Hi~ First piece in a long while. It'll be sad though, semi based on RL.

notes: AU, hopefully IC in terms of the situation, character death

Tears trailed down his face as he stood in utter disbelief with the phone still held in his numbed hands.

He couldn't see.

He couldn't hear.

He couldn't breathe.

His world seemed to just collapse around him.

He had just spoken with him the night before, wishing him luck for his last race and now the light in his life was stolen away, much too soon and much too young.

He remembered when they first met as children; there among the others, he stood out with his bright hair and clear eyes among all the black and brown. They were there like the others to learn their mother tongue in a land where the sun set and the cultures mixed. He recalled the rough start and his slow warming to the vivacious blond when he was first introduced at recess to him by his younger brother. He remembered the stolen hours of laughter and sunshine before he had to return home to the rules and expectations. That was always a cold shock, no matter how much the differences became expected as they grew older.

He remembered their shy starts and awkward touches, furtive and quick. He remembered the awkward gropes and stumbling first kiss. He remembered the gorgeously bright smile when he asked his sunshine to move in with him. He remembered the explosive fights; though thankfully usually short.

His blond was his world when his father died while he was still young. He was his rock when he had to pick up the mantle and be strong while his mother grieved and his brother raged against the world and the lost chances. His blond was his harbor against the ravages of grief, of loss, of pain. His blond was strong when he was weak; his reason to keep going and be everyone else's pillar and while the weight was crushing, he didn't stand alone but with his blond silently shouldering it with him.

And now he was taken from him.

He didn't hear the front door open with a near slam; he didn't hear the clattering footsteps of heels on tiles; he didn't feel the phone pulled from his slackened grasp; but he felt the sudden arms wrapped around him. The subtle understated scent of his mother's perfume slowly pervaded his senses as the strength in those slender arms clad forever in black held him close. And for the first time in a long time he let himself sink into the warmth and comfort offered in that embrace, in those arms, as he wept for the loss of his love. And he remembered...

The phone pressed into his ear as he sat, curled in the seat with his blond's favorite throw wrapped around him, keeping him warm in place of the tanned arms.

"Mmm, I'm so excited 'Tachi! The weather is supposed to be perfect tomorrow, the only clear day in the week."

"Good luck. Last one of the year isn't it?"

"Mmhmm. I should be back by the evening. Let's go out to Rei's for dinner to celebrate."

"Alright, I'll let them know to be ready for your huge appetite."

"I should get some sleep; knowing me it'll take forever tonight. Good night Itachi; love you."

"Love you sunshine."

Dedicated to my friend, Jeffrey. Taken from us too early and to suddenly. You'll be missed. RIP.