Title: Promise Me Anyway

Rating: PG (there's gonna be some violence later on)

Disclaimer: Escaflowne is NOT my property. I wish I could come up with something this cool! Nay, it is not mine at all….

Summary: Future fic, multi-part WIP. Hitomi is a student of international politics, determined to bring peace to Earth too, and already making a difference. Van is king of a happy, prosperous, peaceful rebuilt Gaea. They're still in love and still in touch. So what's the problem?

Dedication: To Sarah, who is at times more into this story than I am. Also to Kyle, who years ago cried while watching the parts about the tragic family. Hehe.

A/N: For all you Allen fans, yes, there will be bishiness. Much bishiness, actually. But I have to warn you that there will be new made-up characters in here, and one of them will be bringing out a lot of conflict and character development with Allen. And there will be big huge hints of a developing relationship between Allen and this female character. She has been carefully screened and is in no way a Mary Sue or self-insertion of any kind. In fact, I find Allen to be nothing more than a fascinating psychological case study, and don't even include him in my bishounen harem. I'm more of a Folken girl. So relax, ladies (and gentlemen, I suppose). They're all fictional characters. Flame me all you want, but I won't change my mind.

Prologue:

The fields outside Fanelia were smoothed down by a spring breeze, filling the air with the rustling sound of grass. Van walked deliberately up the hill, silhouetted by the midday sun and holding his hand behind his back. He reached Hitomi and handed her the rare orange flower that he'd taken from the royal garden. She smiled at him and tucked the flower behind her ear, freeing up her hands to hold his.

Silently they seated themselves in the soft grass, Van lying with his head in Hitomi's lap and staring at the sky.

"How is everything with you?" Hitomi asked him, though she knew the answer already.

"Life is amazing," he breathed in reply. She followed his gaze to the clouds, which drifted past the view of Earth and the moon, and relished the feeling of shared contentment for a while.

Pretty soon, the sun began its descent towards the Eastern horizon- a reminder to Hitomi that home was far away.

"I have to get back to the palace in a little while," Van reminded her as well.

"That's okay. There are things I need to do at home too," she said, looking down at him. Van smiled.

"Trying to do for Earth what you did for Gaea. You're so incredible, Hitomi."

She blushed at the intensity in his voice as much as at the praise, when Van propped himself up on one elbow and amused himself with taking in her expression. After a moment, he leaned in for a parting kiss.

The kiss contained the innocence of their youth, the passion of their knowledge, and the tenderness of their feelings for each other. Van's arms gently held Hitomi's body, still protective but without the taint of fear. They separated slightly from each other, eyes attached and speaking volumes. Then the pang of sadness sparked between them, as both realized that their time today was up. It wasn't that either could complain- both their lives were full, both were happy.

Mostly.

Hitomi woke up in her apartment, staring at the first rays of dawn as they lightened her ceiling.

The hardest part was letting go each morning.