Forget-Me-Not [Guy Cecil]

Touch

That night in Sheridan, you decided to take a breather outside before going to sleep. So much was happening one after another, the days had been real tiring for you. You couldn't really blame Natalia if she was afraid to go back to Baticul. Truth to be told, you were glad to have at least a night to rest. You were just so tired already.

Perhaps going to the sea would help you get yourself together, you thought. As you neared the port, you saw a figure leaning against the railings. The figure looked back. Guy...

"________," he said when you reached his side. You really need to get used to him not inhumanly reaching ten meters away from you in such a short span of time.

"You should sleep,"

"I could tell you the same thing."

"Later~" you replied. Silence fell upon the two of you. Looking up at the night sky, you savoured the calmness that nature had to offer... the fresh salty air and cool breeze.

"Maybe I've become able to move forward too..."

His words rang through your mind. Guy was able to hold Anise's hand. What if... and so you decided to test out an idea that just struck your head.

"Say Guy,"

"Hmm?"

"Can you hold my hand?" you asked laying out your palm between the two of you.

"Eh?" he looked at your laid out palm with mixed confusion and surprise.

"Well, I want to know if you really can touch females now," you smiled playfully. Before he could say anything, you added, "Holding a girl's hand because she's in danger is different from holding a lady's hand under such a peaceful situation, Guy."

The blonde sighed in defeat. He seemed to have an internal struggle as he stared at your hand. Pursing his lips to a thin line, he lifted his hand but let it fall limp at his side the next second. After a good few seconds of waiting, you had decided to give up on the idea. Well, he had his phobia for so many years now so... Maybe now just wasn't the time. You just thought of an alternative.

"Too far? How about a high five then~?" you chirped as you lifted your laid out palm ready to receive a high five. "The contact would be shorter."

"You're making fun of me," Guy replied with a tired smile.

"Be a man, Guy." you chuckled lightly.

The blonde stared at your hand yet again. He still seemed hesitant. Sensing this, you decided to stop with your little endeavor to have him make physical contact with a female on his own accord without the urgency of the situation for now. Surely, there will be another time for it.

"You don't really have to-" you lost the words you were about to speak when you felt his hand press against yours. Looking up at him, you saw a soft smile on his lips as he looked down at you with his loving eyes. He took a step forward lessening the gap between you. You thought you just lost the ability to speak there as you felt your heart pound hard against your chest.

"G-Guy," you stuttered, finding your speaking vocie again. "T-This is not how a simple high five works!"

He interlaced your fingers before you could retract your hand. While firmly holding your hand in his, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "I know," he said.

One thing about Guy was he was very expressive with his eyes. Staring up into his azure eyes, you just wanted to melt under his warm gaze.

"It's soft," he said shifting his gaze to your hands.

Maybe this time, you had really lost your capability to speak. You just gaped at him while heat rushed up to your cheeks.

"It feels nice," he looked back to your eyes. "Holding your hand like this,"

Guy is going to be the death of me... you easily concluded. Either I'm dreaming or the heavens are smiling down at me. His hand was rough and calloused; still, you wouldn't mind holding it for hours.

"_______?" you came back to your senses when you heard him call your name.

"W-Wha?" you blurted out unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Hey you don't need to be so tensed." his smooth voice was very calming... yet at the same time not. You held special feelings for him, after all. Though you enjoyed having him hold your hand like that, still you forcefully pried your hand from his grasp and backed away. It was for your own good lest you lose yourself in his overwhelming presence.

"What, do you have a phobia of men now?" he said with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"No!" you denied immediately. He seemed rather amused with your reaction. You just frowned at him. Clearing your throat, you turned on your heels then declared, "I'm gonna sleep."

You walked away without waiting for a response from the male. You just wanted to go to your room already to hide the stupid smile on your lips and your probably blushing face.

"Hey, I was just kidding, _______." he said catching up to you. You just hummed in response not finding any strength to retort.

"So..." Guy started, "Do you want me to hold your hand again?"

"What?!" you abruptly stopped in your tracks utterly surprised by his sudden question.

"Kidding, kidding," he replied waving a hand dismissively. You frowned at him as you resumed walking.

"I don't know whether it's better that you overcame your phobia or not," you muttered glancing at him.

"Hey now,"

"But then, I won't be able to do this," you said while punching his chest lightly. The two of you just shared a knowing smile before continuing the walk in silence.