8. Longing

It was still dark out when Mika, Eagle's bodyguard, traipsed through the lamp-lit corridors, flushed from her morning training. She gently tapped the keypad to her room, all the while scrutinizing the door over from hers in which her master and childhood friend was hopefully still sound asleep.

The door slid open and she entered, striding across the room and throwing the towel from her shoulders and over the chaise-longue. Breathing slowly and fully, she sunk onto the rug and watched the first instances of light appear through the glass doors, beneath the breaking clouds.

The morning was so beautiful, she thought, imagining the intensity of the yellow orb. It must be a warm and pleasant light. She'd never seen anything quite like it back home. It seemed that the atmosphere had clarified first in this region.

She smiled wryly, pondering "home," in response to the sharp jab she felt in her chest. It'd been a little over two months since her mother's passing. Pushing herself up against her elbows, she continued to gaze through the doors at nothing in particular, perhaps just at the blank slate of sky before her. It still hurt, though not as much anymore.

Here she was now, sharing a home with her mother's friend's family. They were, in a sense, her adoptive and new family. Corolla was insistingly kind and attentive, almost doting like a second mother. President Vision was empathetic and strangely good-humored; he looked very reserved and reputable on first appearance. She remembered how nervous she was to meet him again as President Vision rather than just Mr. Vision. He could be the father figure…? That leaves Eagle and her, the kids—brother and sister? It was bit odd framing the latter relationship in those terms.

She supposed they were very much like brother and sister back then. They had played together. He was always watching over her like an older brother… She smiled and closed her eyes. …and she would always make his task harder for him.

She opened her eyes and looked to the right wall, at the sound of water running next door. He was up early today. Swiftly getting on her feet, she made for the bathroom and turned the shower on. She had to beat him.

After scrubbing, lathering, drying, and dressing all under fifteen minutes, she slipped on her boots and grabbed the emerald and gold box off the dresser, desperately praying that he had not left for breakfast before her.

She furiously tapped the button to open the door and strode into the hallway, feeling slightly stupid upon realization that any last minute rushing should have been done earlier and not just now when his door was only six feet down from hers. Hopefully, he was still inside. Irrationally, it would be a little less embarrassing if she could give him his belated birthday present now. Somehow, the thought of giving it to him a full twenty-four hours after everyone else did put her to greater shame.

The door slid open as her right fist raised in the air, ready to knock. "Oh, good morning," she said, surprised. He looked more peaky than she had seen him all week. "Good morning," he greeted her and forced a smile. Even with a fake grin, he still had a nice effect. She smiled and offered him the box. "It's late but I hope it will be welcomed, nonetheless," she said. He accepted it and thanked her.

She watched him curiously, wondering if he was going to open it, as he examined the box in his hands. He was definitely distracted by something."You don't have to open it right now," she said lightly. "I know you have other things you want to get to." He asked her to wait as he disappeared behind the door to set the present down.

Upon his reemergence, they set off towards breakfast in silence. He was not in the humor to talk this morning, she noticed. His eyes were fixed straight ahead as they passed through the corridor and toward the first level. She took short and careful peeks at his profile and mused that there existed some semblance of the boy she knew. Yet, he was not a boy any longer. She glanced away and entertained another thought.

The servants pulled open the double doors as they neared. Inside, Hikaru and Lantis were deciding what to eat. "Good morning, Eagle! Hi Mika!" said Hikaru, sporting a cheerful smile. Lantis turned and smiled at them, asking how they were doing. Mika returned their greeting. Beside her, Eagle grinned."Just fine," he said, taking up a plate and his time with the morning's buffet. He wasn't fine, she observed from her peripheral. His eyes were dull and lowered so that they were barely discernible from underneath his dark lashes and his lips were tightly drawn.

Hikaru and Mika tried to keep spirits up at the table, but the atmosphere was generally dismal. Lantis and Eagle paid more attention to their food instead of making conversation. Mika sipped her juice, using it as an opportunity to scrutinize a thought she had been harboring in the last few days.

She followed Eagle's gaze to the young lady seated beside her and noted how extremely attentive he was to her. Today, more so than previous days. There was a subdued but meaningful look behind his eyes, almost in longing. She replaced her glass on the table and patted a napkin to her lips.

What of the attachment between Lantis and Hikaru? They had spoken about Hikaru's fondness for Lantis most of yesterday afternoon before the ball.

-o-

The garden glistened with droplets leftover from the rain. The wind was cool and the air mild. Mika drew her arms behind her head as she and Hikaru took their second round through the grounds. From a short distance away, Eagle and Lantis strolled behind them.

"Are you all set?" she asked Hikaru. "Yes," Hikaru replied, "I woke up a little early to put the last handful of things together." The redhead swung her hands in the air and exclaimed to the trees, "I'm going to miss Autozam!" Mika chuckled and proposed that she visit them again. Hikaru grabbed hold of her arm and winked, suggesting, "Or you and Eagle should visit us in Cephiro!" Mika smiled and murmured, "Hm, that would be an idea." She would love to see this mythical Cephiro for herself.

Hikaru started walking backwards. "Say you'll come, Eagle!" she called, "We'll all be glad to see you again." Mika turned, wanting to see Eagle's response. He grinned candidly this time, evidently touched by the sincerity of Hikaru's words. He had a beautiful smile. "Of course," he responded.

Hikaru turned back around and hugged her, listing the sites she would have to see when she comes. They spent the rest of the hour sitting in the gazebo, Hikaru telling stories while she sat and listened.

-o-

It was time to say goodbye. The car had arrived to take their guests to the airport and away from Autozam. Mika waited as Eagle hugged his friends and wished them a safe voyage back. She felt pity, imagining how hard it must be for him to let them go.

Eagle released Hikaru, who bounded towards her for a final hug. "Goodbye, Mika!" she said. Mika hugged her tightly and whispered, "Goodbye, dear." Her eyes burned as they parted and Hikaru ran down the steps to where Lantis standing. She was going to miss her and her boundless energy.

Lantis and Hikaru climbed into the car and the door closed behind them. They waved from behind the glass. The engine started and, soon, they were past the gates and out of sight.

Mika stopped waving and dropped her hand to her side. She sighed quietly. They were gone. She looked over at Eagle who continued to stare past the gates, as if wishing he could have accompanied them. No smiles now; his mask had fallen. She decided that it would be best to bury any premature feelings of attachment to him. "Shall we go in?" she asked. He agreed and headed for the door. She stole a last look at the gates before turning to go inside.

Eagle had already reached the foot of the stairs. He began climbing the steps as soon as he sensed she was near. She took the steps at a similar pace, careful to maintain some distance between them. She had seen that face before. It expressed that there was nothing more to do.