Disclaimer: I own nothing. I only own the OCs. I am simply borrowing for the fun of it.
The soft chords of a guitar filled the house from the top floor. Vincent sat on the couch watching TV with Reno, Launa and Renzoo. The clicking of dishes competed with the guitar for dominance in the otherwise quiet Valentine household.
In the kitchen, Nero and Yazoo worked to clean up from supper. Yazoo wrapped up the leftovers, but Nero just stared down at the remnants of the birthday cake on the dining room table.
"You okay, Nero?" Yazoo asked.
Nero looked up at him. "Hmm? Oh, yes. I'm fine."
He picked up the cake and brought it into the kitchen to wrap up. Yazoo watched his brother with concern.
"Is it because of what today is?" he asked.
"What's because of what today is?" Nero asked back.
"Your moodiness, for one."
"I'm not moody," Nero denied.
"You hardly spoke at supper. You managed to utter happy birthday to Nico and Sai, but that was it."
Nero placed the cake on the kitchen table and ran his fingers through his hair. His bottom lip began to quiver, and his breathing hitched. Yazoo walked over and put his arms around his little brother.
"He still haunts you, doesn't he?" he whispered.
"Every time I look at my boys," Nero sobbed. "I love those kids, don't get me wrong. But they, especially Nico, all I can see is...him."
Yazoo rubbed Nero's back. "I know. I know it's been hard. But you have us to help you through."
Nero pulled away, wiping tears from his eyes. "And I appreciate it, Yazzie. I really do."
Yazoo hummed in thought. "Maybe you need to find yourself a nice partner."
"Partner? Now? Yaz, I don't have the time. Between the boy's high school, Sai's guitar lessons and Nico's therapy, I don't have the time to date."
"You need someone special in your life," Yazoo replied.
"I have you, Pa, Kadaj, Loz and Sephiroth. That's all I need," Nero told him.
Yazoo sighed. "Okay. I won't push."
"Thank you, Yaz."
Dominico sat perched on the top step, curled in a ball as he listened to his parent vent his frustration. The boy got to his feet and headed for the room he shared with his brother.
Saitharius lay stretched out on his bed, guitar lying in his lap as he gently stroked the strings. Dominico came into the room and sat down on the other bed. Saitharius looked over at his brother, noticing the down trodden look in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"Momma sad," Dominico said.
"It's because he's lonely. He doesn't have someone like uncle Yazoo does."
"Want help."
Saitharius sighed, pausing his guitar practicing. "I don't think there's much we can do to help, Nico."
"Want help Momma," Dominico stated again.
"Nico-"
Saitharius was cut off when footsteps came down the hallway. Launa and Renzoo came into the room.
"Hey, kiddos. We're heading off, now," Launa said.
"Have fun?" Dominico asked.
"We had a blast," Renzoo told him.
"Same time next year?" Launa asked.
Dominico nodded. "It date."
Launa and Renzoo gave their cousins a hug and kiss before leaving the room. Dominico turned back to his brother.
"Want help Momma," he repeated.
"Nico, there's nothing we can do," Saitharius said.
Dominico pouted. He got up and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and to get ready for bed. He hurried back into the room and crawled under the blankets as Nero came in.
"Did you have a good night?"
Dominico nodded. "Had blast."
"It was fun," Saitharius said.
"Time to put that away and go to bed. It is a school night, after all," Nero said.
Saitharius placed his guitar in its stand and climbed into bed. Nero gave each boy a kiss on the head before turning off the light.
"In dreams?" Dominico asked.
"Not tonight, Nico. Mommy's really tired. Maybe tomorrow night," Nero replied.
"Okay," the boy said.
Nero closed the door as he left the room. As he settled down, Saitharius heard his brother mutter to himself.
"Help Momma. Not given up."
A/N: I love dreams. They're so full of inspiration. This was taken from a dream my good friend, Yazzy Dollface had. It's been a while in the making, and I hope you decide to continue on this journey with me. This story takes place within my Terror Born series, but it won't be rated any higher than T, not like the others. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story. Feedback is always welcome.