Edited as of 3 June, 2009

Aniyu: Hi People! Newbie here, so please be gentle when you R&R. Now, where is he?

Will: Who are you looking for?

Aniyu: (grin) Will, there you are! Do the disclaimer.

Will: (sighing) Why me?

Aniyu: (evil chuckle) I'll lock you in a closet with Simon.

Will: (horrified yell) Okay, fine! Aniyu does not own The Dark is Rising Sequence. The only thing she owns is a copy of the series and hopefully this plot. There, happy?

Aniyu: Very much so. Be gentle with those reviews please. Also, please read the fine print:

This contains slash a.k.a boyxboy material! Don't like, don't read! All flames will roast Simon!

Anayi: I think they get the point hikari. Please, go read the story.

Love's Salvation:

Good-Byes

"Now don' forget to tell your mum I said hallo, right Will?" Jen Evans said to Will once they came to the train station. Will smiled sadly, "Don't worry, Aunt Jen. I'll be sure to give her all your regards."

Jen was curious as to why Will was so sad-like in the past few days, but she didn't ask him about it. Will, however, knew exactly why he had been sad the past few days. When the Dark was pushed outside of time, Will knew he was to be alone, young eternally and immortal. No one aside from himself had any knowledge that the fight against the Dark ever happened. Will was now the Watcher of the Light, to watch as Merlin had for all eternity.

Will also knew that life at home would be very different. He knew that his mother and his sister, Mary, had willingly been working with the Dark and would have been thrown outside of Time as well. None of his remaining family would take well to their 'disappearance'.

Worse yet, Will would be forced to watch them all pass on and die along with his friends, never able to join them. Will felt like crying.

Jane hugged him, "You take care and visit us sometime!" Will hugged her back and nodded. Barney said jovially, "And whenever you can't visit, call or write!" Will smiled and nodded again. Mr. Evans hugged Will lightly, "You're a good hand to have around, bach. Expect another invitation next year." Will hugged him, smiling sadly.

John Rowlings and Rhys nodded in agreement to Mr. Evans' announcement. Owen Davis shook his hand, "Your uncle is quite right, Will-bach. Besides, Bran will need company over the summers." Will nodded in reply as Simon stepped up next. Simon also shook Will's hand, "You had best take care Will… and do come visit."

He nodded as Will once again caught that one glint in Simon's eyes. He had known for a short while that Simon fancied him. The bright, wanting glint in Simon's eyes was evidence enough of that. But not only did Will not return Simon's feelings, he couldn't be in a relationship because of his duties… It really didn't help that the one Will had fallen in love with was the last one to say farewell.

Bran stood in front of Will, sending Simon a cold glare out of the corner of his eye unbeknownst to Will. Bran then looked Will over, taking in everything about his secret love. It pained Bran heavily to see the deep sadness and loneliness that had built up in Will's eyes. He wished he knew why Will looked like that now, and why he couldn't remember really anything of Will's stay in Wales.

The albino asked, "Can I speak with you for a moment?"

Will, in confusion, nodded and Bran led him to a private spot, near the platform, but out of sight of the others. Bran turned to Will, held his hands and asked, "Will… there's something I don't understand… Why are you so sad? I see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice, feel it in your presence… Why?"

The brunette looked at him in shock at having been caught. He looked down, completely torn, "I'm so sorry Bran… But I can't tell you."

Bran asked in confusion, "Why? What is causing you this pain?"

Those stormy, blue-grey eyes couldn't meet Bran's gaze as he replied, "Because you wouldn't understand. Trust me, I know you wouldn't." Bran let go of one of Will's hands to gently lift Will's head. He looked deep into Will's eyes, asking a silent question, 'Why?' Will whispered, "It's too complicated and unreal for you to understand or even believe… And it's my burden to bear."

The level of sadness and pain in Will's voice not only scared Bran; it brought him to a realization. 'Something, or someone, is keeping Will from telling me.'

Bran then shocked Will; he drew Will into a tender embrace. Bran's arms were wrapped loosely around Will's waist, keeping him against Bran's body. Hesitantly, Will reached up and wrapped his arms around Bran's shoulders.

The tawny-eyed boy whispered, "I understand that you can't tell me… But if you ever need comfort or help, please, call me. I don't want anything to happen to you… Will cariad." Will had tears in his eyes as he replied, "Thank you… Bran cariad. That means a lot to me."

Bran carefully wiped the tears away from Will's face. Will smiled gratefully at Bran, his first true smile in a few days. Bran smiled in reply, nuzzling Will's cheek lovingly. Will smiled again and nuzzled back.

The older boy chuckled, "Come on, your train will pull in soon." Will nodded and they separated to return to the others without looking suspicious. They didn't know Simon had seen and heard their exchange. Simon glared at Bran the whole time they stood on the platform.

As the train pulled into the station, Will turned and smiled at the others. "Bye everyone! I'll see you again next year I hope?" Everyone nodded while Bran offered to help him with his bags. When they were onboard, Bran hugged Will good-bye before rejoining the others outside.

Everyone waved rapidly at Will as the train left. Will laughed and waved back just as rapidly until they were out of sight.

TBC...

Anayi: (whistle) Eight pages for the first chapter. Not bad hikari.

Aniyu: I have most of the story written out, but I still need to tweak the last few chapters. I'll try to update whenever I can, but I ask that you be a bit patient. Please review, and I'll put the next 2 chappies up.

Bran: BTW, cariad means 'love' and bach means 'boy', used as an affectionate term here.

Stephen: Aniyu is open to ideas and constructive criticism, but no flames please.

Everyone: R&R people!

Aniyu: (smirk) Or I'll sick Simon in a stripper outfit on you.