…This here is the unbearably convenient climax…
Part Two. From Sora's point of view this time. Picks up right where the previous part left off.
[The kind of fic only a YamaJyou
Fan who cries at the thought of Taito
Would write.
Because nobody else will.]
Soshite…Promise
[From the eyes of Sora]
By Djinn
The rustling sound of the hurried parting of bushes filled the air, and I knew he was gone. For a while I considered running after him, getting him back, making them talk…but I had done enough damage, hadn't I?
I felt like such a jerk.
But then…but then, you could tell how much he'd wanted Yamato, just by listening to the sound of his voice as he'd said those words…that wistful, heartbreaking whisper. I hadn't been able to see his face, but I didn't need to. It wasn't even the words that said it all.
Gods, that sound.
Any feelings of disgust that might have arisen in me had vanished with that sound. I never stopped to wonder if a relationship like that would be wrong…and in the same instant, I supposed I never even stopped to consider if Yamato might think so. That longing, that wrenching, wanting need…how could anything go wrong with a feeling like that? How could Yamato not love him back?
I guess I'm an incurable romantic at heart.
When he'd made me promise not to tell…it had been so hard. Why? Why a secret? After all, there was no shame in love…was there? I had never even thought about it. I'd always thought that love was such a wonderful thing, you should shout it out from the mountaintops for the whole world to know. I just couldn't understand. But he'd been crying, he was so desperate…I had to promise. Whether I wanted to or not.
…I tried, at first. I really did. I'm not the sort to go around blabbing all the secrets people trust me with, to break the promises I make. But it became harder and harder as I started to notice. The way he closed his eyes for just that second whenever they touched, the pure happiness that would blossom on his face when Yamato smiled, the unutterable love and adoration that would shine in his eyes when Yamato spoke…and the unutterable sorrow when Yamato cosied up with…someone else. If it didn't break his heart, it broke mine.
And I couldn't take it anymore. I just couldn't take it anymore. I told him.
"Yamato…don't
you think Jyou's been acting a little strange lately?"
"I
noticed. He keeps tripping over his words when he talks to me. Jyou should
worry a little less…it's bad for his health."
"…It's
not exactly worrying that makes him trip over his words."
"…What's
wrong with Jyou?"
"Yamato…he's
in love…with you."
And then Jyou had come back. That horrified look as he'd stepped into the clearing to find us…when he'd looked at me, he didn't even have to say the words.
You betrayed me. I could see it in his eyes, just before Yamato went to him, and tears misted them over. You betrayed me.
I couldn't stay. I couldn't. And he couldn't either, it seemed. Hesitantly, I looked back at the clearing – and Yamato was standing there, still and alone.
Oh, Sora, Sora. What have you wrought?
We called all night, but he never answered. The others wondered what could have happened, but Yamato and I…we knew.
He did come back the next morning, weary and pale, refusing to meet any of our eyes. When they questioned, he'd only muttered something about needing to be alone. Tactful for once, they'd decided not to pursue the issue, and handed him breakfast instead.
He barely ate. There was no life in his movements…or in his eyes. I'd as good as killed him with my words.
The day passed, but it never got better. He still barely talked, barely ate, barely did anything at all. Even Goma couldn't make him smile. It was killing me. I had to talk…I had to sort it out. I didn't dare to – couldn't' bear to talk to him. He wouldn't say anything, I know, but he would train those lifeless eyes on me, and a mocking I killed him I killed him would run itself over and over again in my mind.
So it would have to be Yamato. Again.
"I'm sorry." I managed to corner him in the clearing. "I never thought it would happen like this."
Tears came to my eyes. I couldn't help it.
"He didn't want me to tell you. He knew you wouldn't accept it."
The expression in his eyes was unreadable, he didn't say a word.
"It's just that – it's just that he loves you so much! You should have heard his voice! I thought it was the sweetest thing in the world, the way he felt, I never thought that you wouldn't think so too! I'm sorry! I wouldn't have told you if I hadn't thought –"
"- It's not that, Sora, I – I think I love him too."
The shock in his eyes as he realised what he'd said mirrored mine.
Hope, quick and beating, rose to my heart.
"Yamato –" My throat was dry, I tried again, louder. "Yamato, did you mean what you said?"
"I don't know, I –" He looked bewildered. He took a deep breath, continued, "I care very much about him. I – I want to protect him. I…it hurts to see him hurt…Gods…yes. I –"
He swallowed, closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his voice was an almost reverent whisper.
"I love him. I love Jyou."
I could have drowned in the happiness.
Yes! Yes!
"You have to tell him." I was smiling, I couldn't stop. "You have to find him and tell him."
He nodded. He was smiling too.
"I will. Trust me, I will."
He turned to leave, intent clear in his eyes. And just before he stepped through the bushes, he looked back for a little while.
"Sora…thank you."
And he was gone.
I felt like a great load had been lifted off my heart. I looked up, and for the first time in too long, noticed that the sky was beautiful.
To be continued…