Title: Rain Drops on Roses
Author: Leviathan
Category: Drama/Angst
Spoilers: The Day the Angel flew
Rated: PG
Summary: Folken, Van and their Mother grieve over the loss of their father.

Disclaimer: All the characters of Vision of Escaflowne do not belong to me. As well not profit has been made in the making of this piece.

Author's Note: This is just a short piece of fluff... I hope you enjoy it!

Rain Drops on Roses
By Leviathan


It's raining... the water is freezing and coming down in a steady stream. I pull my cloak tighter around myself the small figure that is leaning against my leg. I place a hand on his tiny shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze... I had almost forgotten how truly young he was.

I look over to my mother; her beautiful long brown hair has become matted and stringy in the soft, but none the less cold rain. Her face is soaked with water and I'm unable to tell what is her tears and what is the weather. Her eyes never leave the monument where my father's body now rested.

I put my other arm around her shoulder, trying to comfort her. She doesn't seem to realize my presence. My heart feels like it's being slowly crushed, but I know that I have to be strong for her... for Van.

At the thought of my younger brother I notice the trembling that's coming from his small body. I kneel down and turn my complete attention to him wrapping both arms around the boy.

Van gazes at me, his bright maroon eyes glisten with unshed tears. He quickly turns his head away as if he's ashamed that he was crying. The trembling grows more intense and he tries to escape my grip. But I refuse to let go. I hold on tighter... almost as if I was afraid that he would disappear. I gently turn his head towards me but he still avoids my gaze. He clutches the two red roses held in his tiny hands tightly trying to stay in control of his emotions.

" It's okay to cry Van," I tell my distraught brother.

He slowly looks up to me, the tears now clearly streaming down his face. Suddenly he throws his arms around my neck and buries his face in my shoulder.

" I miss him Folken..." his muffled voice causes me to force back a flood of tears.

" I know you do Van... I do too."

He fiercely holds onto me, unwilling to give up the support, and I refuse to let him go either and pick him with me as I stand. My mother looks at the bundle in my arms then to me and I think I see a shadow of a smile grace her face for a second.

The priests have finished the ceremony and everyone goes to pay their respects. The three of us wait till most have left before approaching the grave.

I let mother walk in front of me to say her good-byes first. She places her hand on the cold stone and closes her eyes as if she's communicating to him telepathically. She slowly backs away but not before mouthing the words 'I love you'.

Van and I then walk up to the monument. My little brother finally turns his head out from my shoulder and places the two roses on the stone.

" Goodbye father..." he says softly as a new onslaught of tears clouds his vision.

I watch silently unable to express myself verbally. 'I promise father, I'll take care of them... and love them till the day I die.'

The drops of rain on the roses look like little crystals as they beaded up on the petals. The first rose was pretty and seemed freshly picked while the other was slightly wilted almost as if it knew what was going on. My chest tightens with emotion, and I can no longer fight the flood of tears. I unconsciously duck my head somewhat.

A gentle touch grabs my attention. Van gazes at me with soft eyes. " It's okay to cry Folken," he echoes my words.

I give him a slight smile giving him an affectionate squeeze, " Come on Van... let's go home."


THE END