Day 6: Last Kiss-Darci/Aja
https://archiveofourown.org/works/17857346/chapters/42263720
The both knew this day was coming, but that didnât make it any easier.
@talesofarcadiafemslashweek
Aja placed two of her four hands on Darciâs shoulders and fought to not cry. This was so much harder than she thought it would be.
âHey, you donât have to explain,â Darci reached out and grabbed Ajaâs two remaining hands with hers âYou have your parents, and your brother, and your people; I would never expect you to stay when they all need you,â
The wetness on her cheeks told Aja that she had lost the battle of holding back her tears âI wish I wasnât queen in waiting, I wish I was being a normal girl, who could stay here on earth, with youâŠ.â
Unable to bear it any longer, the afro-headed girl pulled Aja into a hug that she quickly reciprocated.
Aja squeezed her as tight as she dared, wanting to burn Darciâs memory into her skin, to create an image in her mind that she could cherish for the rest of her life.
The damp feeling on her chest told her that Darci was crying to.
The roar of Motherâs engines from behind her was a reminder of Ajaâs unavoidable departure. Still the two girls clung to each other, both wanting their embrace to just last a little longer.
All too soon, Krel called out from the ship that it was time for them to leave.
They looked at each other, both faces streaked with tears.
Aja spoke up first ââŠ.we are never going to be seeing each other again, are we?â
A sob broke free from Darciâs throat as she leapt up and threw her arms around Ajaâs neck.
âI wonât ever forget you,â she choked out past her tears âEven when Iâm ninety years old and living in a nursing home Iâll always remember you,â
Aja let out an anguished sob of her own âI will remember you to, even when I am becoming queen, I will always remember the time we shared,â
Darci looked into her eyes, Ajaâs heartbroken expression mirroring her own, before leaning in for a kiss.
This was not their first kiss.
They had shared many kisses. Shy kisses on the cheek. Quick kisses when they met between classes. Long, impassioned kisses beneath starry skies on summer nights.
This was not their first kiss, but it would be their last.
Krel shouted again from the ship, more frantic this time.
The two girls pulled apart. A fresh wave of sobs threatened to break free from Aja when Darci stroked the side of her face.
She gave the earth girlâs fingers one final squeeze âGoodbye Darci,â
Darci squeezed her back âGoodbye Aja,â
Even though it was almost physically painful to do so, Aja turned away from Darci and walked aboard Mother. She didnât look back, if she looked back now she would never be able to leave.
All too soon, the hatch sealed shut behind her. Krel approached her, mouth open in preparation for an apology.
Aja waved him off, she wasnât mad at Krel, none of this was his fault, but she really  needed to be alone right now.
Taking the hint, Krel walked back to the command center as the engines revved in preparation for takeoff.
Only now did Aja allow herself to look out the window at the girl she left behind.
Darci hadnât moved at all, still standing alone in the forest clearing, tears openly flowing down her face as she watched the ship depart.
Aja looked back at the girl she loved, even as Mother rose into the atmosphere and Darci and the forest surrounding her disappeared from view. Even as the planet Earth itself shrank while Mother flew further away, Aja kept her eyes locked on the spot in the distance where she imagined Darci would be.
It was only when the star of Earthâs solar system faded from sight that Aja sank to her knees and let out a grief stricken wail.