Phantom Love [ Aqua x Ruby ]

Phantom Love

It shouldn't hurt this bad.

Or, that's what Ruby told herself. Sitting at the Hoshino family grave, sobbing profusely to the stone. Wailing as she placed the bouquet on the grave. She gave a hurt smile, one that was wavering and about to break at any moment. She took in a deep, shaky breath. Having her hands together, ready to pray.

"Aqua... Sensei—" Ruby only sobbed more, cutting herself out before just letting it all out. It was their second chance at life, a second chance to grow old together. A chance to have fulfilling lives... It was wrong, she was wrong. Having heard about her brothers death, along with their father. All she could think of was "Why?". Why would he do this, why would he sacrifice his life, after all. He still had so much after him, a future going back as the doctor he wanted to be. A future where he could've not been killed unfairly.

But there was no such future. The future was this. In front of Ruby.

Her brother, her Sensei, her twin, was gone. Leaving her alone in the world he tried to protect her from. It was almost bittersweet how Ruby wished, wished, and wished how he could come back. Another reincarnation? Where is that crow girl- maybe Ruby could speak to her! Bring her Sensei back!

It would've been hopeless.

Considering Ruby had been trying to pray from daytime, to now it being dark. She could only cry those silent tears. It was December, it was suppose to be another happy holiday. Ruby knew it would never come, but she still tried to wish. To pray to the gods above to let her see her brother one last time... She hoped maybe, maybe if she prayed hard enough... Maybe, just maybe, Ruby could contact Aqua again, to speak to his spirit, to get the closure she wanted.

"Ruby?"

She whipped her head around, fear stilling through her body as she swore she heard something. Something like her brothers voice.

Of course, she could be hearing things. But the way it was colder around her shoulders felt unreal. Maybe she was one to believe in the supernatural, but this was too much. She knew it couldn't have been a prank, so what was it? Was it just her imagination trying to deal with the loss of Aqua? Was it the fact that she wasn't crazy, and actually could hear Aquas spirit. Well, whatever it was, Ruby couldn't figure it out, and she didn't want to. Ruby stood up, dusting herself off.

Ah, right, she only brought flowers for the visit.

She looked down at the bouquet that laid on the stone, sniffling for the last time before starting to walk away. Trying to clear her head of whatever she was thinking before, it was better to not think, than to think at all. But the cold that pierced through her body, as if someone just walked through her was something she couldn't shake so easy. But she stopped, looking back at their family grave, sighing before turning back.

"Ruby."

Ruby yelped, jumping back as the voice was louder this time. She looked around, feeling as if she was being watched. And when she looked back, there she saw something she never expected to see.

It was Aqua, in the flesh? No... No no, he's dead... And you can see through him... But, it looked like him. Ruby walked up to him, looking up and down like she just saw a ghost, literally. She took in a deep breath, praying no one else was around or else they would think she was crazy.

"Aqua?" She asked, going to try and touch the figure, letting her fingers graze over his cheek, feeling how cold it got to the touch as her fingers went through his face. Ruby shivered as Aqua gave her a nod. Confirming that yes, this was him. He walked closer to her, slightly looking down with a pained smile..

"You're safe..." He said, in nothing but above a whisper. Taking his phantom hands and cupped Rubys face, rubbing his thumbs over her cheek bone. Watching as she shivered, but didn't move away. Growing accustomed to the cold, yet comforting touch. She leaned into his touch, trying to hold back the waterworks from starting all over again. Was she dreaming? No- because it all felt real, this, here with his ghost. It felt too real to just shove it aside and say it was only a dream.

Ruby took in a deep breath, nodding within Aquas hold. "Yeah, I am... But you're not, are you?" She asks, bringing her hand to cup his face, rubbing her thumb over where his cheek bone should've been. Having that pained smile as she wished she could feel his warmth again. Aqua slowly took his hands off of Ruby, walking closer to her and hugged her. His arms went right through her, but it didn't stop him. It didn't stop how tight the coldness in her body felt. She wrapped her arms around the figure the best she could, the waterworks starting all over again.

"You're stupid.. So, so, so, so stupid Sensei..." She told, her voice light and wavering as she sniffled. Trying to stay strong for the spirit in front of her.

"I know, I know I am. It was all for you, though, so am I really that stupid?" He retorted, letting out a small chuckle as he removed himself from the hug. Letting his hold loosen, but still wrapped around Ruby. She looked up at him, the tears flowing from her eyes.

"Yes!! Yes you are, Sensei! You're a big dummy! Why would I ever want you to die for me?! That's the last thing I want!" She cried, trying to grip onto the phantom fabric, to hit her fist in his chest to sell the point home. It was already to late, the point was already sent home since she was talking to his spirit, and nothing could truly be done now.

Aqua looked away from her, trying to avoid how hurt her words made him. He should've thought about it, how it would affect Ruby, his bright, shining star. Tears didn't suit her at all, and to think it was him who caused that hurt once more. He couldn't live with it, not even in the afterlife...

Ruby continued to cry, mumbling nothings as the cold touch comforted her. Rubbing her back in condolence as he shushed her, trying to calm her down. "It'll be okay, Ruby... I'm still here after all," He whispered, trying to get her to a state where she wasn't bawling her eyes out. It worked, almost, watching as Ruby looked back up at Aqua with tear stains on her face.

"Look at me," She said, watching as Aqua slowly turned to look back at her, his face written with regret. It was awful, how could someone be this stupid to die for her.

But that was her Sensei, wasn't it?

She raised herself to her tiptoes, lifting her head to kiss the cold air of what should've been Aquas lips. It was only cold when she kissed him, letting herself go back down to her feet with a sorrowful smile. "It will be Sensei, I believe you." She watched as Aquas face was shocked, but what happened next she couldn't believe. The cold on her lower back and her lips was intense, of course, she could see it.

Aqua was kissing her.

She smiled, kissing back the ghost she loved, the man she waited for all this time. She could cry from how happy she was. To know that he felt the same, even after all this time, was a wonderful feeling.

It was a short kiss, watching as Aqua pulled back, and his hand going back to cup one side of Rubys face. Giving her that smile she always loved.

"I'm sorry I didn't notice sooner, Sarina..." He cooed, leaning in to place a kiss on her forehead, pulling back with a smile.

"It's okay Sensei... Just, wait for me, okay?" She asked, feeling his hands travel to her own. Holding them to ensure his response.

"Okay, Sarina. I'll wait, but remember I'll be with you, okay?" He reminded, squeezing the cold into her flesh. Ruby nodded, smiling once more at the spirit in front of her.

"I love you, Aqua."

"I love you too, Ruby."