Epilogue

The Watcher smiled fondly at the young woman curled up contentedly on her bed, the comforter tangled up in her limbs and her hair fanning out on the pillow. She'd left the reading lamp on again and it cast warm amber shadows across the room. Mei had grown so much. Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. And so had he.

It was the first time he'd found it difficult to not cross the boundaries set for all Watchers. He had been the guardian of many before her, each one of them special to him, but none of them quite like Mei. Watchers were set over everyone, believer or non-believer, and many never really saw their own guardian. Mei was one of the few that Kiku was ordered to reveal himself to and directly guide. Although he knew that they were much closer than a normal Watcher and human, it had startled him when he realized just how strong her feelings were for him.

In a way it was natural. Watchers embodied their charge's soulmate to help ensure that they would be able to find he or she in the future and recognize them. It was why humans felt a certain connection when they found the person they were meant to be with. He had taken Kiku's form in order that when she met him, she would know who he was. Had he not, Mei would've gone through so much more heartbreak. She would have fallen in love too easily and while many could, and did, withstand it, he knew Mei with her naive, yet prideful nature would've been broken.

She had come to rely on him too much though when it wasn't he she should be turning to. So he had done what he had to even though it hurt him to leave her in her darkest hours. Through it, she was able to rediscover the meaning of her faith.

He sighed softly, reaching out to turn out the lamp. She was no longer a little girl. She would not need him in his physical form as she once did. But that was alright. She had Kiku Honda.

As for himself… He would always be there.

.

.

.

As your guardian, I will block the stiff wind
Even though people turn their backs to you
If I could become the person
Who can wipe your tears on a tiring day
It will be paradise
"Angel" by EXO

A/N: At last we have come to the end of The Watcher :) I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it! (Hopefully more than that because it was a real pain sometimes haha) This was a rather personal piece for me to write for many reasons and seeing people follow, favorite, and review this has been really encouraging. Thank you all who have taken the time to read The Watcher. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts! :D