Alone
Vincent quietly began to work upon her wounded arm, he had done such smaller wounds before it was simply mindless now. His touch remained gentle, his glance still caring as he bandaged her carefully, she did not need to experience any more pain than she already had this day. Judging upon her blank expression so far he had succeeded in painlessly assisting; but her expression, or rather lack of expression caused a bubble of worry to form inside him. He had been worried before about her, but her current state now presented an ominous curiosity he could nearly taste behind his pale lips.
He wrapped the gauze around her arm gently, lips pressed into a thin line as he concentrated upon his objective rather than her. He was waiting for her to say something, he did not want to pry but certain things needed to be discussed. Finally, her lips parted, crimson ascended to her face as she spoke his name.
She quietly asked if he recalled their conversation the night prior, he gave a quiet nod. In all honestly it had taken up refuge inside his mind, taken in by the other memories that resided in his head and never truly let him rest. It returned to the forefront of his mind a number of times before now, perhaps now was the time she would explain why she had asked such a strange question.
She posed a question, crimson stayed on her face. Her voice was nothing but a whisper as she spoke, emptiness drawn across her face. She was numb as she asked, and although the question was directed at the man, he retained a hunch perhaps the question was not actually directed at him. Nevertheless, he thought about it for a moment before answering.
“If Fate told me I had to die, I think it depends. If I was alone and no one truly cared about my existence, I think I would. But if I had something worth fighting for, people worth fighting for… People and scenarios that were truly better because of my presence, I wouldn’t.” He finally answered, his gaze adhered to her eyes as he spoke the next part. “Perhaps Fate would get it’s way. But I would never stop fighting.” He said, his voice firm with his decision.
He simply could not help himself any longer, upon bringing up their topic from the night before an uneasy feeling began to fester inside the man’s chest. “Why do you ask?” He finally asked.
There was an usual pause and silence after she asked the question. And when he offered his thoughts and his view of the matter, she found herself letting out a silent, almost unnoticeable sigh. The answer fits him, something she expected from the reserved gunner and something she could totally imagine he’d do. However, at one point, part of his sentence got her thinking, and brought a rather sorrowful smile upon her lips.
People worth fighting for? She wondered if she had that, or even someone. She doubted that anyone’s life would be affected upon her disappearance from the face of the Planet. After all, she considered her life rather meaningless since Leon’s death. Not having a reason to live, only living on because of his last words, entrusting part of him inside of her, she could confidently say that she had no meaning in life without him. Without her other half.
Until she met him. Her eyes peered towards the man in front of her at this thought. She never thought anyone would see her as herself, or offered assistance to someone like her even after she admitted her darkest secret. Even after all that, he said he needed her. She wondered just how much… but she couldn’t bring herself to ask. She was aware Vincent was a strong man, and she knew it all too well that he’d be able to live for himself, even if she’s gone. She really believes so…
That’s why…
His question, once again, snapped her back to reality. Her brown gaze shifted from her arm to meet glowing crimson, only to see that they were already locked on hers. Her mouth parted, yet no words came out. Why…? It’s because Fate has——
The look in her eyes changed slightly, mixed feelings flashed across before disappearing in a matter of seconds. She wanted so badly to tell him the truth, to confess everything to him. But seeing his concern, hearing the gentleness in his voice, it was just impossible. She felt the bottom of her eyes started to burn, so much that she had to avert her gaze from him, brown orbs dropping to the darkening lion mark on her right wrist. Sharp pain shot through her heart. Her form flinched slightly, a gesture that she was not aware her body was giving off. The gesture informing other party that the words shook her core, that it had quite an impact on her.
“…It’s nothing.” Lies. Liar. Her consciousness screamed at her, yet she continued to do so despite the guilt welling up inside. Her gaze was glued to the lion mark, teeth sunk into her lip almost at the point of drawing blood. Fear and insecurity were rising up within. Her eyes clenched tight for a split second before they trailed back to other’s face, lips curving up into a sorrowful smile.
“There’s nothing for you to worry about.” The look on her face was too sad to be called a smile in the first place. “Thank you… for tending my wound.”
She might regret this later, but her attachment to him must not grow further than this. Not stronger than it already is.
