Hikaru: Another Abyss fic. Based of a skit between Luke and Tear when they go to Tartaroo Valley the second time.

Largo: Hikaru Irving owns nothing.

The valley was bathed in bright sunlight, white flowers bloomed, birds sang, and butterflies drifted flower to flower lazily. Jade led the way through the valley, followed by Guy, Anise, and Natalia. Luke and Tear lagged behind; Tear had exhausted her energy healing, so Natalia took over, and Luke stayed behind to check up on her.

“You okay, Tear?”

She nodded, although she needed help to balance on the log over the river they crossed earlier. Luke arched an eyebrow skeptically.

Tear gave a heavy sigh, shifted her weight on one leg, a hand on her hip.

“Yes, Luke, I’m okay.”

They both halted, the others getting ahead of them. The Seventh Fonists paid no heed. Tear turned toward the hills of the valley, toward the vast blue ocean.

“Do you remember when we first came here?”

Luke nodded, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Yeah. I remember how I hated it, being stuck in the middle of nowhere . . .”

A refreshing sea breeze danced by, whisking off leaves, flower petals, and even a few butterflies. Tear normally hated it when strong breezes or winds blew; her long hair always got in her face. But now she didn’t mind it so much. She was far too busy looking at Luke; he stood staring at the ground, hands buried in his pockets. It was his eyes, though, that got her attention. When she first met Luke, those eyes were nothing more than a cold, empty shell. But now, those same eyes, that brilliant emerald shone with a genuine light: regret, and sorrow.

“A lot has changed since then.” she said, for sake of saying something, to break that terrible silence. Even Luke was not accustomed to constant silence. Luke sighed.

“Yeah. I really was a stupid, spoiled brat back then, huh?”

Her reply came cold, sharp, a stab to the heart.

“And you’re not now?”

Luke jolted upright, looked away from her, his face going red.

“A-am I?”

Tear tilted her head to one side. He turned away from her. He was afraid of being rejected.

By her.

“Well, people can’t change right away—“ Luke hung his head, and for a frightening moment Tear worried she might actually make Luke cry—“but little by little, people can change.”

She smiled at Luke. Luke donned a surprised expression.

“And you’re doing a fine job of it, Luke.”

Luke looked up, shyly, and smiled back.

She didn’t want to say it, especially in front of Luke, but Tear was proud of him. It took courage enough to admit one needed change, and greater courage yet that he made actual progress. Some of his old brashness might seep through, but he realizes that and holds himself in check. Luke was not acting when he thanked people or apologized. It was awkward at first, for Luke and the others, but Tear knew people.

“Well, they’re getting ahead . . .” Luke said, shrugging and starting off again.

Tear stood where she was for a few moments.

Yes, Luke deserved a second chance.

Tear smiled to herself, picking up her stride.

She was right to believe in him.