For 28 years silence reigned supreme among the stars. Wars started and wars ended; civilizations were born and became extinct. Those lives meant to have lived under the Doctor's flourishing tutelage, now lie in ruins, unsought and and unknown. Yet as the universe burned around it, Storybrooke never altered, never changed, and never aged.
" Hmmm." Lyra stretched out underneath the satin sheets. " Morning Michael." She whispered, her lips grazing his ear. He smiled and wrapping his arm around her waist, pulled her close.
" Do I have to go to work?" He moaned into her neck and she chuckled.
" I don't think Mr. Smith will be pleased about it if you don't, especially since you have that one order to fill."
Michael's lips twisted into a sneer. " Oh yes. That damn fob watch. I really don't see the reason why Mr. Gold wants it so badly."
" I'll ask him when I get in."
A couple of dull thumps echoed through the small loft and both Lyra and Michael stiffened.
" Michael are you ready?" It was Alex, his loud voice barely muffled by the wooden wall. " Shit. I forgot." Michael pulled himself from the bed. " I promised Alex that I would have breakfast with him."
" Don't worry." Lyra followed and opening a couple of drawers, pulled out a black tank and a bra to match.
" I have an early morning anyway. Mr Gold requested me me to run over to Regina's and see if I could snag a couple of her apples." Lyra finished dressing and quickly folding her long hair into a ponytail, turned quickly for Michael to inspect.
" Lovely as ever." He replied and pulling on his v-neck, Michael sat back on the bed and swiftly pulled on his boots.
" Are you ready yet?" Alex called through the door, accompanied by another tattoo of knocks.
" I am coming Alex." Michael replied and grabbing his overcoat, opened the door to a smart looking young man in a black tee shirt.
" Morning Lyra." He called out.
" Morning Alex. How is Clara?" Alex shrugged. " The same as ever."
Lyra laughed.
" Ahhh. Still in love with the notorious Mr. Smith I see?" Alex shrugged again, his mouth twisted in a grim line. Lyra smiled.
" Are you two done?" Michael's voice shattered the awkward moment. Lyra glanced quickly over at her partner. " I can worry about my sister all I want Michael." She pulled on her other boot and with a satisfied sigh, grabbed her house keys. With a peck on his cheek, Lyra left Michael and Alex behind.
Alex sighed. " Don't you think it's strange that we are both brothers and Lyra and Clara are sisters?"
" What's wrong with it?" Michael replied, his voice calm and soothing. " I don't know actually. I just find it very odd that's all."
" Alex." Michael's lips softened with a smile. " Sometimes you think everything is odd."
The conversation ended abruptly as a teen suddenly took a nose dive right into Michael's path as they left the apartment building. With a single fluid movement, Michael caught the boy, swung him out of the way, and promptly twisted himself into oncoming traffic. The only sounds admitted were squealing brakes and the sound of Michael's body hitting the hood of the car. Alex shut his eyes for a moment; he expected to see his brother, lying on the pavement, his body a mangled wreck of blood and bone. But to his astonishment and horror, Michael stood there. His strong, perennial pose of power was intact, but the car before him wasn't. A dent in the shape of Michael's body was embedded into the hood, crushing the engine underneath. Steam billowed from the destroyed radiator and the smell of gas filled the air, yet as Alex watched, Michael walked over to the driver's side door, opened it and helping the old woman out, apologized for wrecking her car.
" It's fine young man. As long as your alright..." Michael told her that he was as he led around the back of the car, avoiding the damaged front. " Well have a good day now." The old lady bade them and toddled off in the opposite direction smiling dreamily.
" Crazy old lady." Alex murmured before turning his attention to Michael. " Are you alright?" Michael was puzzling over the wreckage, his large hands clasped behind his back. " I should be dead." He spoke somberly.
" At the speed she was going at and the angle of impact, I should be nothing more than a red streak on the asphalt. Yet, I am standing here."
" Michael, you're alive. Just chock it up to a damn miracle and move on before the cops show up." Michael glanced at his brother with a scalding glare. " I should be dead." He repeated hauntingly, before he crumpled into a heap on the ground.
Alex watched in horror as Michael writhed in agony, his mouth open in a silent scream. Yet, Alex could feel it. The ringing echoed around him, louder and louder, until Alex clamped his hands over his ears before his ear drums burst. Then it was over. The world was quiet once more, only interrupted by the muffled sounds of chirping birds. Alex opened his eyes and removing his hands from his ears, found Michael, curled into the fetal position, arms wrapped around himself, wearing only his pants and the remains of his jacket and shirt. Alex crawled over to him, slipping in something on the way.
"Michael, the gas is leaking..." He wanted to call out, get Michael's attention, do something that would at least get his brother to look at him. Yet when Alex glanced down at the liquid he was crawling in, he too wanted to scream.
It was blood. Rich and red, It glistened in the October air like a pool of melted wax. And it was everywhere. Running in thick streams, it began to drain into a nearby sewer hole, causing Alex to gag at the sight. He had to focus on Michael.
" I'm here brother. I got you." He choked out brokenly as he wrapped his arms around Michael's prone form. Yet as he did Alex discovered where all the blood has come from. For blossoming from his back, right where his shoulders connected to his spine, were two monstrous and blood slicked, ebony toned wings.