The End of Eternity

A few years ago, something like this would have seemed silly to her. She'd never been a fan of Romeo and Juliet; it seemed ridiculous to her for two strangers to hit it off at a party, decide to elope an hour later, and end up taking their own lives because they were just so in love. The whole thing was just incredibly cheesy.

But her current situation was different. This was not a matter of waiting a few decades to reunite with a deceased lover in the afterlife. This was a matter of waking up day after day for at least centuries, if not forever, longing to cycle billions of tear-stained tissues through the garbage, but not being able to actually cry even once.

Eternity had to end then and there. She would do whatever she possibly could to make it end. It was only a matter of cleaning up a bit before selling the house, tying up any loose ends that may be left.

And the last of those loose ends was her horse.

To say she wouldn't miss him would be a lie. His company had helped her through several conflicts throughout her existence. Just sitting on his back and tuning out everything else as the scenery of the city sped by her like a movie on fast-forward was a stress-reliever that she wouldn't have stayed sane for so long without. That horse had given her so much, and she was thankful for that, but this was one problem the horse couldn't solve.

She wouldn't be able to repay her dear friend for all he had done through the years, but she would at least place him in the hands of someone she knew would give him proper care. That was what brought her to Mikado's driveway.

"What is it, Celty-san?" the adolescent inquired, the pupils in his slate-coloured eyes bigger and more sympathetic than usual.

Stepping off of her horse for the last time, she held her phone in front of the boy.

I need you to do something for me. It's really important.

Mikado was clearly becoming more worried by the second.

"W-what do you need me to do?

See this bike?

She motioned toward the being that had become just as much a subject of rumours and zalous gossip as herself.

It's actually my horse.

"I see." Mikado nodded, hesitantly reaching out to pet the handlebars gently.

I have to go, Mikado-kun. And I need you to take care of my horse for me. Please.

Had the last word been spoken aloud, a lot of emphasis would have been placed on it. She needed this one last favour from him; she really, truly needed it.

"Okay," the boy agreed, looking at her helmet where a normal person's eyes would be. "When will you be coming back?"

She knew he knew the answer to that question, but that didn't stop her from wanting to cry as she looked at his naively hopeful face and typed out her response.

I'm not coming back, Mikado-kun.

Mikado's mouth opened abruptly, but closed at the last minute. He was a smart kid; he knew arguing and interrogation wouldn't change the present situation.

"I'll do my best to take care of him," he agreed. "And I'm not going to stop you from doing whatever you're about to do. But Celty-san…"

Yes?

"I'll miss you."

She shoved her phone in his direction, not daring to look back at the tears that were now freeing themselves from his eyes.

I'll miss you too, Mikado-kun. I am happy to have been friends with you.

And with that, she ran away, leaving her horse and everything else behind as she set off to regain possession of the head that was rightfully hers.

To destroy it.


Author's Note: Wow, that was totally depressing. Sorry 'bout that. But don't worry about being in a bad mood for the rest of the day because I have already written the next oneshot, and it's purely cute and happy!