Wild Rose
Firion stood staring up at the night sky as he thought to himself once again, sighing from despair, regret…and shame.
"Will we ever find it…I wonder?" he thought out aloud.
Lightning didn't reply for a moment as she closed her eyes – her head lowered and arms folded. Was she lost in thought as well? Or, just too upset to even speak to him now? Firion couldn't help but wonder, especially after he'd allowed for this all to happen simply by losing the rose. Every time he thought about it, he could only wonder how. How could he have let it happen? How could he have been so careless? And, even more so…how would they find it? And, if they did…would Lightning be able to forgive him then?
In the midst of all these thoughts, he heard Lightning speak.
"Don't know. We've been searching all day, but it doesn't mean we won't find it."
She turned to look at Firion.
"Don't give up so easily. We're in this together."
Firion looked at her in surprise. He thought for sure she'd have had enough with holding back her anger towards him, yet…here she stood, still remaining calm and sensible. He couldn't believe it. He was grateful that she didn't seem angry at him, but at the same time…he couldn't understand why.
He only nodded lightly in response as he looked at her, trying to hide how he was really feeling about this whole ordeal.
"…Right." he mumbled.
They were silent again for a moment as Firion stared at the ground.
He thought to himself again as his regret pulled at him again. He knew deep down Lightning couldn't possibly be taking it this easy. She had been just as distraught as him when this had all first started and now she was all calm and reserved? Not even he could buy that.
Such thoughts only made everything worse. How could Lightning ever forgive him? Sure, it was just a rose…to most people. She, however, had made it very clear that the rose was more than that to her – and to him. If they never got it back, what would happen? How would that affect them together and individually? He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to know the answer to that, but the question still lingered and would continue to…he knew that. It was too much.
He took a deep breath.
"…I'm sorry, Lightning." he said quietly and shamefully.
She looked at him in question.
"Huh? What for?"
"I broke my promise. You asked me to take care of the rose, and…"
Lightning looked at the ground.
"Oh. Right." she mumbled.
They stared at the ground in silence when Lightning looked at Firion again. Seeing his expression, she knew he had a lot on his mind and exactly how upset he was over this whole thing. In all honesty, she felt sorry for him. He shouldn't be carrying such a burden. She knew it wasn't even really his fault. But, seeing that he felt just the opposite…she knew he couldn't keep going like this. Neither of them could.
"Firion." she said softly.
He slowly lifted his head to look at her.
"…Y-Yes?" he stuttered, worried that she might finally crack even a little.
Lightning took a deep breath.
"I don't know for sure what it is, but something's bothering you and I can tell you're in no condition to keep going as you are."
He looked at her in shock.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
She looked at him closely as she spoke again – getting right to the point this time.
"Until you can recollect yourself, why don't you relax? Let me take it from here." she said.
He didn't quite know how to take those words. Was she saying he was a burden? Or, was she actually, truly concerned about him? He just couldn't believe what he was hearing, either way it was meant.
"Lightning…" he said, softly.
She didn't reply as she just started walking.
Firion watched as she headed off ahead of him. He was still confused, but a smile still formed on his face. Maybe there was a chance he'd been wrong. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, and was careful not to, but still…perhaps it was still possible that Lightning truly didn't feel all of this was his fault. That thought, whether true or not, allowed him to relax already just a little.
He breathed a sigh of relief as he smiled again to himself.
"Very well. Thank you."
He looked ahead again and followed Lightning – wherever they may end up next.