Diamond in the Sky

Confessions from Rouge

Another memory tugs at Silver, waking him up. He sits up. So does Rouge with those bat ears of hers, alerting her out of what was a pretty deep sleep.

"Rouge, I need to tell you something."

Surprised that he's wide awake again, she chuckles.

"So much for the magic, sleeping pill of love."

"One time I was watching the sun set. It was snowing like it is now. You flew up to me, right in my face, and you stared at me. You had jewels in your eyes, like diamonds."

She glides to the other side of the bed and lands beside him, sitting attentively. He continues.

"I could tell you wanted to say something but you covered your mouth and these big, fat teardrops fell down your face. Then you flew away. Nobody's ever looked at me like that before. What were you gonna say?"

She takes a deep breath.

"Diamonds in my eyes? Your reflection, love. I was once a fabulous treasure hunter, obsessed with jewels. Young and foolish enough to give away the perfect gem after only one year. A colossal mistake! Karma came one day and destroyed my soul when I witnessed the fate for you as an adult. That's how I learned my lesson and found my new obsession. All these years spent watching over you, some nights I craved rocking you so badly, I nearly kidnaped you... so many times I wanted to, I could have, so easily."

He realizes who she is now.

"I understand. I think. It's just... why'd you have to hide all these years? Every time I got a glimpse of you, all I wanted was to talk to you. You seemed like you wanted to talk to me too."

She tries to explain.

"That's true, love! But I promised you once, though you don't remember, that I wouldn't steal you from your past. I got to see in advance, who you would grow up to be. Kind and selfless. You begged me to make sure you stayed that way. How could I not honor your wishes? I had to bring you here to the past in this dimension, or else that explosion would have killed you. I never meant to steal you back even though you belong to me. Sorry to be your stalker, Silver. If you wish to return..."

"My stalker?" he laughs, "please, I'm trying to tell you, your presence is angelic. 'Wish you'd approached me years ago! Go back? I'm not sure that's what I want. I hate that my friends and family are probably hurting, now that I'm gone, but this place is so familiar. I feel like I belong here."

Silver wants to stay? It's too good to be true! Rouge explodes crying.

"Don't cry!" he says, sweetly hugging her her. Her heart melts. She wraps her arms and wings around him.

"Must-ah been lonely, spending the last twenty years protecting me in secret. No wonder I stayed safe when everything became dystopian." He looks her in the eye. "You're a clever spy... but I always knew you were there. If I go to sleep, will you still be there in the morning?"

She nuzzles him.

"Of course I'll be there, Silver, I'm never far from you."

They both relax and lie down, a few feet apart, facing each other. She stares into his golden pupils, his reflection producing little diamond-like droplets from her eyes.

"Oh... my baby," she says, gasping a little.

Saddened, he holds her hand reassuringly. She kisses it and closes her eyes, bringing his hand close to her heart. He can feel tears dripping down his face too. They fall asleep this way, tear drenched and holding hands.