Title: 20. New splendour to the dead
Pairing/Character/s: Yuki/Machi, Mrs. Sohma?
Word Count: 428 words
Summary: He never thought he would regret leaving her.
A/N: I seriously sat down one day and forced this piece out. Thank god it turned out OK. Don't try it at home.
Music: "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
Dark lights and silent music greet Machi when she walks into Yuki's apartment. It is not his taste, with lacy pillow cases spilled onto the floor. Ayame decorated the entire space. She walks hollow steps to the living room couch.
His slender fingers are wrapped around a tumbler of murky alcohol. She smells his vomit, and plucks the glass from his hands. Meekly, Yuki sits up, sniffling and coughing.
Machi doesn't judge him. She sits down on the coffee table, placing the tumbler next to her. She looks him in the eye as she holds his hand. He attempts a spluttery laugh. He covers his red eyes.
For a while, neither speaks. Machi doesn't dislike the silence, but she is the first to break it.
"I'm sorry."
He snorts at her small attempt, looking away.
"There's nothing to be sorry for," he grumbles.
"She was your mother."
"In writing, maybe."
"I..." She breathes slowly, breath hissing. "Did you still love her?"
He expects this question. He knows the answer, so why is it so hard to say it?
"Yes."
"OK."
Yuki begins to cry from all the stress and frustration, imagining the awful funeral tomorrow. Machi would come, but she didn't understand.
"My... My mother always used to control my life. I should be free now that she... But I'm not. How much had I hurt her? Hadn't she hurt me? Why does it-"
"She was your mother." It tastes bitter on her tongue.
Yuki finally laughs hoarsely.
"A million years ago... I think it was that long ago... She meant a lot to me. You said 'She was your mother.' Is it impossible to break such a bond?"
Machi sucks in a breath, squeezing his hand. "You can forgive her," she reminds quietly. Yuki pauses to consider this, the alcohol still swimming through his thoughts.
"I don't know," he whispers. "The dead are always easiest to forgive."
"So what, Yuki?" His eyes still twinkle when he hears her say his name. "I think you will be a great parent, one you won't want to forget." She brings his hand to the tiny bulge under her shirt. Yuki smiles when he feels his unborn child kick. He leans on her a little as he gets up.
He remembers the secret reason why he drank, and decides to confide in her. "I think I did a terrible thing; leaving her forever." Machi doesn't know what to say, so he awkwardly hugs her.
And when he starts to cry later, she forgets about words and simply holds him.