Author:  aomurasakiai

Warnings:  AU, Mostly Heero POV, some Duo POV, Angst

Pairings:  1+2 / 2+1

Spoilers:  None

Rating:  PG

Dedication:  To Duo Sirius Malfoy (DSM) for always always telling me that my writing is good.

Special Notes:
"spoken words"
'thoughts'

Song: "Yubiwa [Ring]" from "Escaflowne: The Movie"

Songfic Notes:

[romaji song lyrics]
(English translation)

Departure [Fic 07 of 10]

Heero POV

Job change.

That's what's separating us after so long.  Sure a year and a half doesn't seem that long to many people, but for me...  it was the best I've had.

Standing there at his doorstep, after hearing his explanation for writing the single most painful sentence I've ever read, I try in vain to keep it inside.  But... it's no use.  Inclining my head, a saline bead embraces my eyelash before releasing its hold and plunging toward the open diary, shattering like a crystal on the 3 words.

I can't bear to look up again...

I turn and run, trying to block his cry...  his cry of my name...

~*~*~*~*~

Airport.

This is the final moment where we can still be together… on this rainy day.  Soft pitter patter.  Pitter patter.  Pitter patter…

Strange how 2 weeks can fly by so quickly.  Two weeks... wasted.

After running off, I hid from him.  No longer were there morning greetings or talks in the cafe or dinners at my house.  The phone rang endlessly, the doorbell left unanswered.

'If I don't say goodbye, will he still leave?'

I look up as the door to the plane opens.  I stare at it, willing it to close again.

'It's too soon...'

"Heh...  well this is it," Duo says softly, bending down to retrieve his luggage.  I remain quiet.

"It was... great knowing you, Heero," he continues.

Silence.

"Well, I'll keep in touch." and he walks toward the door that will sever us...

I finally look up, blinking through the watery haze of my vision.  I take no notice as they escape the open confines of my eyes.

Handing his airline ticket in, Duo turns to me one last time...

[namida ga ato kara afuredashite
saigo no egao ga nijinde mienai no]
(As my tears keep overflowing
I can't see your last smile through the blur)

Blinking again and again, I can make out his smile.  A small smile... to reassure.  But still... it's too soon.

I watch helplessly as he turns away, leaving me behind in the shadows.

My lips part, desperately wanting to say...

[ikanaide ikanaide koko ni ite]
(Don't go!  Don't go...  Stay with me)

But nothing slips out.  Not even a "Goodbye."

My answer...

'If I don't say goodbye, he will still leave...'

[sora e hikari kakenukete yuku]
(Light breaks through the sky)

The rain has stopped and the sun shines.  Seems the light follows him... or rather, he *is* the light.

And what of me?

Dark...

[konna ni chiisa na watashi dakedo
anata wo dare yori sei ippai aishita]
(I'm so insignificant but
I loved you with all my soul, more than anyone)

'Duo... if only you knew.  Would you still stay?'

The door closes with a hollow thud.

Lowering my head, a soft voice seem to whisper, 'It's too late now...'

But, I still smile through fresh tears.

[arigatou ikutsumo no
taisetsu na kimochi
tewata shite kureta yo ne]
(Thank you for all of the
precious feelings
that you gave to me)

Making my way over to the large windows, I track the plane's slow progress to the runway.  Picking up speed.  Lifting off...

I place my open hand upon the glass, hoping... wishing that it would reach him.

'Arigato Duo...  thank you...  Sayonara.'

[sono toki zutto, watashi wa
kie kaketa hikoukigumo wo mite-ita...]
(When you took off, I just
watched for ages as the vapor trail vanished...)

Duo POV

'Sayonara Heero...'

I slowly drop my hand that was on the half-covered window moments before, my eyes still locked on the minuscule airport far below.


[wasurenaide
hitori ja nai
hanarete mo te wo tsunaide iru]
(Don't forget...
you're not alone
Even if we part, out hands are still linked)

'Don't forget about me...  Heero...'

Reluctantly my eyes part with the window to stare down at my open palms.  Flexing my fingers slowly, I imagine that Heero is with me... with our hands clasped.

I know he's not.  Physically he's not.

But he is... here.  With me...

Fisting my hands up to my chest, crossing them at my wrists, I finally let the tears fall...  Silently.

[hajimete no koi hajimete shitta
konna kanashimi ga aru koto]
(It was my first love when I first
learned that there could be such sorrow)

Heero POV

I blink my tired eyes slowly.  Looking up, I no longer see the plane that unknowingly carries a part of my life with it.  Finally I drop my hand from the window.

How long has it been?  Minutes?  Hours?

[nanika ga shoumetsu shite mo nanika ga
futatabi yadotte]
(Even if something fades away, something
will live again)

Time lapses... from one scene to the next.  Already Duo is gone.

But I can feel a faint warmth... like a small candlelight... deep within.

Clutching onto the front of my apparel, it gently rises.  Bit-by-bit.

Hope.

[wakare ni kureta hohoemi wa tsuyoku ikiyou to yuu
anata kara no messejii]
(The smile you gave me as we parted was
your message for me to truly live with all my heart)

Duo POV


[itsu kitto aeru
futari naraba]
(Someday surely, we'll meet again
and be together)


I smile again through dry tears, as under my crossed arms the small flame strengthens.

'Just you wait Heero.'

[tookutemo hitomi mitsumeau
kibou to yume no subete o kakete]
(No matter how far, we can gaze into each other's eyes
Bet everything on our hopes and dreams)

Once again, I place my open palm onto the window, looking down.

Heero POV

My chin touches the window lightly as I stare up to the sky for one last time, my hand between me and the glass.

'Duo...  I'll be waiting.'


[yakusoku wo shiyou yo
ano hi no hageshisa wo
daite
ashita saku mirai wo ikiru]
(Let's promise each other
that we'll hold onto the intensity
of that day
and live the future that blooms in tomorrow)

Owari