A/N: A few buddies and I were playing around with a handheld piano, the fabric kind you can sit across a lap, and then, suddenly without knowing it, A different friend of ours. who I didn't know could play swiped it up from him, and she played the most beautiful rendition of "It's Only A Fairytale" that I've ever heard.

It was so cool in fact, that we got really into it, and started adding a bunch of little nooks and crannies with violin segments and some ocarina playing as well. I play the English Pendant and the fusion type…anyway, it was really fun, and the entire idea of how we were playing it was far more whimsical than the original one found in the anime series. It was slower, and all around more delicate, I guess you could say.

Listening to that recording on playback inspired me to write this little piece.

I don't own Mai HiME.

Close Your Eyes

Don't look at me that way.

Don't try to smile, and hide your pain. Just take a breath, that's it. Lean against me, I don't mind if you cry. As long as you do it in my arms this time, so that I can brush them away. I want to feel them, washing down over me. Trust my hands, even as they shake, I promise I won't hurt you. Not anymore, so just…just trust me. It's all I can ask, and even that wordless admission needs to be enough, because I...I don't know what to say to you.

What can I say now, here, of all places?

Trust that I won't hurt you, won't smother or leave you, but that I will only love you. I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here. Right where you see me, with you. I'm right by your side, through this entire mess, I've haven't gone anywhere. Nowhere else, just here. Maybe that's enough...gods, I hope it is. I don't think I can handle seeing you do anything else. This whole thing is crazy, and I'm tired. I know that you are too. Put down your element, it's done...it's over. I'll make sure it's over. I'll end it, and save us from this. I promise, I will...but first, call me stupid, but I still don't know what kind of gaze that is.

I want to cup your cheek, and see into your eyes, but if I do that, what would greet me? What'll be there, shining where I can't reach?

Don't…

Don't flinch, or turn away. I don't care if you're broken, I'll mend things bit by bit. I promise, I'm not a ghost to haunt you, or a shadow you can chase away. I'm just me, right here, looking at you, wondering what you're thinking right now...god, I'm sorry...I'm sorry, Shizuru...but I'll fix it. I'll make it better.

You may be covered in ash from the church, and I know there are bits of the bell clinging to our clothes, skin and hair, but I don't care. You're more radiant than ever…you've always been beautiful…stunning even, no matter what you do.

If I…

If I were to...

If I were to kiss you, what would you do?

Trust me, Shizuru, please...understand what I'm trying to convey.

If I were to just…reach out my hand, and brush away a lock of your fawn hair, and gently trace the side of your jaw, take your shoulders in my hands and force you to look at me, would you be terrified? Don't run from me, please, don't run. I'm going to do it, so just take it for what it is...you are my most important person. If you forget about everything else, fine. Just, don't forget that.

Well, are you afraid of me?

I am, if this...of what we've become. What we've done...what I know I'll have to do…but even so, here we are, huh? You're going to hate me after this, because I'm going to have to call on Duran..but, for just one second Shizuru, we can be what you need us to be...what we need to be fore each other.

So I'll lean in, touch your lips to mine, and I'll wait until you melt into me. We can stay that way, until you know it's not a dream. Shizuru it's okay if you close your eyes, I won't leave. We'll go together. Wherever that may be.