How Kin Become Strangers
Chapter 3
By: Crystalis Blade
It was some time later when we landed in Figaro again, after taking care of some business. It was late, and I was on the battlements admiring the Blackjack.
"Cheap ass…" I mumbled. "We have not right to that thing…"
"Still noble after all these years I see," Edgar said walking out of the shadows; I almost fell.
"Edgar, how could you do that to him?"
He smiled. "You aren't asking that question, are you…"
I looked at him; he seemed so…old…like father. He'd grown up, but I guess so did I… "I don't understand…"
…but I was still a child…
"How could I do that to you…" Edgar said hopping up on the battlements with me.
"No," I mumbled putting my face into the heel of my hand. Edgar never said a word though. He just…studied me…stared! "What are you doing?"
"Nothing…just considering all I gave up…in you…"
I just looked into his eyes. "Why…"
"Hmm…why what?"
"Why did you do it? You could have had the world, Edgar. The WORLD! But why…"
"Why not? Sabin Rene, I do believe that is the dumbest…and I mean dumbest question you've ever asked me," he said ruffling my hair.
I smiled, then turned away. I started breathing harder—I was holding back tears! I'm really, just a big teddy bear, but that didn't make any difference. Edgar, again, held his loving silence; he'd learned. "I remember…when I found that coin…" A tear escaped. "I-I was so…hurt."
Edgar cocked his head at me. "Why?"
I shook my head looking down. "Of all the things to cheat Edgar, why one's life? Apparently, I didn't make anything of it!"
"Yes you did," he said calmly, with a melancholy smile.
"I mean look at me! I didn't! I always wonder if dad were proud of me. I knew he was of you…but what of me…
How could you sacrifice something so, so…pure! and, and undefiled to me! I only wasted it! And I- and, and, you…and, and…" I was wailing. I still couldn't tell him what I felt. "It made me so…angry!" I had one leg up on the battlements; I curled my arm underneath it and began to cry.
Wa-were…were you there…Yeah. It didn't hurt. He just closed his eyes and fell asleep, Sab.
No pain…
"Sabin," Edgar whispered longingly. "Please listen. Dad asked me to take care of you…and I would have anyway, I grant you. But listen…in my eyes, I never wasted anything on you. Seriously look at you!" He rubbed my back. "You've grown in ways I never could; I never can. And to be honest, I was scared."
I lifted my head. "Of what?"
He woefully smiled again. "Many things. Losing you in ways you have no idea. Losing you to what I have become. Losing myself…I can't handle freedom, Sabin. That's the scariest thing in the world to me. I-I don't know it, I can never either."
…freedom…
"But…" I tried to get out, but he put a finger on my lip and looked me straight in the eye.
"We are right… where we belong, Sab… Right where we belong. It was never chance; it was never fate…it was us. We knew who we were. We knew where we'd go…and nothing could change that, but us.
I did it, Sabin, because I love you. Sure, we gave up a lot of things; worn many scars and other possessions…but they don't matter; to me and they shouldn't to you."
I just looked at him; I was frozen…All my anger melted…all of it. From the night I kissed his head good-bye and found that damned coin…to the day he cheated Setzer, to this moment when I thought he wouldn't listen. It was gone; I was gone. I felt seventeen again; looking at him standing still in his ball attire, illuminated by that fine little lamp, running the coin like water on his fingers.
Why
did I leave?
I knew what it was…
I knew what would happen…
I knew who I was…
So why did I leave?
Why didn't I stay?!?
I cheated him!
I had told myself that night as I abandoned the castle. That was my transgression: I stole a life!
His!
But…he…never…
and…I…
…It all melted…
…nonexistent…
…gone…
…He is my brother…and he is my blood…"Sabin," he whispered. I looked over at him. He wiped my tears. "All in due time, my brother…all in due time…"
We'll choose whichever path with want, without regrets. Okay?I suddenly smiled at him and swallowed.
"Without regrets…"
***
Hope it was another enjoyed.
