Blowing warm air into her hands, a girl with chocolate brown hair and lavender eyes walked below trees filled with orange, red, and yellow leaves. She's never taken this route before, but it was a shortcut to her destination and she wanted to get there before rush hour came. A small breeze blew and made her long hair flutter in the air, her red scarf lightly flowing with her hair; perhaps she could watch the scenery when she heads back. Autumn wasn't her favorite season, but she admired the beauty of the leaves when she could, something about the color's fascinated her that she just couldn't help but love the season just for that. A figure within the forest of trees caught her attention, she couldn't see that well with the distance but she could definitely tell that the figure was a person.

The female carefully walked around the trees, getting closer to the mysterious figure, she could sense that the presence wasn't hostile. It seemed more...warm, but sad.

"Hello?" she called out softly, catching the silhouette's attention; it was a male of probably seventeen or eighteen. He wore a black vest over a red long sleeve jacket, navy cargo pants, and red sneakers. His appearance intrigued the girl, red bangs with dark brown spiky hair and violet eyes, they almost looked like a royal purple.

"Um, sorry to disturb you, but what are you doing here?"
"I'm waiting."

She tilted her head in confusion, waiting for what? He suddenly spoke like he was shocked.

"You can see me?"
"Huh? Oh, um, yes. But what are you-?"
"You can actually see me?!"

He grabbed her shoulders and smiled, delight clear on his tan face; she couldn't help but flush from the warmth his hands emitted to her shoulders. Actually, when did he get this close?

"Wait...are you dead?"
"Excuse me?!"

She pushed him away and slapped his cheek, huffing and beginning to stomp away.

"Wait wait! I'm sorry! Please come back!"
"Yeah right! That was a rude question mister!"
"You're right, I'm sorry! Please come back....I'm lonely..."
"Huh?"

She turned around to see the male looking down, a frown on his face which didn't seem right for someone like him. Sighing and walking back hesitantly, the girl watched as the male lit up. As soon as she got close enough, the male enveloped her in a hug, nuzzling his cheek to the top of her head.

"WHAT ARE YOU-?!"
"Please just let me have this...it's so cold..."

Cold? But he felt so warm compared to her; bringing a hand up to pat his arm, the female wondered why he was here in the first place. The male enjoyed the warmth from the girl, she smelled nice too, like freshly baked cookies and apple pie.

"Um...if you don't mind...who are you?"
"Guren Nash..."

He seemed to be distracted, which he was, he was focused on her smell and warmth, he felt happy and at ease.

"Ah...I'm Seranah. Seranah Dragonwood."
"Mm...you have a beautiful name..."

Red flooded her cheeks as she heard that, where is this coming from, more importantly, how did she get into this position?! The only thing she knows about the guy is his name!

"You smell nice..."
"Wha-?! Get off of me!"

She tried to push him off but he held on tight, like he didn't want to let go any time soon.

"I'm sorry, I haven't been around another person in years."
"Huh? That's no excuse!"
"Seranah..."

She shivered as his husky voice said her name, what on earth is she doing?

"W-what?"
"Nothing, just wanted to say it..."
"...Guren..."
"Hm?"
"Nothing! J-just wanted to try it!"

He chuckled and pulled away to look at her, his eyes sparkling as a gentle warmth shown in them, making Seranah's legs a little weak. Guren stared at her face and felt warmth pool in his chest, he gently tucked a strand of her beautiful brown hair behind a delicate ear. He's pretty sure that he could stare in her eyes for hours if he could, they were like amethysts, so beautiful and elegant.

"Seranah... Yeah...that suits you."
"W-what's with you? You trying to seduce me or something?"

Guren gave an innocent confused look, he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Seduce? What's that?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, nothing important!"
"Okay?"
"So what are you doing with me?"

He sighed and turned his gaze away from her-which he didn't want to-looking at the clearing of trees and multi-color leaves on the ground.

"I need to go soon..."
"Will you be back tomorrow?"

Guren snapped his eyes back to her as she covered her mouth with a pink blush on her pale cheeks, he actually felt warmth crawl up his neck. He felt something flutter in his stomach too, what was that?

Stupid! What the heck were you thinking?! Seranah yelled at herself, trying to calm down her pounding heart. She caught sight of Guren smiling warmly at her and felt her heart jump, what the heck is wrong with her?

"You're cute when you're embarrassed."
"Wha- Shut up! I'm not!"

He chuckled at her and caressed her cheek gently, his eyes soft and staring into hers. His smile turned sad.

"I'm afraid I can't come back tomorrow."
"What about the next day?"
"Not even that."
"Next week?"
"No..."

Seranah's eyes shook with sadness, something that made something in Guren break, he doesn't want to see her sad.

"I'm sorry Seranah... I don't want to leave you, you're...you're..."

He didn't notice tears welling in his eyes and hers, but he pressed his forehead to hers as he closed his eyes.

"...I'm dead Seranah..."

Her eyes widened as she looked up at his half-open eyes, did he just say...?

"I'm sorry Seranah... I'm so sorry..."

Guren let his head fall to her shoulder as he cried, repeatedly saying sorry to her, holding her as close to him as possible. Seranah slowly circled her arms around him and nuzzled her head to his, trying to help in some way. He grinned and breathed in her comforting scent, calming down in her warm embrace. They stayed like that until his tears dried up.

"I just met you...but I don't wanna let you go..."
"Guren..."
"Heh...sounds like a cheesy love story..."
"Oh Guren..."

He looked into her lavender orbs and felt his heart melt, he doesn't want to go.

"Why do you have to go? Don't leave..."

Guren let the ends of his lips curl up in a gentle smile, his gaze warm and shining with something that Seranah couldn't quite put.

"I've been staying here for too long, I have to go."
"But if you really are dead, why can I see and touch you?"

He chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his hand lingering on her cheek.

"I'm not sure, but I'm glad that you can...I'm glad that you're the one who I'll remember before I really go."
"Don't say that!"

Tears pooled in Seranah's gemlike eyes, making them sparkle in the sunlight, mesmerizing the male.

"I...I don't want to say goodbye...not to you... Guren..."

Something warm pressed to her head and her heart jumped, Guren pulling away with a teary smile on his face.

"Thank you."

Seranah fell to her knees as he disappeared, the falling leaves of autumn around her where he used to be standing, the image of his smile fresh in her mind. His voice and his words echoing in her memories she just made with him within the short amount of time spent together.

'Seranah...'

Tears fell from the brunette's eyes.

'Nothing, just wanted to say it...'

He didn't have to go.

'Seranah... Yeah...that suits you.'

Why?

'You're cute when you're embarrassed.'

Why?!

'I just met you...but I don't wanna let you go...'

WHY?!

'I'm glad that you're the one who I'll remember before I really go.'

He could've stayed!

'Thank you.'

Seranah gasped when she felt heat on her shoulders, snapping her head around frantically to see the male who disappeared.

"Guren?! Guren!" she called out desperately, wanting to see him again, "No...please....come back... Guren..."

"Excuse me miss," a voice called out to her, "Are you alright? The sun's about to set."

Seranah slowly turned to the voice, ready to answer but froze when she met with the stranger's eyes. Her eyes shook in wonder and from more tears pooling, she can't believe it.

"Um, miss?"

She blinked, still trying to process what was in front of her; she parted her lips.

"...Guren?"