Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters and will never make any money off this.

The Hardest Day

Everyone thought they knew what he would do in every situation, that he would always save the day, always try to save every soul, good or bad, with every breath in his body. I don't think they ever anticipated what losing the person dearest to him would do to his heart.

I looked up at the clear blue sky and scowled at its callousness. If it could mirror the sadness of the day, there would be dark storm clouds brewing in all directions. If the sun could have been privy to my grief it would not have dared to share its bright glory on my face.

The dry grass flattened underneath my soft steps as I walked to where she would lie for all eternity. I didn't think my body had any tears left in it, but one, unwittingly, slipped down my cheek as I saw the flowers surrounding the deep grave. The coffin sitting next to that black hole looked too small to be able to hold all the vibrancy that she was.

I kept to the back of the crowd, keeping my face and eyes downcast to prevent being recognized by anyone. I had successfully hid for enough years to know how to become part of the crowd and blend seamlessly into the cracks where people don't look. Sometimes the hardest thing to find is the thing that has been in front of you all along.

Suddenly the crowd shifted as heads were bowed in prayer, and I glimpsed the ravaged face of the man I once knew. He was no longer the slouching reporter or the proud hero. He was somewhere in between. No bit of confidence or pride straightened those shoulders, nor did any bit of fear or desperation make him try to disguise himself. He looked to be desperately trying to keep from hitting something, or someone, as I saw his knuckles turn white when he fisted his hands.

I couldn't keep the butterflies from my stomach as I realized it had been over fifteen years since I had last spoken to him, but my love hadn't diminished one bit. Unrequited love is the hardest to get over and the worst to endure.

He must have heard my accelerated heartbeat because he suddenly looked up straight into my eyes. I jumped and frantically tried to look away, but his deep blue eyes held my eyes until I saw a look of dawning come into his face. He recognized me. Of course he recognized me; we had grown up together. We were best friends for many years, until it had been time for me to leave…so that I could live.