Roses in December by silvershadeus
Disclaimer: I do not own Yami no Matsuei, I'm just borrowing the characters for a little bit.
I posted this on my fic blog a while back but
never got around to doing anything with it until now. Somewhat similar in style
to my Weiß Kreuz fic 'Timepiece', proof that it is possible to steal
from yourself and get away with it. ^_^;;
~ silvershadeus ~
'What
do you wish most for?'
It was an old question...sometimes it seemed as though they all were, really.
Old enough to make him wonder 'why', and did anyone really care anymore? He
wasn't sure if he did himself at times. Other times though…other times he
remembered.
'What would make you happiest?'
The pain, when it came, was expected. Sharper than any blade forged by mortal
or god, it cut him to the center of his being. Of who he was...who he had been,
and maybe what could have been. It ached in that way such things had a way of
doing. In that way that he knew so well because he'd had nothing but time to get
to know it. Had spent unknown amounts of that same time mapping the shape of it.
Had spent so much of his time learning to exist with it that it was just another
part of who he was now.
'What would it take to make you smile?'
He'd thought he'd known the answer to that one a long time ago. It was
surprising really, how simple it had been. But that was him, wasn't it? Absurdly
easy to please. The smallest thing, a simple act of kindness and he was putty in
anyone's hands. A simple gesture of friendship...something to let him know that
someone cared. That he was at the very least liked, if not loved. Something so
very simple, but oh what it did for him. How it made him feel.
'That's all you want?'
He used to smile at that one. He knew what the other was thinking, of course.
He'd always known.
'Anything in the world, and that's what you want?'
More than anything, in fact. The only thing. All he'd ever wanted, ever
needed. Maybe he should have said so more often? Maybe it would have a made a
difference in the end. Maybe...?
"Maybe you think too much."
Oh he'd definitely heard that one before. More times than he could count,
actually. More than he'd wanted to, to be truthful. He'd never been sure what to
think when he heard it. Was it meant to hurt, or -
"Maybe you should come inside before you freeze."
He honestly couldn't remember if he'd heard that before. The words themselves
were familiar; it was more the tone of voice that caught his attention. The hint
of exasperation blended with anger and... Worry. Concern.
"It's cold out."
And it was. It really was. Looking up, he wondered how long he'd been standing
there thinking about the past and reliving old conversations. How long since
he'd gained the shadow at his side.
'Nothing should be that simple.'
But it was. Oh, but it was.
'What do you wish most for?'
He'd never answered that first question, knowing he couldn't. Some things
were too personal to share. It had always been the second question that he
responded to. Had always answered without fail, even if he sometimes did so
without words.
'What would make you happiest?'
The answer, when it came, was amazingly simple. It had always been so for
him. A hand held out to him, offering the promise of warmth. Of acceptance.
Welcome.
'That's all you want?'
He smiled as warm fingers curled around his.
'Anything in the world, and that's what you want?'
Gently squeezing the hand that held his, he allowed himself to be led to the
inviting warmth he could see through the open doorway before them