SL
Won't someone wake me up
open these eyes?
Won't someone even try?
[…]
How long will I have to wait
for someday?
-"Finding North" by The Civil Wars and T Bone Burnett
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About eight to nine years ago, the day before Sophie's death…
They had finished performing at the local theater which had sold out for the entire evening. Leon rolled his neck as they left the building with his sister close behind. They had been stuck doing autographs after the last show.
Sophie let out a long yawn only to have it end in a slight laugh.
The young woman with brown hair from earlier had followed Leon outside and was now trying to get his number. 'I told him she was interested in him like that.' Sophie grinned at how accurate her guess had been.
The brunette's smile dimmed a little as Leon refused her request for a date. Then, she brought up her hand for a shake. Leon obliged, inwardly glad that the young woman was taking it so well, all things considered.
Sophie watched with keen eyes as the brunette quickly let go and walked away.
Leon had his palm up to eye level. Curious, Sophie tiptoed over to her brother in order to see what he was looking at. She laughed upon seeing a piece of paper with a phone number on it.
"That was clever to slip it in like that!" she tittered as Leon crumpled the paper and tossed it into the nearest trashcan.
"Annoying," he thinly corrected. "I highly doubt you would have appreciated someone doing that to you."
"I'd laugh if it happened to me," she said as she did a little skip across the street. "Not that you'd allow a nice boy to come up to me in order to try it."
He shrugged off her light scolding. "If he's nice, he wouldn't ask you out that way."
She gave that some thought as they walked back home. Leon adjusted the strap on his bag, on guard for her question that tended to follow after incidents like the number being slipped into his hand.
"Why don't you date?"
He sighed. 'And there it is…'
"I have been on dates," he reminded her yet again. "They just didn't progress into anything."
Sophie huffed. "Those were in France. I mean dates nowadays!"
"There was Natalie Porter."
"That one doesn't count," she waved off, "neither one of you said it was a date."
"Marcy Tre-"
"Breakfast doesn't count as a date!" Sophie crossed her arms. "I mean an actual date with dinner and dancing and flowers—all that good stuff!"
He shook his head at his sister. 'I'm cancelling the cable.'
She suddenly stepped in his way, making him stop. He looked around to see if they would be blocking other people's way, but they thankfully had this side of the walkway to themselves.
"Is it because you're too busy taking care of me?" Sophie quietly asked. "If that's it, I can easily move out; I have enough money."
"Nonsense," he murmured. "You are not preventing me from dating."
"Then what is?"
He let out a long breath as he slipped his free hand in his coat pocket. "Lack of interest, I suppose."
Sophie was silent for a while. She stared at the night sky for a bit, catching some of the stars twinkling down on her. "I think," she started, her eyes still fixated on the sky, "I would hate to be a fallen star."
Leon stopped walking. Sophie looked away from the stars and stared her brother straight in the face with an out of place somberness.
"Fallen stars no longer have any energy to continue."
Her eyes broke out of the serious thought and she smiled at him.
"It's better to be a shooting star, Leon; even in the toughest of times. At least you still have some energy burning."
SL
May had rushed over to the spot where Sora said Leon was, but she had been too late. There wasn't a trace of either one of them.
She tsked.
Calling up Sora, she waited for the redhead to pick up. The line continued until it went to her voicemail. 'She's probably got her hands full with Yuri.' As much as an ass he was, he was still the woman's husband.
May shoved her phone back into her jacket pocket.
'And of course Leon left me with his stuff to grab.' She managed to find someone to help her, but still. 'He so owes me!'
"Alright, let's go…" she trailed, not having caught the person's name.
"Ken," the carrot top quickly filled in, "Ken Robbins."
SL
Sora was unnaturally quiet as she rode in the taxi with Yuri.
"…inconceivable! Reckless behavior, that's what it was," Yuri continued to rant in a nasally voice, seeing as Leon's hit had made it swollen—among other parts of his face. "It goes to show that being a top notch dancer doesn't mean you'd have an ounce of class!"
"…Enough," came Sora's stern, but oddly quiet voice.
Yuri turned to look at her. "Enough? That heathen broke my face and you're defending him?" His eyes narrowed suddenly. "You can't possibly be thinking about leaving me for him, even after all that?"
Her hands fisted in her lap.
"I told you," she started low, but as she felt her emotions battling for attention, she began to shout, "countless times, on numerous occasions that I can't stay married to you!" Her eyes flashed at him, even in the darkened taxi. "Even before we got married, I said that I didn't want you!"
He bristled in humiliation and a bruised ego. "He's sunk his teeth in deep, I see. Fine." His head snapped to the side as he clipped, "You can have him for a while, but only under the terms and conditions I give. That should rid you both of your unnatural fixation with the other."
She gasped aloud, completely appalled by his suggestion.
Her feelings weren't of that nature; such strong emotions were better than an obsession. Perhaps she was too devoted to Leon, even after all these years, but mere lust was not what kept her attention on him.
If Yuri's face had been towards her, she wouldn't hesitate to slap him, injury or not.
"I cannot believe you!" she hissed. "If anyone's behavior has been questionable, it's yours," she jabbed a finger into his arm. "The Foundation's donations are privately given, a fact you blatantly ignored! Given your numerous invitations extended to Leon and May throughout this venue, knowing the fact that Leon and I used to be partners," she halted a moment to glower at him, "your jealousy has been the most deplorable, disgusting thing to have been around me!"
He turned his face to hers with a livid expression in his eyes.
"And your flirtationsand rendezvous with a mere dancer," he cut her off when she started to protest, "do not bother denying it! Leon himself mentioned having your room number! Your dalliance while married to me, heir of the Killian name and company of my forefathers, the shame wrought of that and the scandal-" he visibly shook in his anger, "Now that is deplorable."
They had been in several disagreements over the years; she could not see how he could be so blind or dismissive of their incompatibility.
"The fact that you can only think in those terms proves my point," she lowly stated.
The taxi finally stopped in front of the hotel. She opened the door and left Yuri to pay the fare.
She had enough.
SL
In the elevator, Sora turned her phone on and saw the missed calls she had.
Since she was the only one in the elevator, she called May back.
The dancer was fuming over the phone.
"Ah, sorry, I was—"
The elevator dinged and Sora got off while still on the phone. With half an ear, she listened to May's ranting as she walked over to her room. She fished her room key out, having caught the part about Leon leaving his stuff with May and then asking Sora if she'd seen him again.
The use of his name made her heart clench.
"I-I haven't."
They soon hung up after that—May having heard the trembling of Sora's voice. The door opened. Her shaky hand flipped the switch on.
Sora kicked off her heels and went over to the couch to rest on.
Her face buried in her hands as she recalled Leon walking away from her.
She trembled a little, but roughly shook herself out of it. She lifted her head from her hands and went to redeliver the divorce papers to Yuri's room. Not many knew, but whenever Yuri and she traveled, they had two separate rooms.
As she started for her door, she noticed a white envelope on the ground. 'Someone must have slid it under the door. How could I have missed this coming in?' She bent down and shifted the papers under her arm so she could open the envelope.
Her spare room key slid out along with a note.
'I will not come anymore. Do not bother looking for me.
Good bye.'
The note, key and envelope slipped out of her hands, soon followed by the divorce papers. She felt her world tipping again, knocked off of its axis and spiraling out of orbit, but she clung on to the very small fragment of stability still within her.
Her eyes were glassy from built up tears, but she did not let them fall.
She took a breath in, strode over to the couch where she had left her phone and looked for his number.
The line rang as she waited for him to pick up.
SL
Leon sat in the dark with a drink in his bandaged hand.
The moon was his only light.
He had heard May banging on his door sometime but he had not opened it. A loud thud alerted him to the dropping of something heavy and then her steps walked away. Twenty minutes passed; he stayed seated.
Six glasses of alcohol later, he decided to grab whatever had been left.
His duffle bag was there and by the odd shape it was, he guessed May shoved his trophy in there as well. He sluggishly picked it up and closed the door. The bag was unceremoniously dropped back on the floor of the living room. He grabbed the drink he had poured out and finished the rest of it.
The glass was put on the table and then he called it a night.
His phone was in his duffle bag, Sora's call left unheard.
SL
That night, Sora and Leon shared a dream.
It was a memory of the past, an ordinary day that occurred mere days before the dreaded accident.
They were at her apartment stuck indoors with the heavy rain outside. Sora turned on her heater and made them some hot coco.
He had quirked a brow at the drink, but accepted it all the same.
She asked him what he wanted to do. The playful glint in his eyes told her what he would very much like to do. She pushed his shoulder lightly, making sure to not jostle the liquid in his mug. He teased her; she stuck her tongue out at him with a blush on her face.
She decided on origami making.
Briefly, she left to grab some paper. When she returned, she sat on the carpet with her legs stretched out beneath the coffee table. He watched her pick some strange patterned paper and began to fold according to the instructions in her book.
She made two tulips and then some simple doggies.
When she was finishing up her Carambola flower, he leaned over to look at her book. He flipped through, seeing the little checkmarks she made next to the titles of the ones she's done. He happened upon a swan one when she bemoaned her failed attempts at making it.
He picked out a creamy paper and got to it.
She did a traditional crane meanwhile, knowing this one by heart because of school.
The minutes went by quietly. She was finishing her third crane when she noticed that he had slid down to the carpet as well. She watched as he carefully folded and flipped the paper about, the ridged lines soon smoothing out and curving under his ministrations.
It was like watching him do magic.
Her eyes were alit with wonder as the paper swan came to life, its wings in mid flap and its slender, long neck curved delicately like a real swan.
He finished. He placed it in his palm and offered it to her.
"For you," he said.
She smiled big and wide, fully of giddiness and happiness. She cradled it in her hand, her heart swelling the longer she looked at it. She lifted her head to tell him that she loved it.
"I love you," came out instead.
Both had stiffened upon hearing the words. She rapidly blinked, her heart beating faster, but not because of fear but out of joy. The words were finally said out loud.
"I love you," she repeated with more conviction.
Her second declaration made his eyes light up; she had never seen them look that way before. He stood up and walked around the coffee table to her side. She put the paper swan down on the table without breaking eye contact with him.
"I mean it," she whispered.
He stayed quiet but his eyes did not, nor did his fingers as they stroked her cheek. He kissed one cheek and then the other. When he went to her lips his hands cradled her face like she cradled the paper swan earlier, and her eyes were half closed and dreamy.
He gently kissed her lips.
She saw his eyes lid and take on the dreamy quality that hers unknowingly were in.
She kissed him back.
Their lips stayed together, their hands were clasped on the others'. His hands moved from her face to her neck, her hands following the motion. She soon felt his warms hands on her bare skin. She was momentarily confused. When she had helped him remove the barrier of cloth?
She did not dwell on it.
Sometime he realized that her lips on his skin could have only gotten there had they stopped kissing. He did not recall her breaking away from his mouth, but as she continued along his collarbone and his hands roamed her back, there was no need for concern. She was keeping her touch on him and he was still touching her.
Contact stayed, though it transformed.
Both hadn't registered the fact that they had moved to her bedroom until she lay beneath him on the mattress and he hovered above her, his hands feeling the soft cotton of her sheets.
His silver hair mixed with her red hair. Her arms and legs wrapped around him as he kissed her, his fingers clenched the blankets beneath his hands as their bodies merged.
The rain fell heavy that day but they had stopped noticing it.
SL
Morning came without promise.
When Leon awoke to find his arms void of her form, he heavily scowled.
The memory dream had not been soothing in the least. How could a man be happy with his life knowing that he had paradise once but could not have it again?
He tiredly rubbed his face, the alcohol from last night leaving him with a slight headache. He sighed and then got up from his empty bed. He splashed cold water on his face in an attempt to shrug the dream away.
Drip, drip…
The water from his face fell into the sink as he thought.
Drip…
Punching Yuri was the only good feeling I had yesterday. Though, if the man's threat had been true, he had gotten that satisfaction for a high price.
He derisively scoffed.
As if Yuri could prevent him from dancing…
SL
Sora was stepping into the dining room to sit at her usual spot when she saw May already seated.
She walked over to her.
"Good morning, May."
The young woman looked up from her menu. "Sora," she started in her greeting, but upon seeing the bags under her eyes, she switched to, "I guess you didn't have so good a night."
Her shoulders drooped a little. "No."
May was silent. Then, she gestured to the chair across from her. Sora gave a grateful smile and sat down. A server came over soon and they ordered some food.
After they started with some small talk, Sora got into the reason why she approached May.
"I know we haven't known each other very long," her hand idly stirred her tea. "But if it's not too much to ask, could you somehow get Leon to look at the back plaque of the trophy?"
May paused with the cup of orange juice in the air. "The back of the trophy?"
"The back plaque," Sora softly affirmed. "I'd tell him myself, but seeing as he didn't answer his phone, I don't think he'll be willing to listen to me right now."
May noted the subdued air Sora had, but decided not to further question it.
"Alright."
SL
May did not see Leon until they had to check out of their rooms.
She spotted him by the counter and without further thought she ran over to him and said in a rush, "She's been separated."
Leon paused in the middle of signing off on something but then he continued. "Good morning to you too."
She bit back a snide retort. "Your old partner has been living in a separate place than Yuri for almost two years now. Word is, she's been pushing for a divorce."
He gave the receptionist the pen and paper without reacting to the news she was giving him. "I signed you out too, you just need to give the card key back."
May huffed. She slammed the key down and then whirled to him. "Aren't you hearing what I'm telling you? In a few months from now, she won't be married anymore!"
"Good for her," he bit out and walked off with his luggage.
May followed close behind. "So that's all you're going to do, just waltz away like you hadn't seen her again?!"
They were now outside, heading over to the parking lot where his car rental was. He beeped the car and put his luggage inside the trunk. May didn't put hers in; she went to stand in front of him before he could open the driver's door.
"You're a real ass," she clipped.
He looked at her blankly. "You're just now noticing that?"
May glowered at him, her eyes in a heavy frown.
"I looked at the back of the trophy," she finally said. "I think you should look at it and then we can talk again about your not-so-great personality."
She moved out of his way to shove her luggage in the trunk.
SL
They came back to America without any difficulties.
However, when they arrived back to the studio, Leon found his teaching rights suspended.
The head of the studio had changed two years ago, Leon's old instructor having retired after too many health problems sprouted up. There was no silent understanding between Leon and this new head, but as long as Leon could come here and practice he wasn't concerned about it.
Though, Leon was more than concerned at the moment.
Apparently, the new head had been contacted about his fight with Yuri Killian, one of the sponsors of the World Dance Competition and numerous charities.
"Mr. Killian said he'll not press charges," the head said with his arms folded behind his back, "if you don't dance here anymore. I'll allow you to finish teaching the advance class after your suspension period, but once that class is finished, I cannot afford to let you stay."
Leon had been tempted to leave all together, probation or not; however, he couldn't find it in himself to leave the class unfinished.
"Fine."
SL
It was his last week in the suspension when May came by again. She had taken over his class while he was not allowed to teach. He felt some appreciation for the gesture, seeing as he was sure she kept them in shape but her prodding was bothering him.
"Have you looked at the trophy yet?"
He arched a brow. "I thought you weren't speaking to me."
She didn't bother answering that. She unzipped her duffle bag and pulled out her own trophy. Making sure that the back plaque was visible, she shoved it into his hands and then stepped back so he couldn't return it.
"Read it," she crisply commanded.
He gave her a flat look over the trophy. She continued to stare at him with her arms crossed.
He sighed and then finally looked at it.
On the back, there was one large plaque but it was divided into two parts. The first part was labelled as "The Beginning of the Foundation" and a quote followed it. He read it, his eyes widening upon seeing it.
'It's better to be a shooting star than a fallen one.
The first may be unstable, but there is still a will;
the latter has given up, and has no energy.'
-Sophie Oswald, Dearly Departed Sister and Dancer
He stared at the engraving, his hands a little shaky. Why had I not thought of the title before? While he hadn't known the name of the foundation May had applied them to, Yuri had said it during the competition.
The Shooting Star Foundation.
"While Yuri takes the credit for it," May quietly said, "I read up on it and it was actually Sora that came up with the idea and raised the first funds for it."
Years ago, when they had been stargazing on the roof of his apartment complex, he had told her what his sister said about stars. She made a foundation based on Sophie's words.
"She remembered them," he murmured.
His heart stirred.
"What I can't understand," he heard May say as she stepped up to him, "is the second half of the plaque."
His eyes sought it out. There were silver indents scattered about on the dark plaque that faintly looked like the night sky. Below this were more words.
'In loving memory of the Pegasi in the sky.'
"I mean, I know you're known as 'The Pegasus of the Stage'" May thought out loud, "and I also heard that you had been in the hospital twice, so maybe she thought you had died when it was first made, but that doesn't explain its plural form."
"Yes," he murmured, touched yet again. She had referenced him as well. Perhaps, it is referring to others that have passed away?
Her parents?
Her first set of foster parents?
He was not certain, but he did not think that they had been performers. It would not make sense for her to use the same imagery for them and him, seeing as the Pegasus had been given to him as a performer. The multiple must be in reference to me somehow.
Leon was beginning to give May the trophy back when he noticed something. He pulled it back as he scrutinized the night sky engraving. His eyes widened until the whites of his eyes were visible.
"Leon?"
His face paled; the trophy slipped from his hands.
May quickly snatched it before it fell on the floor and broke. "Hey, watch it!"
"Mon Dieu…" he breathed out in a whisper. His hand touched his forehead as his mind went over that hypothesis, recalling anything she had said that would justify his conclusion.
"I don't have any kids," she quietly said. Her hands clenched tightly, he could see some white along her knuckles.
"I'm sorry Leon!" came her tortured, wretched cries as he held her, "I'm so sorry!"
"Mon Dieu," he said again in a shaky breath. He shuddered uncharacteristically as he found a chair and heavily sat down on it.
May was disturbed to see him bow his head into his hands.
"What's wrong?!"
He shuddered again. "Look at the sky," he roughly got out, "look at the shapes there."
May looked at the plaque, but just saw the silver indents for stars. "Leon, I don't—" Her eyes widened as she caught something. Wait a sec… She brought the trophy away from her and she was able to see the rough form of a Pegasus. He said 'shapes.' Her eyes narrowed to catch the other form.
She found it and her heart sank. "Wha—this can't mean what I think it means, right?" She looked up to see Leon fisting his hair. Her own face paled upon the implications.
"Shit," she whispered in woe and disbelief.
Right next to the big Pegasus was a much smaller one.
SL
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AN: We're almost done! Sorry about the long hiatus! Ideally, the next chapter will be the last, but I might have an epilogue if I feel like it needs one.