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Featured: Breaking Benjamin - The Great Divide

One of my favorites

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I rush my way through to the forest right outside of my castle. I push my way through the forest, darting my eyes back and forth as I go, heading to the spot on the hill. The same spot which would represent the same location in the parallel world Ike had shown me. The very same place where I sat watching the sunsets before. Once I approach the spot, I slow my pace, lower myself onto the ground and slowly look around a giant tree trunk. I gradually walk around the tree and there, in the falling sun's light, I see Ike staring out into the horizon, with his back facing me. I smile, happy that my assumption of where he might be, is indeed correct. My heart begins thumping harder as I slowly approach him. Once I get close enough, about 5 feet away, I call his name softly, almost in a whisper, "Ike,"

He turns to face me. Once his eyes catch mine, my stomach drops at the sight. I feel as though he took my breath away.

He is amazing.

The expression across his face does not change though, like he is hiding how he is feeling from me, "Hello, Star," he keeps his eyes locked onto mine, as if he is trying to read why I am here. "How did you know I was here?"

I smile, "I just had this feeling,"

After a moment of wandering in my eyes, he says, "I understand your choice, Star, you do not need to explain anything to me," My mouth falls opens slightly.

Ike, my love, I am not here for that... I need to watch my words here...

"Ike, I insist you do not understand," Ike raises his hand slightly and nods at me.

"Well, it is alright, Star. I understand you have things that you must do as princess," He pauses for a moment, studying my face, "Do not worry about me,"

His face slightly falls after he says this. I doubt he meant for that to show.

We both know that will not happen, Ike. Of course I am going to worry about you.

I take a step forward, "Ike, I was confused,"

"Confused?" Something flashes in his eyes, curiosity perhaps?

"I did not know what to do," I see the worry appear in Ike's eyes as I say this.

"Are you alright, Star? I have been worried about you..."

There it is again. He cares so much. I have so much I need to tell him... all right now.

"Ike, I realized something extremely important to me tonight. I really want to thank you for being there, every time I have needed you, you were there for me," I let out a small smile. I see so many things flash in his eyes as I tell him this. Each time, his eyes soften a little more.

"I never had to tell you, you just knew. I knew you would watch over me, Ike. Just like I wanted you to. I cannot stop thinking of you, Ike. Every time I do, my emotions go crazy. I... I have never had this much trouble compressing my emotion before. The emotion I am referring to is powerful. I used to believe it would weaken me. But now I understand, it does no. Such. Thing,"

As I say the last few words, I place emphasis on each one. "When I feel it, I feel so much stronger than before," I could feel my emotions bubbling to the surface, but I did not care. "I am afraid right now, Ike. I am afraid if I do not compress this emotion, it will take me again. But somehow, this feels right. I feel the strength needed, to not be afraid anymore. When I look at you, I do not care about that anymore," I search his eyes as I took another step forwards. I feel that mysterious emotion begin to fill my eyes, love. It is strong but I do not give in.

I will not push Ike away anymore.

I see something similar swirling around in Ike's eyes now as I slowly approach him, getting a better view. "Star, I knew I saw something, but I could never fully read you. The very first time I saw it flare up in your eyes, was that night the demon had you right in front of me and I found out from you it was your mother. But after that, it disappeared," Ike pauses, confusion flares up in his eye. "I never saw it again,"

My mouth falls open slightly as I press my left hand over my chest and hold it there. "Ike, I was so afraid, afraid I would lose control... and lose you," As I say this, I feel even more emotion surge through me and it is getting stronger every moment. But I ignore it. Love is pouring through me, emerging within my eyes. I want to push them back. But I refuse. I refuse to push Ike out again.

I won't. I refuse.

I take another step forwards and gaze deeper into Ike's eyes. "When I look at you, I feel only strength, not weakness. This emotion is different than I thought. My mother taught me to compress these strong emotions so I thought they were bad. But I never had a chance to feel them... I did not know any better," I see the same emotion flaring up in Ike's eyes.

"Star, I thought you did not feel this way. All of this time I never saw any of this. You kept yourself distant from me... I felt something, but when you would show it, you would hide it away again,"

I take one more step closer to him, one foot away now.

"I have not seen it again, until right now..." A smile appears onto his face.

"The ceremony is gone, Ike. I chose something else," I lift my left hand and touch his face.

"I chose you," I whisper softly through my smile.

Within that moment, I feel Ike pull me close to him and hold my waist as I lift my other hand to his face, cupping it in my hands. I see Ike's eyes soften even more, as he gazes into mine, tightening his grip onto me.

"You do, hmm?"

I feel my stomach drop to the floor once again. "I love you, Ike,"

He pulls me into a kiss. The kiss that I have been longing for. I feel his left hand slip into my hair as he deepens the kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck while he lifts me up off of the ground for a moment, making my stomach do flips. I let out a small short squeal once he lifts me up off of the ground. He chuckles at me and spins me around once before placing me back onto my feet.

Once he finds my gaze again, "I have always loved you, Star,"

He cups my face with his hand he had in my hair, "I thought I was about to lose you," I see a flash of worry in his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere, Ike. You are the love of my life," I feel Ike pull me closer. I smile as I glance down at his lips, "More..." Ike chuckles again and pulls me back into a kiss.

There's his amazing laugh again.

This one feels as though it lasts forever.

When he pulls back this time, I see something else in his eyes. I find myself searching them, then I ask, "What are you thinking?"

He smiles at me. "I think I am going to ask your father something," He releases me, takes a step back and kneels before me. My eyes widen and I put my hands over my mouth.

"What..."

Before I can say anything else, he asks, "Star, will you marry me?"

Oh my god.

I cannot hold back the emotions I feel when he asks me this. My smile grows the largest I have ever smiled before as he takes my left hand in his. The next thing I know is the gorgeous diamond ring now on my ring finger.

I gasp, "Oh... Ike... How long have you had this? It's beautiful..." I whisper, not taking my eyes off of the shimmering stone in the lowering sun rays.

He took my breath away twice on this night.

"Ever since the day I first met you, my love,"

~~~

I push myself up into the air and enter the courtyard, where I find my father waiting for me with Ike close behind me.

"Father," I say as I approach him.

He turns to me, smiles and nods. "Star,"

Then he turns to Ike and nods to him as well. "Ike,"

He turns back to me. "I have changed the plans as you wish, my dear,"

I smile and pick up his hands with mine. "Thank you father. Um, I have something to say," My father raises an eyebrow, "What is it, Star?"

I glance to Ike, then back. But before I can answer, he notices my ring on my finger.

"Oh," He says suddenly, then smiling down at me.

I laugh at him, "That is exactly what I wish to tell you about, father. I have decided, I wish to go to Ike's world and live there with him," Surprisingly, my father does not seem to be surprised by this.

"If that is what would make you happy, my dear, then so be it," He turns to Ike who has approached us. My father releases my hands and turns to Ike.

"Sir, I am asking for your daughter's hand in marriage," My father smiles proudly at him and nods to him in approval. "If this is what pleases you, my child, then I shall have it no other way," I smile really big and leaps into my father's arms. "Thank you, Father!" My father chuckles at me.

"My, Star, you have grown. I am so proud to see you with Ike, my boy!" Papa says, pulling Ike into a great hug, making him chuckle. He releases him and turns to me.

"Your Highness," He bows as my mother enters the courtyard. She smiles happily as she approaches and embraces me gently and elegantly.

"See, I told you to follow your heart, did I not?"

I smile and nod. "Yes, mother. I understand now,"

"Good, now off with you! There are many things to be done!" She releases me and pushes me next to Ike, who then pulls me closer to him and kisses me once more.

This one, was the one that lasted for eternity.

Psst, how's that for an ending? ;]

Ike got his girl.