Title: Those Words
Author: Sunnu
Fandom: Tales of the Abyss
Wordcount: 507
Rating: K+
Characters: Asch & Ginji
The words he heard continued to ring in his head. He loves you. Deny them! It was the first response upon hearing them but despite that they continued to play over and over again. And so he would deny them each time lest the feeling may be real.
It was frustration that had him say it out loud. "I don't!" The exclamation was loud enough for someone to hear.
"You don't what," asked a friendly voice that Asch immediately recognized. Ginji stood not too far with a smile on his face; friendly as always. It caused Asch frown. He felt a fool to let his thoughts get the better of him so as to forget where he stood. He continued to gaze at Ginji; the smile never left the other man's face. He found it obnoxious.
Ginji chose to speak once more then as he reached out towards Asch. "You do not have to speak of it. It's fine." Ginji's fingers were already brushing Asch's hair away from his face as he leaned closer. Asch felt the lips on his cheek as he figured they both knew he would not be speaking of his thoughts. Even as Ginji pulled away the smile lingered on his face.
That smile was kind and yet so familiar. It was a smile he had seen on another man's face and yet it had not been directed at him. His smiles were never for him. Closing his eyes he could remember the scene clearly.
He had not meant to come upon them having a private conversation and yet he had not strayed away. He caught a glimpse of the loathing in Guy's eyes as he heard the replica's words, '…he loves you…' After that he did not need to hear more and hurried away.
He loves you. The replica could not know. He could not possibly understand. How could the dreck realize the feelings that lurked within his heart? Yet, it was the replica who was able to say those words. Indeed he felt something. But what did it mean to love a man who despised him; a man who once wanted to see him dead.
What he felt would never be reciprocated; he had come to realize that quickly enough. All he could do now was to deny he ever felt anything. He would forget the scene that he came upon and the words that came out of the replica's mouth.
It was Ginji's hand on his shoulder that brought him out of his thoughts. He looked upon Ginji's face and saw that kind smile once more. It sort of stung now. He might have pushed him away had the other not spoken.
"Asch, I love…"
But Ginji never did finish speaking. Maybe Ginji did not find it prudent to finish that sentence; whatever the case silence settled between them.
Had Ginji finished speaking he would not have a reply. Ginji was not Guy. Still maybe it would be Ginji who would help him forget the feelings in his heart.