+ Category: Fantastic Children
+ Rate: T
+ Genre: Angst / Tragedy
Author's notes: I wish I could own FC, but sadly, I don't. *sniff* Btw, this is the FINAL chapter of this small tribute. My apology for the long wait. :)
~ TRUTH ~
Chapter 5
/Love..? Tina...loves me?/
The blade clattered down beside him as he dropped to his knees, his world spinning. /Was it true? Was it all true?/
He felt a burning so profound and deep in his eyes. And he felt a strange sensation on his cheeks as it entered his mouth merging into the blood there, filling it with a saltiness.
He looked at the captain's body and a slow movement caught this eye. She moved towards Soran, her hair like a procession trailing behind. She knelt beside him now, caressing his face and kissing the top of his forehead. Soran stood up holding her hand in his and drawing her deep inside his embrace. She turned around and looked at Sesu and extended her hand to him, her face revealing a smile.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
He let out a long labored scream. For one moment he let all his longing float to the surface. For one moment he made the world cease existing. For one moment he let the kind man he tried so desperately to kill escape from the prison deep inside of him. For one moment he let himself revel in the happiness he felt and he let one solitary smile escape his lips. A real smile. For one moment, only a moment.
She was as he remembered her. Her eyes still as blue as the first time he saw them. Her smile still as beautiful as he had engraved in his heart. Her smell still filled his nostrils with memories long since forgotten. He wanted to take her hand, to hold her in his arms like he wanted to that sunset. His desire left him weak and he cursed himself for it.
And deep down inside, before he could stop it, it broke through his wall, voicing the torment he had to endure.
/Please, please don't leave me Tina.../
How he wished that she had spoken some more. How he wanted to hear her sweet voice. It was what brightened him everyday. And the thought that she was safe under his protection let him sleep peacefully.
She who grew up right before his eyes, she who was so pure and fragile. She who was the rain in his barren heart, she who has loved him as no other could.
He who could face down every formidable opponent, but he could not win against his own heart. He cannot.
How could he tell her that all he lived for was to hear her happy chatter, to look into those blue eyes and drown in them? How could he tell her, that she was his only reason to live? HOW?
For it was too late...
(Flashback to episode 16)
He had been hurting so much over the past few days. He carried a hurt he had no right to bear. Having decided to let her go, that was the hardest choice he ever made. And knowing this made it even more unendurable. But he tolerated it as well as he could. For her sake. For her happiness.
Now they were both at the royal river, enjoying the sunset in each other's company.
"Sesu?" He turned to look at her and as their gaze met, she looked sideways before putting on a disturbed look and muttering. "Never mind." He sighed at the familiar habit he saw unfolding before him. A silence covered them.
"Hey Sesu?" She asked once more.
"Yes Tina?" He asked knowing full well that this would not end unless he did something.
"Nothing." She shook her head as she broke into a smile once more.
/This is the last time Tina shall ever be mine.../ His smile was easy, though it didn't quite reach into his eyes.
She let out one of her giggles as she finally buried her face on his chest encompassing him in an embrace. "Thank you Sesu, for everything."
He was so tired, and stressed. He didn't show it in his body or his face, that would show weakness, and no matter what situation, Lord Sesu was NOT weak. But she was his angel, and he dropped his guard with the only one he would trust.
He moved his hand and pulled her closer to him, breathing in the scent of sunlight and boundless ocean.
/After then you will be his. After then I will lose you, perhaps forever.../ He thought bitterly.
How he wanted to kiss her then in this sunset. To claim her for himself. How he longed to take her away from here and make her his. But he knew that would trample Tina's newfound happiness. And he would never do that. He vowed to make her happy. He lived to see her happy. At any cost. Even if the cost was his own happiness. He held her tightly in his arms.
/Stay mine a little longer Tina. Stay mine.../
After a while she withdrew from their embrace. "Thank you Sesu."
"Tina, you are my happiness." He whispered almost inaudibly. She looked up at him. Her eyes widened at what he said. And she smiled in understanding and went back inside the palace, leaving him alone once more.
/She would never understand. And perhaps it is better that she doesn't./ Then he buried his face in his hands.
(End flashback)
Sesu closed his eyes, his moment ending.
"This is the end." He said bowing his head, long white bang cover his chiseled face.
"Lord Sesu..."
He looked up at Rui for a moment, then turned and walked away.
Now he had betrayed Tina...
And he felt his smile forever leave his lips.
Forever...
########
Once, many and many years ago, there was a legend about the kingdom by the sea... It is said a dream is a dream again when the spirits of lovers reunite there. And when you close your eyes, you can imagine them alive again.
Once, many and many years ago...
The End
Author's final notes: I've never left my word unfinished. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, everyone! ;D