two stories in two days. well, not really. i started this chapter a while ago. this is true with "to wait,perchance to know" ch. 4. anyways, here we go! hope you like it! Christmas is sorta around the corner, so i made it sorta Christmas-ish.

The Takari Drabbles: The Airport

(We spent Christmas together, and it was magical. His parents and Yamato was in America, taking care of some urgent business dealing with their move, and he was going to spend Christmas alone, but I didn't allow that. If he was going to leave and start a new life, I didn't want him to have his last memories of this place unpleasant ones. If anything, I wanted him to leave with a smile on his face. The day has come… Don't cry, Hikari. You have to keep it together, for him. Takeru, my Takeru… Why are you leaving me?)

"Umm… What time is your flight?"

"I don't know… Soon, I think…"

"Oh…"

"Hikari… I… I…"

(His eyes… It's too painful to see is beautiful eyes well up with such gentle tears. Such gentle, sorrowful tears… Quick, think of something!)

"Hehe… I thought it was very cute when you and Taichi were playing games, and it was funny to see Taichi so frustrated every time you beat him…"

"It was fun! Yup, Taichi-san is no match for me… Plus it's fun to play with him, since Yamato isn't in to that sort of thing…"

"Hmm… Takeru?"

"Yah?"

"Hehe… You're smiling… It's been a while…"

"I'm sorry… Don't get me wrong! I had a really great time last night! Your family is so nice, and I couldn't be more grateful for their loving generosity… It's just… I don't want to go…"

"I know…"

"But… I have to…"

"I know…"

(Oh no… The announcement that I have dreaded… "Flight #729 to Los Angeles… Now boarding… I have to do it…)

"Don't leave me, yet… Just… Don't leave me… Let's stay like this… Just for a while?"

(And I embraced him. I held tight. No force could allow me to let go of my Takeru. He was mine, and I was his… If only for that moment… We were one.)

"I love you… Takeru…"

(The snow began to flutter gently from the gray clouds, and the smell of hot cocoa from the terminal's café wafted into our memories… My Christmas memory… Suddenly, a slow song began to play over the intercom. Michael Buble's "You Don't Know Me." It was reminiscent of the big band era. Soft and sultry, tender and the utmost nostalgic. The band played on… I hear the clanking of champagne glasses, and the center of the vast ballroom, was just he and I. He, in his tux and cute bowtie, me in my white dress, holding on to him with my bouquet in one hand, and his back in the other… We danced on and on…)

"I don't want this feeling to end, Takeru…"

"It doesn't have to…"

(The words faded, and the guitar and piano erased all doubt. And I knew… I didn't have to say goodbye. As we swayed to an endless melody, I felt at peace. The tears fell, and my heart stood still. I didn't care if anyone was looking. This is my memory. It didn't matter.)

"It doesn't have to end this way, Hikari…"

"But could you think of any better way to?"

(And we swayed on. On and on, like the gentle movement of a candlelight, rocking back and forth. In a dark room. Just me and him, watching the fire in the fireplace slowly die down, the Christmas tree in sheer, dim brilliance. Under a blanket, warmed by the touch of a lover's caress… My Takeru's that kind of guy…)

"Honeybear…"

"Yah?"

"Promise… When you let go… And leave for America… That you'll remember what we just shared right now?"

"I promise… I promise you everything, my love… I'll come back to you… And we'll dance again…"

(And he let go… And I was rushed back into reality… Slowly… As slowly as I could be ushered into it…)

"Goodbye, Hikari."

"'Til the next dance, Takeru, I'll be waiting…"

(And he grinned. A forceful grin, but a grin, nonetheless. What a guy. He didn't want me to see him cry. He walked into the gate, and just as he was about to become out of sight, I shouted.)

"Make sure your ticket is one-way! You can't play this harsh of a practical joke on me! And when you're in America, don't fall for those pretty girls!"

(He stumbled a bit, looked back and smiled. And he left. Just like that. As the music fades, and the snow falls… This Christmas… Heh, he doesn't know how much I love him.)

"I'll be waiting, 'til next time…"

It's good to be back. Please grade me! Flames, Criticism, and Praise gladly accepted!