My Angel

CH. 7 - Better to have loved...

"What are you doing here?" you cry, stumbling back a few steps, "Where is Whis?" You look around frantically hoping to find your Angel nearby, but you already know in your heart that he is nowhere close to you. He can't come to your rescue right now.

"No need to worry," the Grand Minister replies calmly, his eyes watching you closely, "he has yet to arrive. He will be here soon."

"Then why..." you shakily take another step backward.

"I am only here to speak with you," he says as he notices your retreating steps, "you need not fear me, child."

You grip the hand rail of the bridge tightly and stare at him incredulously, "I don't believe that."

"I won't harm you," he reassures you in a gentle tone.

"You misunderstand, Grand Minister."

He raises a quizzical brow. You lean a little more heavily upon the railing, tiny little bubble of rage beginning to form and rise from within you as you attempt to find the right words to explain.

"I'm not afraid of you hurting me," you say in a far more venomous tone than you had thought you could muster, "I'm not afraid of you torturing or even killing me. My worst fear is having Whis taken from me, and thanks to you that fear has already been realised."

His expression remains unchanged as he takes another step toward you, and you take another step away.

"If you are not afraid, then why do you recoil from me?"

"Because I still have no desire to be near you."

The Grand Minister chuckles softly, his expression now morphing into one that seems almost... friendly?

"I suppose that's fair," he concedes, "however, might I ask that you stand still long enough to hear what I have to say? I assure you it is something you will want to hear."

You blink in surprise, "Are you going to allow Whis and I to—"

"—No," he interrupts, "Understand that it is not because I wish to be cruel. These rules are in place for a reason, and I cannot overlook your actions, nor my son's."

"What reason?" you press, the venom in your voice returning.

"You would not understand, child."

"Try me."

The Grand Minister sighs heavily and closes his eyes, as if contemplating answering you at all. You relinquish your hold on the railing and turn to face him.

"Grand Minister," you say in a near whisper, just barely audible over the trickling sound of the water below, "I love Whis. I love your son more than anything. I would die for him. I would give up everything I have, everything I am... I am willing to do whatever it takes to be with him and make him happy."

He smiles, though it appears sad. "So it would seem," he breathes, "but as noble as you may believe your intentions to be, what you are saying is selfish."

"How do you figure that?" you ask, genuinely perplexed by his statement, "how in the heck is my love for him selfish?"

"First of all, you are mortal," the Grand Minister replies, his eyes now burning into yours, "and Whis is not. One day you will pass away and he will be left grieving for you. An eternity is a very long time, and the wounds from losing someone you love never fully heal."

"Then I'll find a way to become immortal," you state, "Its not like I haven't thought of this already!"

"Becoming immortal will not spare him that pain," he sighs, "In time, even those gifted with eternal life must perish; the exception being Angels, unless Grand Zeno himself wills our death." His expression turns grim, and for a moment it is as if you have been given a glimpse behind his emotionless mask. Something akin to pain dwells beneath the surface, and you are compelled to ask the question that begins tugging at the back of your mind, even though you aren't sure you want to know the answer.