AN: Just a tidbit AU: in this universe, Walter is the key between both worlds. Reviews are like candy, and I have one hell of a Sweet-tooth. :3
|Bring tea for the Tillerman.
Steak for the sun.
Wine for the woman who made the rain come.
Seagulls sing your hearts away.
'Cause while the sinners sin, the children play.|
"Tea for the Tillerman" by Cat Stevens
Words. Just words. Things you hear everyday. Every hour. Sometimes even every minute. They lose meaning. Power. But all is lost in the tides of time, managing to drag everything out to sea some time or another. Just as hair is grown, it is cut. Just as relationships solidify, love blooms. He'd wanted to hear her say it for so long, but now all he needed was to know it. To feel it.
He'd done his crime, and paid his dues. He'd brought the tea, the steak, and the wine all at once. But this, this was the end of it. No more. But, unfortunately, no less.
The Earth warped around him. Vortex winds bit at his skin and his mind. Time had slowed, but maybe only for him. He had his arms firmly around her. He was going to do it to protect her. That was all. That was all he ever wanted. To have and protect her.
But the universe had voiced what it had wanted. And the universe was one loud bitch.
Walter squeezed her tighter, wanting to hold her just a while longer, " I'm sorry." He sobbed. " I just wanted to make it right! If this is the only way-!"
"Walter, no." Astrid pulled back and looked into his eyes. " I need you here."
The tears were streaming down his cheeks now, " They want me there."
"Walter," she pleaded, her voice thickening and eyes beginning to water, " I love you."
That was enough for him. Every nerve is his body relaxed. It was all he wanted to hear. All he wanted to feel. A warmth spread through him as though he were a hearth freshly ignited. Now he had to do it. If not for the fate of humanity, for her.
He'd once said he'd do anything, and everything for her. Now he had to put his money where his mouth was.
"I love you, too. More than you could ever know." A tremor ran through him, shaking his core. " That is why, my dear, I- I have to do this." Taking both of her hands in his own, he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips.
Walter looked at the white hole that tore at the ground, not bothering to wipe his eyes.
"Wait," Astrid couldn't hold her tears back, " I'm coming with you." She gave a beautifully sad smile.
Walter sobered at this, " No, I'm doing this for you."
She backed them to the hole, closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder, " I'm doing this for us." Holding tight, she flung herself backwards into the warped light, taking Walter with her. They would face the darkness together.
The vortex closed immediately, sounding it's satisfaction with a thunderous clap.
Penance had been paid.