statement trails into a fit of coughs and gasping, and your grip around his hand tightens. "Farewell for sure. Take care... Live your life to the fullest... For my sake too."

The words rattle into cold silence.

You're not sure when the tears began to fall (Just now? Or long before that?), but your cheeks are damp, and you're trembling all over. Seconds pass. Minutes. Time seems to have lost its meaning. Your mind reels with memories of Ted, of days past that would never come again.

("I want to be free.")
You told him that, once. The words echo in your head, once again, this time in Ted's voice. You look at his still form--had Ted been breathing, he would simply seem to be sleeping.

(Finally free, eh, Ted?
Three hundred years of life... but how much of that did you spend really living?)

You lean down and kiss his forehead. And in that moment, although you say nothing, you hear your promise--

I'll live this life for both of us.