heartbreak on your face

VIII; Slow Poison – The Bravery

–

He's never been lucky, never thought himself as such.

So when he catches her, delicate in his arms, it's just his luck that it turns out to be Hinamori.

When she smiles, a sad type of smile that shouldn't exist, Kira Izuru is certain that something broken has fragmented into smaller shards.

Just like last time.

–

"Hi."

"Hi." Quietly, he says, unable to believe it. She's here, in the flesh. And he feels numb. "Momo."

Neither one knows what to say, aside from their greeting. They've become strangers, living apart for far too long. But that—that's not true.

They're friends.

Friends.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine." Instantly, she says, an automatic response. "Fine. Well, I've finally finished my course in America – although I'm still a pirate."

Izuru laughs at that, a small chuckle, because he knows exactly what she means. Little things that he thought he'd forgotten.

"You haven't changed, Momo." And he smiles, despite himself.

She's like the sun, telling the rain to go away. And he is powerless to stop her, drawn into this splendour.

"I missed that." Momo murmurs, admitting something.

"… what?"

"Your voice. Your laughter. You." Softly, she sighs, breaking eye contact.

"You could have called." He points out.

"But I didn't." And at that moment, she is further away than he could have possibly imagined.

"Why not? Five years, Momo. What happened?" He doesn't understand, but his tone is gentle, only lightly reproaching her.

"Life happened. I guess I got carried away by the currents. I meant to write—meant to call, but…"

"Momo, I get it. It's fine. I… I just missed you too." Because five years far too long for them to talk to each other. "That's all."

"Yeah." She smiles, and it matches the one on her face. "Okay."

Silence takes them here, but it's more comfortable than before.

And he knows: he's found his shard of contentment once more.

Maybe it's a fragment.

But it's there, and it's his.

–

Music starts – the bride and groom are having the first dance.

Abarai Renji and Abarai Rukia.

Izuru and Momo watch them quietly, relaxed and basking in each other's company.

There's nothing to say, and that's alright.

Because they were friends before lovers… as much as he'd like their relationship to be something more.

–

"Dance with me." He says, to her, spontaneous, after enough time has passed, and he's mustered up the courage to say something new.

"What?" She looks at him, bemused, and a grin trying to flicker on her face.

"Dance with me." Repeating himself, he nods enthusiastically, overjoyed without comprehending why. "For old times sake. What do you say?"

"Alright." And she does smile, like she used to, how he remembered. None of that sadness, but a cheekiness and utter bliss. "But only if you take me out for coffee sometime. So we can catch up."

"I'd like that." Izuru grins.

–

And he swears that it will not turn out like last time.