The last chapter. Yup it was short...and sweet? I hope. By the way, this chapters has HUGE spoilers, please don't read it and have the game ruined for you if you haven't reached the night at Altessa's house/flanior scenes yet

Disclaimer: still don't own

Genis was breathing heavily as he ran down the unfamiliar path, coated in snow. Everyone had been confused when he suddenly left, but he didn't have time to explain, and didn't want to. The note that had been left, only for him, was crumpled up and being held tightly in his fist, leading him to a place he knew the other wouldn't find him. Mithos... he thought. He was still in shock, his eyes were red from crying, matching the color of his cheeks, he was sensitive to cold weather. He stopped running to catch his breath, and looked around to see if he was close. He was on the outskirts of town now, and there were alleyways all over the place. Which one is it...? he thought, even as he thought it, he found his legs moving all on their own, leading him towards the right place. It's here, I know he'll be here Genis walked into the intimidating shadows in the alley. "Mithos?" he called.

"Genis?"

Genis felt like crying all over again as he saw the familiar figure walking towards him. After all that, after everything we shared, How could you? Even so, Mithos had called him here, there had to be some reason. Genis took a step towards Mithos, and then broke into a run, flinging himself into the other boys arms, the arms of the enemy. He rested his head on Mithos's chest, and let the tears come "Mithos...I'm so glad...you came back! I knew you would come back, everyone will be so happy-"

"Genis..." Genis looked up, he looked at Mithos's eyes, and he knew, he hadn't come here to return to the group. "I can't go back" Mithos said quietly "everything...I'm doing everything I can for Martel, I can't abandon her"

Genis bit his lip but you'll abandon me? He thought, but he didn't say it.

"Genis," Mithos repeated "come with me"

Genis stared at Mithos "go back to cruxis...with you?"

Mithos nodded, holding Genis close. "When I said I loved you, I meant it, Genis, I don't want to betray you, so please...come with me"

Genis was dead silent. Go with Mithos? And be accepted, as a half-elf? Mithos is trying to create a world where everyone will be accepted, that's a good thing...could I really...? He thought of everything he had shared with Mithos up to now I don't want to let him go... but then he thought of Presea how she had laughed with him whenever he messed up at the kendama, and Regal how he had taught him so many new recipes, Sheena, the only one who laughed at all his jokes, even Zelos, Genis knew he just liked to kid around, Colette and Lloyd, his best friends, whom he had grown up with, and Raine. Raine, my sister...my sister who can't cook, but is the smartest person you'll ever meet, my sister who's a little crazy sometimes, but always knows what's on my mind, my kind and protective sister...how could I leave her, and everyone behind?

"Mithos...I can't" he finally said

"Why?" Mithos asked, pulling Genis even closer

"Just like you can't abandon Martel, Mithos, I can't abandon Raine and everyone, please understand...I love you" Genis looked down, a tear falling in between them.

"Genis...even you...you're abandoning me too?" Mithos's tone became cold.

"No! I-"

Mithos shoved Genis up against the wall of the alley. "Mithos! I don't want to-" Genis tried to explain, before he could continue Mithos kissed him. It wasn't gentle, like the first one they'd shared, or the many after that. It was cold...it was an attack. Mithos's grip tightened on Genis's arms, as he let his head fall onto his shoulder. "You're just like the rest of them!" he yelled "everyone...everyone...everyone will abandon me in the end!"

"Mithos, let me go!" Genis cried "y-you're hurting me!"

Just like that, Genis felt the hands restraining him being pulled away. He looked up, Mithos was panting, and he had backed up against the opposite wall. They stared at eachother, silent, as both of them witnessed and invisible barrier being lifted between the two of them. Genis reached a hand towards Mithos, who jumped, trying to back away more than the wall allowed.

"Mithos..." Genis whispered "please..."

Mithos narrowed his eyes, in an icy voice he whispered "when you said you would side with me...was that a lie?"

Genis's eyes widened. He couldn't do anything but fall to his knees as Mithos walked away.

"Mithos..." he said "Mithos!" he yelled the name over and over, but he didn't return. Genis's head fell into his hands as he sobbed, for the first time since he had left his village, he felt utterly empty.

I do this because I love them. I'm cruel.