MCSM: A Rather Ridiculously Ravishing and Romantic Anthology

Interlude: Disaster Averted

Lukas sat slouched against an ancient oak tree, his head buried in his arms, muffling his sobbing from the outside. He was repenting. Not just for the hell that had just broke out, but for all the wrongs he's done in his life.

That crap that just happened...
Running away...
Freezing and failing her...
Not being there whenever she needed me...
How much more of this punishment should I take so it'd be over?

Lukas has undergone much suffering for the past year, and he believes this to be inflicted on himself for his cowardice and foolish actions having highly detrimental consequences on his relationship with Jesse. He felt that all his actions have been causing their ships to float away at an ever-increasing rate on exactly opposite directions.

I need to stop this. There's no way she's gonna want me back if I continue to break us apart. I know she loves me, and I feel the same as well to her, but are my actions ruining this? I can't live without her in my life. She means too much to me. I can't take this pain anymore.

Lukas lifted his head from chiding it behind his arms, to face the outwards and extending sea beneath the Great Storm Cliff. Lukas got up, then slowly walked to the edge of the cliff, peering onwards with worried and sobbing eyes. With a strong deep breath and Jesse in his thoughts, he spoke.

"I don't want to cause you any more pain, Jesse. I never wanted to cause you any pain. Know that I care about you, and that there'll always be a place for you in my heart. I don't want to walk away but I know that lingering will only continue to rip us apart, and it'll ruin you and me forever. But I don't want you to see me walk away, it too will also devastate you. I'm really deeply sorry for all those days where you suffered because of my mistakes, my cowardice and running away. I know how to end that but I'm torn."

"I could disappear forever, you could forget I exist and stop caring, but I'll always remember you, and I would cry every night for you to come back and embrace me, but the thought that you would've long forgotten me will rip my heart to shreds."

"Or I could just go away. You'll never see me cry again. Even if I'm gone from this world, you'll know I'll always be watching you. But the thought that I'll sometimes watch you cry for me, compels me from walking off this cliff right now. I'm in a dilemma here. I cannot come back, you might shun me away or never want to see me again. If that is the case, I'll understand that you'd be mad at me, and I don't want to see you lash out then hear you sob under the covers because you have spoken too soon."

"I know what must be done so you could continue to live without me ruining your life, but they both carry their consequences; I'll mourn for you, or you'll mourn for me. *voice is seriously broken now* I don't know what to do now; we'll both be affected either way. If you really want me to go, just... free some space for me in your heart, so I'd forever be a part of you. Please... never forget me... never, forget, those wonderful moments, we've had together. I'll always love you, and will always mean so much to me. Through our conflicts, just know that, that I am sorry for what I've done to us. And I hope that you'll have the strength to forgive me."

Lukas shed a silver tear in his left eye as he faced the setting sun. He then felt the wind strengthen gradually. "The day falls short. I will soon be gone, but if you do truly want me to abstain from this path, then, then, release me from this, this pain, this horror..." The tear dropped from his chin before landing on the jagged rocks 100m below. "This will be the end. The end of your pain, and the start of my second chance. My chance to do good than cause more pain. I truly apologize, Jesse. And if it means anything to you now, I always missed your company. I have always been thinking about you everyday. Your thoughts comforted me everyday. But now it's caused you pain, and I must end it, so you may live on, free from the pain I will only inflict upon you. This is the end for me. Goodbye my love-"

STOP!

The abrupt yell caused Lukas to suddenly turn to face a very exhausted Jesse and her brother. She looked very shocked. "No! You don't have to do this! Please don't go." Lukas replied "I must, or else I'll only ruin your life more." Jesse was confused, "Ruin my life? How exactly do you ruin my life?" Lukas thought for a while, Jesse was gradually approaching him, she had a very concerned face. Then Lukas looked up and began to talk...

"...so all I'm trying to say is: I'm sorry, but I know that doesn't make us even. If I continue to hang around town and I screw up once more, you might reject me forever, maybe even forget me. And I don't want that to happen betwwen us, Jesse. I don't want to see us get separated all because I messed up. But I also don't want to see you cry out to me in pain and sorrow. I'm sorry Jesse but it's the only way. I love you, and I care about your wellbeing, so I know you'll undrstand why I need to do this. I need to REDEEM myself."

Jesse broke down onto the ground, clutching her face as she sobbed at his words. Lukas saw her crying, and slowly walked towards her. Jesse did not try to interfere nor attack. He looked on while Petra stood beside him. Lukas sat down beside her, and gently said "I'm so sorry Jesse, but this I something I must do, so you'll never be sad because of me." She was still sobbing, but she momentarily stopped and in a broken voice, said "But why? Why do you put this upon yourself? Lukas, you don't have to walk away or jump off a cliff or disappear to show your devotion. I see that already, and I highly appreciate that. But think this one through. You'll only cause me even more pain if you do this." Lukas sighed, and looked down onto the grass beneath him.

"I'm not doing this for me, nor you. But for both of us. You may continue with your life, and I'll watch you from above. But please remember and forgive me when I pass." Jesse lifted her face out of her hands, and whispered "Of course I forgive you. I love you after all, and I wouldn't take a single day knowing you're gone. I need you. We need you. Please." Lukas turned to notice she had taken his hand and squeezed it hard. He then said "Thank you. But, I'm confused: I caused you so much pain in the past. Why would you want me back?"

Jesse thought, before saying "Because that pain, that suffering. It made me a stronger girl. I managed to endure that torture, and emerge stronger than ever. You inspired me to be strong all those years ago, and since, I've lived up to those words. Also bear in mind that: there is no other guy on this globe that I'd swap for you. To me, you're special, Lukas Henry Carter. You have been the one person I truly loved and ever will, and that cannot end, ever. I don't think you're horrible." Lukas, having heard her words, felt his heart break out of the stone prison holding it and sing a cheer.

He felt her cold cheek and turned her face towards his. She was still crying gently, Lukas muttered It's okay. It's okay. "You really mean it? You don't hate me anymore?" Jesse's tearful face said "Of course... Of course I meant it. Every word was faithful..." Lukas saw the sorrow in her eyes, then out of his own sadness and newfound joy, he kissed her gently. She was warmed, her sorrow displaced by joy and her dampness converted to light. Petra tightly clutched Jesse's hand as they looked on.

The two broke apart, now smiling and embracing again. I found him! I found the Lukas I know and love! Jesse was overjoyed to be reunited with Lukas, and he was overjoyed to hear he had been forgiven and welcomed with warm hearts again. "Thank you. Thank you so much Jesse, you've truly shown to me that you don't have to be perfect to get the girl you want. Ever!" Jesse laughed, and replied "Are you kidding me?! Imperfection never bothers me! You never bother me! Oh how I missed your hugs and kisses so much..."

Lukas then got up to thank his dear friend and former wingman, "Jesse, thanks for bringing her back to me. I'm forever in your debt." Jesse simply said "Just part of the team. Now c'mon, we got a long journey ahead of us. Welcome back, Lukas."

And Lukas... STOP. MONOLOGUING!!!!!!!!