title: Take Care
characters: Shindou Takuto, Kirino Ranmaru
pairings: slight shindou/kirino
summary: Shindou has only so much time before his trip to go and participate in Grand Celesta Galaxy, so he spends his last moments with Kirino.
a/n: it's return of doing memes from tumblr.


For once, there was an uncomfortable silence that didn't seem could be broken between the two. A room that was usually filled with chatter, laughter, voices mingling along with an occasional musical tune had gone completely quiet. Neither wanted to speak up, to voice what was on their minds.

Kirino was still frustrated with this whole set up. How could Shindou be taken away from him? Even worse, taken to a place he'd never be able to visit? Going to a different school, a different era was one thing, but going off into space? That seemed too unreal.

"I'm sorry, Kirino..." The brunette apologies, again. He's lost count of how many times he's had to apologize for something that wasn't his fault. He didn't like it either, being sent into space with a new team. Granted the team was slowly coming together but going to see planets and be light years away from home- from Kirino- it was unthinkable.

"Don't say that," Kirino replies, his voice stern, while taking Shindou's hand. "You're not at fault, don't you dare blame yourself for this."

"I know, but..." He pursed his lips, his hand squeezing Kirino's. What else was there to say? "I just wish you could come with me. I know you have the skill to play. You can play I just...I just don't understand why you can't come along!"

Why couldn't Kirino have been picked for the team? Even as a reserve, more members could still be allowed on the team, but Kuroiwa had made it clear. No one else was suited to play on this galactic team.

"Please, calm down, Shindou." Kirino lets out a sigh, his eyes glancing down to their hands. Shindou hasn't let up on his grip, he notices. "You won't be gone that long." Would he?

"But there's no definite time." And he wasn't sure if he could calculate time when he was going to be light years away. (That might be better left with Manabe). The brunette turns his head, looking straight at Kirino. "I didn't expect you to be so okay with me going."

"I'm not." He was angrier than he let on. But how could he be angry at Shindou? He could argue against their new coach, but even then he knew that wouldn't do much. "Believe me, if I could fight to be on the team I would." Now it's his turn to squeeze Shindou's hand. "I'm trying my best to improve." Not being one of the selected on the team was a big jab, basically saying he wasn't good enough. And maybe he'll never be. He was being left behind, again.

"If I work harder, just a little more, I can..." Be good enough for the team. Be good enough for you. The frustration he was trying to hide was now shown on his face. He didn't want his true feelings to show, those ugly feelings be put on display for Shindou to see.

"Kirino." Hearing his name being uttered by Shindou, he quickly looks to him. He realizes his hand may have been holding on too tightly and drops it.

"Sorry," Kirino apologizes.

Shindou tries to find something to say, a bit distracted now that his hand is empty. He almost tries to reach for it, but something stops him. Maybe it was the look on his face, how he was trying to remain strong through this even if his feelings were breaking through. "Let's enjoy the time we still have left, okay?"

Lingering on that subject would just make them both upset. It's for the best to move on and ignore their short time together. Shindou could practically hear the seconds ticking away whenever things fell quiet between them.

"And I'm assuming you have something in mind for that?" Kirino asks with curiosity.

"I could always play you something." Shindou shrugs, motioning to the piano within his room. It wasn't the best of offers, but it was something that they had done together, something they both enjoyed.

"Do you even have the time to?"

"I'll make time for you."

"Then I'll happily listen to you play." One final song for me.

Shindou smiles to the pink haired male before distancing himself from the other. He makes his way to the piano, fingers gliding over the instrument, lightly over the keys while not making a sound. The brunette sits down, glancing over to Kirino to see if he had taken a seat as well.

He takes a moment to himself, breathing in, breathing out. The pianist's intent is to play a joyous melody but even he knows that's not what will come out right now. No matter how hard he may try for a song of that emotion, it simply would not be able to come from his heart.

His fingers begin to hit those ivory keys, beginning to play a melody that could be heard throughout the whole house. It wasn't an uncommon thing, those within the home enjoyed hearing it. Although this certain melody may cause worry over the young master. It was a bittersweet tone, filled with sadness, yearning, and just a bit of hope. Leaving everything behind was painful, but it was necessary in order to save what he loved.

Kirino had a sad smile play on his lips. He rested back against the seat, closing his eyes as the room is filled with nothing but the piano. He could also hear Shindou to, not speaking, of course, but through his music. That pianist had a way with letting out his true feelings through playing the instrument.

His music was an attempt to comfort Kirino, to console him. He wanted to let him know things would be alright. This departure was temporary. Eventually, he would come back, things would return to how they used to be. He couldn't just stay on Earth, he couldn't be that selfish. And if it meant protecting Kirino, he would do anything for him. Even if it meant going off into space to play soccer.

The melody slowly begins to fade, the fingers dancing upon the piano's keys are coming to a halt. A final note is played before silence falls again. Normally Shindou is quick to stand and playfully bow to his single audience, but today his gaze rests upon the keys for a moment longer.

"It's beautiful as always, Shindou." Hearing that, the brunette turns to see Kirino slowly standing, walking towards him. "I'm really going to miss hearing you play."

"Thank you." Shindou turns to slowly stand from his seat, walking over to meet with Kirino. "I hope it wasn't too depressing..."

"No! No, it was rather...sweet in a way. Though I could hear the sadness from your heart." Kirino gives a light poke to the brunette's chest, right where his heart was. "I just-"

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The sudden noise startles them both. There's a light chuckle from each as they realized they had both jumped upon an alarm going off. It's Shindou's cell, the reminder that he needed to leave and meet with the others was approaching.

"You have to go?" Kirino is the one to ask first. He regrets doing so as he knows the answer.

"Yes...it's time to say goodbye." Stating that had hurt more than he thought. Saying goodbye to him, it was only meant to be followed by the thought of seeing him again the following day.

"I don't want to say goodbye," Kirino says softly. What if goodbye was the last thing he would ever say to him? "That makes it sound like we'll never see each other again."

"Hmm...then how about take care?" Shindou suggests. It's not a great substitute, he thinks, but it doesn't sound as final as those departing words. "I'm going to be praying that you're doing well here."

"And I'll be doing the same while you're out there." Kirino points upward as he says that. Wherever Shindou may be in the galaxy, he'd be wishing for nothing but the best.

There's another quiet moment between the two. They've said their temporary goodbyes but now leaving was just going to be that much harder. And they were both aware that they couldn't remain like this for too long.

"Walk with me to the door?" Shindou asks and Kirino instantly agrees. It's a silent walk to the entrance of his home. Shindou is gazing around, taking in the sights and making sure to remember everything here. Who knew when he'd be back? Or if he was coming back at all? He'd miss the familiarity of his home, but of course he'd also be missing Kirino by his side, on or off the field.

Kirino is doing the same, though his gaze falls on Shindou more. He won't be able to return here, but he doesn't want to unless Shindou is here. Would he forget him while he's gone? No, he couldn't. He'd miss him, his presence, his face, his voice, his everything.

"Goodby-" Shindou manages to stop himself once they're at the door. "Take care, Kirino."

"Take care, Shindou."