When You're Gone, a harvest moon fanfic

When You're Gone

-----

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harvest Moon, nor do I own the song When You're Gone. The song is by Avril Lavigne.

-----

Six o' clock on a Sunday morning, and the librarian sat in her desk chair, reading alone as the building was completely devoid of visitors. And Maria was listening to the radio. Normally, the music playing distracted her from her tasks; lately, things were different, and she no longer found the sound a barrier to her focus. It almost provided a sense of comfort – especially in the winter when, Maria found, the time seemed to pass all the more slowly.

Suddenly, familiar piano chords struck the librarian's ears. Her hands moved from the pages of her book onto her lap, and she found herself staring blankly off into space as if contemplating the sound. The song… she knew it through - every note, every beat, and every word of its lyrics.

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie
Is made up on your side

Maria felt a sudden twinge of pain in her heart. The feeling wasn't uncommon to her anymore. The words in the song reminded her so much of him…

When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now?

As the chorus began, she felt tears welling up in her eyes, but restrained herself from allowing them to escape. She wouldn't cry. He wouldn't want her to cry.

When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day
And make it okay
I miss you

"I miss you," she whispered simultaneously with the last line in the chorus.

I never felt this way before
Everything that I do
Reminds me of you
And the clothes you left
They lie on the floor
And they smell just like you
I love the things that you do

She stood as the second verse played, walked around the library, ran her fingers along the books. She found herself stopped at the encyclopedias about the flora of the village. His hands had touched those very pages… the very notion was enough to make her sigh with longing.

When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now?

She dropped her hand to her side. This was too much; she was driving herself insane over something she never thought she'd ever care about. Maria walked over to the radio, with the intention to switch it off.

The chorus began for the second time. Her hand fell away from the switch on the radio. She gave in and sang again, her quiet voice filling the deserted library.

We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were
Yeah, yeah

All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I do I give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me
Yeah

She sang with all her heart now, caught up in the energy of the music. I miss you. I love you. Goddess, come back home! She pleaded silently, tears spilling from her eyes and down her face as she continued the song.

"I missed you," came a voice in unison with the last line of the song.

She turned at the sound, as if questioning its existence – or rather, the existence of the person who spoke the words.

"Basil…" She moved forward and practically fell into his arms. She'd missed the feeling of having him next to her so much that now she wished never to let go.

He brought a hand up to touch her face and brushed his lips against hers, his warmth vanquishing all of her cold. They danced slowly with the last notes of the song, and as the piano faded out, he whispered in his lover's ear with a voice as soft as his touch.

"I'm home."