Author's Note: This last chapter broke me, and I can't get Gray's face out of my head. Based on FT Chapter 390.
title: lift our hands from the cold
second genre: drama
rating: K+
summary: The wind whispers you are never ever alone.
"I can see him. Losing hope again in front of the calamity…"
She'd never seen him like this. The snarls ripping from his teeth, the raw hatred burning in his eyes.
This wasn't Gray. This wasn't the man who cleared her rainy skies, who became the sun her life revolved around.
His movements were brash, reckless—lunging thoughtlessly towards his enemy who cackled at his rage. Each time he was sent flying back, crashing against the ground as more blood spilled from his worn body.
But he kept going, kept lurching forward despite his mangled state. His magic reserves were draining fast, launching one attack after the other. He was going to die, either from injury or exhaustion. But lost in his rage, he didn't seem to care.
"Gray-sama!" she cried, rushing towards him as he prepared another assault. "Stop!"
He didn't even see her. It was as though he looked right through her, hurling forward only to be sent crashing back.
She was immediately at his side, watching with petrified eyes as he stood up and growled ferociously.
"Don't!" she shouted, moving in front of him. "You can't do this!"
He yelled, shoving her aside and sprinting forward. He wasn't looking at her, he didn't even spare her a glance.
"Gray-sama!" she cried as his body skid against the ground. "You promised! You promised you'd stay with me!"
He pushed himself up by his knee, panting but limping forward. Ice magic flowed to his hands, but it flickered in and out, draining the last remnants away.
"No!"
She ran to him, sprinting as fast as she could. Her arms wrapped around his chest, holding him back from behind.
"Gray-sama! Please!"
He roared, struggling against her grip. His chest was heaving with strained breaths, his body so cold it made her flinch. But his heart was still beating, wild and erratic. Lost in the chaotic madness, she knew he was still in there, somewhere.
"Gray…" she wept softly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm here with you." She held him tighter, burying her face in his back. "Please, stay with me."
And with his heartbeat pounding underneath her palm, she prayed he could hear her.