The sun was beginning to set over Roanapur as Sebastian and Roberta made their way to the airport, the city's chaotic skyline fading into the background. The decision to leave hadn't been easy, but it was necessary. The violence, the bloodshed—it had all taken its toll. They needed a fresh start, a place where they could rebuild their lives far from the darkness that had consumed them. He had never been one for sentimentality, but these friends—these comrades—had become like family to him. Before their final departure, he made sure to leave behind gifts, tokens of his appreciation and respect.
As they arrived at the airport, the Lagoon Company was there to see them off. Dutch, with his usual stoic expression, gave Sebastian a firm handshake, a silent understanding passing between them. Benny grinned, offering some last-minute advice about where to go and what to do once they got to their destination.
Revy, however, was a different story. Her usual tough exterior seemed to crack just a little as she looked at Sebastian and Roberta. "So, you're really leaving, huh?" she asked, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
Sebastian nodded. "Yeah, Revy. It's time for us to move on. But don't think you're getting rid of me that easily. If I ever come back and find out you haven't married Rock yet, I'll marry you myself."
Revy's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, a hint of a blush crept up her cheeks. She quickly recovered, though, scoffing and crossing her arms. "In your dreams, idiot. But… I'll miss you, you know."
Sebastian smiled, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. "Take care of yourself, Revy. And take care of Rock."
First, he approached Revy, who was leaning against the Lagoon Company's van, her usual cigarette dangling from her lips. Her sharp eyes softened just a bit as Sebastian handed her a sleek black case. She opened it, her eyes widening as she saw the contents: two brand-new Desert Eagle .50 Action Express pistols, each customized with intricate engravings of dragons on the barrels.
"Desert Eagles, huh? Fancy," Revy said, her tone cool but with a hint of admiration.
Sebastian smirked. "Thought you might appreciate an upgrade. These should pack enough punch for even the toughest situations. Consider it a parting gift."
Revy looked at the pistols, then at Sebastian, a rare, sincere smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Seb. Don't go getting yourself killed out there, okay? I'll have to come and kick your ass if you do."
Next, Sebastian approached Rock, who was standing nearby with his hands in his pockets, a thoughtful expression on his face. Sebastian handed him a carefully wrapped package. Rock opened it to reveal a finely tailored black suit, complete with a crisp white shirt and a silk tie.
"A new suit?" Rock asked, surprised by the gift.
"You've come a long way, Rock. Figured it was time for a new look to match your new standing. You're more than just a salaryman now," Sebastian said with a wink.
Finally, Sebastian approached Dutch, the leader of the Lagoon Company. He handed Dutch a small, weathered box, its surface etched with marks of time and wear. Inside was a brass Zippo lighter, engraved with the emblem of the Task Force 116 River Patrol Force—an insignia Dutch recognized instantly.
"This was from your days in Vietnam," Sebastian said quietly. "I know it's not much, but I thought you'd appreciate the sentiment."
Dutch took the lighter, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he nodded, his voice gruff with emotion. "This means a lot, Sebastian. Thank you. And take care of yourself out there."
As they turned to enter the waiting area, the sound of approaching vehicles caught their attention. A convoy of SUVs pulled up to the curb, and Sebastian's heart skipped a beat when he saw who stepped out. Balalaika, flanked by her ever-loyal right-hand man, Boris, walked toward them with that commanding presence she always carried.
Sebastian's lips curved into a grin. "I was starting to think you weren't going to show up, my ice queen. It would've been sad to leave without saying goodbye."
Before he could say anything more, Balalaika surprised everyone—including Boris—by grabbing Sebastian by the collar of his shirt. She pulled him close and kissed him passionately, a kiss that conveyed everything words couldn't. It was a kiss filled with longing, regret, and an unspoken promise that would remain between them forever.
When she finally pulled away, Balalaika's eyes softened, and she whispered in Russian, "Мое сердце принадлежит тебе" ("My heart belongs to you").
Sebastian felt a lump in his throat as he looked into her eyes, knowing this was the last time they would see each other. "And mine to you, Balalaika. Always."
With one final look, Balalaika stepped back, allowing Sebastian and Roberta to head to their gate. As they passed through security, they could see their friends waving them off, the ties that bound them strong even as the distance between them grew.
As for Balalaika, though she didn't know it yet, Sebastian had left a final gift for her in her office at the Moscow Hotel. He had arranged for several bouquets of flowers, each with a different color symbolizing a different aspect of their relationship—red for passion, white for respect, and yellow for friendship. Alongside the flowers, he had placed a box of fine chocolates and a bottle of Mamot vodka, made in Siberia, one of the best in the world.
Tucked beneath the bottle was a handwritten letter. It read:
"To my beloved Ice Queen,
You have been my fiercest ally and my most challenging adversary. I will carry the memory of you with me, always. This bottle is for the nights when you need warmth, the chocolates for when you need sweetness, and the flowers for when you need to remember that even in the coldest of places, life can bloom.
Thank you for everything.
Yours,
Sebastian."
When Balalaika would eventually find the gifts, she would be alone in her office, the door closed to the world. She would run her fingers over the delicate petals of the flowers, her heart heavy with unspoken words. She would pour herself a glass of vodka, toasting silently to the man who had dared to love her, and who she had loved in return, even if only in secret.
The flight to Tenerife was long, but it gave Sebastian and Roberta time to reflect on everything they had been through. The battles, the bloodshed, the love they had found and lost and found again—it all seemed like a lifetime ago. But now, as they looked out the window at the vast expanse of ocean below, they knew they were headed toward a new beginning.
As the plane began its descent, Roberta reached for Sebastian's hand, her fingers intertwining with his. "Do you think we'll really find peace here?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
Sebastian squeezed her hand gently, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips. "I think we've earned it, Roberta. Whatever comes next, we'll face it together. And that's all that matters."
As they touched down on the tranquil island of Tenerife, the warm breeze and the serene landscape offered them a sense of calm they hadn't felt in years. This was their chance to heal, to build a life free from the chaos that had defined them for so long.
As they disembarked from the plane, they took one last look back at the world they were leaving behind. And with a shared glance, they stepped forward, hand in hand, ready to embrace whatever the future held for them.