031. Sunrise

Title: Wait With Me

Rating: PG-13

Pairing/Characters/s: Bankotsu/Jakotsu, Renkotsu, Shichinintai

Word Count: 871

Warning/s: Mentions of death, shounen-ai, language

Summary: Watching the sun rise is supposed to be romantic; today, it's heartbreaking.

Dedication: My Dad, for finally making me sit down and work on some stories for a change. Thanks Dad; I'd be totally lost without you. Know that I owe you forever for everything that you've done for me.

A/N: Oh boy. I'm so sorry everyone! Everything's just been so hectic for me lately; I failed this class, there was this essay, I discovered that I'm actually a lesbian . . . all that jazz. But lo! I have returned! And I promise; at least one update every day for the rest of Christmas Break, and at least one update every week after that. Y'all can choose which day.


I'm just watching them today.

If it were any other time, I would remind them; I would remind them that there is work to be done, that they can cuddle later, that I don't need to see this disgusting display of affection, that this isn't the best time. I would do something and make them part from each other, because life must go on for now.

But today, I'm just watching them.

They're on the deck, looking up at the stars and watching as our home planet shrinks into the distance, inch by inch. It's still easy to see though; a huge ball of hard, red clay, with only a thin layer of white clouds to shield it from the rest of the Universe. Once, I was with them, sitting on that ball, looking out at the Universe and wondering what was out there, and how I could reach it.

Looking at that huge red ball of clay, I remember just how desperate we were to get off, and panic surges through my system before I stop the impulses. Control is the key, and I will not surrender it to some base survival instinct.

They're just sitting there, side by side; I can't see their faces, being behind them, but I know what they'd look like if I could.

Bankotsu's eyes should be wide and staring, fixed on that hunk of dead rock as if the moment that he blinks, it will disappear into the Black. One arm winds around Jakotsu's narrow, bony shoulders, and strokes his hair, more gentle than Suikotsu with an ill child. The other is holding onto Jakotsu's own arm, which is wrapped across Bankotsu chest, those long, thin fingers clutching at the younger boy's shoulder.

Jakotsu's eyes are probably shut tight, as if that might keep what's going to happen from happening. He's curled himself around and against Bankotsu, arms clinging tightly to the younger boy's shoulders, knuckles almost white from the sheer force behind that grip. Even though his eyes are closed, his face is also tilted upwards, pointed at what was once our home, but he won't look until the very last moment.

In a way, I think I can understand their pain, but in another way, I keep myself from even beginning to. So I remain in the middle. Silent. Watching.

Suikotsu once mentioned something about how watching the sun rise was supposed to be romantic, or some such nonsense. Romantic, feh. As if our dear schizophrenic doctor even has a romantic bone in his body. As if any of us do.

Mukotsu's shouting at Kyoukotsu; something about not eating something, but it's too far away, and I'm not really listening. Right about now is the time I should be telling them to get up, go help the others, something.

But I don't. Right now, I'm just watching.

Slowly, one by one, pale, silvery rays of sunlight begin to peek over the side of our planet. Bankotsu shakes Jakotsu gently; I can imagine his eyes snapping open, instantly fixated on this sunrise.

The last sunrise.

It's beautiful, and part of me steps back, and sees how watching this could be considered romantic, while the other part of me ignores everything but the pale light of the sun bursting over the rim of the planet.

If we were in a movie, there would be music now; wild and delicate and passionate and tender violins, maybe pianos and flutes, all thrown together in one glorious, breathtaking moment that would remind us of this every time we heard it.

But all that I hear is the sound of metal banging, and Kyoukotsu laughing loudly from the engine room, Mukotsu's shouting occasionally managing to penetrate the booming noise.

We watch as the sun climbs up, until finally, it hangs over that rock of clay, a small, shining bauble, more beautiful than anything I've ever seen before in my life.

They're holding each other even more tightly now, and I almost say something, but I don't. Both of them know what's coming next; I can see Jakotsu trembling slightly, unable to look away.

I watch.

All in one breath, the sun goes out.

It doesn't fade slowly: the last rays of silver light dancing frantically across the nose of our ship, or go out with a bang: pale light suddenly becoming strong, blinding us for a moment, and when we look back, it is gone.

No, neither of those happens; dramatic as they are, I don't think any of us could bear it. The light simply ceases, and the sun becomes a cold, black ball of ash and stone.

I watch as my home planet dies, and Jakotsu begins to keen softly, tears catching starlight as they fall down his face. Bankotsu pulls him closer, and begins to hum a lullaby under his breath, sometimes pressing gentle kisses to Jakotsu's forehead.

This is no longer something for me to see; I turn to leave, and I make no sound as I shut the door behind me.

Watching the sun rise is supposed to be romantic, beautiful, and wonderful; today, it is heartbreaking to see.

But still, I will watch, so that I might see the difference between them.


Aaaand that's a wrap!

Sorry I've been gone for so long; but, like I said, at least one update per day until January 2nd, and then at least one update per week forever and ever after that (unless I say otherwise).

Just to let y'all know, I'm not just doing the 100 prompt table thing; I've got other challenges too, so I'm going to post them as well. Don't worry; they'll be clearly labeled.

Now, show me that you love me!

- Suzu