I was supposed to submit this one weeks ago, I think? Well, life's been busy so, I kinda got distracted.

This one's short too.

Not much to say, other than I hope you like it! Oh, yeah, modern!au alert.

Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot is mine. Otherwise, I'd be rich.

"a year without rain"

(au / it's their first summer apart, and he finds a peculiar, but very endearing, way to express how much he misses her)

theme #14 – ラジカセ/radio-cassette player

.

She is somewhat lucky that her grandfather still keeps old artifacts around their house. Because when her boyfriend's letter arrives only weeks from his departure, she is pleasantly surprised to find a package with it. She is, however, shocked when said package turns out to be a cassette.

There are only three words scribbled on it: play it alone.

And she does; borrowing her grandfather's radio-cassette player, she goes to her room and closes the door. After ensuring there wouldn't be any interruptions, she gets everything ready and hits play.

After a few seconds, a soft sound reaches her ears, then music—she's shocked, but smiles amusedly nonetheless, because she knows the song, and who sings it.

"I'm missing you so much,

Can't help it I'm in love,

A day without you is like a year with no rain.

I need you by my side,

Don't know how I'll survive,

A day without you is like a year with no rain…"

The lyrics die, and so does the music. She can hear more soft sounds and grins softly when someone coughs nervously.

Then, Eliwood's deep voice comes out of the speakers.

"Uh, yeah… I know what you're thinking. A Year Without Rain by Selena Gomez? What the hell? Well, it was Florina's idea. I wanted to send you something special, since this very month, seven years ago, we met for the first time and… uh, I didn't know what to send you, and she suggested recording this cassette.

The song hadn't been part of the original recording, that came after talking to Florina about how I wanted it to be special. She suggested a song, and since we couldn't find any songs that were sung by men that conveyed what I feel right now… uh, and that was pretty much the only song she had in her iPod that seemed to fit somehow.

I hope you don't think me gay or something. And I also hope you don't let Hector listen to this, God knows I'll never live that down.

It's really weird not having you around this summer. Granted, I'm really enjoying my time here, even if this village feels like going back in time, being with both my parents at the same time for more than a few hours doesn't happen often. You know that. I guess spending this summer with dad makes up for the fact the we're apart. Still, it's odd to wake up in the middle of the night and know that I can't just walk a few blocks and sneak into your room through the window… And I really hope your grandfather isn't around to hear this and take it the wrong way, but I kind of like the fact that I can just get up and go talk to you whenever I want.

The village is lovely, by the way, but you should've told me this is where Florina spends most of her summers, I wouldn't have been worried if I'd know there was going to be a familiar face around. Even more so, you should've told me this is where Rath's girlfriend lives, Florina and I are meeting her and her younger brother tomorrow at lunch.

I only hope the brother is not that young, or I'll feel very intimidated being around two girls."

Lyndis laughs at this; first hearing the mock anger in his voice, then the attempt at sounding annoyed and then slightly amused. Underneath all though, she can hear a light nervousness, and she knows it's only due to Florina's peculiar shyness around men and the prospect of Rath's girlfriend being the same. He never did learn how to handle Florina's shyness.

"Well, I guess the whole purpose for this recording is to tell you how much I miss you, and how if you were here this would be the perfect summer.

I miss you, Lyn, I really, really, really —multiply it infinite times here— really miss you. And I know it'll sound silly, but I can't wait for this next two months to be over.

Until we meet again, Lady Lyndis."

There is a prolonged pause, in which only soft sounds can be heard, and when Lyndis is about to hit the stop button, Eliwood's voice comes again.

"Oh, I almost forgot, as I know you didn't read the letter in favor of this, you can read it now. There's a surprise for you."

The cassette stops playing after a few moments and she know that's all of it. So, after making sure it is placed safely on her underwear drawer, she opens the letter—and laughs merrily at what she sees.

The blush that comes then doesn't leave for the rest of the day.

.~.

.~.

.~.

Dearest Lyn:

XOXO

From yours truly,

Eliwood.

fin.

Again, if you see any mistakes in here, let me know to fix it, yeah? I try to proofread it, but something always gets by me.

And, reviews are welcome!