Monday, 7 July 2014

The festival's lights illuminated the temple grounds as Takeru walked hand in hand with his wife. He glanced down at her glowing face; her cheeks were a bright red; a remnant of her laughter when he had grabbed her hand and whispered, "Run." The couple had spent the first few hours at the festival with their families, not surprising considering today was also Hikari's birthday. But in the middle of the discussion/argument Taichi and Yamato had been having about the best vantage point to watch the fireworks, Takeru decided he wanted some moments alone with Hikari. They had raced together into the crowd, leaving behind the shouts of protest that had followed them, and hadn't slowed down until they were nearly to the gate.

"Wait a moment, Takeru," Hikari requested as she came to a halt. She let out a breath as she leaned back against a tree, allowing her hand to slip out from his.

Concern was his immediate reaction. "Everything alright?" Takeru asked. He reached out and pushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear.

Hikari smiled and hummed affirmatively. "Just need a second," she replied. "Been a while since I had to run anywhere."

A loud booming sound echoed across the sky. Takeru turned his head to catch the remaining sparks of the firework. Another soon replaced it, though they couldn't see them extremely well through the trees from where they were standing. Nostalgia rushed through him like a wave; watching the fireworks with Hikari each year on her birthday had been a tradition for as long as he cared to remember. Long ago, when he was very young, he used to think the Star Festival was all for Hikari's birthday. It was sort of embarrassing how long it took him to realize that he had misunderstood. But how could Takeru have helped it? He had always thought that she deserved it.

His attention was drawn back to his wife as she murmured, "What a year it's been..." Takeru made an affirmative sound, knowing words were not necessary. Starting off with Miyako and Ken's weddiing and moving through everything that had happened to the two of them at the end of last year (they ended up having a proper wedding ceremony just this past thirtieth of March to placate all their friends and family), Mimi and Jyou having their baby girl last month, and not to mention Taichi and Sora having a baby girl of their own in two months, it had not been a quiet year for their group.

Reaching down, Takeru slid their hands together again. For a few minutes, they watched the fireworks in silence. In between two firework blasts, Hikari suddenly asked, "How would you feel about another addition to the group?"

It took a long few seconds (and a few more fireworks in the interim) for Takeru to realize what those words implied. He looked sharply, unconsciously tightening his grip on her hand, as he exclaimed, "What?!"

Hikari reached up with her free hand to cover the small giggle that escaped her lips. "Why are you so surprised? Weren't you the one that said there will be others?"

Any reply he might have given was interrupted by the firework finale. The sound was deafening and made it impossible for him to be heard. A slightly sly smile graced Hikari's expression as her gaze was fixated on watching the finale. Takeru could only watch the reflection of the lights on her face, unable to turn his gaze away from her. Soon, the last echo of the final firework faded away, and Hikari looked at him with her eyes dancing in glee. Seeing her happiness caused a smile to fill his face as he realized that couldn't possibly feel more glad than this.

A small strand of her bangs fell in front of her eyes again. Takeru beat her instinctive response by pushing it back before her hand had raised even halfway there. His hand rested against her cheek. "Are you alright?" He couldn't help but remember the last time. How could he ever forget?

However, Hikari merely rolled her eyes. "Why is that always a man's reaction? I'm pregnant, not dying." A rush of happiness flowed through Takeru at those words. Said out loud rather than just implied, they sounded a million times better. I'm pregnant. She reached up and pressed her own hand against the one he had cupping her cheek. "It will be different." She had guessed his thoughts exactly, as the playful tone fell into one more serious. She snaked her arms around his torso, and he took a step closer as she tugged him toward her. Her eyes were deep and shining, unconflicted as she gazed at him. "It won't be like last time," Hikari reiterated again. "Now, I know you love me." Her lips bloomed into a brilliant smile.

A warmth in his heart pushed all those worries and bad memories away at the sight of that smile. He returned it with his one of his own-the smile he saved exclusively for her. She was right; it didn't have to be like the last time because all the stress she had felt last year didn't exist. This time their baby would be wanted and welcomed: not expected, but not unexpected. And they had every reason to be together even without it.

And because she was so very close, Takeru leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Thank you, Hikari." For so much, more than he could possibly put into words. He didn't care if it was the epitome of cliches; she was his reason to live. Without her, Takeru would never have let himself love anyone, never would have let himself feel this joy of having your other half beside you forever. "I love you." He trailed his lips lightly across her cheek before capturing her lips in a proper kiss.

Accidental or fate, it didn't matter to him anymore. Takeru was done being dragged along and more than happy to follow her lead.