A/N: Well, my first run at the Yu Gi Oh fandom. ^^ Watched a few episodes as a kid, wondered what the heck was going on, thought that Yami Yugi was evil, knew it was all about CARD GAMES! And then last December, I got very into Yu Gi Oh the Abridged Series. Bless LittleKuriboh, man. Ye gods. Epicness. :D
So it was the summer holidays, and I went through a kind of creative Renaissance. Scribbling out fanfiction at 1am, painting and sewing, watching YGOTAS, starting a huge fangirlship on Pegasus. His backstory moved me, simple as that. :) I started writing Absolution. School restarted, and I did about 1/6 of the story in four months. :P But now first part's out, so yay. I intend to have the next three parts up by the end of June.
So here's a detailed look at the before and after of Cyndia's illness, at the nuances of love and despair, at the obstacles one has to break through. It'll be in four instalments. A mix of the romantic, the comic, the tragic. I hope you enjoy!
This chapter is called March.
Three white cars glided down the manor's long driveway. Halfway up the sand-coloured gravel the first car in the procession halted and a young man threw open the door. For a moment he stood in the sun, chest thrust out proudly and relishing the fresh air. Then he turned back to the car, taking the hand of a young woman as she stepped out. His gaze lingered on her legs, left exposed by a knee-length summer dress. The woman reached up her free hand to check the flowers woven into her hair, then to shade her eyes. A look was exchanged before the couple ran all the way to the house, two flitting silhouettes against the green hedges.
Cyndia screamed with laughter as her husband pulled her along. "I'm losing the flowers!"
Pegasus kept running. "But you look amazing!" he shouted with a smile. He grabbed Cyndia's other hand and spun her around fast. Her long hair shed little perfumed stars, fanning out along with her white skirt. Pegasus's hungry eyes caught every move. He caught her in his arms on the next turn, breathing hard onto her shoulder.
"I love you."
Cyndia's heart never failed to warm whenever Pegasus said that. "Arguing with my mother was worth it. On a day like this, a beach dress wins over a gigantic poofy gown."
"We're married now. Who cares what anyone else thinks? You're beautiful."
They stepped into the shade just in front of the door. The cars had caught up, discharging the couple's parents and one of Cyndia's aunts who'd tagged along to the chapel. She walked towards the newlyweds with arms spread wide, face like a cheerful apple. Cyndia blushed when her aunt pinched Pegasus's cheek.
"Have I got a surprise for you, kids!"
"Is... Is that a string quartet?"
"A string quartet and then some!"
"You organised this behind our backs, didn't you, Auntie!" Cyndia cast her eyes around the Crawford estate's garden. Tables had been set up on the grass for an outdoor luncheon, there was a stage... ribbons and balloons... a grand piano and a smattering of musicians... A clear spring sky glowed blue over it all.
The guests acknowledged the newlyweds' arrival with a raucous Las Vegas glitterati welcome. They started tapping their wine glasses to see a kiss and a few shattered under the excess enthusiasm.
"Darling, it's like the party the night we met," said Pegasus, gently curling his fingers around Cyndia's.
She had clapped her hand over her mouth, startled by the cheer. "And once again, I don't know anyone here except you. We were planning to eat cake on the sofa and laze around for the rest of the afternoon!"
Pegasus laughed. The day was warm, the grass looked fresh and bright under his feet, and he was absolutely in love. He was a second away from kicking his feet and exploding with the thrill running through his veins. "As if we can do that now. Aren't you just buzzing, darling?"
Cyndia felt his arms around her waist and registered a tingle. "I'm the happiest girl in the world, yes," she gushed.
"You're my Cinderella, and you've just walked into your ball. If you'll remember, the prince's eyes don't leave the maiden for the whole evening..." A dreamy look entered Pegasus's brown eyes, one she recognised. "We don't have to talk to anyone. They'll gorge themselves and get drunk all on their own." He kissed her lightly. "Let's have our dance. Just you and me." Now his eyes gleamed.
They made their way to a clear patch of lawn. A violin piece was being played, one that lifted their hearts to the sky. Piano notes tinkled into place and Cyndia felt tingles again, up and down her legs. She laced her fingers behind his neck and they kissed again, and she wanted nothing more than to be this close to her lover forever.
They stepped and swayed over the dewed grass. Pegasus tucked a lock of pale blonde hair behind Cyndia's ear. She wasn't wearing make-up, so her blue eyes shone even more strikingly. Her lips were pale and soft, matching her cream-coloured skin. Everything about Cyndia today was oddly light and watery; he felt as if she could float away.
A wedding reception with just the two of them existing. His bride in a beach dress and here he was dancing without a jacket and tie...
"You know, you're an awkward dancer."
Pegasus took on an expression of mock surprise. "But I'm following your lead!"
She couldn't help but laugh wildly at that.
"A change of pace, darling?" He held her waist tightly and spun around in a wide circle. The second turn was faster. On the third Cyndia was beating her hands on Pegasus's shoulders and shouting for him to stop. One more twirl and they nearly crashed into a man with a camera.
"What's this in our way, then? Hellooo!" Pegasus waved at the bulging fish-eye lens. He leaned in close and began to rearrange his hair in the dark reflection.
"The poor man's meant to capture our wedding memories and you're preening yourself in front of his camera. Honestly- Whoaa!"
Pegasus had swept her into his arms again, grinning. "Now see here," he said to the cameraman. "Your job is to get as much footage of this lady right here, understand? See, zoom in a little bit. Isn't she lovely?" He swung Cyndia around slowly, then dipped her. Next he pushed her towards the camera, cradled her chin in his hand and kissed her cheek long, hard and noisily.
"And don't you dare edit that part out!"
Cyndia shook out the quilt. "Are you going to bed yet?" she called when she heard Pegasus come out of the en suite.
"I don't know. Are we?" Hands trailing along her belly, the chin of a perfect oval face on her shoulder. Oh, he was adorable. And now Pegasus was lowering her into bed and kissing circles around her face. Cyndia slid a hand into the collar of his satin pyjama shirt, trailed to the buttons.
Whenever they were together like this, Cyndia had a habit of smiling cheekily every now and then, before scooping up the nearest patch of skin in a kiss. This time there were no smiles. She emptied her lungs in a sigh and breathed in everything she could, all the different smells and sensations of her husband.
Pegasus' lips moved to her neck. She balled her hands into fists and pressed her wrists against his back, pressed him closer to her. Her mind went velvety and every thought almost brought tears to her eyes. She needed him loved him loved him loved- She squeezed her wrists against his back, shook out the tears, teeth clenched. For a fearful moment she wondered if she'd ever be able to show how much more of him she needed. One month. Hardly enough. A length of silver hair was woven in between her fingers, wonderfully cool and smooth. Wanted more. Needed more, more, more, and oh God, why was this happening?
Remarkable how two people seemed made for each other. Her leg thrown over his, his chin pressing gently onto her eyelid whenever she nuzzled his neck. His sly arm that reached around and tickled her side.
They slept like this and when they woke up she started telling him about everything... the doctor said yesterday... I'm sorry, Pegasus...
At their wedding, the surprise party in the garden, Cyndia Crawford had stopped a moment. It is hard, in life, to truly stop. Of course your planet is whizzing through vacuum at 30 kilometres a second, but a pile of rock and dust that big is hard to argue with. Stopping all depends on you.
Stop breathing. Stop thinking. Stop pretending that you exist and look at everything and everyone that does. When you stop, all that really remains are emotions. Which are, once you separate the bits, all species of Love.
Cyndia loved the sun, beating down on her bare arms with steady thrums. Cyndia loved the chopped and shaven grass poking through her shoes. And the smell of flowers was there in that moment, unseen but eliciting butterfly-wing flutters in every belly; a peak of heady joy, gone before the curiosity can be satisfied. Smell was chemicals, chemicals to the end, but why do they tickle and torture you so much?
She flicked away a flower which was falling over her eye. She was just realising that there was water everywhere as well, in the air and settling on her skin, just like when she'd kept the hose on just to see the rainbow it made, waved it around to see the whole sideways arch, while the poor orange tree was dying right beside her...
"Cyndia? Everything all right?"
She turned to him and the world did the same. Her smile existed, because Pegasus saw it and loved it.
"Pegasus..." she said. "You know, I've never cried just from being happy before."