The Absence of a Cello
~By Pancakesmakemehyper~
The Makara hive was a happy place, full of music and love. Gamzee would be in the kitchen making some "wicked sweet pies" while The Grand Highblood was raking leaves. Meulin came over often to talk with Kurloz. They didn't look it, but they were a perfect family. Kurloz very much enjoyed playing his purple cello. He played when he was happy, he played when he was sad, he composed songs for Meulin who would sing along in perfect harmony. Kurloz truly loved the instrument and the joy it brought to others, but not as much as he loved Meulin. Gamzee's friend Tavros enjoyed coming over because of the vibrant mood to of the Makara family.
But, all good things must come to an end. One day, something horrible happened and Meulin ended up in the hospital. Kurloz would sit by her side all day and sleep next to her at night. The doctor told Kurloz that Meulin had gone deaf and probably would never be able to hear again. He wept for her. Meulin was just like one of the Makaras, so they all mourned the loss of her tingly voice.
It was a difficult choice for Kurloz, but the instrument he loved to play could no longer be shared with his matespirt, so he stopped playing it. The hive was not a happy place anymore; it was a quiet place now, a depressed place. Gamzee would drown his sorrows in sopor slime and Faygo. The Grand Highblood made cookies. Kurloz learned sign language for Meulin so they could still talk together.
The cello still sits in the corner of the great room, carefully preserved but not played. Tavros stopped coming over as often because of the shadow hanging over the family. Meulin missed hearing Kurloz play. She missed seeing him so happy. However, she was glad to still be able to talk to him. One night, Kurloz had a horrifying nightmare that convinced him to sew his mouth shout. The last words he ever spoke were when Meulin was in the hospital, words of love. The Makara hive slowly grew happier as friends started visiting more. Things could never go back to the way they were. Things could never be as musical and bright. But, the Makara family still fights on, keeping eyes open for a way out of the shade that hangs over them still.