Author's Note: Hey Guys. So I had quite a bit of this written already but couldn't find the right way to finnish it. I decided to try changing my way of writing a little: you will notice there is slightly less description and I use more basic sentences. I thought this gave a nice stop-start effect that would reflect how the characters feel. While writing this I had three songs on an endless loop: I will be right here waiting for you - Richard Marx; Jump - Laura Shigihara and Surely Someday which is a fan song written by adrisaurus. All three songs are amazing and worth checking out.

Read and Review; I'd love to know what you think. ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The prospect of wasting the remainder of the precious daylight seemed dire. It was because of this that Suga proposed they venture out and collect some flowers.

The proposal made both of them reminisce their childhood – of their many ventures into the nearby blossom beds; the joy and companionship of their youth. They agreed it was a splendid suggestion; stepping out into the now rather humid afternoon.

The tepid air made it arduous to breathe. The settled vapour stifling their steps through the spindly blades of grass. The clouds were a daintier tone of grey due to their loss of precipitation. The sun wove its way through the sky's veil; shimmering over puddles on damp ground. The patch of flowers they selected was rather small; a copse of snowdrops and foxgloves. The dainty blooms sparkled in the dim light; embracing the minute rays of sunshine. Setting to work, they each plucked a few select blooms; leaving the rest to thrive further with the aid of their faithful Mother. As they meticulously scoured the patch, their eyes met on several occasions; each glance resulting in the similar response of a small exchange of smiles. Shiori's mind kept wandering back to the picture book: she had come to the conclusion that: yes, she did love Suga. There was no other definition for her feelings toward him. Though surely he could not feel such emotions for her?

Of course were he to confess to her; she would announce her love for him, but she doubted her feelings were returned.

Even if he did feel about her in such a way, they had only just been reunited therefore such heavy matters would be put on the back burners for a time. At least until they were fully reacquainted. Why could nothing in life be simplistic?

A light tap on her shoulder shook Shiori from her contemplation; she glanced up, meeting her friend's gaze. The light graced his face; catching his features in such a way that he looked younger. He was simultaneously the cry-baby, caring child she had sworn to protect as well as the mysterious, handsome hero who had saved her down in the labyrinth of caves. All the while he was simply Suga: her eternal best friend. Her chest swelled with pride along with love.

He wanted to speak; she could see his throat tightening as he tried to urge the words out. He was trying; he attempted to talk to Shiori whenever he had something important to say even though it was painful as he felt it showed the seriousness and sincerity in his words. It was not often he felt obliged to speak; often opting to write his words instead. Not wanting to discourage him she let him continue, although it did hurt her to see him still suffering thanks to the Kotori Obake.

"Shii-san…I have…something….for you…but first I have to….to tell…you something." She nodded not interrupting. They shifted so they sat together slightly away from the flowers; not wanting to harm them. Suga began again but checked himself; unsure whether to say what he wanted. The silence was broken by a slight wind that picked up strands of Shiori's hair; twirling it like a ribbon. It hummed an encouraging tune through the nearby foliage.

Suga watched her intently, before picking up his plod-like speech.

"Shii-san…when I met…you, all those years ago….I-you were the most important….thing to me." His voice cracked; he gave up, his message too important to not convey appropriately. He pulled out a note pad; he began to scribble down words. The pad was angled so that Shiori could see the words whilst Suga continued to write:

You showed me there was another way to live; that I didn't have to be afraid.

Admittedly, I was still a sensitive soul but your perseverance in

cheering me up ensured I never stayed down for long. But…

He paused; sniffling slightly – trying to keep his emotions at bay. Shiori patted his arm comfortingly. He placed the nib back on the page and after one last breath, he started again:

But after the crash; I became obsessed with finding my Mother.

I became complacent. I put you at risk. I was the reason you made a promise.

I am so very sorry. I was an imbecile.

Shiori wrapped her arms around the shoulders around her now crying friend. Her embrace did not prevent him from continuing; it just reassured him that she did not blame him - she held no grudge.

And for my idiocy I paid the price: I lost you.

I was left alone.

Alone; to face the stares; the ridicule of those who knew what had happened.

I was blamed. I was condoned. I was so, so scared.

Your Grandfather let me stay here; he did not condone me.

Suga paused; seemingly lost in thought. Shiori watched as his eyebrows knitted together; his face the vision of solemnity. He had known so much pain; so much loss; so much loneliness. No one should know the hardships that made up Suga's life. She only wished she could have helped.

The only thing that got me through such dark days was the legacy you left.

I tried to live in a way that would make you proud.

I hope to think I succeeded in that endeavour.

I hid my emotions; I pretended to be as strong as you had always been.

She was slightly upset that Suga discarded his own personality in order to make her 'proud' – but it had gotten him safely through their time apart, so she couldn't complain. She was bumped as Suga resumed:

When you came back; the dense fog that shrouded me, dissipated.

I could see clearly again. I could be myself again.

You slowly broke down my walls; causing my old self to re-emerge.

I didn't even though what it felt like to laugh, since it had been so long.

Losing you again has been my biggest fear since you came back into my life.

You are the most precious aspect of my existence.

I would gladly give my life for you; though I hope it does not come to that –

for I hope to never leave your company one more.

He did not mention the Kotori Obake: he didn't need to. They had spoken in depth after they had returned from the caves thus it was not necessary for the topic to be breached. Plus Suga seemed fixated on another objective; too determined to get distracted repeating a conversation they had had before.

Suga placed the pad on Shiori's knee. She tilted her head as she peered at him – he had turned so that he faced her. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed; bracing himself.

"Shii-san…I wish to…stay with you…always. For as long as I can…remember…I have always - I suppose…what I'm trying to say is…." He took her hands; his own slightly clammy. He was hyperventilating. Their eyes met. He gulped once more.

"I love you."

Shiori was speechless; she had not even let herself believe that Suga might return her affection.

Suga shuffled; her silence unsettling him. He had bared his heart; put his happiness on the line. He didn't want to lose Shiori but he would not have been able to live with himself, were he not to tell her. He blushed; thinking his fondness to be unrequited. He looked down at his hands; unfulfilled.

He went to stand but was caught by Shiori.

"I'm sorry Shii-san….I"

"I love you too Suga-kun!"

He stopped.

He turned.

He looked down into her eyes.

She beamed back at him. She loved him. He loved her.

Suga crouched back down next to Shiori; cupping her face. When she did not retract her words, he believed he had imagined them.

However all doubt was thrown swiftly away as she placed her hands on his chest; half closed her eyes and leant subtly toward him. Suga was consumed with emotion: fear, nervousness, joy, elation, many other amazing and terrible feelings he thought himself incapable of. Their noses brushed together as they drew nearer. They were a breath away….

Suga laughed. He couldn't control the maelstrom of emotion within him. He rolled on the floor clutching his stomach as he struggled to breathe. He was so relieved that the girl he loved considered him worthy of her affection. He was content. Tears swirled down his pale face – droplet couples skating in unison along a snowy landscape; celebrating the momentous occasion.

Shiori felt a little silly; she had gone to show the man she loved the depth of her affection, and he had begun laughing. He had obviously been pent up about his feelings. It was understandable for him to react but the way in which he reacted was a little disabling; and if she was honest slightly embarrassing. Not that it really mattered; Suga was happy – she was happy. She smiled at her friend a blush playing on her cheeks. Suga calmed down after a time. For a moment he lay on his side studying his love: she really was the most amazing person he had ever encountered. He felt honoured to be her friend; to be worthy of her love.

They sat face to face once more; breaths tickling their cheeks.

Tentatively they edged closer…

Breathing became nearly impossible as their hearts leapt into their throats.

Closer…

Their eyes fluttered shut; cautiously drawing nearer, until….

…they met.

Their lips cautiously brushed together – an almost kiss. The wind swirled around them urging them nearer – some unseen power pushed them together as it had done all their lives. No matter what happened, they always ended up reunited; almost in preparation for this moment.

When their lips finally touched their swiftly pulled away; the sensation having taking them by surprise by how overwhelming it had been. The next time they were prepared. The sensation was thrilling; electricity coursed through them as though they had completed a circuit allowing the current to jolt through them. Time did not exist anymore. There were no other people that mattered. The earth shifted slowly below them but gravity held no effect on them; the only anchor to the world being the will to stay together. There was nothing except the feeling of security and love brought on by being together. For the first time in so long they were content; their loneliness gone for the first time in many moons. It felt: right. They had been destined to find each other; had been fated to lose each other; had longed to find each other.

They drew back simply to gaze into each other's eyes. Their previously hollow, empty chests felt fit to burst; brimming with newly acknowledged adoration. The darkness that had encompassed them was burnt away letting the dawn simmer through; with it a new perspective; a new life.

"Shii-san, I have…something for you." He reached into his pocket, extracting a small box. Shiori looked quizzically at it. With a slight pop the lid opened; revealing a delicate but strikingly beautiful, night glow stone ring. She was awestruck; her tears fell as the emotions ran free.

"Will...you marry me...Shii-san?"

She nodded before he slipped the ring on her finger. They kissed once more as the sun gave a contented sigh as it slid over the horizon; having watched the pair she watched play as children finally find the peace they deserved.

The past is what we were; unchangeable. But at one point it was the future; the aspirations from years past having either been changed or fulfilled. It is what makes each one of us who we are.

The future is unknowable; until it is the past. So all that can be done is to aspire toward happiness; if one aims for the stars then even if they fail they are among the clouds. Every raindrop has the capacity to cause a wave.

The world is ever changing; people are just as versatile. People, opinions, life; none are stable. Fear and confusion thrive in the wake of change; as do loneliness and chaos.

But as the pair of them sat surrounded by blooms in the early evening haze it became clear that not everything has to be different.

Some things never change: that reliability; stability is what makes life enjoyable. Being able to have the nostalgia of the past whilst embracing the changes and challenges of the future; that's why the present is a gift - a gift to be shared.