A/N: Hey folks, it's MoD again, not really out with a new story, just a new, re-vamped version of one of my favorite KN drabbles. So, anyway, hope you enjoy!
Just came to say...
Goodbye Love, Goodbye Love,
Just came to say...
Goodbye
Mimi, Rent
The Healer's Tent was remarkably quiet. All of the patients' minor injuries has been healed and sent back to their quarters to rest. Only one lone figure lay prone upon a bed.
Nealan of Queenscove sat in a chair next to that bed, feeling as if a tornado was ripping through his insides. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed, propping his head up with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Everything had just been moving so fast, and, for once, he felt as if he was the only one struggling to keep up—struggling just to cope.
Every one of his friends seemed to have found their place in life. Cleon was with his wife, helping to deal with the troubles that had beset his land, Merric was consumed as his new role as lord of Hollyrose. Roald was on his honeymoon with his beloved Shinkokami, even Owen had found a sweetheart. And Kel—well, Kel was Kel. She seemed untouchable in her role as Protector of the Small. She had no time to slow down, to divert from work. No time for love, or so it seemed.
He thought of his own fiancée, Lady Yukimi noh Diamoru, and sighed. He loved her, but was it enough, to spend the rest if his life with her? Could he truly be happy like that? He knew that only a few months ago, he would have said yes, with all of his heart, but now, he wasn't so sure. Living with Yuki had changed him… he wasn't sure if he could go through with this. He wasn't sure if he could truly ever let go of…her.
Not as if he had ever had her. She would never know what he felt for her, how he…loved her. Yes, loved her, he thought. More than anyone else in the world. Oh, Gods, did I really just think that? She's my best friend! I'm engaged! She doesn't love me…
How do I know if she loves me or not? The treacherous voice inside him asked. I don't intend for her to find out, so I'll never know. That has to be the price.
Tomorrow…the wedding…that was final. After this, there was no turning back. He was trapped. Surely even now he wasn't free, but still…
He looked down on the patient's sleeping face, so calm and serene, soft, but not emotionless. Just the sight of her took his breath away. He watched her ribs rise and fall beneath the white sheets, and then, reached down…
…and kissed her, softly on the lips, half-hoping that she would wake, wake and see what he had done, what he felt, but she didn't even stir. He kept thinking that this moment was the first, only, and last time that he could ever do this. That they could be together, even though she still slept on.
Again, he kissed her, savoring the last moment before rising from his place. He made as if to walk away, but he could not bear to tear his eyes away; so he let his gaze drift over her one last time, and whispered, "Goodbye, Kel. Goodbye my love."
She would never know.