Under the Moonlight

“You're giving me too many things
Lately, you're all I need, oh no,
You smiled at me and said...”

The moon reflected off the waves of the rolling ocean, allowing those on the shore a faint view of the vast empty space before them. Them was a rather relative term, as the only one who stood there currently was a boy with messy black hair and an exhausted look on his face. His usually bright green eyes were darkened, both by the lack of sun and the usual darkness that erupted forth from him at night. He was, after all, a dark mage. And one knows that they're always a kind who's surrounded in their own element, needing it like air. The boy chuckled, dropping to a crouch as his even darker cloak flew out around him at the sudden movement. His hands grazed the waters surface lightly and, for a moment, he wondered how it'd feel to let the waves sweep him away into nothing. How it'd feel to wake up surrounded by nothing but water and the ability to try and forget about the great evil he would do and the hurt he knew he'd cause to his crush.

His serene thoughts were broken when he heard soft footsteps in the sand approaching him. Believing it to be the demon he had made a contract with, he quickly stood erect, his sleeves and end of his cloak dripping with seawater. A scowl set upon his face and he glared out at the waves which still gently lapped at his ankles and the beach. “Go away,” He had hissed, not bothering to turn around as he kept his eyes firm on the distorted moon on the water.

“I'm not going to leave, Miharu,” The firm yet gentle voice replied, making him instantly whip around, foot catching in the sand and nearly causing him to fall. Luckily it was nighttime and she couldn't see the little black shadow creature help him keep standing. His voice caught in his throat as he looked at her, instantly more drawn than ever before. The moon hit her features, shining off her face and giving off a pale white glow. The dress she wore was white, touching her ankles and her feet were bare, sinking into the soft sand. While he couldn't see her eyes and hair, he knew they were the same sun-kissed brown hair and blue-green eyes he had come to love, no matter what ailed him that day.

“Don't get me wrong, I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we're older you'll understand what I meant when I said
No, I don't think life is quite that simple.”

“Bay...” Miharu's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke her name, the simple word becoming more or less a feature he'd cling to and wish to speak over and over again. He watched her approach, a slight frown on her face as she looked at him. Soon they were facing each other, nothing but the sound of the ocean around them. “Why are you...?”

“Why am I here?” Bay asked when he had trailed off. Her frown turned to a slight smile and she chuckled lightly, putting her hands behind her back as she looked at him. “I saw you all alone out here and wondered just what you were doing. You know, we never see you anymore, Dai and I.” Miharu looked away then, eyes glazing over as guilt shone on his face. “...You know, I really miss seeing you. It feels like you've cut us out of your life. You can talk to us. We're your friends.”

“I know,” Miharu replied curtly, turning away from her and snorting lightly. His problems were something he didn't want to get Dai or Bay involved in. They didn't need to know about them, especially the pact with the demon. It'd only bring more pain and grief than ignoring them would.

“When you walk away, you don't hear me say
Please, oh baby, don't go.
Simple and Clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go.”

“You say you know but I don't think you do, Miharu,” Bay whispered, grabbing his hand tightly with her own as he jumped, looking to her. He silently thanked the dark of the night hiding his faint blush and blinked. “It's hurting me a whole lot more when you ignore me. I...” She grew quiet then, gripping his hand tightly and skirting her eyes away from him. She didn't have to say it, in that moment the soft features she held and the look on her face said everything that he needed to know. His heart both swelled and sunk. Just what would she think when she learned he was a no good traitor? She'd probably hate him then. And then one of his only reasons for staying would be gone.

“I didn't realize that...” Miharu said softly in response, gently tugging his hand out of hers. Bay looked at him both in question and in hurt, a frown coming into view on her beautiful face. He didn't dare look at the eyes that looked at him so tenderly and hurt, afraid that she'd be able to read his intentions before they could ever get done. And then what? Bakar would be beyond angry, his plans to take over the Light Kingdom would be ruined and it'd be all his fault.

“Miharu...” Bay breathed, face contorting into that of more hurt. “Look at me, please.” He ignored her, instead casting his gaze out to the water. Her body shook lightly and she reached out for his arm for stability, silently wishing he'd look back. Wishing he wouldn't leave like how his body said it would. He began turning away, a lame excuse to leave beginning to slip from his lips when she had tackled him, causing a disturbance in the water and more to fly into the air. Her arms wrapped around him and she hugged him tightly, face stuffed into his chest. She then looked up to him with tears pricking her eyes, jabbing a finger in his chest. “I said look at me, Miharu. Not walk away.”

“Hold me,
Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on.
Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before.”

“R-Right, sorry,” Miharu said with a small laugh, feeling his face and ears light up red as he blushed. She had caught him off guard with this hug, making him blink before hugging back hesitantly. When she smiled softly and relaxed, leaning into him more he was plenty sure he was blushing a very unhealthy amount. His heart fluttered in his ribcage and he froze when he heard Bay giggle lightly.

“Your heart is beating fast. What, did I catch you off guard, Miharu?” Bay asked in a soft tone as she looked up at him, chin on his chest and smiling. “Or maybe it's something else.” He looked at her in the eye, lightly laughing as well. She knew. He could tell by the fact her hurt was so easily washed away, replaced with nothing but pure happiness and he felt her hug him just a little tighter. With her smile still set into place, she closed her eyes slightly. “Mimi... I love you.”

Miharu felt mild irritation shine through when Bay called him by that stupid nickname, though he was sure his heart was about to fly out of his chest. Suddenly he didn't want tomorrow or any day after that to come. He didn't want to help Bakar anymore and he definitely didn't want to hand his soul over to a devil. He wanted to stay with her, forever on the island. Forget the possible adventure that lied beyond the waves and realms, the only adventure he needed was hugging him. He felt a smile place itself upon his face and he hugged her tightly back in response. “...I love you too, Bay.” They stayed like this, hugging each other tightly until the water got too cold and they both parted with hesitant good-byes and good nights, followed by a faint 'I love you' from both parties.

If only it all would remain so silent and beautiful with light raining down upon the morrow. If only...

“Hold me,
Whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on.
Regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before.”