Chapter 2 of 3

As promised, the subject is romance. This is more of a snapshot than a full relationship build-up because you all know the characters and I didn't feel like flushing out a ten page conversation, but I hope it gets the theme across.

Enjoy!


The cool ocean air sent chills up Luke's arms as he carried blankets out onto the Albiore's roof. He knew they wouldn't be out here for much longer but wanted her to be comfortable nonetheless. Between the wings of the ship he saw Tear knees drawn up against her chest facing the ocean. Ahead of her in the distance tomorrow's battleground floated ominously before the moon. It was strange how serene and peaceful it appeared now, grand arches silhouetted against the starry night sky. But he forced the thoughts of the battle from his head. Tonight was probably going to be his last, he wanted to enjoy the stars, the ocean, Tear's company...

He stooped, draping the thicker of the two blankets over Tear's slim shoulders. At first she was rigid until she realized what it was, then relaxed and continued looking out over the ocean. "Thank you."

Luke nodded as he sat beside her, bringing his own blanket around him. The waves lapped quietly up against the hull of the craft.

"Tear... I was thinking." Luke started, half expecting a quick comeback to this. But when he looked over he just saw Tear watching him, eyes searching his. He cleared his throat and looked away, "Thank you. For... All this. When I said 'this is the happiest I've been'? I meant that, and I don't think I ever would have learned anything about this world if you hadn't attacked Van in the manor a year ago. It's because of you that I'm here."

She smiled softly. "It's because Van's trying to destroy the world that you're here too. He deserves as much gratitude as me."

Luke shook his head. "That's not what I meant... Not just thank you for me literally being here, but for everything you've taught me and shown me on this journey. And being so patient with me from the start." He looked down at his hands. "Most people wouldn't have given me a second chance. And... I want to let you know how much I appreciate that you did. That you gave me the chance I needed to change." He looked at her, and it was her turn to look down. "I just... Wanted you to know that. Before–"

For the second time that evening she brought a finger to his lips. "Shh..." She whispered, face giving him an encouraging smile but eyes... Sad. "I know." She met his gaze another moment longer before giving an obvious shiver.

"You'll look out for Guy and the rest of them after, right?" Luke asked, looking back to the moon. The question had an obvious answer but... He liked hearing her voice.

The ends of her mouth raised in a slight smile. "While I'm at it I'll explain the value of money to Anise and teach Jade sarcasm." Luke laughed and she continued. "They can all take care of themselves. And Guy would throw a fit if he heard you asking me to look out for him."

"You're probably right." Luke chuckled, bundling himself closer in the blanket. She gave another visible shiver. "Should we head back?" Luke asked, noting how chilly it had become and preparing to stand.

"No, not yet." Tear answered quickly, "But I don't think this blanket is enough..." She remarked pointedly.

Without hesitation Luke took off his blanket and draped it around her shoulders, hairs on his arm rising instantly as they met cool air.

Tear stared at him. "You won't be cold?" She asked slowly, light tint rising in her cheeks.

Luke shook his head unconvincingly. "Nah I should be fine. Who knows if I'll ever have a chance to be cold again." He half joked. In reality he knew what she had hinted at, but had already decided it wasn't a road he was going to go down. In less than twenty-four hours he would be releasing Lorelei, likely using the last of his body's strength. He cared too deeply about Tear to start something as significant as this knowing he would be stripping it away again in less than a day.

She let out a giggle in half amusement, half disbelief at his density. "Luke..." She began, and seeming unable to find an excuse, simply finished "Please come sit with me."

He turned to her, uncertain sea green eyes meeting her hopeful dark blue ones. He'd never heard her make a request of him before. Not once had she ever asked him to do something for her. And it was a simple request, nothing at all like the demands he'd made of her on their journey... He didn't see the harm in it, she simply wanted some warmth he told himself, knowing full well that was a lie he'd invented.

Luke smiled at her, lifting himself off the hull and scooting closer. She moved her arm and brought the blankets around him too, pulling herself closer until they were hip to hip.

He cleared his throat, ignoring the rising heat in his face that came with the sudden warmth next to his body. "So after tomorrow... What do you think you'll be doing?"

"You mean if we survive?" She asked gently testing her head against his shoulder. When he didn't move she fully rested it on him.

"We will. We can't fail." He said seriously, trying to ignore the sweet aroma of her hair so close to his face.

"In that case..." She started playfully and then grew quiet, thinking deeply. "I suppose find my place in our new world." She said, hand finding Luke's arm under the blanket. "The world you shaped, diverging from the Score for the first time in two-thousand years."

"Heh. I think that was more you and Natalia than anyone else in our group." Luke corrected, unsure if he was imagining her pressing closer against him than before. He swallowed. "I just threw things off the rails by being born and getting swept up with the flow of things."

"Don't play innocent." She softly scolded him, lifting her head from his shoulder. "You had as much to do in changing this world as any one of us. More than any one of us – we couldn't have done it without you. You are responsible for the peace and freedom the world will be forced to know in the coming years." The hairs on the back of his neck picked up as her warm breath spoke the next words quietly into his ear. "What was that you said about facing your responsibility?"

He felt the heat rising in his face again and could feel the intensity of her eyes on him. She was facing him, waiting. Less than two inches away. He knew what he was supposed to do, what every fiber in his body wanted to do. All he had to do was turn his head and the girl he cared more about than anything else in the world would know how he felt about her. All he had to do was turn his head and she would know her feelings were reciprocated. All he had to do was turn his head... And destroy her entire hopes and dreams by this time tomorrow.

He closed his eyes, and fighting everything in his body telling him not to, turned his head.

I... I just can't do that to her... I care about her too damn much.

He opened his eyes, staring out over the ocean. A cool wind blew overhead, ruffling his hair. Beside him he felt Tear sit back in place, quietly withdrawing herself from him. His insides felt horrible, but what he was doing was for the best. To the extent that he knew what love was, he loved Tear. And he would endure what remained of his lifetime of internal guilt if it spared her an ounce of suffering in the future. He would rather she be glad he was gone than be the slightest worse for it.

"Tear..." He muttered, closing his eyes and turning back towards her. He was too much of a coward to look her in the eyes now. "I'm... I'm sorry. But I want you to be happy, and after tomorrow..." He trailed off, opening his eyes but avoiding hers as he picked up again, "I won't be able to do that. I'll be gone. You're an amazing girl Tear. I'm not good with words so I won't try to describe how... How incredible you are. But I want you to live in the world we created, and find happiness there, with someone–!"

He was forcefully cut off as full warm lips pressed against his own, mind hazing over and immediately losing track of whatever he was about to say. He was stunned, unaware of her hand sliding up his chest as she deepened the kiss, pushing him back onto the blanket now under them.

Suddenly all the reason and reservation flooded back into him and he opened his eyes, almost losing himself again as he caught the vision of her delicate face against his, eyes closed as she kissed him. But he focused, breaking the kiss and placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Tear!" He exclaimed, looking up at her distraught face. "I – I can't–"

"Shut up." She commanded, stealing his previously most used phrase as she removed his hands from her shoulders and pushing them to the blanket. "Shut up, Luke." She repeated, tears in her eyes as she looked down at him, long hair falling over her shoulders and trailing the edges of his face. "You're so stupid. Don't you get it? There is no one else Luke. There won't be." She explained, losing the calm air of composure she always had, placing one hand on his chest. "There can't be..."

"Tear..." Luke started but she shook her head silencing him, anger rising in her voice and expression. He hadn't seen her this emotional when her own brother was thought to be dead.

"I spend over a year with you, almost every waking moment looking out for you, taking care of you. And then you changed," she said, hand on his chest loosening its grip on his shirt, "You became a man I... I cared for. Kind, and good. And when I realized I might be falling in love with you..." she paused, biting her lip, "You sacrifice yourself for the world."

He opened his mouth with no idea what to say but she continued. "You stupid bastard. After everything I've done for you, and then you do this to me, you will not rob me of this moment." She told him, voice very clear this was not a request. Her voice softened until it sounded like a plea as she shook her head, "I won't let you."

Luke stared up at her, rendered speechless by her outburst. Her fearful eyes watched his for any sign of objection a moment longer. None came. Her hair pushed past his face as she slowly lowered herself to him again, hand sliding over his shoulder.

His mind broke down whatever "reason" remained beyond any hope of recovery as her lips grazed his again, teasing them with their taste before pressing firmly against them a second time.

All he could think of was how impossibly fast his heart was beating, the feeling of her body pressed against his...

He placed his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss with the only woman he could ever love.