I Miss Your Smile

After All This Time

" ........ "

There they sat on the bench in the dark covers of night. The dim streetlamps shining under them, accompanied by a single firefly that laid comfortably on the lamp.

The mostly completed moon watched over them through the translucent clouds, with her little sparkling children all around her.

HALILINTAR sat far away from Cyclone Rintis. After the intense fight and quarrel they had, Hali dared not say a word to the devastated detective.

He took tiny glances towards Cyclone from time to time, making sure he was alright. Cyclone's upper body was bent over to let his arms rest on his laps, his hair covering his eyes.

Hali almost felt like he still shouldn't be there, eventhough he was so far away from Cyclone already.

He was already considering getting up to leave when he heard " Don't leave. "
Hali turned his head to Cyclone, who was still looking down to his feet. He was surprised Cyclone still wanted him there. Didn't he despise him?

Despite the thought, Hali relaxed his tense body back on the bench, not considering to leave anymore. His movements were awkward and stiff still.

" Why aren't you talking? " came Cyclone's voice, which made Hali flinch. He didn't know what to answer.

" Are you afraid of me? " Cyclone asked once more. Though he couldn't see him, Cyclone could tell Hali was going to nod his head.

" Of course you would be. Why wouldn't you be? I just punched you in the face so many times till you bled. I said so many horrible things to you, and I treated you so badly. No f*cking wonder you're so scared, " Cyclone said bluntly.

" Uh- language, Cyclone! " Hali blurted. He realized what he said and immediately covered his mouth. He was waiting for a smack on the head. But he didn't get that. Instead, he got a weak chuckle.

" Sorry, " Cyclone said. " Gotten too used to it. He used to say so many of those. I guess it's starting to grow on me... "

Hali sighed. He still felt guilty. He just knew he was in the wrong. Maybe he really should just leave.

He was considering the thought once again. Then something clicked in his systems, sending waves of pain to his entire body.

" Ah- ah.. Hggh... " Hali tried his best not to cry out. But his movements said everything.

Cyclone heard his little grunts and definitely noticed his movements. He looked up from the ground and saw Hali bending over helplessly as he tried to ease the pain on his chest.

" Hey, " Cyclone called. It was quiet at first, but when Hali suddenly gave out a strangled cry, Cyclone became worried.

" Hey, hey! " he called louder, going to Hali's side this time. " What's wrong? Talk to me! "

Hali's mouth was hung open, ragged and wheezing breaths forcing themselves out. His eyeballs were small and his eyes were terrified. His hands clenched his chest so hard they turned to his white robot color.

" Talk to me! Can you even hear me?! " Cyclone said. He didn't want to shake Hali because he was scared he would increase the pain.