i know you so well - ymir x historia

C13 - with a vision so divine

...with a vision so divine

growing up is hard. each day, we learn a new secret of the world. increasingly overbearing, the weight of it all. it was always so hard for historia, for her to speak her mind. but as she left school for her unfinished business, she felt no fear at all.

she thought about the past few months. they'd spent an entire season together. and in that time, historia has learned so much. she was no longer scared if ymir didn't like her in that way anymore...because to have her as a friend was enough. all she could do was hope she could keep that much.

a friend who's taught her to speak up more. so gently and natural, she had no regrets. this was the nicest winter she's had in a while. the most effort anyone has ever shown her.

she neared the lonely bench to see it occupied. she had to stop herself from running, but she couldn't help the slight smile spreading on her face.

but as she got closer, she saw no ymir. all she could see was an elderly man.

"hello, sir. may i sit?"

"of course! but it's so cold, you really shouldn't be out here in your uniform."

the mention of her clothes made her pay notice to the man's attire. he had a few layers, a worn-out flannel under a big coat, even a hat to keep his ears warm.

"forgive me, i was actually rushing somewhere and i need a bit of a breather." in reality, she sat there out of disappointment. she was hoping she would see ymir, but now she's all worked up again.

"ah..." the man looked at her face, he could tell she was excited. sure, it was freezing and that could've very well been the only reason she was shaking, but her face showed the cold was the least of her worries. "to be a teenager in love."

"how..well i-" the man chuckled and saved her from her stuttering.

"it's written all over your face, young one."

"oh...well aside from that, do you sit here often?"

the man furrowed his brows.

"why do you ask?"

"every time i've seen this bench, it's all alone."

"oh, but it's not alone."

"because you come here often?"

he laughed again.

"no, because it has the hanging tree."

the hanging tree. still frozen and almost blue, as if it'd been suffocating all winter.

"...but it's dead and all frozen."

"can't argue with you there..." he looked ahead of him. "but at the very least, even if the tree weren't there, it has you."

"well i wouldn't say that. i don't come here too much."

"but you look after it. you're so young, yet you find the time to look after this bench. you see a lonely old man, you come to keep him company." he smiled brightly and took a small break from going on.

"how about this? i'll come here as often as i can, so you don't have to worry about it anymore. and you could worry more about that lover of your's." he sparked a cigarette, making sure to blow the smoke away from the girl.

historia frantically declined, he probably already had enough to deal with.

"don't go through the trouble, it is just a bench after all."

"that is true. but i don't think it's just about the bench. you must feel sorry for it, perhaps you find yourself relating to this bench."

"maybe so..."

"i'll tell you this, that kid you like? i could only assume they admire you because of how much you feel for just a bench."

"about that...i don't think they like me back."

"ahhh, i see. young girl, are you sure they don't like you?"

she shrugged.

"i'll take that as a no. you see, it'll tear you apart to be prepared."

"huh?"

"when the wind howls, that doesn't mean there will be a tornado, is that right?"

"i suppose..."

"and when the sun sets, do you get scared it won't ever rise again?"

"not at all."

"so how can you be certain they don't like you?"

...

"hmm."

"the truth is, you don't seem scared at all."

"i don't think i am anymore, but i was earlier today. i was gonna see them and hope they'd at least still be my friend."

"so you were just gonna accept it?"

"what do you mean?"

"child, if you walk up there and take it like a champ, you'll only feel sorry for yourself." the man spoke passionately, letting his cigarette burn with the wind.

"you go to them and let them know how you feel. and if they don't feel the same, it happens." historia was still at a loss, but he continued.

"to accept a friendship when you're not even sure if that's all it is...is practically giving up."

she tilted her head as she processed his words.

"if you want something. you try to get it. you don't need confirmation of your defeat to avoid how you really feel."

historia looked up to the sky and breathed in. maybe she finally understood.

"you're in love, you already have been defeated. so get get your heart broken like the rest of us, eh?"

"thank you, sir. i have something i need to do." she bowed to him as she ran as fast as she ever has.

ymir, there's something i have to tell you, but i think you already know.

AN:// a moment of silence for the cliff hanger...