Disclaimer: I own ZERO parts of Pretear.

KeyQuis: I've decided to lump my trilogy into one story, saving space and stuff. A sweet story for Sasame.

Summary: Himeno is feeling a little sad. Which knight comes to her aid? "I heard your tears crying out...what can I do to stop them?"

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Just Hold Me For A While

Himeno ran as fast as she could. When she reached the fountain, she collapsed by it's side and stared into the clear pond water. She hated the face looking staring back at her.

Why am I crying? It's happened a million times before. Why does it hurt now? I just don't understand him.

Her tears created ripples in the water, distorting her reflection.

Why do you have to be such an idiot sometimes, Hayate? It hurts.

Himeno closed her eyes and rested on folded arms.

Sometimes I wish he was like Sasame...who knows how to treat a girl properly.

"Himeno?" A sweet voice called out. "You might catch a cold lying there like that. It is getting kind of chilly now. Hayate's going to worry," Sasame said kindly.

"Sasame? What are you doing here?" Himeno asked when she looked up, finding the Sound Knight by her side. She didn't even hear him approach.

"I heard your tears crying out. What can I do to stop them?" Sasame took a seat next to her. "Just flew as fast as I could to see the princess."

Himeno sniffled a bit. He calls me princess instead of tulip-head. That's not completely true...sometimes he calls me Himeno. She decided to tell the Sound Knight everything; he was always willing to listen.

"So, what did Hayate do this time?" Sasame inquired. "The others and I will beat him up for you want us to," he offered happily. You are such an idiot, Hayate. You shouldn't be ashamed of your feelings.

"Nothing. Hayate did absolutely nothing!" Himeno bitterly shouted out. "He ignored me the entire day!"

"Eh? He did?!" Sasame was surprised. "Why would he do that?"

"I went the delivery service station today to see Hayate and ask if he wanted to do something after his shift ended. He gets off early today and I just wanted to...but never mind. I was wrong." Himeno leaned on Sasame's shoulder. "He said this to me. 'Why won't you leave me alone, tulip-head? I'm busy with work. Not today." Himeno suppressed the sadness. "Can you just hold me for a while, Sasame. Until the pain goes away?"

Sasame silently did as he was told. "You know Hayate, he rarely says what's really in his heart. I'm sure he has his reasons."

"Is he going to treat me like Takako? Tell me to leave him alone after the battle's all over?" Himeno's voice rose a little louder. "I don't want his gratitude. I just want him...to love me back." Himeno felt Sasame's hug tighten a little bit.

"If he was like that, he wouldn't have stayed by your side for over a month already. Just give him some more time to overcome his fear," Sasame said as he laid his head upon hers.

"Am I trying too hard to make him love me?" she whispered out.

"You can never try too hard for love, Himeno." Sasame shifted his body a bit more and embraced her more comfortably. "Hayate just wants to get it right the first time around, that's all. He ends up being mean because he's nervous whenever you're around. He just gets tongue-twisted."

Himeno sighed in Sasame's arms. Sasame's right. I just have to wait for Hayate to be more comfortable with my presence. He's not used to love in general. Himeno smiled softly.

"I'm sure that every mean thing he says also hurts him too. If not, he wouldn't bang his head against a wall in our Leafeania home every once in a while." Sasame leaned closer into her body and heard her heart beating peacefully again. "Hayate loves you. Give him a bit more time to get used to it." Yeah, Hayate...don't mess up on your feelings.

"Loves me?" Himeno tilted her head to face Sasame. His caramel coloured-eyes didn't lie at all.

"Yep. He told us that. And how he's always too nervous and embarrassed to say it to you." Sasame smiled at her. "He will one day, when he realizes that if he doesn't, he'll break his own heart as well as yours."

"How long do I have to wait?"

"Probably not as long as you'd expect. Hayate is trying really hard. Harder than you think, Himeno." Sasame let out a playful laugh. "His feelings will come out. I know they will."

"Still...hearing it from you just isn't the same," Himeno said, releasing her doubts about Hayate. "I want to hear him say it..."

A brief moment of silence passed. Himeno laid in the warmth of the Sound Knight's comforting words. Sasame continued holding onto the princess, content that she was no longer feeling sad.

"What about you, Sasame? How long would you make a girl wait?" Himeno inquired innocently. She knew nothing about Sasame's love life.

"That depends. If the she's in love with someone else, then confessing my feelings will be useless. But if I don't say it while she's still by my side, I might regret it when she's gone." Sasame took in a small breath. Takako... "But if my early confession saves her from a broken heart, then I'd say it without hesitation." Then I might have been your knight. He looked at Himeno, who looked as if she was staring into his soul. It was almost as if she knew his past.

"I see. So you've been unrequited, Sasame. That's so sad. Did you ever tell her?" Himeno asked gently.

"No. I wish I did though. Maybe I'll get a second chance one day."

"I'm sure you will, Sasame." She smiled up at him. "I know you will."

Sasame heard the sound of his own heart flutter. He heard the same sound from Hayate's heart before. Himeno...

"Thank you."

"I should thank you," Himeno protested friendly. "Holding me like this made all the bad stuff inside go away."

"You're welcome. Anytime, Himeno. If you need me, I'll always be there." Sasame nuzzled a bit closer to her. He wanted the feeling inside to last a bit longer. His earpiece glowed.

Sasame slowly and gently released Himeno.

"What's the matter?" Himeno asked, a bit surprised.

"He's coming for you. I'll get going now." With that, Sasame flew away.

Himeno felt a warm breeze surround her and found Hayate running towards her. His wind pulled her towards him and she soon found herself in his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Himeno." Hayate was breathless. "It's just that I had something really important to do."

Himeno was not impressed with the excuse, but enjoyed feeling his heart rapid beat against his chest. It wasn't from running alone. Himeno felt a sense a urgency come from him.

"Like what? More work?" She asked sarcastically. She smelled something in the air. It was the fragrance of flowers.

"No. This." Hayate smiled at her, hoping to get her forgiveness. A bouquet of white tulips fell from the sky and he released her for her to catch it. "It took me a while to find and order these. They came in just today. Then it took me a while to find you and give them to you." He watched her eyes sparkle with joy.

"What for? It's not my birthday or anything." Himeno felt her heart race. It can't be...my wait is over?

Hayate bit his lips to ease his nervousness. "I, um got these for you...because...um...tulip-head, I have something to say...I ah..err..um..I ...aiii...you see...it's just that I...lo..--"

"Just say 'I love you' already!" Himeno blared out with a wide smile on her face.

"I LOVE YOU!" Hayate immediately hollered, scaring all birds and ground creatures within the vicinity. His face was flushed with a bright rosy colour.

"Took you long enough!" Himeno shouted out as she pounced on the Wind Knight, knocking the both of them onto the ground. "I'll say mine again."

"I love you," the both of them said at the same time. Himeno bursted out in laughter and Hayate's blush deepened in colour.

Himeno gazed into Hayate's deep blue eyes. Both of heart beats could be heard. Hayate sat up and gave her a warm hug.

"Can I hold you for a while, princess?"

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Author's Notes: In the manga, Hayate works as a carrier boy/delivery person. I'm using the same fountain as in the anime. I loved the manga version of the tale. Even though it wasn't as romantic, the story was much more captivating. Not to mention, Hayate's character was better portrayed as well (I personally think he's utterly bishounen in the manga to the n-th degree). Something about black hair and blue eyes...sigh, my favourite combo.