Title: Gift of the Future
Author: The Watcher
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Dart/Lavitz
Summary: The world is safe, and rebuilding has begun. But has Dart's hope been lost, or are there still some suprises in store?
Legend of Dragoon is owned by Sony Computer Entertainment. Lyrics for "Into the West" are copyright New Line Cinema, Howard Shore, Annie Lennox, and probably a few others. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's notes: This story is causing more problems for me than my last three combined. Thanks for all the positive comments I've received. Also, I apologize for the odd spacing between my intros and stories. I haven't been able to get Fanfiction's formating to cooperate with me. I'm still working on it.
Dart eased himself down on his bed with a groan. Today had been difficult. They had finished several of the public structures, and the work had been grueling. Plus, several people had begun asking what Dart intended to do after the reconstruction was finished. The truth was, he wasn't sure.
Albert had already told him he would be welcome in Bale. But somehow, the thought of living there without Lavitz had seemed wrong. He knew Albert had been disapointed, but he had also understood. Still, he no longer felt at home here in Seles, either. He didn't know what to do. If only Lavitz was still alive. If only Dart could see him again. If only... with these thoughts repeating themselves over and over, Dart prepared for sleep. Perhaps he could see his love again in his dreams.
King Albert put down the reports he was reading with a sigh. He found his thoughts turning more frequently to Dart recently. To be honest, he was worried about him. It seemed that now the world was safe, Dart was unable to move past the pain of losing Lavitz. He had already admitted to not knowing where he would go after Seles was rebuilt. Albert had tried to convince Dart to come to Bale, but Dart had declined. Perhaps he should try again to convince him...
Albert's attention was diverted from his thoughts by a small commotion outside his door. He was just about to get up and demand to know what was going on when his door warden stumbled in.
"Servi, what is going on?!"
His door warden looked like he had seen a ghost. His whole frame was trembling. "Sire, you won't believe it! Its a miracle!"
Albert was just about to question further, when the door opened wider, and... no, it couldn't be! Albert stood rooted to the ground. "L..Lavitz?!" Lavitz stood quietly, letting Albert examine him. Finally Albert reached out and clasped him by the shoulder. "My God! It is you! How can this be?" Quickly he led Lavitz to a seat.
"It's a long story, sire."
Lavitz spent several hours telling Albert all he knew, and learning about the outcome of the final battle, before asking the question that was weighing on him. "How is...Dart?"
Albert sighed. "He's... not doing well. He has been throwing himself into the construction of Seles, but he still mourns your death." Before Lavitz could say anything else, Albert addedd, "He is still devoted to you. He has looked at no other. I don't believe he ever will." Lavitz's head jerked up. "Sire? I don't understand what you..."
Albert smiled at him. "It's alright, Lavitz. I know about you and Dart." Lavitz couldn't meet his eyes.
"How?" was all he could manage.
"After Dart freed you from that creature, and you disappeared, he was inconsolable. It took hours before he would even move. It was obvious to us all how he felt, so when I could I talked with him privately. I was afraid he might blame me for your death, but he assured me that he didn't. We began sharing memories of you, and he told me about your feelings. He also told me about his plan to come here. I tried to convince him to come here anyway, but he felt it would be too painful."
Lavitz's heart contracted with that statement. Dart was still suffering over him! He had to find him. He couldn't bear to think of him in pain. Before he could even make his request, though, Albert beat him to it.
"Don't you think you should find him, Lavitz?"
Lavitz nodded. "Then I must request your leave, sire."
Albert smiled warmly. "Go, Lavitz. Go and bring Dart home." Without any further prompting, Lavitz left to begin preperations for his journey.
(several weeks later)
The rebuilding was finally over. The town was back to normal, and everyone was rejoicing. A celebration had been planned for this day, and nearly everyone was enjoying themselves. Except for Dart. Alone among the townspeople, he felt he had nothing to celebrate. The last few days had been agony, with his depression growing worse and worse. Even Shana hadn't been able to help.
Mostly it was the fact that now he had nothing to occupy his time and force his mind away from his feelings. It also didn't escape his notice that now the villagers were hoping for him to settle down there. Many had already asked if he would be staying. He could only look at them blankly and stammer that he hadn't yet decided.
The noise and jubilence around him suddenly became too much. Quickly he bolted up to his room, to stare at the picture of Lavitz. Now, however, he couldn't face it without breaking down. "I'm sorry!" he gasped. "I thought I could endure this! But I don't know how to live without you. How can I continue when you're not here?" Overcome, he put his head down and sobbed.
