The lonely sun sets tonight, that I am aware of.

My ear could faintly hear the wind's soft whispers as it follows the shadow that bounded itself at my feet.

Haruka-senpai, Makoto-senpai, Rin-san and Nagisa-kun.

I could never forget how their smiles brightened up the room. Behind these faded glasses, I saw the remedy of their broken hearts.

I am not a selfish man.

So I gave them the antidote they've longed for since the dawn of their melancholic past.

But I'm only human.

I could not have tasted the saltiness of my tears back then, but I knew they were aching to fall out. I know that I may never be able to replace what was once something so beautiful.

I am aware of that.

"Rei-chan" Ah yes, I forgot. "There you are! C'mon! the bus will be leaving soon"

I take my leave and bow at the sun whose eyes no longer blink as the clouds tuck it into it's well deserved sleep. The sand shifts at my feet, Nagisa stands beside me- fingers brushing on mine.

"Yes?" Our eyes meet briefly before he caresses our lips together.

It was not shocking, we've done it so many times.

But right now.

"Rei-chan?"

right now.

"Why are you crying"

My unsettled heart has forgotten to breathe.

"You guys were beautiful..so beautiful, like an oil canvas brought to life"

My hands quiver as I roughly graze my sleeve to brush away the fallen tears. I feel the sand shift again.

Our toes poking on the rough ground.

His hands reach out to hold my hand, wrapping it with his warmth.

"Thanks to you"

With a sniffle I move my arm away.

His magenta eye's glow despite the light that slowly drifted away.

"A painting can never ever truly beautiful if the artist didn't do his best to make it beautiful"

A sloppy sound of wet kisses follow and I feel at ease.

Breath after breath, I could feel my hollow heart overflow.

Yes, it's true.

I may never be able to replace what was once something so beautiful.

But no-one ever said I wouldn't be able to make it twice it's worth.

"Rei-chan"

They are my magnum opus.

"By the time we come back here"

My brush defines them, creates them and makes them possible

"I want to.."

My strokes give them life.

"I want to swim with you"

and on the day where I see them alive before me.

I know that they'll pull me into the canvas.

Because I am the final missing piece.

A/N: The finale Episode of Free just blew me away. I cried so many times, I have never been so moved by an anime like this before.

I wrote this before I headed over to do my essays, because it felt right and I couldn't get the thought out of my head.

I'll update the other stories soon~!