A/N: If you guys remember in chapter two which I published in 2014/5, Nina has a keyring to remind her of Paris. This is why.
Also there's one more chapter left to publish after this one.
*Laugh*
.
.
.
"Jin, remember our rain dance in Paris? That was the moment, I realised that all along, that I would always be in love with you. That I'll never love anything else as much I love you."
Nina turns to Jin who is beside her on the helicopter ride. They were on their way to the temple. She watches Jin's face, his lips part and eyes widen in wonder. She could feel his heart pounding through their clasped hands. The desired effect was achieved. A small smile appears on her lips.
"Then why didn't you confess at that time?" He asks softly. "Not that I didn't already know." He adds quietly.
Nina takes a deep breath. She knew this was going to sound stupid but Jin deserved an explanation regarding this issue. Finally admitting something so profound. Voicing it out in the universe. She might be losing Jin. It appeared that fate might get the last laugh. She wanted the last laugh.
"I was worried that if I voiced out what I felt, fate would snatch our happiness away." She said in an almost whisper like tone. "I'm used to having things snatched away from me." Nina adds.
Jin takes her hand and holds it in his. "More for myself, I'm afraid for you. I don't want you to be unhappy."
She claps her hands over his, as if holding for dear life. This might be their last ride together. She fucking hates feeling this anxiety. She hates not being able to have control. This was how wives of soldiers felt like before kissing their man off to the war, treating it as their last moment. Nina never thought she'd ever go through the same feeling but here she was.
"Jin…." She said in defeat. "If the off chance you do survive, we'll see each other again. In the meantime I won't stop looking for you. I have to make sure you survived and you are safe."
She forces herself to stay calm but the emotions were smashing against that glacier wall, making a deep crack that spread ever so slowly.
"But Nina, you don't have to put yourself in danger. Heihachi or Kazuya may kill you!" He sounded afraid for her life, the fear shining in his eyes as if Nina was an obstinate woman who would go into battle with these monsters.
Jin forgot the reason why they got married. But the sound of fear in his voice for her warms her heart. It told her everything she needed to know about Jin's feelings for her. There was no way she was going to turn her back on him. No way.
"When you love someone, that person's happiness and wellbeing matters more than your own. You know this already, don't you Jin?" She says softly.
He sighs and nods once. "If I was given a choice, I would always choose you. Always."
"I know and I would give up a lot if it meant we could be together."
She meant her words. As absurd as it sounds, she would throw away so much for this man if it meant he'd be safe, alive and happy and….with her. It was so surprising because all this time, she fooled herself into believing otherwise all this time, denying people's allegations on her feelings for Jin Kazama. For her Jin.
She might not ever see him again.
Suddenly she felt deprived of oxygen, the pressure…the atmosphere was too much. Pain was building up inside her, like the pressure of a crumbling glacier before an avalanche. Her jaw clenches.
"Don't jump into the pit with me." He tells her, half chiding but she knows he's serious.
She scoffs in amusement. Then chuckles.
It was a tempting thing really, jumping after him in the pit. They hadn't even got to that point yet but it felt like they were there. Nina chuckles again. One after the other.
Then she allows her first few tears to slip silently at first. Her eyes water and she covers them with her palm. After another second, peals of laughter escape her lips, she's laughing at the irony of fate. It is like an avalanche was in motion. She knew this day was coming but hadn't prepared herself for it mentally.
Jin pulls her into his arms. He was the one who might die and yet he was comforting her. Then she stops laughing and actually allows herself to cry. In that moment, she feels so weak, laughing and crying in front of Jin like a mad woman. Fuck that pride of hers. Her body heaves against his. For a moment, she just silently weeps against the man who stole her heart. His body warmth soothes her. Gasping for air, she ceases all crying. Using her sleeve to wipe away her tears, she looks up at Jin.
"I love you." She tells him, finally spilling out the three words.
With a thumb, he wipes a stray tear off her cheek.
I fucking love you.
She wanted to utter those words again and again until she got sick of it, until her message got through. Until he cracked and ran away from an uncertain fate. But her voice was lost as she keeps her gaze upon Jin.
He's so calm and composed. In typical Jin fashion. But his eyes have water in them too.
For fuck's sake, why did this have to be so damn emotional?! Too much feels in one sitting.
One of her hands grabs the back of his head and she fiercely brings him towards her lips.
.
.
.
