- // - // - // -

Their surrounding was in jubilant celebration. People cheered, danced, laughed out loud and were merry as though the year was just beginning. It was chaotic in a sense, but in such a positive way. With all smiles, they went on like that…raving and chanting pleasant tunes.

"You sure about this, sir?" a young man in a formal suit asked, a bit hesitant if not skeptic.

"For all those months you were under my command, have I ever been unsure of my actions?" quipped he who has then changed to his casual clothing. Busied in preparing himself, he looked at the other from the corner of his eye.

"Besides, I've decided long ago, and I'm not keen on changing my mind."

Slight hints of nervousness painted across his face though he tried his hardest not to let them surface. After all, he didn't want an inferior officer to see him act unusually.

Not far from where they were, two figures stood. Face to face, with hands intertwined.

As the time neared, he felt his heart begin to race again. His assistant stood beside the door, oblivious of how uncertain his commander truly was – the extent, that is.

"Reminders, give me reminders…" he then blurted out, trying to calm himself down.

"Sir, I read in a book, if this could help in any way, you have to breathe every now and then, compose your thoughts and voice them out clearly."

"Should I kneel? Or should I stand? How do you think should I give it? Directly, indirectly?" Fixing his hair, he somewhat demonstrated the said actions, which made him look a bit awkward.

"Permission to speak freely, sir."

"Granted."

"Just go out there and ask her…stop being your usual self for once. Stop being a paranoid, you're thinking too much!"

She can't speak, not because of inability to do so but rather due to an overwhelming feeling. All that she'd hoped for, all that she'd desired.

Never had she been this surprised…shocked…speechless and at a loss.

The skyline was lit with different hues.

Fifteenth Gesture:
Letting go

Cups of coffee shared, stirred evenly their contents. The rush of genuine brewing to the senses – the mixture of just the rightful blends.

Beside him, she sat with utmost modesty. Her light pink dress accentuating her figure. As he stared, he donned a plain-white long-sleeved shirt covered by a dark-colored knee-length coat.

Silence went. Words passed.

Taking a sip, the warmth entered their beings amidst the cool evening with the pale moonlight in showing.

They sat there still, reminiscing the times they spent together. Each sharing his or her own experiences during the other's absence, allowing the familiar feel creep into their skins. It was all nostalgic, the very scene one they've direly missed.

As the night dragged on, the once-empty space on the park's open area started to be filled with eager spectators. Little by little, they appeared in the middle, all eyes on the set-up stage. This was the night of a festive celebration – a commemoration of a particular occasion.

She knew what it meant. It was time. It had been late - the night early still but, it was late - and she had yet to make mends with her manager for not attending diligently to her scheduled work. It would cost him much, she surmised, yet this was much better than having to sit in one of those intoxicating rooms where lights and cameras pointed her way. Way better.

"Kira," careful in her choice, she somehow never learned how to say goodbye exactly the way she wanted to. It wasn't one taught in schools but rather one learned through experience. Each word would weigh heavily to the heart. Each word no matter how insignificant, she knew, would matter in magnitudes.

"…I have to go."

The moment he felt her gesture her arm, the moment she breathed heavily, he pictured out what it was that actually bothered her. His eyes remained on the platform before them, as he spoke a soft "I see.", not wanting to see just exactly how she looked like while saying those, unwary of the saddened expression that showed on his face. That alone defying the unaffected stance his voice possessed. But that alone, too, she failed to take notice of.

She had hoped he would at least say something more. At least something that could make her have a reason to stay a bit longer. But the fact that he never dared face her nor was acting unusually unrepulsed by the matter at hand proved much. He wasn't intending on doing anything after all. This was, she assumed, just a "coffee" break after all - an ordinary trip to memoryline, a contemplation of the present with the future remaining distant and unwarranted...the future which was what really mattered most.

Feeling a bit disappointed, she fixed her things and stood up. Placing the same over her shoulder, she sighed.

This was supposed to end longer, or at least not in the way this was currently ending. The night was still a bit young, and the gale spirits of both were still there. It's just that this ongoing gathering became the sole cause of their early leave. See, they were aware of the fact that there was an intended celebration that would take place in the very same park. They somehow simply mentally noted that upon the sight of those attending in it, they should leave at once. Why? It was Lacus' choice after all. A choice that Kira consented.

Neither wanted attention nor intrusions in their already much-appreciated "private" lives. There was no problem with Kira, but with Lacus, she may not really mind being seen with him, but she was bothered by how rumors may turn out. She had been in this business for all that she knew since when, and based on that, they won't be forgiving on either her or most especially him. Two prominent names, each successful in their respective chosen fields, each hailing from well-known families – it was clear by then of Kira's lineage and undoubtedly of Lacus'. Such high-profile statuses need some sort of preservation.

But to let both their guards down, simply enjoying the night as ordinary persons, they seemed to forget what posts they represent – what lifestyles they live and titles they hold.

The reason why they sat there - - exposed and visible to some, if not most, all.

But this was a different matter all together. This was a gathering - - a place where everyone would surely come.

She faced him at what was intended to be the last time, waiting for an approval on her leave. She was just modest - the reason why she waited on him. But when given more thought on it, deeply, a small yet infectious part of her yearned that he would do just something if only to stop her from being "Lacus Clyne" - the songstress, pop star or peace activist that everyone idolizes - for just tonight.

But without him even flinching nor eyes darting her way, perhaps her hopeful anticipations weren't going to be realized at all.

"Bye then." She spoke half-heartedly, the day tiring her already weary spirit.

Taking a couple of steps away, the whole time spent with him entered in a flashback...

...the coffee...the laughter...his voice...

...he then spoke...

"Once, I made a promise to come back to someone…"

She stopped. Eyes widened.

The crowd roared hard as the emcee took his stand on the stage, the microphone in his grasp. He then said something more but, due to the noticeable distance from the downhill area to where they were, it was barely audible to comprehend.

"…all along, I've always thought and believed that I'll never be able to fall for someone as intensely as I did for her. But then, as the saying goes, I was proven wrong…"

"…for every time I see her, I found myself falling for her over and over again. Every time I think of her, I feel as though my heart beginning to race, beating rapidly against my chest. It was always calling me to run to her…my feet leading me to her…" his hand then rose to his chest as he closed his eyes.

"…It gave a feeling of mixed nervousness, fear, doubts, but then, ultimately, one above all stood…it was rather blissful…something pleasant and calming…"

Lifting himself up to his feet, he walked towards her, her back on him. Taking something from his pocket, he then closed his eyes, letting her scent fill his senses.

"I was meaning to give this long before, but I guess this would be the proper time for it…"

Opening them once more, he took hold of her hand…the gesture making her turn to face him. With eyes fixed on the contact and feel relishing her touch, he spoke in a soft voice.

"...this may have been long overdue…but still…"

She looked at the side of his face, trying to make out the thoughts chained in his mind. No matter how strong their connection was, this particular evening however, she found it difficult to penetrate them.

Raising her hand in level with his, he opened his other closed palm to reveal a silver ring. The moonlight effecting its strides as it shone through.

She gasped. This was…not the way she expected things would turn out, the way he would stop her from leaving.

This was…something more…

"…the moment I saw her again on that corridor one fateful afternoon, I was certain more than ever…"

Placing the ring slowly on her finger, inserting it with utmost care, he continued.

Words were cut in her as she felt an unusual unbelieving and surprised feeling well up within as her heart raced. Shifting her gaze back on his face once more, she felt the tingling sensation of tears threatening to fall.

"…that perhaps, given the chance, this time I'd be more than willing to prove to her just how much I love her…" He breathed deeply. "All I'm saying is…"

He paused, the ring fitting her perfectly as his clear amethyst met her cerulean.

"Lacus, would you be willing to take me back again?"

As she was about to speak, the skyline was lit with breathtaking fireworks. The sight making them both gaze up, the crowd before in audacious cheering.

And as she stared at the side of his face, she spoke with utmost sincerity, an unfeigned smile painted on her lips…

"I thought you'd never ask."

end

A/N: Somehow, I have this funny feeling that the end is nearing. Anyway, was it rushed? Say, too fast? Perhaps, but nonetheless, I'm finally back on track and a bit inspired too to write this one. Thanks for the reviews…they really help (just figured that out now – weird, haha). Anyhow, why is the title "letting go" then? Hmm…ponders.