Author: Anita
Fandom: Saint Seiya - The Lost Canvas
Characters: Sagittarius Sisyphus / Sasha
Genre: drama, romance (platonic)
Rating: G
Summary: Since long Sisyphus has entrusted Sasha with his heart, and now he has but one wish.
Notes: This was a Christmas present to A.
Don’t Cry
As Sage closed the thick book for the Sanctuary’s solemn ceremonies, Sisyphus felt an excruciating thud come from his heart. The event before him was so impossible it felt even harder to accept reality. Still, the Great Pope had just married their Goddess to a Saint.
The person he loved above all was now right before his eyes, joining hands – and her life – with another man’s.
For a long time, Sisyphus had already known about her feelings; they were crystal-clear to anyone who watched the light in her eyes change whenever that boy’s name was mentioned. Moreover, he had also blessed their union from the bottom of his heart.
Truth was that, as much as the Sagittarius Saint yearned for that woman, he would never dare to even consider monopolizing her being. People could call it bizarre all they wanted – how many times had El Cid or even the Great Pope not implied such opinions? – but living the love he felt for the Goddess would negate that his feelings were really those of love.
The events including Sasha’s announcement of her intention followed by everything else that led to that joyous celebration felt blurry in Sisyphus’s mind. And yet, the pain of watching her was razor-sharp.
Being the kind who didn’t show weaknesses so not to burden his peers, those extreme circumstances would usually make having to stand there a terrifying nightmare… He looked around at the other guests. At that point, his eyes could hardly process what took place before his eyes.
You shouldn’t cry.
He had to calm down. Perhaps, he could just observe the others for the moment. Even though the gold saints were all neighbors, it was a rare occasion to be in their company. So nostalgic…
From the corner of his eyes, he noticed his childhood friend Hasgard had come forward and gently congratulated the couple. Asmita was now talking something with Sage, maybe waiting for the crowd to go so he could congratulate the goddess as well. Albafica was another who kept his distance; still, he had a grin creeping out his lips in a way that made Sisyphus’s chest feel lighter. Just a little. Kardia soon made Dohko step away, complaining about the queue he was causing, and pulled Dégel so both could talk to the newlyweds. Even Aspros now greeted the couple, expressing what sounded like sincere vows for their happiness.
He met El Cid’s eyes, filled with concern. Even though they had never openly discussed anything, it was as though the other had always known everything Sisyphus kept in his heart.
“…and then I’ll twist your neck like this.” Kardia’s voice felt suddenly louder, as he made hand gestures and proceeded to faking chicken sounds to Tenma. He raised a finger and said: “You just dare touch a strand of Sasha’s hair!”
“You’re the one who shouldn’t be treating Our Goddess like that, Kardia,” reprimanded Dégel, to Tenma’s visible delight.
During that dialog, El Cid had somehow moved to Sisyphus’s side and pointed at the loud group. “Do you regret your decision?”
The Sagittarius Saint let his eyes stray to where Regulus, Shion and Dohko stood. The trio chatted with each other, unable to conceal their apprehensive looks toward Sisyphus.
“No.”
Had Sasha even once turned her eyes toward him, all he could have done was to avert contact. Regardless of the misery of those feelings, his real heart had since long been hers. Thus, there was nothing to fear now.
It had been so from the day he had noticed he followed Sasha feelings different from those of his peers. He still remembered such realization upon seeing the small, young woman smile in the face of a life-changing decision such as abandoning her innocent days and accepting life as Athena. Right then, Sisyphus could just wish to protect her from such fate, that she would not cry.
Finally, he directed his gaze toward the bride. Her smile. Her gorgeous smile. His chest cringed but he still took a few steps closer just to have a better look. His beautiful Sasha, surrounded by warmth, happiness and love.
Sisyphus’s eyes could still see her as he blinked. Darkness. Sasha. Darkness. Sasha’s smile.
“Oh.” He had finally realized it. Hastily, he threw that heavy body of his forward, until he was standing in front of Sasha and Tenma.
“You can’t do it, Sisyphus!” he heard her voice scream at him. “You’re too hurt!”
“This is nothing I can’t endure, my Goddess.”
Taking that muscle from his chest didn’t mean a thing; it was so she could smile again one day. Notwithstanding what Pharaoh did with that, his real heart was already in Sasha’s care. He just wished it could be enough for her to smile as broadly as in that vision, its afterimage filling the darkness of his blinded eyes.
How long since he had last seen her smile so earnestly? Its glimpse, as she married the man she truly loved, made him notice how dear it was. That first smile, from back when she still was just Sasha, had surely been followed by many as she grew stronger right before his eyes. However, as her beloved saints fell one after another, it seemed have vanished.
Don’t cry, Sasha.
Offering to her the last of his strength, Sisyphus tried to withhold a little longer that image in his mind. Just a little more. He knew he had to feel blessed that, in spite of his eyes condition, he had been granted one last peak at her smiling face. But it would never suffice to appease his brimming feelings, would it? As his consciousness glided far from his Goddess, he allowed his eyes to close one last time. Then he concentrated on that beautiful Sasha, surrounded in bliss by her saints.
Please, don’t cry.
He could see now.
Her smile.
It was the best dream, after all.
The End!
Anita, December 20th, 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment