Note: This is really short, I know. *sweatdrop* I'm a concise writer. It was originally written as a post for the World of Redemption RPG, where I play as Locke. And yes, I am a big supporter of Locke/Celes. Enjoy, and feel free to review and tell me what I can improve...I don't bite, honest!
Forever Rachel a Final Fantasy VI vignette by Iris Amergin
There were other graves in Kohlingen, but none like hers. They, too, were planted with flowers, but in subdued tones; whites and yellows, muted, nothing bright, carefully chosen to properly respect the dead.
Hers, though. It was far from the others, placed out where it could simply be admired for what it was, rather than condemned for spoiling the somber mood the other graves inspired. He had ignored the usual customs in choosing flowers for her grave, and had simply selected what he thought she would like--forget-me-nots, violets, and her favorites, irises.
There were poppies, as well. He had not planted those. He had once been told that they grew on disturbed land, and indeed, the caretakers of the other graves could be found every spring, removing the poppies from the carefully tended graves. He had chosen instead to simply let them grow; their bright flashes of orange, pink, and red accented the blues and purples already present and seemed almost to capture the spark and vivacity he had loved in her.
There were other graves in Kohlingen. But they evoked sadness for their occupants' deaths. Hers evoked a sense of celebration for her life.
Locke slowly sat down among the flowers, leaning against the stone marker. He had carved that marker; although he knew little about stoneworking and the tools had felt clumsy in his hands, somehow he knew she would approve. Similarly, he knew she wouldn't mind if he leaned on it; no matter what Kohlingen's more traditionally minded citizens might say, it was not an act of defiance or disrespect. It was an act of love.
Strange, that the place that represented such emotional turmoil for him should be the one place left where he felt truly at home. Not long ago, it had hurt him deeply to come to her grave. But now...
Now?
"Coming here...it doesn't bother me the way it used to," he said quietly, letting his words hang on the still morning air
"It used to take me back to...that day. Every time, without fail. But now...I think of everything else. Your smile, your voice, all the good times we had...funny how things change, but I guess I'm lucky I had Celes to knock it into my head." He chuckled softly. "I wonder if she even realizes how she turned me around? Not that anyone could ever replace you...if anything, she made me appreciate you even more. But I can't keep living in the past...I have to move on. You don't mind, do you?"
The wind rustled through the trees nearby, and Locke smiled. "I bet if you were here, you'd tell me I'm an idiot for not realizing it sooner. There's something she has in common with you--neither of you was ever shy about telling me when I'm being stupid."
He sighed. "There'll never be anyone like you, though..."
He slowly traced the writing on the gravestone with his finger, sitting amidst the sunshine and flowers, remembering her laugh, the gleam in her eye, the way the sun sparkled off her hair...
"You knew this already, but..."
"I love you, Rachel."