Thankfully, the next morning, I don't wake up screaming because of a nightmare. But I do find myself missing my Dad really badly. A sharp pang of longing hits me, my eyes well up with tears and I can feel wing-scales falling. I softly sing Jimmy Eat World's Hear You Me.

Before I can finish the song, I see Dick coming towards me. Once I finish it, he smiles. "Even without your guitar playing to accompany that song, it still was beautiful." "Thanks. Still wish I could have played my guitar. Playing it reminds me of him." "Well, that makes sense. I know he taught you how to play." "Yeah. You know, I've considered teaching you a couple times. I'll just have to get you a different pick. You're not using mine." "Really? What would my pick say?" "Blue pick. Black letters. Rockin' Robin." "Sounds like you've had that planned. H, that's perfect."

I smile. "Uh huh. I could conjure it up right now without using too much energy. Your first lesson will obviously have to postponed for a couple days." "I've got no problem with that." "Good."

My smile widens as I conjure up Dick's pick. Sure enough, it took hardly any energy out of me. I place it in his right hand.

"Thanks H." "Believe me, that wasn't a problem. I, as your sister, have to be here for something." "Don't sell yourself short." "Didn't really mean to. But you are 10 inches taller than me.*" "To Kaylee, I'm a GIANT." "A big, friendly giant." "I'm a BFG.**" "Why, yes, you are. Along with many other things. I've also considered teaching you more Ancient Fey words. Repeat after me. [Hello.]" "[Hello.]" "Dang, you're good." "What did I say?" "Hello." "That was Hello?" "I've said the language is a little bit complicated." "Yeah, I know. But it just felt so natural." "I'm sure that's for 3 reasons." "These reasons are..." "You're an honorary friend to and knight of the Light Fey. Plus you're a Flying Grayson." "First two would definitely explain why speaking Ancient Fey felt so natural. But the last one?" "Flying. Your key bond with the Fey, right there."

It pains me a little bit but I tell him about the memory that took place just before we first met. He smiles. "Well, I do have wings." "I learned that from a letter you wrote me on Valentine's Day two years ago. I learned they were red last Christmas from a gift Babs gave you." "In your own words, what is it like having wings?" "I still can't think of the right words to describe that." My next words pain me a little bit and I feel wing-scales fall. "But I tried describing it to my Father once."

An extremely sharp pang of longing hits me, my eyes well up with tears and I feel more wing-scales fall. I bite my lip as bittersweet tears start to flow down my face. "It hurts." I start breathing a little faster. "This pain really, really hurts. I hate it. There's not even words to describe how much I hate this pain. Well, there probably is but I'm pretty sure they're curse words."

He puts his pick down on the living room table and hugs me. "I did promise I'd be there to help ease it. Let it all out. It's O.K. Shh. I know. I'm here. You have me as your brother. Always." I nod as I continue to cry, feeling smaller due to how much my grief is affecting me. "I really wish I could see him again. Not just via the memories in my locket but in person. Even if it was just for the shortest of moments." "I know. I don't blame you."

I grab my pick and trace the letters on it as I sing my Requiem for a Father. After I finish singing, I place my pick next to Dick's. Mine is red with pink letters (cherry blossom colors). As for guitar, it's red-brown. Red's my favorite color, remember?

"Take your pick." "Pun intended?" "You've known me for HOW long and you don't know? Thanks again for mine by the way. Seriously, it's awesome." "Glad you like it so much. Just don't expect me to custom make a guitar for you. Given the state of my wings, that would take way too much out of me." "So your energy is in your wings?" "Essentially, yeah. As far as magic is considered, it literally flows through me. Life-magic courses through my veins. When I said you save my life, I meant it. You brought me to Violet's office before I could lose any life-magic." "Probably shouldn't tell Bruce about the magic deal." "Because..." "He doesn't trust magic."

I roll my eyes.

"Oh, that's funny. I mean, look at me. I know..." "A good deal of magic and enchantments due to the fact that you're half Light Fey on your Mom's side." "You know me really well, don't you?" "For a little more than 12 years, yeah, of course I know you. Don't regret one moment of that time either. Well, maybe..." "Don't beat yourself up about the fact you couldn't stop my wings from being cut off or anything bad that's happened to me. Or what's happening to me right now for that matter. I know you have more than your fair share of scars."

His eyes widen.

"Who ratted me out?" "You ratted yourself out. I still have all the letters you wrote me, remember?" "No, seriously, how do you know?" "Part of my magic. It's also due to the bond that links us. Anyway, when you get hurt, I know everything about it." "Just out of curiosity, when did this ability show up?" "When I was 15. That's the age I was when most of my magic revealed itself." "The times I got hurt didn't show themselves in their dreams, did they?" "Yes, they did because you're a night owl."

Kind of an understatement.

"You must have had some bad dreams then. H, I'm sorry." "Just make me a promise that you'll be really careful from now on. Not just during your "night shift" either. I mean, I remember waking up in a cold sweat." "I promise. I don't want you to have any nightmares because of me." "Strictly speaking, it's not because of you. But thanks. I'm changing the subject now. Do you have any idea how weird it was having you in my pocket?" "Do you have any idea how weird it was being in your pocket?"

We look at each other then crack up.

"I was 1/6 Kaylee's size. Being small..." "Now you know how it feels." "You feel small?" "When I was younger, yes, sometimes I did. You know I've always been small. For example, I was 25 inches tall when I first met you. My Dad, on the other hand, was taller than you are right now. In fact...Now it makes sense. He was the same height as Superman." "Probably explains why, when Superman smiles, you're reminded, in a way, of your Dad." "Could be that or the fact I used to be a Metropolitan." "Used to be?" "Your place feels like home to me now. My house...It has too many memories of him and, because of that no doubt, being inside feels kind of painful." "You know, I used to feel the same way when inside Haly's Circus. But that makes sense. You have more years of memories." "Not to mention the fat that my memory is really good. I remember everything. Even the day I was born. It was then that I said my first word because Fey tend to do things really early on. You know what it was."

He smiles.

"Yeah, I do." "You never answered the question I asked yesterday. How come the pain doesn't go away?" "You're probably not going to like this answer but I don't know. However, there are ways to ease it. I've told Kaylee that the one which helps most is being with friends and people you're close to." "For me, music seems to help. Especially the song On My Father's Wings. But that way to ease the pain is one I have no problem with." "Good. Take it from me, it helps a lot." "Heard you the first time." "Figured it couldn't hurt to remind you."

I can't help but smile.

"Didn't hurt in the least. I know this is a little off our current topic but I like to think he's smiling down on me." "I'm sure he is. Always going to be smiling down on his flower." "Not sure how you'll take this but I bet your parents are smiling down on you as well. That they're always going to be. And, before you thank for saying that, it wasn't a problem. You saying my Dad's always smiling down on meant a lot." "As you said to me once, consider it a token of gratitude from one flier to another." "I can do that. You know, my life would suck without you. Just F.Y.I, there's a song called My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson. Doesn't really work though." "You would work a song title into a conversation." "Yeah, can't seem to help that. You know I'm big on music." "I know a lot about you."

My smile gets a little bigger.

"Geez, how could that be?" "Hmm...Could it be due to the fact that I've known you for 12 years?" "Smart aleck. Too bad I'm not tall enough to give you a noogie. Well, maybe I am." "You're not giving me one." "Try and stop me. Oh yeah. Silly me. It would hurt to give you one because you're hard headed." "I am not!" "Liar, liar, tights on fire." "I'm not wearing...Alright. Very funny." "I do have Puck in my family tree." "Change them back." "Now who's being a buzzkill?" "H..." "Fine. Spoilsport. I changed them back now. Happy?"

In a voice that sounds exactly like Batman's, Dick says that he's thrilled. I pretend to be scared.

"Oh no! Batman, what have you done to my brother? What have you done to him?" "Hey, he's still here. Standing right next to you." "Yeah, I know. It's just..."

Out of nowhere, an extremely sharp pang of longing hits me bringing a strong wave of grief with it. I also find myself shedding tears and wing-scales, not to mention whimpering.

"H? You O.K?" "I...I don't know. I really don't. This has never happened just all of a sudden. I miss him so much!"

I bite my lip then start singing. "You left my life in disarray All I want is one more day It's all I need: one more day with you...Just one more day It's all I need, just one more day with you***" Tears continue to flow down my face and, even though I try my hardest to wipe them away, they keep coming.

"As your brother, there's something else I'm here for. To provide a shoulder to cry on." "I hope you don't mind a really wet shoulder then." "I don't. Just come here and let it all out."

Not saying a word, that's exactly what I do. I just find myself crying and shedding wing-scales. Feeling so small.

"You're the miracle I have to make it through****." "Have to be here for something." "That's just one of the many somethings. Everyone who know you is lucky. It's like you're a four-leaved clover or something like that. Kind of gives me a song idea."

I smile, clear my throat and start singing.

"I was walking through a field
Looking all around
Feeling kind of sad
But then I found
A four-leaved clover

I know I'm lucky to have you
Without you, I don't know what I'd do
You're my four-leaved clover

I was walking on the sidewalk
Looking a little bit down
Feeling kind of sad
But in a crack I found
A four-leaved clover

I know I'm lucky to have you
Without you, I don't know what I'd do
You're my four-leaved clover

With you, I'll always be lucky
With you, I'll always be fine
With you, my four leaved clover
I'm happy to have you as mine"

He grins.

"So, now I'm a four-leaved clover too?" "Not just any four-leaved clover. Weren't you paying attention?" "Yeah, I was. H, I'm honored to be your four-leaved clover." "Good. You're always going to be. Now you've got even more incredible bragging rights." "I sure do, don't I? What's more, I like every single one of them." "Don't blame you. One of them..."

I fight back tears as hard as I can but my eyes well up them.

"Will the time come when I stop crying so much?" "I can only speak from my own experience but, yeah, I'm fairly sure that time will come for you too." "The sooner, the better. I really don't like having to cry so much." "I can hardly blame you. Just remember that, whenever you need it, I'll be there with a shoulder to cry on." "I've got a really god memory, so, I'm definitely going to remember that. You've got a good shoulder, by the way. The second best, to be exact." "I think I can guess the best one. If it's the one I think it is, I won't mention it because I know what it will do for you. But I'm glad you think my shoulder's the second best." "I know it's the second best." "Aww. Thanks." "Not a problem. After all, you're my big brother." "That's one of my favorite titles I have." "Really?" "Yeah."

My smile widens into an almost but not quite grin.

"Glad you think that." "I know it. Take it from me." "I can do that easily." "Good." "What's your favorite title that you have?" "Never been been completely sure of that."

I hear Babs's voice. "How about Hunk Wonder?"

I do not trust myself to keep a straight face. Most likely because of that, it's not long before I find myself cracking up.

"H, it's not that funny." "You're right. It's not." "Goo..." "It's hysterical." He rolls his eyes. "Great. Thanks Babs!" "Not a problem!" I'm still laughing. To be honest, I can't seem to help it. Though it's not very long at all before I stop. Kaylee enters the room.

"I think I'm missing something. Then again, a lot of things go over my head. But, seriously, Hunk Wonder? I don't get it."

An uneasy grin appears on Dick's face. "It's in an inside joke." "Uh huh. And?"

I smile. "I'd fill you in but I don't think he wants me to." "He's the only male in this house." "Yes, I am but I don't see what that has to do with anything." "Neither do I. I'm not sure why I brought it up. Maybe I just felt like it. Out of curiosity, do you like being the only male in the house?" "Not really sure. It means I have no competition for the title "man of the house."'

My smile gets a little wider. "And here I thought Batman was the detective." "I'll have you know I'm a good detective too." "I've known you for 12 years so that's something I knew already. I also know that Dick's a slang word for detective."

He grins. "That's awesome. Kind of wish I would've learned that sooner though. I've had my name used as an insult more times than I care to remember." "That and I know you rarely mention your full first name. Maybe it's because I've known you so long but I can't see myself calling you Richard. You only mentioned your full name when we first met." "I have the second longest full name. 19 letters." "That means, out of the 2 people and 2 Fey here, I have the shortest full name. Mine's 14 letters." "You know, I've always been meaning to ask you this. Are you related to Hans Christian Andersen?" "Dick, I've told you before that I don't think I could bear looking at the family tree for my Dad. But, if I am, I wouldn't be surprised. You know what fairy tales mean to me." "Yes, I do. In a way, they're a part of you. Well, they're a part of Kaylee too, aren't they? Because she, like you, is Fey." "Yeah, she is. I can't be completely sure how much Fey blood you have, Kaylee, but I know that it's more than me. Your height proves it."

She nods. "Just out of curiosity, when will I start learning magic and enchantments?" "Can't be sure of that because I can only speak from my own experience. But I don't think it will be too much longer. I could check right now." I sit down on the floor. "Kaylee, give me your hand if you please." She does, and... "Whoa. Your magic could reveal itself any day now. Not sure what magic will show up first but still. I can feel magic, for now, untapped, in you." "Cool. I think that's really cool. I hope that the magic I get can do something for your wings." "Yeah, me too. Speaking of my wings..."

I nervously reveal them. "What do they look like right now?"

After a silence that, I admit, felt a little awkward, Dick is the one who finally ends up speaking to me. "Orange is now replaced with gray."

I nod, not feeling at all sure what to say. I don't want to face the fact that my wings have lost another color. I really don't have to the face the fact they're turning, out of all colors, gray. Given what I've mentioned about the color gray on wings, who could blame me?

Exactly.

I'm sure that's why it seems to take some time before I fall asleep.

*according to the DC Comics database
**nod to Roald Dahl's The BFG (one of my favorite books)
***Simple Plan's Everytime
****Simple Plan's Perfect World (slightly modified)