Part Fourteen

“Subaru, can I ask you something?”

Subaru looked up from his tea at Sorata’s unusually serious face. “Sure. What’s wrong?”

Sorata plopped down into the chair across from him. “How’s Kamui doing? Like, really doing. I know he . . . he tells you things he doesn’t tell the rest of us, even me. I think he connects more with you.”

Subaru half-smiled. “He’s doing . . . better. The last few months have been really tough on him, but he’s holding out pretty well under the pressure.”

“Then why are you worried?” Sorata asked, seeing more than the Sumeragi was saying in his expressive green eyes.

Subaru paused. “I’m afraid I may have given him some false hope a few days ago.”

“With that dagger, you mean?” Sorata asked. When Subaru nodded, he said, “Regardless of whether or not it’ll bring Fuuma back, I’m glad you convinced Kamui to start carrying it. I’ve felt a little less anxious these past few days. We all have.”

Subaru nodded. “That was the main reason I wanted him to have it. I’m just worried about what would happen if it didn’t work.”

Sorata gave a lopsided smile. “We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it. How exactly does this spell work?”

Subaru made a face. “I don’t think you’d understand the actual technicalities. It’s a . . . a liberation spell. Theoretically speaking, it could free Fuuma’s actual soul from whatever power is holding it in check. It’s what I used to free Seishirou’s soul from the Sakurazuka. Though he still . . . hm, how to put this? He still serves it, but he no longer belongs to it. The spell I bound to the knife is more general, so it should work against whatever is holding Fuuma.”

“How does the knife know when to enact it, then?”

“It’s keyed to Fuuma’s soul through a blood binding. It’ll perform the spell if it draws the same blood, which is good because that means it won’t happen unless Fuuma is right there.”

Sorata frowned. “But what fuels it?”

“I do, naturally.”

“So does it take your energy when you bind it, or when it performs?”

“Both.”

“Then you’d better hope it doesn’t happen at an awkward time!” Sorata laughed.

Subaru smiled. “Yes, that would be annoying.”

“Anyway.” Sorata regained his composure instantly, something Subaru found amusing. “How are you doing?”

Subaru blinked. “Why do you ask?”

“Because you’re like Kamui; you’re both terrible mopers.”

Subaru gave another crooked smile. “We really are, aren’t we.”

“Yes. Now answer my question.”

“I’m fine.”

“Honestly, now.”

“I really am as well as can be expected,” Subaru said. “It’s just odd to think that I may be spending my last three weeks on earth without the man I love.”

Sorata glared. “Are you expecting to die?”

“No,” Subaru said. “But I may. We all may. It’s best to just accept that.”

Sorata sighed. “Just don’t pass that thinking onto Kamui.”

“I’m a bit smarter than that, thank you.”

“He’s been better since you moved in here, you know,” Sorata said.

“I know,” Subaru replied, thinking of the many late nights over hot tea. Three times now Kamui had come to him at night; he’d only stayed twice. Subaru wasn’t sure what would happen after Seishirou woke up.

As if reading his mind, Sorata asked, “So when will Seishirou-san be joining us again?”

“I think the day before the Promised Day, or maybe the day before that,” Subaru replied. He fished out a cigarette and lit up.

“You smoke too much,” Sorata said solemnly.

“I know,” Subaru said. “My sister is always pestering me to quit. I told her I would once I knew I would have a chance to outlive cancer.”

Sorata laughed. “Anyway, I gotta go. Just wanted to check in with you.”

Subaru nodded and watched Sorata head for the door. “Hey,” he said, just before Sorata left. “Any change in Hinoto?”

Sorata shook his head. “She still hasn’t moved or ‘spoken.’ Souhi and Hien are so worried . . . it’s hard to be around them. Think the Angels have something to do with it?”

Subaru pinched his lower lip thoughtfully. “I’m willing to bet they are . . . but not necessarily in the way you think.”

Sorata raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll explain later,” Subaru said. “Let me do a little checking up on it first.”

“Okay.” Sorata nodded and left the room.

“Subaru?” A new voice spoke up. “Can I ask you something?”

Déjà vu all over again, Subaru thought wryly, looking up to see Yuzuriha regarding him seriously. “Sure. Want some tea?”

“Oh, I’ll get it,” Yuzuriha said. “Do you want anything?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” Subaru waited until Yuzuriha took Sorata’s abandoned seat, then looked at her carefully. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, remember when you were in the hospital and I was asking you if it was okay to . . . to love someone on the other side?”

Subaru nodded. “I remember.”

“Well, I kinda sorta, um . . . do.”

Subaru blinked. The first words that rose to his lips were that she was too young, but he hadn’t been much older when he had fallen in love, so he was hardly one to talk. “Oh,” he finally said. His mind clicked through the Angels systematically, trying to figure out who on earth she might be in love with. Johnny had given him a brief description of each of them. Fuuma, no. Kakyou, definitely not. Satsuki, female and bitch: no. Yuuto . . . sure hope not. Nataku, even worse. Not Seishirou, so . . . who was that last one? Johnny didn’t seem to know much about him. K something. Kusanagi, that’s it. I’ve heard that name before . . . of course, Yuzuriha said it during our last conversation. Mystery solved, Subaru spoke up further. “It’s Kusanagi, isn’t it?”

Yuzuriha looked startled. “How did you know?”

“Simple process of elimination,” Subaru said. “Besides, you mentioned his name once before and I know the names of all the Angels now, though I didn’t then.”

“Oh,” Yuzuriha said.

“What did you need my help with?” Subaru asked.

“Well . . . what are you and Seishirou-san doing about the . . . the Final Day?”

Subaru considered. “We haven’t actually discussed it yet. I’m going to want to stick with Kamui, in case he needs me. Seishirou may come with me, or he may just choose to sit out. Have you and Kusanagi talked about this?”

“A-A little.” Yuzuriha blushed. “He says I’m too young for him.”

Subaru smiled. “You are. And I was too young for Seishirou.” He shrugged elegantly. “But even if you just remain friends, there’s no reason to fight each other.”

“So what do you suggest?” Yuzuriha asked, looking at him hopefully.

Subaru shrugged. “I don’t know. Go out for ice cream or something instead of fighting. Protect each other.”

Yuzuriha smiled a little. “Is it okay to do that, though?”

“Well,” Subaru said slowly, “if one of us needs you, I wouldn’t . . . I wouldn’t let this stop you from helping. Kusanagi may just have to understand that, the way Seishirou does.”

Yuzuriha nodded. “Okay. Defensive fighting only.” She grinned suddenly. “I’m gonna be late for class, so, I gotta go,” she declared. “See you later!”

Subaru shook his head as the girl bounced off, wondering how anyone could have mood swings that sudden. He was also wondering exactly when he’d become the resident psychologist for the Seals.

“Subaru?” Kamui came into the room. “Can I ask you something?”

Subaru’s head thudded against the table.

****

“’KYOU-CHAAAAAN!” Hokuto launched herself at Kakyou, nearly knocking them both over into the sand. “Hi!”

Kakyou tried to look dignified, which was difficult with Hokuto clinging to his waist. “Ohayo, Hokuto-chan, Seishirou-san.”

Seishirou looked up from where he’d been drawing lines in the sand and nodded with a smile, then turned back to what he’d been doing.

“And how’s my little brother?” Hokuto demanded, letting go. Seishirou glanced over, interested in the answer.

“He’s fine,” Kakyou said, and Seishirou let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “He’s a little irritated with me, actually.”

“Subaru-kun, irritable? Never,” Seishirou said with a smirk.

Kakyou sighed.

“Why?” Hokuto asked curiously.

“He thinks I should’ve discussed the situation about Hinoto with him before I . . . uh . . . disabled her capabilities.”

Seishirou raised an eyebrow. “What exactly did you do?”

“Just locked her into a Dreamscape,” Kakyou said defensively. “What did you think I did?”

Seishirou shrugged.

“Subaru’s irritated because now, while she can’t harm them again, she can’t help them either,” Kakyou clarified. “He said we could have come up with something better, but when I asked, he couldn’t think of anything. So he let it go.”

“Good,” Seishirou said. “How much longer is it?”

Hokuto gave him a grin. “One week and three days before you go back.”

Seishirou sighed.

“Cheer up, lover boy,” Hokuto said. “’Kyou-chan and I can keep you entertained.”

Seishirou just rolled his eyes.

****

“You’re in a good mood,” Kamui said, noting the expression on Subaru’s face.

“Seishirou wakes up today,” Subaru informed him, grinning like a loon.

“Ah,” Kamui said, smiling back. It was utterly impossible to look at Subaru and not smile. “When?”

Subaru didn’t even need to check his watch. “One hour and twelve minutes,” he declared.

Kamui just watched him, smiling slightly.

Subaru turned and ruffled his hair. “Gotta go, bye!”

****

Hokuto-chan, Seishirou thought blearily, you’re dead when I catch you. You said my body would heal while I was with you. He pried his eyes open and found himself staring directly into Subaru’s. He managed a weak smile. “Ohayo, Subaru-kun . . .”

“It’s afternoon, actually,” Subaru corrected, but he was still grinning like an idiot.

Seishirou coughed. “I thought I was going to heal while I was gone.”

“You did,” Subaru said with a laugh. “Believe me. I’ve been here every day and gotten an update on your progress.” He leaned down and kissed Seishirou’s forehead.

Seishirou processed this information. “Then why do I feel so awful?”

“Well, to begin with, you had one world-class case of pneumonia,” Subaru said. “You’re still fighting off the last of it. But most of it is probably just grogginess from having been unconscious so long. And stiffness, too.”

Seishirou’s face fell. “So I suppose I’m not getting out of the hospital today, am I.”

Subaru shook his head. “Touma-san said you should be okay tomorrow, though. He wants you to get out of bed and walk around some after you’ve eaten.”

“Real food,” Seishirou said, “sounds wonderful. And I want a cigarette.”

Subaru laughed. “I was wondering how long it would take you to get to that. Well, when you go for a walk later, we can go outside and you can have one.”

“Okay,” Seishirou agreed. “When will that be?”

“I told you, after you’ve eaten. Then Touma-san wants to check you over. Then we can go for a walk.”

“When do I get food?”

Subaru rolled his eyes. “You’re so impatient.” He moved over a little, revealing a tray of food sitting on the table behind him. “Here.” He raised Seishirou’s bed so he was sitting and put the tray on his lap. “Satisfied, your majesty?”

“No,” Seishirou said calmly. “Why are you way over there?”

Subaru laughed and pulled his chair closer. “This better?”

“Much.” Seishirou was glad to find that he still had control over his arms, and began to eat one-handed while using his other hand to play with Subaru’s hair. “So you’ve been okay?”

“I’m not sure I’d go that far,” Subaru said dryly. “But I’m fine now.” He smiled cheerfully.

Seishirou smiled back. “So what happened while I was gone? Don’t leave out any details.”

Subaru didn’t. Seishirou listened while he ate, interrupting seldom, usually only to make an observation of his own.

“Glad Kamui didn’t steal you,” he said when Subaru finally finished.

“Told you he wouldn’t,” Subaru said.

“Thought you were going to play Matchmaker?”

“Eh,” Subaru said. “I was, until it occurred to me that I ought to wait ‘til after the Promised Day. I’d hate to see them find happiness just in time for Kamui to get killed or the world to end. Not that I’m expecting either of those things, but it’s always better to be prepared.”

Seishirou nodded. “I’m surprised it’s been so quiet.”

“Well, we’ve had our hands full protecting the kekkai,” Subaru said. “But with five of them and seven of us, we only lost two while you were gone. Especially since only three of their five are active.”

“It’s harder to protect than to destroy,” Seishirou mused.

“Tell me about it,” Subaru grumbled.

Seishirou laughed. “All right, I’m done eating. Do I get a cigarette now?”

“No, now you get a checkup.”

Seishirou sighed.

“Be nice; it’s only so Touma-san can decide whether or not you’ll be fit to go tomorrow. Don’t make him mad; I want some actual time with you. Tomorrow’s the day before the Promised Day, after all. And . . .” His voice trailed off, but he was grinning a wicked grin.

“And what?” Seishirou asked curiously.

“And . . .” Subaru leaned forward and planted a firm kiss on Seishirou’s lips, “tomorrow’s Sunday.”

****

Subaru fell fast asleep in the chair beside Seishirou’s bed, not long after the older man drifted off to sleep himself. The next morning, he ran back to the apartment for a quick shower and a change of clothes, and to grab some for Seishirou. By the time he got back, Seishirou had both woken up and eaten breakfast.

“Subaru-kun,” he said, eyebrows raised, “you do realize that that’s - ”

“Your shirt.” Subaru grinned angelically. “Of course I realize that, Seishirou.” He bit back a grin. “Doesn’t it look good?”

“Are you trying to be sixteen again?” Seishirou asked. Subaru’s clothing had toned down a bit after his goal had been reached, but he still enjoyed the occasional adventurous outfit. This one definitely hearkened back to when he’d been living with Seishirou before the older man’s realization: tight leather pants, even tighter black T-shirt, and one of Seishirou’s white, button down, silk shirts over it.

“No,” Subaru said, “I’m trying to make you think I’m sixteen again.”

Seishirou laughed. “Mission accomplished.”

“Then get dressed.” Subaru tossed a bundle to him. “The hospital gown really doesn’t look that great.”

Seishirou glared down at it. “I know, believe me.” He unwrapped the bundle, almost afraid to see what Subaru had brought him. Fortunately, the younger onmyouji had simply brought one of his normal suits. “What, no tie?”

“Shut up and get dressed,” Subaru replied.

“Whatever you say, Subaru-kun.” Seishirou headed for the bathroom.

“You are feeling better, right?” Subaru called to him while waiting.

Seishirou emerged, fully dressed. “I don’t feel wonderful, but I definitely feel better. So where are we going?”

Subaru grinned innocently. “You’ll see.”

“Subaru-kun, unless you’re going to blindfold me on the drive over, I’ll have it figured out in ten minutes, so you might as well tell me.”

“I like watching you squirm,” Subaru replied, then took Seishirou’s hand and led him down the hall. After a brief stop to thank Touma, they left the building.

Seishirou shivered a little.

“Cold?” Subaru asked. “Sorry. I didn’t think to bring your coat. We could stop and get it if you want.”

“I’ll be okay,” Seishirou said. “It’s not so much that I am cold, but I definitely don’t like the cold. It reminds me . . .”

“Stop thinking about it,” Subaru said immediately. “Come on, let’s find a taxi.”

The two of them managed to find a taxi, then Subaru managed to convey their destination to the driver without Seishirou hearing.

“Ohh, I see where we’re going.” Seishirou poked Subaru in the ribs. “Cute, Subaru-kun.”

Subaru grinned. “I’m being nostalgic, okay?”

“Always,” Seishirou said, as they pulled up outside the aquarium.

“You can talk to the penguins.” Subaru smiled. “I always did find that adorable, you know.”

“I only did it once,” Seishirou grumbled.

“And I’ll never let you live it down,” Subaru teased.

“If you hadn’t been late, I wouldn’t have been talking to them,” Seishirou pointed out.

Subaru turned pink. “I had a good excuse . . .”

“Of course you did, Subaru-kun . . .”

****

The two of them spent the afternoon in a vain attempt to forget that it might be their last together on Earth. The aquarium was followed by a long walk through Ueno Park, which made Seishirou twitch because after three weeks, the Tree was hungry. He was doing his best to ignore it, trying to placate it by telling it he’d feed it tomorrow if the world didn’t end.

They went back to their own apartment (which Subaru had been by the day before to clean, since it had gotten pretty dusty over their three week absence) and watched The Princess Bride for purposes of sheer nostalgia. (This nearly led to an argument because Seishirou kept reciting Westley’s lines with him. Subaru would have been okay with that, but he got a bit offended when Seishirou tried to make him play the role of Buttercup. “It’s because you’re the beautiful one,” Seishirou insisted. Subaru quit arguing; but he still refused to say the lines.)

Seishirou made dinner while Subaru made a quick phone call to Johnny. The other man left Subaru with strict instructions to make sure the world didn’t cease to be, then grudgingly admitted he was glad Seishirou was okay.

“I still say he doesn’t like me,” Seishirou said over dinner.

“He does,” Subaru said, grinning. “He just won’t admit it. Johnny is nothing if not stubborn. He stopped disliking you for a real reason years ago, but he’s refusing to stop disliking you in practice on the simple principle of the matter.”

“Oh,” Seishirou said, frowning. “Glad it isn’t me.”

Subaru just laughed. The rest of dinner was spent in normal conversation, then they had strawberries for dessert (of course) and washed the dishes. Seishirou glanced over at one point and noticed a tear running down Subaru’s cheek, but he didn’t mention it.

When the last of the dishes were in the cupboard, he turned and wiped Subaru’s tears away. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I don’t want this day to be over,” Subaru whispered. “Tomorrow . . . tomorrow might be . . .”

“Sh.” Seishirou placed his finger over Subaru’s lips. “Don’t think about it.”

“It’s all I can think about,” Subaru replied miserably.

“Then let me help you forget . . .” Seishirou moved forward and brushed his lips over Subaru’s. Subaru leaned into the kiss, trying desperately to lose himself in it.

They broke apart a long moment later.

“Come on,” Seishirou said softly, taking Subaru’s hand and pulling him towards the bedroom. Subaru followed willingly, rubbing his eyes with his free hand and waiting until they were inside the bedroom to say anything.

Seishirou closed the door behind them, then gently caressed the side of Subaru’s face. “You okay?”

Subaru shook his head. “I don’t know . . . what to do.”

Seishirou half-smiled. “Same thing we always do.”

“No,” Subaru said. “How do you . . . how do you make love like it might be your last time? It’s . . . I’m scared, Seishirou. I’m really, really scared.”

Seishirou pulled him into a tight embrace. “I know,” he murmured into Subaru’s hair. “I am too.” He held him like that for a second, then let go. “To answer your question . . . you memorize every second . . . so it will last an eternity if it needs to.”

“I don’t want to lose you,” Subaru whispered.

“You won’t,” Seishirou said. “We will stay together.” He cupped Subaru’s face in his hands. “No matter what, we will stay together.”

Subaru nodded slowly, his body relaxing a little. “Make me forget, Seishirou . . .”

Seishirou said nothing, only leaned in for another kiss. Subaru opened his lips under the slight pressure, letting Seishirou in. They stayed like that for a long time, frozen into a perfect moment to keep forever. Seishirou’s arms moved around Subaru’s waist, his hands moving up the Sumeragi’s back. Subaru shivered and pressed himself closer against the older man, his hands clenching on the fabric of Seishirou’s shirt.

Seishirou pushed the silk shirt off Subaru’s shoulders and slid his hands underneath the T-shirt, pulling it over Subaru’s head. His eyes were closed in dreamy concentration as he ran his hands over the Sumeragi’s skin, memorizing every inch of it. His fingers traced shoulder blades and spine, then moved around to Subaru’s chest. Subaru let out a tiny whimper, then bit back noise as Seishirou’s fingers continued their exploration, their lips never moving apart for more than a second.

It was something they had done hundreds of times, but it still somehow had the power to excite them, bring them closer together, make them one.

Seishirou’s hands wandered lower, brushing over the soft leather of Subaru’s pants. Subaru moaned and fumbled with the buttons on Seishirou’s shirt.

“Slowly,” Seishirou whispered, right into his ear. Subaru’s hands stilled, and he nodded. This had to be special; every moment had to be savored. He proceeded with the buttons, but stopped hurrying. After what seemed an eternity, he finished the last one and pulled the shirt backwards.

“No T-shirt?” Subaru asked, looking puzzled. Seishirou almost always wore one under his dress shirts.

“You forgot to bring one,” Seishirou said, smirking.

Subaru looked chagrined. “Oh. Well, easier for me now . . .” He pushed the shirt all the way off and dropped it to the floor, forgotten. His fingers traced over the older man’s skin, mirroring Seishirou’s earlier actions, leaving no inch of skin untouched. Seishirou’s lips moved to his ear, nibbling on it gently. His hands drifted closer to the waist of Subaru’s pants. It was getting harder to move slowly. He ran his fingers along the upper edge of the leather, moving over Subaru’s stomach and the small of his back. Subaru inhaled sharply and pressed against him.

Seishirou gently took hold of the pants and tugged on them. Subaru’s underwear came with them, and he stepped out and kicked them aside. Seishirou stood back an inch, his eyes taking in every inch of the Sumeragi’s lithe frame.

A snapshot for eternity.

Seishirou moved closer, his hands taking hold of Subaru around the waist. Subaru let out a little whispered moan and his arms came up around Seishirou’s waist, pulling him in for a desperate kiss. Seishirou’s hand went between them, moving over Subaru’s hips, then lower. Subaru whimpered into Seishirou’s mouth as the older man’s fingers brushed lightly against him, and he thrust his hips against Seishirou’s hand. Rational thought having long ago vanished to the wind, all thoughts of savoring the moment were gone in their haste to get to the moment. Subaru fumbled with Seishirou’s pants for a few seconds (he’d forgotten to bring the belt, too), until he managed to get the zipper down. Seishirou’s hands closed over his as he pushed them down, making him move slower.

Once the pants were gone, Subaru forced his hormones to still long enough to step away the way Seishirou had done. Tears spilled over and ran down his cheeks as he looked at the older man. Another snapshot.

Seishirou put his arms around Subaru’s waist and took a few steps forward, pressing Subaru up against the bed, then carefully pushing him down onto it. Subaru moved backwards a little, so his feet weren’t hanging off the edge of the bed, then held his arms up longingly to Seishirou. Not about to refuse the invitation, the older man carefully lowered himself down on top of Subaru. Their lips met again and their bodies seemed to melt together; they fit so perfectly.

Seishirou ran his hands up Subaru’s arms, pinning the younger man to the bed. Subaru’s back arched, pressing the two of them even closer together. Seishirou broke off the kiss, pausing for a second while both of them gasped for breath, then moved his lips to Subaru’s neck. Subaru’s head tilted back, exposing more skin for him. Seishirou’s lips traced lower, feathering over the hollow of Subaru’s throat, then along his collarbone. He seemed intent on kissing every inch of Subaru’s skin. Subaru’s hands clenched down on the bedspread as Seishirou’s lips moved lower, tongue brushing lightly over each of his nipples before continuing onward. Subaru moaned, back arching again, as Seishirou’s lips moved down his stomach and over his hips. His fingers twisted in Seishirou’s hair.

Seishirou put a hand on Subaru’s hip, steadying him. “You’re pulling my hair, Subaru-kun,” he said, with just the hint of a smirk in his voice.

“Shut up,” Subaru moaned. “Get back to what you were doing.”

Seishirou was definitely smirking now. “What, this?” He flicked his tongue over the tip of Subaru’s erection.

Subaru gasped and his hips attempted to fly upwards, but Seishirou’s hands kept him pushed firmly into the bed. “Sei . . . shirou . . . I’m not going to beg . . . but I will . . . resort to threats.”

Seishirou laughed. He wrapped his fingers around Subaru’s arousal and took the very tip of it into his mouth, sucking gently. Subaru moaned and thrust up; Seishirou let him this time, taking more of him into his mouth. The two of them settled into their accustomed rhythm fairly quickly; a mindless, practiced motion. They did not need to think; they only needed to feel.

Subaru whimpered as Seishirou’s lips withdrew, leaving him just short of climax. “Oh, come on . . .”

“Too easy,” Seishirou replied, moving up to kiss him again, cutting off anything Subaru might have said. His hands were never still, tracing lines all over the younger man’s chest and stomach. Both of them were gasping from desire and lack of oxygen by the time Seishirou pulled away for a split second. “You ready?”

Subaru’s only answer was a wordless moan as his body rocked up against Seishirou’s. Seishirou ran a hand up the inside of Subaru’s thigh, pushing his legs apart. Then, before Subaru could prepare himself any further, Seishirou thrust into him.

Subaru bit back a cry, half-pleasure, half-pain. He rocked up against Seishirou, gasping for breath. The friction between them was nearly unbearable. They moved together, breathed together; it was impossible to tell where one stopped and the other began. Nine years together, nine years of love and passion and pain, combined and condensed and simplified so all that was left was their memories

-- If you made a bet about whether or not I could make you feel, it means you want to be able to feel --

of pain

-- is this happiness? Could it be like this . . . always? --

and joy

-- Subaru-kun, what you’re asking is if you have any chance of ever getting through to me--

and despair

-- if I could break it, you would be free. We could be . . . together. The way it’s supposed to be. I’m willing to risk that. But only . . . if you are --

and hope

-- I’m not afraid of you, Seishirou-san . . . and I decided it was high time somebody showed you what it was like to feel pain --

and revenge

-- I didn’t want . . . to be lonely. And I didn’t want you to be lonely either --

and forgiveness.

--You would be safer without me -

every moment that they had ever spent together, locked up into a little ball, compressed into one single moment

-- You’re the most important thing in my life, and I’m so glad I have you . . . and I promise that I’ll never, ever leave you --

the moments they had lost

-- It was the sacrifice of the one, for the good of the many --

their refusal to give in

I love you, please don’t leave me --

until they had won, had conquered destiny and despair and denial and even death

-- I . . . found my way . . . back to you --

together

Seishirou-san . . . I really was in love with you . . .

the way it had always been meant to be.

Subaru-kun . . . I really was in love with you . . .