Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction / Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ Red Shaman ❯ The Last Worthless Evening ( Chapter 37 )

 

“Please, Skye.”

 

“No. Schu, you need to tell him all of this when he's awake and can do something about it,” Skye said stubbornly.

 

Schuldig sighed heavily and looked her straight in the eyes. “Then consider it a last request.”

 

“Oh, that is not fair, Schu.”

 

“Whoever said anything was fair?”

 

“Okay. Go,” she said and watched him walk out of the room.

 

Schuldig paused in front of the door to Crawford's room at the Red Shaman house. Hearing nothing but deep, steady breathing inside, he pushed the door open and went in. He trusted Skye's abilities to keep the other man asleep while he said what needed to be said.

 

He sat down on the edge of the bed and just looked at Crawford for a long while. His face looked younger in sleep. So much softer than the hard driven man he knew so well. Or had thought he knew at any rate. He brushed a few errant strands of raven colored hair away from his face. He twitched a little but didn't wake.

 

“Did . . .” he paused for a moment, trying to come up with the right words. “Did you know, that I have been so in love with you since I was seventeen years old? From the first moment I saw you I knew it. Knew it from that moment on. Did you know that everyone I've been with since that time has been a poor substitute for you? If you would have looked closely at any one of them you would have seen yourself in them somehow. Just small things. The color of the eyes, the way one tilted his head, some little something that reminded me of you.”

 

Crawford rolled onto his side a little closer to Schuldig.

 

“You didn't have to bribe me with world domination to gain my loyalty. You always had it. You just didn't see it. I would have done anything for you. Some days I think I would have even sold my soul if that were possible. I tried so hard to get you to see me as someone rather than something. For so long you were focused on gaining your freedom, our freedom really. I don't think you would have left any of us to the hounds who were baying for our blood. You've always been the one we all turned to when we needed anything. You've been Nagi's father, Farf's counselor. You've kept me sane for want of a better word. For whatever it's worth, the happiest days in my life have been with you.”

 

He paused, taking a deep breath. “I would have done anything to hear you say you loved me. Just once. Of your own free will. Without any prodding or coercion.”

 

He leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips then drew back.

 

“I will love you for the rest of my life, Bradley. Short though it may be now. And I will carry that love with me through the halls of Valhalla.”

 

As Schuldig got up to leave, Crawford's hand shot out almost as though he were trying to grab him and pull him back. Schuldig stepped quickly out of reach and Crawford's fingertips barely brushed the fabric of his shirt. Still asleep, Crawford frowned and let his hand drop slowly.

 

He moved to the doorway and stood looking at the man in the bed for a few moments. Watching the play of moonlight over the other man's face.

 

“Goodbye, my love.”

 

 

Schuldig stepped out of the room and closed the door quietly behind him. He made his way down the hall to Skye's room. He found her sitting in the middle of her bed with her knees drawn up to her chest.

 

It wouldn't have taken a telepath to know she was crying. Huge sobs wracked her small frame and she shuddered with each breath, though she didn't need to breathe anymore. He knew she was crying for him. Crying the tears that he couldn't shed because he'd gone too far beyond the pain at that point. He was just numb.

 

He sat behind her on the bed and pulled her against his chest.

 

“Skye, come on, sweetheart. It's okay,” he said, stroking her hair soothingly.

 

“No, it isn't okay. It's just such a waste,” she sobbed, crying even harder.

 

“Yeah. That it is,” he said. “Come on, Skye. Please. It's harder if I have to see you cry for me.”

 

She turned in his arms and leaned her head against his chest. “I won't let them take you, Schu. I'll find a way to keep you safe.”

 

He held her tighter to him. “It really is okay, Skye. I'm happy it's Valhalla. It could have been so much worse than that.”

 

“Why? It's a crossing in battle technically. Or it would be seen that way at any rate. You're of German descent. Why wouldn't it be Valhalla?”

 

“Skye, you know I've not been a particularly good person the vast majority of my life. Certainly not my adult life,” Schuldig said, brushing away the last of her tears.

 

She smiled up at him. “Silly boy. It isn't what you've been that's important but what you become in the end that counts.”

 

He smiled a little at that. “I hope so.” After a few minutes he said, “Skye?”

 

“Yes, Schu?”

 

“Since no one else seems interested . . .”

 

“What?” she said, glancing back at him.

 

“Could I spend the rest of my life with you?”

 

“I can't think of anything that would please me more.”

 

**************************Author's Notes*******************************************

 

Have a little faith, people. That's all I ask.