Title: Next Time
Fandom: Vagrant Story
Rating: PG
Length: 200 words
Content notes: Non-explicit violence, also non-explicit spoilers
Author's notes: Paired drabbles about what may be the saddest moments in a game full of them - at least if you ship Sydney and Hardin like burning, as I do. :P
Summary: Sydney intended to apologize when next they met.

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"Never again, Sydney!"

The shouted ultimatum rang in his ears, terror audible behind the outrage, but Sydney continued walking as if he had not heard. If he were fully in control of himself, he would not have done what he had done, knowing that John had always feared his compulsion. To use it upon him now out of impatient desperation...

Sydney could not trust himself not to make matters worse with any reply he might give. When things were less chaotic, when they were alone - then he might have the grace to humble himself before Hardin.

Now, he walked on.

---

Their next meeting should not have been this way, Sydney thought with dismay. Not only Merlose and the child bore witness, but Guildenstern's cold stare was fixed upon the two of them. Hardin looked up to Sydney, blood spilling from what they both recognized as a mortal wound. More painful was the wound in Hardin's heart, the betrayal bare in his eyes.

"Is it... true?"

Sydney now had far more than the misuse of his power for which to apologize to Hardin, but their time was past. All he could offer, before they were parted once more...

"Forgive me, Hardin."