Twelfth Gesture:

Parting Ways

Staring out in midair, he let his eyes wander off to the exquisite night sky while a smile unknowingly graced his lips. It just started to snow a little while ago as the windows of the vehicle now carried the cooled temperature. Perhaps this was the most bittersweet snowfall he had ever seen. It was bitter - yes - yet it was undeniably sweet.

-- // --

Two days since...it had been two days since that fateful evening...

A tune sounded vibrantly as the source's screen lit up in melody.

"Hello?" her voice was soft then as she had just gotten out of a much-needed shower. It had been barely a week since her urgent and unscheduled press conference. Those days proved grueling and tight that she rarely had time for anything she wished to do by herself.

"Lacus…"

He momentarily gazed at the then setting sun. His glasses held off some loose hair on the sides and those above his forehead, exposing clearly his facial features. His eyes then strayed towards her direction as he sighed upon landing them straight on her orbs.

"Tell me, is this what you want at this moment?" his voice was low and any sign of enthusiasm along with it died. She then left his face as she focused on the sight before.

"There are some things that I should do..."

"So, where are you going after this talk?"

She smiled as she replied with certainty.

"To him."

"You really do care for this boy after all..." it wasn't a question nor was it a fact but as he said this, his tone was like that of a father to a daughter - concerned and mild.

He need not hear her answer...for as he returned his gaze to the same scenery, he knew she modestly nodded her head. Her eyes full of conviction and her resolve firm.

He sighed. This was, after all, indeed one of those things she should and want to do.

The voice was familiar, as her spirits lifted up. It's been so long since she last heard his voice…so long since she'd last seen him.

"Kira?"

-- // --

...her footsteps echoed clearly amidst the starless sky. Puffs of smoke-like figures emanated from her gasps as she hurried through the streets – her pink locks swaying in the wind's direction. She should have taken her car, but then with all the traffic in the busied roads, she may not make it in time.

"I've just accepted an offer...Lacus, I've thought about this numerous times. I had been offered this job since I've decided to settle down with you and the others. It's just…" he sighed as he continued, the words weighing him down as they were uttered from his lips. "...when I saw you up on that stage, I realized it's time that I do my share for my country - - for things that I believed in."

Her cerulean orbs looked straightforward – her mind and vision bound to only one, oblivious to all the strares addressed to her. Her heart raced as her being solely thought of a memory vividly playing on and on...

Another pause ensued. Words, she knew, were said afterwards but what got to her most was when he finally said his"Goodbye.".

The dial tone beeped continuously in her ears, as though that was the only sound that seemed to matter.

She ran without looking back. Determination welled within her as her trails left their marks on the seemingly cool night.

-- // --

Carrying his luggage, he walked on at the ordinary sight. He'd leave tonight, he had decided. It was best that he start a new life – rather to open up himself more to the various opportunities that long have awaited him. This country needed him, and he was certain he's healed enough to carry the task on his shoulders. He was more than ready as all wounds turned to scars - a memory of a past long gone.

"Is this your final decision?" asked he whose mind was as keen as his feel.

"Yes. Cagalli needs me...Orb needs me." Taking hold of his bag on one hand and a folded paper on the other, he walked towards the opened door.

"Reverend,"

He looked back – his purple irises anxious.

"Do you think I'll do just fine?"

The said reverend smiled as he nodded his head.

"Thank you then." Taking a final look at the place he once called home, he breathed in the air as he continued walking forward.

He stood there facing the clock tower. It was time. This was his present…this would eventually be the road he'd take from then on.

Looking forward, he saw the least thing he expected to see...or was it someone he never knew he'd see again...

"Lacus..."

There, before him, she stood…gasping for air. With her knee-length jacket giving her warmth in the obviously cool weather, she looked at him with much longing. His eyes widened in recognition and his mouth laid agape, not knowing what to say.

Just then, she ran towards him - embracing him with both arms around his neck as soon as she reached him…not ever wanting to let go.

The gesture left him losing a grip on his bag as he supported her body by holding onto her waist. Not sure of what's happening in the first place, he returned the same as his instinct dictated. Still, he found himself unable to resist her nor hide from her. He was a victim of her touch, a prey of her scent which called him unto her.

"What's wrong?" slightly dazed, he asked softly against her ear.

He stroked her back gently as though to calm her, if not to satisfy his need of her being pressed against his. Rushing to this place at a late hour was undeniable proof to make him worry, at the same time, indulge in different romanticisms. And the timing could never be too perfect as well. He never knew how much he had longed to see her - on how he did want her to be with him this particular evening than not have her near him at all.

Leaving in peace sounded calming but without her knowing proved unbearable even for him.

"Kira…I'm sorry…" tears started to stream her cheeks as she held onto him tightly. He felt the tingling sensation in his neck as he reassured her of whatever worries she may have.

"Lacus…you never did anything wrong…in fact, this has been long overdue…"

"I just want to see you again, before everything else goes away...before you go away. If this is about my busy schedule…if it's about my popularity…or if ever I've done anything wrong…and even if my presence here distracted you…" never had she felt so fragile before. There she was, slowly breaking up in front of him. Her thoughts, her feelings, everything seemed to uncontrollably pour out.

He smiled as he then cupped her face with both hands, breaking their embrace. The touch of his warm palms brought sensations deep within as he gazed into her eyes, looking straight at those irises whose owner he loved most.

"I'm glad that you came tonight. Know this, I don't care the slightest bit about your fame, popularity or whatever it is that you call them…" Caressing her cheek with his thumb, he then leaned further, their foreheads touched. Both their eyes closed, savoring the moment.

"…as long as I am with you, I could have it any way."

Carelessly involved in a tempting indulgence, a fervor he long had desired...he broke free from all resistance and baffled his inner hesitation.

Anticipating, he leaned further still...

Never had her lips looked so intoxicatingly tempting and never had the air been this blatant in its exposition.

Both their beings were enveloped by a different warmth stirred by a touch so chaste, a caress so innocent yet enough to captivate and enchant the longing soul.

In the crowd where faces unknown loomed, amidst the trailed and often faint sounds of the surroundings, they stood there, sharing an intimate moment together ...involved in a world they built solely between themselves.

And as what could be her last tear fell, she remembered the same call from an evening not long ago.

Another pause ensued. Words, she knew, were said afterwards but what got to her most was when he finally said his"Goodbye.".

The snow fell from the heavenly skies as all tears soon dried.

end

A/N: I know it's confusing, considering where I left off in the previous chapter…rushed in a way, some may say. But there's something about it being the twelfth chapter and I listening to "Con Te Partiro" (Time to Say Goodbye) by Andrea Bocelli that made me do what I did with this chapter. I also consider it a new style I'm experimenting in currently, visualizing how the sequence works and all. Now, kindly tell me if you somehow grasped the flow or perhaps what you think the flow really is.