Hey, hello!~
It's been a while since I disturbed anyone with my nonsensical fanfics, how are you? haha
For now, I'm posting this fanfic here that was written in January this year for the Saint Seiya: Legends of Justice Discord contest. Since it's been a while since I wrote anything, I apologize if it's a little OOC!
(And please ignore the cheesy name D: I was out of ideas)
I'll also post on FF, Nyah! Fanfiction/+Fiction and Social Spirit in Portuguese.
English is not my mother language, so I'm sorry if something doens't work!
Snowflakes fell from the sky, painting the lawn white. The sun was setting and children were running happily down the street, the loud sound of laughter filling the ears of anyone nearby. It had been years since he felt like this, so light and alive, without worries or fears. He was, finally, at peace.
Lost in his own thoughts, he could hardly believe that this was real – after so many years of suffering and pain, simple things gained an importance that they didn't have before. Saori's voice happily chatting with Shunrei, Shiryu and Seiya or Hyoga and Shun's excited laughter made him sure that everything that had happened before was so small, so unimportant. His eyes soon fell on his brother, observing every detail very carefully, as if he wanted to keep every piece of that moment in his memory, so that it would never be forgotten.
His mind betrayed him, bringing back memories he swore he had forgotten. When was the last time he was by his brother's side? Or even, when had he seen Shun as happy as he was now? He felt his eyes water and, by reflex, he returned to facing the window and observing passersby without much attention. The children who once played now said goodbye to each other, leaving behind a snowman that seemed to wave to them.
It had been a long and tortuous period in which they had been apart; a period in which he couldn't protect him, when he couldn't take care of him. Without a doubt, Shun was now a strong young man and no longer a fragile boy who slept in his arms several times to feel safe. However, what made Shun so special was his kindness, his empathy and care for others - often putting himself in danger to protect and defend what he considered right. Battle after battle, Shun became stronger and this filled him with pride.
On the other hand, so many fights and losses had the opposite effect on Ikki: he increasingly found himself drowning in hatred and hurt, in revenge and death. He was totally lost – until the affection and love of his brother had found him, leaving him in a mess of feelings. He had never been the friendly or popular type, nor did he like festivities. Still, there he was, receiving a cup of tea that Shunrei offered him, while he heard Hyoga complain to Seiya that he insisted on eating the Christmas delicacies that were on the table early.
For the first time in many years he felt light; he was happy and his heart, which had been like a stone of ice for so long, was full of gratitude. He felt alive, like he had never felt before. To the sound of excited voices and laughter, the night was conducted with great joy and tenderness.
It was almost dawn when they decided to end the conversation and get some rest. With excited hugs for some and polite handshakes for others, they each went to their room - except Ikki, who just stood at the bottom of the stairs watching everyone walk away until there was no one else but him there. He went to the sofa and watched the fireplace, which, even at the end, was still burning. It was a low fire, but it was there. Even though it was weak, it was still capable of heating and burning.
He was so distracted, he almost didn't notice someone had sat down next to him. Kind eyes looked at him and soon a tight hug was given to him. A long sigh escaped Shun's lips and, without saying a word, he rested his head on his brother's shoulder. Helping him to adjust himself on the sofa, Ikki made Shun lay his head in his lap, exactly like they did when they were children. Stroking his brother's hair, he closed his eyes and allowed himself a peaceful sleep. Like the weak flame that burned in the fireplace, so was his life in the years he was away. Shun's love brought him back. This was the feeling that made him remember who he was and, thus, revived the flame that was inside him and that had been forgotten since Esmeralda's death.
These moments are like little miracles; and it is these miracles that make it all worth it.