Hey! I feel so loved! Thanx a ton Deadly Beauty! You are SOOO wonderful!
Your words are truly inspiring, especially from such a talented writer.
VERY SPECIAL thanx to Chibi Alucard!! It's fun being in someone's fave
author section. Also, thanx to Mirkana Falcon as well!! Now, onto the
last chapter!
~~~~~
"Lie him down on the bed," commanded Vash harshly, yanking back the covers and stepping away that Knives might have room to move forward with the limp man in his arms.
For once, Knives listened to his brother. He spread Legato's unconscious figure out on the pristine white sheets and backed away, preferring not to dip his self-righteous fingers in the blood that was flowing fast and furious from the injury. He watched with iced over eyes as Meryl hovered behind her husband, trying to help in whatever way she could by rolling up Legato's shirt to reveal an expanse of tanned flesh, tight abdomen, and then gingerly pulling his arms out of the sleeves, which was no easy task. It was especially hard when you took into consideration how squeamish she had become all the sudden, the tightness of the shirt, and the way he moaned in agony each time she jarred him too much. In the end, however, the material was discarded to the corner of the room and he was still asleep.
Vash, who had fetched a first-aid kit, now took his position at Legato's side and began to deftly clean and stitch the wound with strong, efficient strokes. He had nearly forgotten Knives' presence when the blonde man spoke in such a low, dark voice that it was nearly inaudible.
"Shouldn't we wake him up? He hit his head when he went down..."
"No. Let's let him sleep until we are done stitching. I can't have him struggling." Vash's voice was short, something unusual for him. As he continued to mend the wound though, Legato's head jerked to the side thrice, his left hand twitching insanely as he whimpered.
Meryl clutched at Knives' arm, realized who he was, pulled away, and then gasped, "What if he's having a seizure?!"
The trio froze, watching with dilated eyes until the cause of their concern fell silent once more, not moving save for the shallow breathing that rose his chest.
Vash sighed and then hurriedly finished the job, tightly wrapping bandages about the wound before stepping back and wiping an arm across his sweaty brow. "I think he should be ok now. But do we really have to wake him up?"
Knives closed his eyes in a moment of contemplation before shaking his head serenely. "I suppose he'll be fine and would not appreciate us awakening him. It would make sense for him to need rest."
"Alright." Vash nodded. "We'll let him sleep."
And one by one, they filed out of the room.
~~~~~
It was a guilty creature that slunk back into Legato's room that night, a pale-faced plant that found his stomach in knots. He slid up to the bed in a hesitant fashion and then paused, looking thoughtfully at the blue-haired human's face, reposed in sleep, the flickering shadows playing and combating with the moonlight over his surreal features.
Knives wondered if he was dreaming about Felicity.
He hesitantly pulled back the covers and squinted in the dark, nearly appalled by the sight of scars that greeted him. It really was difficult for him to look, knowing that they were completely horrendous as well as his doing. But, just like in the cave with Felicity, something was compelling him to look, to observe the damage he had done - like a sick curiosity.
His fingers trembled as they brushed over a scar across Legato's shoulder, feeling the skin terribly rough beneath his touch, which soon wandered down to the well-muscled torso, navigating by the twisting marks of wounds past healed.
Underneath his hand, Legato shivered, but did not stir otherwise.
Knives withdrew his hand with a blush, feeling as if he had just done something terribly intimate with the peaceful Legato and feeling a bit guilty for it. He wasn't interested in Legato like THAT, so why was he doing these things?
Because, in the past, he had done those things. Those things to bring the rise of the scars.
So, here was the question. Was he ashamed of his actions, both past and present? Here was the answer: a little. Ok, maybe more than that. Alright, a lot more than he liked to admit. He dropped his head and massaged his temples gently, his jaw clenching against the onslaught of guilty confessions that rushed to mind all of the sudden.
"Legato," he said quietly, "I still hate all the people that have ever hurt me. And I still resent humanity for breeding those who might bring me pain again. But you...you never harmed me. Ever. And I still hated you. I really should...I mean, I sort of want to...ok, I need to tell you..." He sighed. "I regret that, Legato. I'm sorry. You're very strong - I should respect you for that. I just hope that I haven't destroyed things for you. I feel like people have destroyed things for me. And I don't think there will ever be an Eden within my grasp. Good luck finding yours."
Nothing changed in the darkened room that night, as far as Knives was concerned for the moment. The scars didn't disappear or melt off Legato's skin; he didn't wake up and feel miraculously better; and Knives' life did not alter in the way that an Eden appeared on the horizon. However, as he gazed down at the sleeping human, he did feel more at peace.
~~~~~
The next morning, Vash shook Meryl awake and sleepily mumbled something in regards to breakfast and making sure Knives didn't attempt it himself again. Although highly displeased at the early awakening, she promised to get up in a few moments if he gave her a kiss and let her lie still a few more minutes so that she could adjust to the feeling of being awake.
"Alright, but you have to promise," he consented, pressing his lips to hers a few brief moments before pulling away and rolling over to set the alarm clock for ten minutes, setting it next to her head, which kept her just enough awake from being wary of the ringing that might explode in her ears.
Pulling on a shirt (it always seemed to disgust his brother when his scars were in plain sight), he hurried to check on Charity, who was still asleep, and then on Legato. But he wasn't there. Vash did a double-take in the doorway to the room, staring at the empty, disheveled bed. Perhaps Legato had risen already and was with Knives...?
He walked to the breakfast table and found Knives all alone, his expression highly contemplative as he poured all of his attention into a piece of paper that was creased from being folded thrice, eyes skimming over words hurriedly.
"He left, huh?" Vash murmured, trying to smile through his disappointment.
"Yeah..." Knives tossed the letter to his brother, inviting, "You can read, if you like."
Curiously, Vash accepted the invitation, cautiously glancing over his twin before beginning to read aloud.
"Knives. It's strange to call you that now. When I go to speak your name, my mouth automatically forms the word 'Master'. But you are not my master - no one is. As Midvalley once said, 'He can take your body and abuse it, but he'll never be able to utilize your soul and use it.' And my soul is elusive, free, something that no man on this planet will ever be able to tie down with temporary bonds. Although you tried, however, I will not hold it against you. Never."
As Vash continued to read, Knives thoughtfully pondered over where Legato currently was and found his mind wandering away so that his brother's voice faded completely into the distance, and Legato's dark, deliciously melodious voice took over, speaking his own words.
"I went to visit Felicity. Vash found her for me in a little hospital nearly four hours from here. She's been in a comatose stage for years now, which explains how I could've had her soul with me. Her body just wasn't capable of use, but her mind was still rapidly working. And Fairlight brought whatever part of her to me that it could. I'm not sure if you would understand Knives...what it is like to realize you've wasted so much of your already short life fooling yourself, telling yourself you're not worth anything. That's simply not true. Everybody is worth something...even me."
Knives closed his eyes, finding the mental link with Legato now open and inviting, letting him know that he was not feared, nor hated. Through his old acquaintance's mind, he saw the blue-haired man, wearing one of Vash's shirts with the red trench coat hanging casually over his shoulders (he obviously had not even attempted to work his arms into the sleeves), a bouquet in one hand, entering into a hospital room, smiling wanly at the female figure that lay deathly still in the bed. Felicity, no doubt, although looking much shabbier and not near as pretty or at all in good health, like she had in the dream world. Nevertheless, Legato's heart was soaring at the sight of her, and he sat down slowly at the bedside, watching with an intent gaze as her heartbeats, monitored on a nearby screen, came at a dangerously slow rate.
"They've warned me she won't last long..."
Knives' blue eyes slid shut in something akin to pain as he saw Legato's crestfallen expression when the heartbeats stopped altogether, giving way to a long steady beep. It was just a moment, however, before he regained his slight smile, placing the flowers in her palm and curving in her fingers about them. His lips moved in an inaudible whisper.
"I don't care though. She taught me more than I'll ever know, and if I can only spend a little time with her, I'm satisfied. So, make sure Vash knows how great my gratitude is, and tell Meryl I appreciate her patience. Live your life, Knives; watch your niece grow into a beautiful woman; try to enjoy the company of others."
And Knives saw tears running down Legato's face and drip into the creases of his smiling lips, golden eyes aglow with pain and joy.
"Don't worry about me, however. I will...survive."
~~~~~
The end! Tada! I'm in a very good mood now cuz not only is this finished, but I just got on a wonderful website ( Kaaza.com ) and downloaded a ton of songs from Cowboy Bebop and even Simple and Clean from Kingdom Hearts. Isn't Riku just fabulous?? Haha. Anyhow, tell me what you think! I love Legato, so I dunno why I had to go and torture him so!! Was it too sad? Just right? Did you like?? I wanna know! REVIEW!!!
~~~~~
"Lie him down on the bed," commanded Vash harshly, yanking back the covers and stepping away that Knives might have room to move forward with the limp man in his arms.
For once, Knives listened to his brother. He spread Legato's unconscious figure out on the pristine white sheets and backed away, preferring not to dip his self-righteous fingers in the blood that was flowing fast and furious from the injury. He watched with iced over eyes as Meryl hovered behind her husband, trying to help in whatever way she could by rolling up Legato's shirt to reveal an expanse of tanned flesh, tight abdomen, and then gingerly pulling his arms out of the sleeves, which was no easy task. It was especially hard when you took into consideration how squeamish she had become all the sudden, the tightness of the shirt, and the way he moaned in agony each time she jarred him too much. In the end, however, the material was discarded to the corner of the room and he was still asleep.
Vash, who had fetched a first-aid kit, now took his position at Legato's side and began to deftly clean and stitch the wound with strong, efficient strokes. He had nearly forgotten Knives' presence when the blonde man spoke in such a low, dark voice that it was nearly inaudible.
"Shouldn't we wake him up? He hit his head when he went down..."
"No. Let's let him sleep until we are done stitching. I can't have him struggling." Vash's voice was short, something unusual for him. As he continued to mend the wound though, Legato's head jerked to the side thrice, his left hand twitching insanely as he whimpered.
Meryl clutched at Knives' arm, realized who he was, pulled away, and then gasped, "What if he's having a seizure?!"
The trio froze, watching with dilated eyes until the cause of their concern fell silent once more, not moving save for the shallow breathing that rose his chest.
Vash sighed and then hurriedly finished the job, tightly wrapping bandages about the wound before stepping back and wiping an arm across his sweaty brow. "I think he should be ok now. But do we really have to wake him up?"
Knives closed his eyes in a moment of contemplation before shaking his head serenely. "I suppose he'll be fine and would not appreciate us awakening him. It would make sense for him to need rest."
"Alright." Vash nodded. "We'll let him sleep."
And one by one, they filed out of the room.
~~~~~
It was a guilty creature that slunk back into Legato's room that night, a pale-faced plant that found his stomach in knots. He slid up to the bed in a hesitant fashion and then paused, looking thoughtfully at the blue-haired human's face, reposed in sleep, the flickering shadows playing and combating with the moonlight over his surreal features.
Knives wondered if he was dreaming about Felicity.
He hesitantly pulled back the covers and squinted in the dark, nearly appalled by the sight of scars that greeted him. It really was difficult for him to look, knowing that they were completely horrendous as well as his doing. But, just like in the cave with Felicity, something was compelling him to look, to observe the damage he had done - like a sick curiosity.
His fingers trembled as they brushed over a scar across Legato's shoulder, feeling the skin terribly rough beneath his touch, which soon wandered down to the well-muscled torso, navigating by the twisting marks of wounds past healed.
Underneath his hand, Legato shivered, but did not stir otherwise.
Knives withdrew his hand with a blush, feeling as if he had just done something terribly intimate with the peaceful Legato and feeling a bit guilty for it. He wasn't interested in Legato like THAT, so why was he doing these things?
Because, in the past, he had done those things. Those things to bring the rise of the scars.
So, here was the question. Was he ashamed of his actions, both past and present? Here was the answer: a little. Ok, maybe more than that. Alright, a lot more than he liked to admit. He dropped his head and massaged his temples gently, his jaw clenching against the onslaught of guilty confessions that rushed to mind all of the sudden.
"Legato," he said quietly, "I still hate all the people that have ever hurt me. And I still resent humanity for breeding those who might bring me pain again. But you...you never harmed me. Ever. And I still hated you. I really should...I mean, I sort of want to...ok, I need to tell you..." He sighed. "I regret that, Legato. I'm sorry. You're very strong - I should respect you for that. I just hope that I haven't destroyed things for you. I feel like people have destroyed things for me. And I don't think there will ever be an Eden within my grasp. Good luck finding yours."
Nothing changed in the darkened room that night, as far as Knives was concerned for the moment. The scars didn't disappear or melt off Legato's skin; he didn't wake up and feel miraculously better; and Knives' life did not alter in the way that an Eden appeared on the horizon. However, as he gazed down at the sleeping human, he did feel more at peace.
~~~~~
The next morning, Vash shook Meryl awake and sleepily mumbled something in regards to breakfast and making sure Knives didn't attempt it himself again. Although highly displeased at the early awakening, she promised to get up in a few moments if he gave her a kiss and let her lie still a few more minutes so that she could adjust to the feeling of being awake.
"Alright, but you have to promise," he consented, pressing his lips to hers a few brief moments before pulling away and rolling over to set the alarm clock for ten minutes, setting it next to her head, which kept her just enough awake from being wary of the ringing that might explode in her ears.
Pulling on a shirt (it always seemed to disgust his brother when his scars were in plain sight), he hurried to check on Charity, who was still asleep, and then on Legato. But he wasn't there. Vash did a double-take in the doorway to the room, staring at the empty, disheveled bed. Perhaps Legato had risen already and was with Knives...?
He walked to the breakfast table and found Knives all alone, his expression highly contemplative as he poured all of his attention into a piece of paper that was creased from being folded thrice, eyes skimming over words hurriedly.
"He left, huh?" Vash murmured, trying to smile through his disappointment.
"Yeah..." Knives tossed the letter to his brother, inviting, "You can read, if you like."
Curiously, Vash accepted the invitation, cautiously glancing over his twin before beginning to read aloud.
"Knives. It's strange to call you that now. When I go to speak your name, my mouth automatically forms the word 'Master'. But you are not my master - no one is. As Midvalley once said, 'He can take your body and abuse it, but he'll never be able to utilize your soul and use it.' And my soul is elusive, free, something that no man on this planet will ever be able to tie down with temporary bonds. Although you tried, however, I will not hold it against you. Never."
As Vash continued to read, Knives thoughtfully pondered over where Legato currently was and found his mind wandering away so that his brother's voice faded completely into the distance, and Legato's dark, deliciously melodious voice took over, speaking his own words.
"I went to visit Felicity. Vash found her for me in a little hospital nearly four hours from here. She's been in a comatose stage for years now, which explains how I could've had her soul with me. Her body just wasn't capable of use, but her mind was still rapidly working. And Fairlight brought whatever part of her to me that it could. I'm not sure if you would understand Knives...what it is like to realize you've wasted so much of your already short life fooling yourself, telling yourself you're not worth anything. That's simply not true. Everybody is worth something...even me."
Knives closed his eyes, finding the mental link with Legato now open and inviting, letting him know that he was not feared, nor hated. Through his old acquaintance's mind, he saw the blue-haired man, wearing one of Vash's shirts with the red trench coat hanging casually over his shoulders (he obviously had not even attempted to work his arms into the sleeves), a bouquet in one hand, entering into a hospital room, smiling wanly at the female figure that lay deathly still in the bed. Felicity, no doubt, although looking much shabbier and not near as pretty or at all in good health, like she had in the dream world. Nevertheless, Legato's heart was soaring at the sight of her, and he sat down slowly at the bedside, watching with an intent gaze as her heartbeats, monitored on a nearby screen, came at a dangerously slow rate.
"They've warned me she won't last long..."
Knives' blue eyes slid shut in something akin to pain as he saw Legato's crestfallen expression when the heartbeats stopped altogether, giving way to a long steady beep. It was just a moment, however, before he regained his slight smile, placing the flowers in her palm and curving in her fingers about them. His lips moved in an inaudible whisper.
"I don't care though. She taught me more than I'll ever know, and if I can only spend a little time with her, I'm satisfied. So, make sure Vash knows how great my gratitude is, and tell Meryl I appreciate her patience. Live your life, Knives; watch your niece grow into a beautiful woman; try to enjoy the company of others."
And Knives saw tears running down Legato's face and drip into the creases of his smiling lips, golden eyes aglow with pain and joy.
"Don't worry about me, however. I will...survive."
~~~~~
The end! Tada! I'm in a very good mood now cuz not only is this finished, but I just got on a wonderful website ( Kaaza.com ) and downloaded a ton of songs from Cowboy Bebop and even Simple and Clean from Kingdom Hearts. Isn't Riku just fabulous?? Haha. Anyhow, tell me what you think! I love Legato, so I dunno why I had to go and torture him so!! Was it too sad? Just right? Did you like?? I wanna know! REVIEW!!!