REWRITTEN (23/09/18)
o-o-o-o-o
Peaceful and comfortable. That was the only words that felt right to Eden as he and Koga moved through the streets of Athens. Their stroll had come about at Eden's offer of briefly leaving Sanctuary for fresh air.
Koga agreed, the thought of putting some distance between her and Sanctuary, even the smallest amount, helped ease the ugly and bitter feeling inside her—the feeling that she didn't deserve to step foot inside the sacred land. That her body was tainted and unworthy of being allowed to stand with her fellow Saints. Let alone her mother.
So that might also mean she'd been avoiding said mother.
(It wasn't intentional, really it wasn't—at least that's what Koga tried to tell herself but she knew deep down that was the truth and she hated herself for it.)
The pair strolled with no real destination in mind, they allowed their feet to be their guide for the day. As they walked, neither said anything as their shoulders brushed and bumped occasionally but they were moving down a busy street so it was expected. It didn't stop the lurches and oddly timed beats of their hearts at the actions however.
The street they turned into became a bustling market with all sorts of stalls: food, flowers, jewellery, crafts and so much more. All the different stalls fascinated Koga, her eyes wide with excitement as she took the time to allow her eyes to graze the items at each one that caught her attention.
"So, what made you want to come into town?" Koga finally asked as they reached a quiet space within the market place.
Eden exhaled via his nose heavily. "I… Admittedly I feel like I shouldn't be allowed within Sanctuary because of what I had allowed to happen in my ignorance."
Koga slowed to a stop, Eden followed. "I concur with that." She mumbled, just loud enough for Eden to catch, his eyes slid to her and she expanded at the questioning look within his eyes. "I feel like… having allowed Abzu to control me, hurt you and the others—almost kill my mum, that I shouldn't be allowed around them."
Eden chuckled, it was a bitter sound but his eyes were soft with understanding.
A stall to Koga's right caught her attention—it was a jewellery stand, she noticed immediately. The hanging necklaces being the most prominent part to stand out to her and her feet moved on their own towards the stall. Her eyes grazed the necklaces until her russest orbs landed on a specific one.
A stainless-steel disc pendant with a familiar tree carved into it.
Her fingers reached up to brush against it, sliding them around to let the pendant sit on her palm as she inspected it.
She was briefly aware of Eden coming up next to her, no doubt curious about what had captured her attention.
"A tree?" He questioned.
"It's the Tree of Life." She answered, peering up at him.
"Ah." Realisation flickered into his eyes. He turned back to her. "Didn't think you were the jewellery type?"
Koga chuckled softly. "I don't have much, a few rings and bracelets but the only necklace I've owned was Pegasus's stone." She lowered her hand, bring it to the broken and dull stone that still hung from her neck.
She probably didn't deserve to wear him either.
"Do you want it?" Eden asked suddenly.
Koga blinked several times. "Eh?"
"Would you like it?" He repeated, amusement flickering into his eyes. "I can buy it for you if you'd like."
Her eyes widened. She waved her arms, looking frazzled and perplexed. "Y-You don't have to do that, Eden!"
"I want to." She paused, eyes widened in confusion. She met his eyes. "You want it?"
She bit her lip, glancing back at the pendant. She did, she did want it but was Eden seriously willing to buy it for her?
"You… would do that for me?"
He nodded. She licked her lips, however before Koga could response the owner, a woman with greying brown hair and warm blue eyes greeted them, having just finished with her pervious customer. "Hello, have you spotted something you'd like?"
"Yes." Koga's eyes widened at Eden's reply.
"E-eh?!"
Eden smiled at her as he plucked the necklace from its spot and handed it to the woman so she would price it. Eden handed over twenty-eight euros to the lady and she pulled the label off. Eden thanked the lady as she handed it back.
He extended the black string and Koga just watched, unmoving as Eden placed the string over her head and dropped it. It hung just below the Pegasus stone.
Koga reached a hand up, fingers brushing the pendant before looking up at Eden again.
Her heart lurched again, dammit.
"I—I, why—I don't—" She stampered over her words, it made Eden smirk.
"You liked it and I don't mind spending my money on it for you, Koga." Eden's watched as Koga let out a sharp exhale, her cheeks flushing.
"Thanks." She breathed, finally managing to get a proper word out without messing it up. Her hand gripped the pendant as she smiled at him.
o-o-o-o-o
Two hours passed by them like it was nothing, their wandering of the city more important than time in that moment. This time as they walked, their knuckled brushed and knocked and Koga found the movements felt right and perhaps affectionate, if she was allowed to use such a word.
Eden hadn't moved away nor had he shown discomfort at their actions, so Koga was pleased—her chest felt warm at the subtle response (or was it lack of response to their knuckles knocking more appropriate?)
They started their return as five o'clock finally arrived and Koga felt lighter than when she had left hours prior.
They parted ways after short goodbyes and Koga made her way towards the kitchens. She'd promised Shun several day prior that's she'd help within the kitchens as he'd banned her from heling anywhere else and he wans't going to stop her from helping him.
It got a chuckle from him.
"Hi." She greeted Shun as she wandered into the temporary kitchen being used for such a large number of Saints taking refuge in Sanctuary.
"Hello, Koga." Shun returned. "Just in time."
Koga grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Eden and I were in Athens most of the day and only just got back."
"Oh?" His brows rose in curiosity, his eyes twinkled with something that went over Koga's head.
"Huh? What's with the look?"
Shun chuckled before gesturing for Koga to come over. She did. "That waters going to come to the boil soon for these pots, when it does could you put the rise in for me?"
"Can do!" Koga smiled, mock saluting. She eyed the large quantity of rice on the counter. It was enough to, well, feed an army.
Shun moved to the opposite counter behind her to return to the cutting board, there was another two Saint's further back working on other things but Koga paid them no mind as she focused on doing her assigned job.
As the water finally started bubbling, Koga began to add the rice and used the paddle spoon to stir the rice every few minutes.
As Koga focused on stirring, she began to hum, quietly singing the lyrics.
"Fate has been cruel and order unkind
How can I have sent you away?
The blame was my own; the punishment, yours
The harmony's silent today
But into the stillness I'll bring you a song
And I will your company keep
Till your tired eyes and my lullabies
Have carried you softly to sleep
Once did a woman who shone like the sun
Look out on her kingdom and sigh
She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no person
So lovely and so well beloved as I"
So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory
That long was the shadow she cast
Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved
And grew only darker as days and nights passed
Soon did that woman take notice that others
Did not give her sister her due
And neither had she loved her as she deserved
She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew
But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly
Takes hold of the mind of its host (Koga subconsciously flinched)
And that foolish woman did nothing to stop
The destruction of one who had needed her most
Goodnight sister mine
Rest now in moonlight's embrace
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth
Through cloud, and through sky, and through space
Carry the peace and the coolness of night
And carry my sorrow in kind
You're loved so much more than you know
May troubles be far from your mind
And forgive me for being so blind"
Koga smiled and turned, planning to ask Shun a question and found that he had paused what he'd been doing, staring wide eyed in surprise. It hit her like a punch to the face that she'd been singing aloud.
"Oh man!" She waved her arms about, looking nervous and embarrassed
Shun blinked and chuckled. "No need to be shy, you have a lovely voice. But I'm curious where did you learn that song? I think I've heard it before actually."
Koga smile timidly before answering. "Mum used to sing it to me when I was younger. She never told me where she learned it from."
Shun blinked but nodded. "Ah, okay that would explain where I'd heard it from but it's a lovely song."
Koga nodded in agreement. She went to turn back to the rice to stir it when Shun spoke again. "Is there something bothering you?"
The seventeen-year-old flinched at the question.
"W—What gave you that impression?"
"You seemed to have a lot on your mind is all, I'm open if you need an ear."
Koga smiled at him and rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not sure you can really help me on this…"'
Shun smiled widely. "A girl problem perhaps?"
Koga yelped, franticly waving her arms as her cheeks burned. "N—no! Nothing like that! Really!"
Shun laughed, just furthering her embarrassment, knowing he didn't believe her.
"A—ah!"
The next two hours, spent finishing the food and dishing it out, passed in an almost slow yet fast pace, moments dragging out while others felt like nothing. After having served everyone, the cooks all took the chance to have their own dinner with Seiya, the Golden Saints and even Athena herself joining them.
"I've just noticed." Athena started, her eyes finally taking note of the new piece of jewellery her daughter wore. "When did you get the necklace?"
"Eden brought it for me earlier today." Koga chirped.
(Seiya choked on his food in the background, it got him looks of amusement from all but Athena and Koga, the pair too caught up in the conversation. Seiya shot them all a glare as if to say "shut up", even if they'd not said anything, which just furthered their amusement, his cheeks burned red in embarrassment.)
"Really? That was kind of him." Athena smiled warmly, and much like Shun hours earlier, gained a slight glint in her eyes that once again went right over Koga's head.
"Right?!" Koga grinned.
o-o-o-o-o
"So." Raki started after having cornered Koga on her way to return to her dedicated bedroom. "I heard you're having possible girl problems."
"A—ah...?" Was the oh-so intelligent response Koga gave, she shook her head. "Where did you hear that?"
"You know... around." Raki trailed off and Koga got the distinct feeling she'd overheard Shun and her talking in the kitchen a few hours prior. She could even picture Raki crouched comically just outside the door eavesdropping. Koga sweatdropped at the thought. "You heard the conversation… didn't you?"
"What? Pfff, no." Raki tried to play off but Koga just raised a brow and the shorter redhead grinned sheepishly. "…Yeah."
"Thought so."
"I want to help you." Raki gained a serious look which made Koga blink.
"Why?"
"Because… uh." Koga raised a brow at the lack of response again and Raki scratched the back of her head as she tried to think of a reason.
"Never mind the reason!" She quickly played off her lack of response and instead asked: "Is it alright if I ask who?"
"Meh…" Koga glanced ahead in thought—she didn't gain anything from telling Raki, other than if the eight-year-olds tried to plan to get her and her Eden together and Koga wasn't sure if she wanted Raki to get involved in it.
Koga perched herself on the step and Raki followed, an eager expression dancing onto the younger redhead's face. "All right."
Koga said nothing for several seconds all the while Raki was nearly vibrating in her spot in anticipation. "It's Eden."
"E-den?" Raki stilled, mouth ajar slightly.
"Not who you expected?" Koga teased.
Raki nodded. "Yeah… I thought maybe it was Ryuho or Soma!"
Koga blinked owlishly then gained a curious look. "Why them?"
"Not sure, but you seem most conformable 'round them is all but that was just a guess, hell you coulda liked Yuna!" Koga smiled widely and Koga sweatdropped again.
"I can assure you, Raki, that I am straight when it comes to my sexuality." Koga answered, an amused look on her face and Raki grinned sheepishly.
"It was a possibility!" She argued and Koga laughed, reaching out and ruffled Raki's head, ignoring said girls protests at the action.