Ooh! Can you do #1 with Tsurugi and Lalaya?
send a number and a pair for a drabble1. “Come back!”
Time was ticking and she knew that her moments with the human boy were passing by. She didn’t want to say goodbye, not after what he had done for her, not after the time they had spent together. But, their goodbye was inevitable, he had to return home eventually. Tsurugi couldn’t stay on her planet forever.
(Even if she wished it- willed it, it was nothing more than a fleeting dream.)
He belonged on Earth, with his friends, family. Lalaya had seen him interacting with his team after all had been resolved. He was happy with them, even if he didn’t smile as brightly as some of the other humans, it shined just enough that she knew he was enjoying himself. The sight had made her chest warm, although realizing that she would no longer be able to see such a look had the opposite affect.
But, there was still time left. It was little, but enough. She wanted to find Tsurugi before all they had disappeared right before their eyes. Fate seemed to be on her- their side. Each had been searching out for each other and had let their paths cross.
Her eyes had lit up, a smile quickly striking her face. “Tsurugi!” She chirped, nearly running over to the boy’s side. The smile she wears isn’t forced, that she’s thankful for. The very sight of him had simply lifted her spirits.
“Lalaya,” he greets in return, giving her a slight bow. Still calm, still cool, still showing her majesty respect.
“You’re…leaving soon, aren’t you?” It’s only now that her smile wavers and she knows it once those final words leave her lips.
Tsurugi doesn’t hesitate, he nods. They’re both aware that the human team would be gone by today. Just a few more hours. Once their preparations were complete, he’d be home, light years away from his queen.
“Well…” She holds her breath, lifts her head. She recalls how she should appear, how she needed to be composed and strong (like him, like her father, she thinks). “I wish you a safe trip, Tsurugi. Know that I’ll always be thinking of you, wherever you are.”
A blush ends up on his cheeks and he raises a hand in an attempt to hide it. “Thanks. I’ll be doing the same,” he mumbles his reply. “I’ll never forget you, Lalaya.”
He should be saying more and he wants to, but what does he say? It’s a strange predicament to be in. He opens his mouth to speak, but stops as he hears his name being called out. Mentally, he curses in response, more time being cut short.
It doesn’t seem necessary to tell her that he needs to go, but it’s painful to see her with that look on her face. Trying to be strong for him. It hurts him to, not that he likes to admit. Unable to bear the look on her face for too long, he begins to turn on his feet, back facing her. He only manages to take one step forward before he’s stopped.
“Come back!” Lalaya had shouted, unintentionally (or maybe not). A hand of hers had reached out and grabbed onto the ends of his jacket, tugging it back in an attempt to keep him here. She stepped forward, pressing her head against his back, tightly holding onto the fabric. It wasn’t something a queen should do, to break composure and let out an emotional cry, but her subjects weren’t around and her heart was already so heavy- it wouldn’t hurt to be a little selfish, would it?
“Please,” her voice is small, trying to sound calm. She takes in a breath. “Please, come back? One day?” Maybe she’s asking too much from him. Humans don’t have the same technology as they do and leaving his home planet to return…would he really do such a thing? For her?
Tsurugi doesn’t respond, falling quiet as they stay there for another moment. He hears his name being called again, but dismisses it. He begins to move, slowly, waiting for her to let go of his jacket. When he faces her, he takes her hands into his, holds them tightly. His chest feels tight and he wishes he could bring that smile he saw earlier back to her face.
“I promise,” he starts, pausing only to bend down and press his lips against her forehead. When he pulls back, his face is red. “I’ll return someday. Trust me.”
Lalaya blinks, looks up to him and feels her own cheeks redden. There’s a pounding in her chest that leaves a warm feeling. It makes her smile, a bright one, brighter than before.
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
