When Love Fades
feat. 'When Love Fades' by Toby Keith.
"Mhp!" Gali pulled away from the kiss, stepping back and taking her hands off his chest. "Tahu, I'm sorry…" she said, looking away. "I can't do this anymore."
"Why not?" he asked softly, stepping closer, and holding her hands in his, "What's wrong?"
She sniffed slightly, looking to him, before resting her head on his shoulder. He looked down to her. He could feel small wet drops falling, and hitting his foot. She was crying. "Hey.." he said, lifting her chin up. He smiled softly and gave her a hug. "Are you okay?"
She shook her head, her eyes closed, her chin now resting on his shoulder, and she leaned her head against his. After a few minutes, she gasped, and pulled away. He looked at her again, quizzically. She uttered one word, before running off: "Pohatu."
Going through the motions pretending to be
The man you used to see in me, baby
You don't want to hurt me so you play along
Tahu, Toa of Fire, stood for a moment, stunned. 'Did she just say Pohatu?' he thought for a moment. Pohatu?! What could she see in him, the goody-two-shoes, love-the-earth, friends-with-everyone wimp of a toa? A soft growl came from Tahu's mouth, which eventually evolved into a loud scream of rage. He looked up to the cloudy sky, and suddenly rain began pouring down on his head. He fell forward, hitting the ground with his knees.
Why was he like this? He wasn't supposed to feel this way. The past few years have been one big battle, and not just against Makuta. He had been fighting over his feelings for Gali since the day he met her…but why? He was so unsure of everything…so…so lost.
He and Gali had been sneaking away together for about a month now. And then, not even a week ago, Pohatu kissed her, and she apparently kissed him back. What was that about? If anything, she should be running to Tahu, from Pohatu, but no.
And it don't feel right, and it don't feel wrong
it just feels like a memory
barely alive
When will we let it die?
At least a few weeks ago, they had agreed that they had to let their relationship end…not for Pohatu, but so they wouldn't be distracted in their mission to wake Mata-Nui.
'Mata-Nui, I hope not for Pohatu!' Tahu thought desperately. Was it possible that Pohatu and Gali had been together before their fateful kiss?
"No." Tahu stated, crawling back to his feet, "It's not possible."
He looked around, and took a few steps forward, his feet like lead. He needed to get out of the rain…he hated it. Night was nearly here, he noted as he trudged through the downpour, along a small road. Everywhere he looked the haunting thought of Gali and Pohatu was following him. But…what if it was more than just Pohatu? He knew that such a thought was simply his mind going haywire on him, but he continued with the thought.
What if she had been with Kopaka? Or Onua? Or Lewa?! He quickly shook the thought from his head. He knew it wasn't possible. After a long while, he reached the warm volcano next to where Ta-koro once stood. He went to a small tent, since the actual village was gone, and he lay down to sleep.
Where do you run
Where do you hide
After a promise breaks
Who'll be the one
To say goodbye
And who'll be the one to stay
When love fades
A day later, the two were kissing. Again. This time, it was Tahu who parted from his lover. It was morning, and Tahu had just recently woken up. Gali stopped by to check again, on packing. He had a feeling that she was here for more than that, and the two conversed, which ended in Tahu stepping up and kissing her again.
As the two were embraced, he heard footsteps. He opened his eye, and Pohatu was standing near the tent, his mouth opened. Tahu quickly parted, and Gali stood for a moment, confused. She looked to Tahu, and then turned around, to see Pohatu. She gasped, also wide eyed.
After a few seconds, no one moved a muscle until Pohatu closed his mouth, tightening his jaw. He nodded firmly, and turned around. Tahu could tell he was fighting back tears. A strange, and unusual sensation feeling came over him, it was a mixture of guilt, and pride. Guilt for being caught, Pride for actually doing what he thought couldn't be done. This feeling was…different. And short lived.
How are we gonna let go of something that's gone
Ain't it funny how a broken heart just keeps hangin' on baby
You watched me walk away
And I set you free
Gali became angry. She turned around quickly, and slapped Tahu straight across the face. He stood there for a moment, before she turned and ran off in the same direction as Pohatu. Tahu's face stung. It was as if he was attacked by a Rahkshi, the slap from Gali's hand felt much harder than it should have. His eyes watered and his throat burned from the lump forming. He now felt betrayed, and vile.
Yet…it was Gali who betrayed him, was it not? She betrayed him with Pohatu…however; this little consult didn't give the toa any comfort. He had still been wounded, and it was a wound straight to his heart. He shook his head and ducked down back into his tent. It was almost mid-day. This was all too much. He lay down on his cot, and looked to the top of the tent…what were they doing now?
But I come back to you and you come back to me
I guess it beats being lonely that's the reason why
We give it one more try
"Pohatu!" Gali cried, running up to him. She was in tears.
"What?!" he asked, turning around. There were tears in his eyes as well. "What do you want me to do? I just saw you with…" He couldn't bring himself to say it.
"I'm sorry, It's just…" she began, before he cut in.
"Just what?"
"I..I don't know. I…I love you both. I don't know what to do." She sobbed, looking to him. He frankly didn't know what to do. Pohatu tried looking at it through Gali's eyes, and he somewhat understood her position.
"I need to think." He said, turning and leaving her standing.
Where do you run
Where do you hide
After a promise breaks
Who'll be the one
To say goodbye
And who'll be the one to stay
When love fades
When love fades
Tahu stood, after nearly an hour of thinking, and slowly began to continue packing what little he had. Pohatu went back to Po-koro, to his hut. He sat on a small bench, and began to read, trying to get his mind off the current stress. Gali stood for several hours where Pohatu had left her, staring at the ground. Her head was swimming. Soon, she began to walk silently back to her village…