Disclaimer: Radiata Stories and all of its characters, places, etc. are copyrighted by Squarenix et. al.

A/N: Err, I'm aware that Cross/Ridley is not everybody's favourite pairing. People out there hate Cross for good reasons, and I believe that I dislike him too to a certain extent -- or you can say it's a tough love ;). But, anyway, I think it would be fun to write something about them. After all, they were engaged. I just hope it wouldn't do much damage to make Cross looks more, well...human? Please don't kill me for doing this (even if you do, I'll persistently continue to write from the afterlife, anyway). Reviews and constructive critics are loved :D

This is also written for 30 kisses challenge on LiveJournal

Contradictory Elements
theme #4 our distance and that person, #26 if only I could make you mine

It was picturesque; the sight of her standing in front of the casement, from where one could see the sun crept down through it, was alluring, like something that had sprung to life from a grandly made painting. He paused on his stride, thinking that he might ruin this view and this sense of serenity if he ever came closer. But, then again, beauty had never been his utmost fascination, and peace had never been his most gratified pleasure. Slowly, he walked and placed himself next to her by the window. She did not flinch then, paying him no heed even when he moved a step closer to her.

"You're such a disrespectful host, leaving your guests to entertain themselves at your own birthday party like that. Your father was on the brink of fainting when he realised that you'd gone," he said without meeting her in the eyes. Both of them, he thought knowingly, were avoiding eye contact. "Where have you been, by the way?"

She made a non-committal noise and did not reply. He, however, just shrugged at his unanswered question and continued talking.

"You're not being yourself lately."

He wondered if his voice sounded any different. The sentence that had just left his mouth was unnatural, even to his own ears. It was as though the words had come out from a faraway place, like the black, black depth of one's soul. She glanced at him from the corners of her eyes for a mere second before retreating her gaze back into some place distant beyond the window glass. A momentary silence engulfed them.

"Funny for you to say that. What would you know about me? For all I know you seem to know nothing except things which concern you and your well-being." Her voice finally broke in.

"True. But still I think I know enough to realise that something amiss is going on."

"Something amiss?"

"Don't you want to talk it all out? Our distance and that person, and some other things that you keep from everyone else?"

She moved her head slightly so that her eyes met the infinite darkness of his own. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Liar." His lips were now curling into a half-mocking smile, the unpleasant smile that she knew all too well. "Ridiculous, isn't it? How people waste their efforts for something that they knew they can't obtain. You are mine and nothing can change that, not you, not even me. Why wasting your attention for anything else—anyone else at all for that matter?" He almost laughed. God, he sounded like he was jealous. It was amusing, for there was no reason to be jealous because their relationship was definite. And whatever she could possibly feel should not concern him. Why should it matter? After all, she was just another complementary for his road to glory, a mere tool and nothing more.

She turned her head sharply and fixed her gaze upon him. The light in her eyes was laced with a blaze of cold rage.

"I'm not yours, Cross. Do watch your tongue."

"But you are. Even if you're not now, you will be."

She parted her lips to retaliate but then stopped halfway and looked away from him. The blaze of anger she had previously held in her eyes withered and manifested into something that crossed between defiance and submission. Because she knew, that in the end, it was true. In the end, it was inevitable.

The light of the setting sun kissed her entire being and her presence radiated. She was always beautiful in her own way. Bright, even at times when she was most powerless and fragile. Sometimes, in a moment like this, he would find himself yearning to keep her light close to lead his way through his own darkness.

And he was a selfish one. He would never get enough until he had everything under his grasp.

"If only I could make you mine." A murmur slipped from his tongue before he could accumulate any coherent thought. He shook his head at his own foolishness. He really should go now; it was dangerous for him to stay any longer. Because his lips and tongue would betray him, and one by one the unwanted words would be said.

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing," he heaved. "I think I've bothered Your Exaltedness Lady Silverlake enough for now. I'm leaving so you can resume on whatever you were doing before I came."

"We're not done yet, Cross."

"Yes, we are." He waved a hand nonchalantly at her and walked away before she could voice her protest any further.

Outside, the sun had fallen away from its grace and went to its hiding place beneath the velvety layer of night sky.

- End –

19/03/06-- Last edited.