w h e n t h e s u n d i e s

You walk toward the Gummi ship with heavy steps. There was once a time when you could gaze at the footprints you left in the sand with wonderment and a curious smile as they were washed away by the colossal mass of the sea. Now, there are tears you hold back as you pass on by them. The sea gazes up at you with a lost and forlorn visage, praying that your loss of childish antics is only temporary. It tugs on your heels and begs for you to stay. You continue following the boy with a smile that hides his regrets and another boy who wears the darkness in his heart on his sleeve.

You fingered the sheets. "Was there ever a time to turn back?"

Hard blue eyes gazed at you, then. "No."

The boy with the smile shrugged. "Maybe, but we're still together. That's all that matters."

The sun glistens on your skin, an explosion of golden jewels staining you. The seas' cries for you linger in the air. For a moment, you dare to look back at all that you leave behind. The shore sparkles, the trees sway in the breeze. You wonder where Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka are and regret that you never said goodbye and half-wish they were there to stop you from leaving.

"Where are you guys going?"

You softly smiled. "Oh... down to the beach for a while. You know, the usual."

"Then why the sad faces?"

You stop walking and you find yourself sobbing, but your tears have not yet surfaced. Your companion that has a smile that hides regrets stops as well and turns his crystal gaze to you. His smile falters slightly, his eyes gleam with understanding... because he knows and is experiencing what you are suffering. Then the boy who wears the darkness in his heart on his sleeve turns as well at the door of the Gummi ship. His eyes are hard but he utters your name in a way that makes your insides clench with a newfound faith in him.

He stared at you with compassion. "Are you ready?"

You couldn't stand to look at him. "What if we don't come back?"

"If we die, we'll die together."

You step forward, taking the hand of the boy with the smile. In the shadow of the Gummi ship, the sun dies. The golden jewels that once lit up your skin fall into the ocean that still calls for you. You tighten your grip and you're grasped by the fear in your heart. You lean against them, the boy with the smile and the boy with the intangible darkness. You leave to fight. You leave to hope. You leave to dream of what could've been.

You smiled and grabbed their hands. "It was destiny."

Together, you board the ship. Together, you fight, hope, and dream. Together, you are, even beyond the end.