He never asked for a "thank you".
Nor did he even need one. Being with her was just as good.
Namine never had many friends. It was usually just her sketchbook and her, sitting quietly on a bench in the park, drawing anything that interested her. She was very lonely, and every day, the cuts on her arms grew deeper.
Then he came.
It was hardly a graceful entrance. He wasn't paying attention while riding his skateboard, and collided with the blonde girl while she was attempting to sketch the outline of a nearby child. He apologized and they started hanging out. A few weeks later, the cuts stopped.
She never said "thank you" for helping her get better. But she shyly asked if he would stay still so she could sketch him.
And that was thanks enough.
Namine was very quiet. She kept to herself most of the time, but went out of her way to help people. She was often bullied - people took advantage of her kindness. She had multiple bruises on her body, but none too big that anyone would notice.
But he noticed.
She never said "thank you". But the misfits didn't show up for school the next day, and at lunch, Namine sat just a little closer to her hero.
And that was thanks enough.
Namine wasn't very good at keeping a boyfriend. She was nervous that he didn't like her, and kept her mouth shut to keep things from being awkward. Although, she did briefly had a boyfriend. Namine caught him in the arms of another girl. Her heart ached, and the sobs didn't stop.
But he was there.
She quickly recovered when he asked her out. She suspected it was only because of pity, but she didn't care. It didn't matter if it was fake - as long as he kept pretending, she would be happy. Only he wasn't pretending, and she never said "thank you". And Namine gave him her biggest smile.
And that was thanks enough.
Namine didn't like the color black. She would prefer her usual white dress, and thought she should've worn it to the funeral, instead. He used to tell her it was adorable. And now, she looked over his grave, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She inspected her scar-covered arms and tried to imagine how many scars she'd have if she hadn't met him. Her skin was a light pale, no bruise in sight. Her best friend, Kairi, stood beside her, eyes closed in mourning. She wondered if they would have met if he hadn't introduced them. He had done so much for Namine.
And she would always love him.
The memory would forever be etched into her mind - the robbery, the frantic look on his face as he pushed her out of the way, the sickening sound of a gunshot. And her own horrified cries as the one she loved lay unmoving on the floor.
And she would always regret that she never said "thank you".
RIP
Axel Mason
1991-2008
Thank you.