A Firefly's Light.
A/N: Not so much Sheelos, short, very vague, non-linear timeline. Product of fried brain of mine.
They're keeping with their usual antics for time being, because they're still unsure as to what to do and what to say. They're gaining back the bond they lost, building them on unstable grounds. But deep down, both of them are suppressing two contradictory yearnings. The desire to be found, and afraid to be found. Yet, what they truly want for was an acknowledgement of their existences.
i.
She's happy when it seems like she's getting back his Zelos. The young man she had respect to, she looked up to, a nice and faithful companion to outcast like her. Lately he seems so distant-going out with a flock of literally, colorful women, making a fool out of himself- But today, he has let his wall down.
Like firefly's light, a short lived, but beautiful scene.
"Do you know? The bigger the star is, the brighter it'll be, and the shorter its lifespan is. If it were you, which would you choose? To born ordinary, living ordinary, died ordinary, or surpass your limit to be what you actually want for a short time only?"
He once asked that. She was stunned, unable to respond. What was the point of saying such thing in the middle of Tethe'allan party?
He, on the other hand, didn't mind the peculiarity. He lowered her glass, tilting his head to get a better look at her, looking into her eyes with such intensity that she felt she was drowning.
" I...was aiming for the latter."
ii.
With that, he looked away.
At that time, it was nonsensical to her. His words weighed so much though she couldn't discern what he meant with that. Accomplishment? He should've possessed anything he could possibly want, didn't he?
But she didn't have any time to ponder about the meaning of his words. She was about to set out to Sylvarant in a week, and nothing should be ahead of her duty.
iii.
It hit her that day. He had given her so much foreshadowing. What he was talking about, it was so clear, had she taken a little time to think it through. He didn't want something. He wanted to get rid of something. His title. His life.
And how far he was willing to go to achieve it.
iv.
Talking with him was never easy. He'd dodge, retort, making some lame excuses or redirecting the topic he didn't want to discuss.
Rhetorical questions, figurative responses, dirty jokes, mind-boggling analogies, bitter statement.
Sheena went through them all, and pushed on. She demanded explanation, he offered a way back. Because she couldn't return to be uncaring after she heard what he never want to let out willingly. Like a cat and mouse game, played eternally.
They were back to square one, with him asking the same question he asked a long time ago.
"The bigger the star is, the brighter it'll be, and the shorter its lifespan is. If it were you, which would you choose? To born ordinary, living ordinary, died ordinary, or surpass your limit to be what you actually want for a short time only?"
This time he didn't wait for an answer. Sad smile tugging on his lips, his eyes far to the fireflies by the lake.
And she knew. That she'd sacrifice even her life to get the latter. To her, that was her village's acknowledgement. To him, that was his people's acknowledgement. To them, the journey they took was a salvation. To find the firefly's light amongst the pitch black sky.