A cold hand went over the young man's face, his nose wiggled at it passed. "Sting?" a groan came up, making him grunt in response. "What time is it?" Forcing himself to open his eyes, he stared at the alarm clock's big, green numbers. Rising up, the man looked around in confusion. "Sting?" Yukino asked, reaching over to feel the empty spot of the bed that he was lying on a few moment ago.
"It's...ten twenty five." he muttered, stepping onto the cold floor. The girl was suddenly up as well, rubbing her face hard.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean it's ten twenty five. It's what the clock says!" he shouted, pointing to the small machine.
"How is that even possible? Did you take care of Lucian every time he cried and I didn't notice?"
"No, the last time I got up for him was...one..." rushing over to the crib in the corner of the room, he peered down at his silent son, who laid there, unmoving. Sting's heart seemed to freeze, a cold rush ran down his spine. The small baby's skin was white, almost white as the small silver hair that crowned his little head. Running his finger under the baby's nose, he held it a centimeter away, waiting, for a cough, a whimper, a whine, a single breath to push up against his fathers skin. There was nothing though, he just remained like that for a minute, letting it all sink in.
"Is Lucian alright?" Yukino's gentle voice interrupted his trance. Turning around, he tried to make eye contact with his girlfriend, but he couldn't. His heart slammed against his ribs, silent screams tickled his throat, and waters silent cries wished to be set free and trickle down his cheeks. "Sting...?" no response. "You're scaring me...what's wrong?"
"He's..." the said man's voice cracked harshly, making her flinch. "He's dead...Lucian is gone..." putting her hands over her mouth, Yukino shook her head slowly.
"No...this joke isn't funny. Stop joking around!" she yelled, blinking away her own tears.
"I'm not joking around!" he shot back, gripping her shoulders tightly, he put his face millimeters away from hers. "He's dead, Yukino! Our son is gone! He's not breathing! I'd never joke about that!" and they cried, sobs breaking away from their mouths as they held their gazes steady, strong. It seemed like hours, yet it was only minutes when a knock echoed in the room, making the couple freeze in their tracks. Opening the door, Laxus poked his head in, his mouth closing right before he spoke.
"Is...everything alright?" walking up to his older brother, he hugged the mans waist, his voice shook as the words tumbled out.
"No, I lost my child..."
"Well, this isn't common anymore." Porlyusica started, tapping her pen against the clipboard in her hands. "But it can still happen now a days."
The young woman rubbed her read nose, refusing to look at the old doctor. Sting was leaning against the wall, his hair covering up half of his face, the shadow growing longer as the seconds ticked by. "Well, how is this possible." Laxus cut in, squeezing the silver hairs hand for comfort.
"It may be because Lucian was born earlier. But, doctors today aren't able to point out the exact death of the child. He was less than a year, could be a quick conclusion to it. There's nothing else that could've been done though." the woman shook her head, her light pink strands fell over her skin after doing so. "It happens while they're asleep, so just be happy it wasn't a painful death is all I can really tell you. I'm very sorry for your loss." she said gruffly, her wrinkles sagging as she frowned at the trio. "Is there something else I can help you with exactly?"
"Uh...no, that'll be all. Thank you so much for explaining this, Porly." the blonde man nodded, rubbing his chin slowly.
"Would you like the body cremated?" the woman asked, wobbling over to her small desk, where a blanket sat. She pet the place that the head was would be, glancing to the small family.
"Don't touch him!" Sting suddenly jumped out from his rigid statue position and yanked on the elder woman's hand. Narrowing his gaze towards the man, Laxus got to his feet.
"Sting," he warned, pulling him back. "Maybe it's best if you and Yukino wait with Lucy in the sitting room while I get this sorted out." Helping the said girl up, the nudged them to towards the door, turning back to the doctor as soon as they left. "I think the two would appreciate Lucian, being cremated."
Huffing, Sting paced back and forth, stomping his feet as hard as he could. Yukino's mind was else where, her head on Lucy's small shoulder. Natsu had arrived a few minutes ago, his fingers intertwined with his girlfriends. Lucy's other shaky hand went through her friend's short hair. Kissing her head, Natsu pulled his girlfriend closer. "Are you okay?" he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.
"Of course," she muttered, continuing to watch her brother. "But, he's not...I'm worried about him..."
"Don't be, he's just stuck in grief. It might take a while, but he will come around, I promise." he smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
"I hope your right," she sighed. Walking out into the large room, the eldest Heartfilia took a deep breath.
"Lucian is being cremated in a few hours, and tomorrow we'll go get his ashes." he explained, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets. "I'm really sorry, Sting, Yukino. I know-"
"Shut up!" the boy suddenly shouted, waving his finger in his brothers face as spit flew. "I don't want your pity! I don't want any of yours!" he pointed at the other three individuals, rage coming off making the others press themselves against the cushions of their seats. Spinning around, the blonde stalked out of the waiting room and out into the parking lot. Shaking his head, the man puffed out his chest.
"Alright than."
Sniffling, the blonde hung his head as he entered his room. Opening up drawers, Sting shoved clothes aside, running his fingers across the rough wood. Slamming them closed when he failed to find the item, he got to his knees, reaching his hand to under the bed. Finding a cardboard shoe box, he pushed it out, flipping open the top to reveal a big load of tiny knick knacks, pictures, and keys. Poking through the items, he pulled out a plastic card and an envelope. Kicking the box back under his bed, he slipped both items into his pocket, and went to a small desk in his room. Lector sat in the chair, his back falling up and down silently, his red ears flicked at his owner shuffled to the other side of the desk.
Clicking the button of the pen, he scribbled a few things down on a piece of paper. Opening the window, he kicked his foot out, looking for the solid surface of a branch. Finally finding it, he climbed out he window, climbing onto the part of the tree. Pressing himself against it, he moved towards the base before making his way down to the bottom. Rolling his head, he heard his neck pop in a few places. Making his way across the front yard, Sting started to stroll down the sidewalk, his hair flying away from his sight.
"A fake ID?" the blonde asked, blinking in surprise. "Why would I need one of those?"
"For beer, duh!" the boy with spiky teal hair laughed. "Don't tell me you never had a drink before."
"Uh...guess I'm just going to be silent for now." Sting admitted, scratching his cheek in embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it, we all have a first time with alcohol. That's why I'm wondering if you would like one."
"Oh, does everyone here have one?"
"Pretty much, except your sister." the man winked, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "So? Do you want one or not?"
"Uh, sure!"
"Great," pulling out his phone, he nodded towards the person across from him. "Smile." doing what he was told, Sting waited as the man took his picture, seeming satisfied that he had another customer to attend to. "I will just need two hundred dollars here by tomorrow and we should be done."
"Two hundred dollars?!" Sting gaped, gripping the sides of his chair tightly.
"Hey, you never know when you want a drink. It's handy to just have one."
"What if someone finds out?"
"No one will. Not like people actually stare at them long enough to know that they're not actually real. Do we have a deal?" Slowly biting his lip, Sting agreed.
"You're right. See you tomorrow...uhm...I'm sorry, I forgot your name again."
"Orga, and see ya later."
Holding a hand to his face, a tall man shook his head. "I need to see some ID here for you to go in." Trying not to get annoyed, Sting pulled out the ID and waved it in front of the bodyguard's face.
"Happy now?" he puffed out his cheeks as it was snatched away from his hand. Dropping it back in his clutches after having a quick glance at it, he held open the door for entry. Going into the small club, Sting went straight to the bar, waving over the bartender over.
"Get me the strongest thing you have," he said in a low voice, trying to sound a little older. Grinning a bit, the woman slid a beer towards him, which he quickly started to down the liquid. It burned his throat, the uncomfortable taste made him want to cringe. Yet, at the same time, it was satisfying, made his tense shoulders relax at last. Today had been long, but now, a few drinks later, he couldn't even remember what he was sad about.
Trying hard not to cry, Yukino squeezed her eyes shut. The aroma of food invaded her nose, it made her want to puke in the end though. It was sick to think about eating at that point in time. "You need to try and eat something..." Lucy's voice rang in her head. She couldn't respond, her throat had been swollen for hours, preventing her from speaking.
"It's okay, Yukino. Take your time," Laxus soothed, the clinking of dishes filled the dead air. "Lucy, can you please go check to see if Sting would join us for dinner."
"No one's eating though..." the girl muttered under her breath as her footsteps faded as she left the room. A few seconds later, Lucy quickly came back, her voice anxious. "H'he's not in there," she stuttered, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "I thought he came home."
"Me too," Laxus got to his feet, the other girl finally opening her lids to watch the siblings to up stairs. Getting on shaky legs, the brown eyed girl stumbled up the steps, trying hard not to trip over herself. Almost no lights were on, the house was close to pitch black. Breathing shakily, she came in behind Lucy, who was recently chewing on her nails. Her older brother had a notepad in his hands, that seemed to be shaking a little bit.
"What is it?" he handed it to the youngest girl, who scanned over it, her breath hitching. Handing it over to Yukino, the small woman read desperately.
Dear family,
I don't feel well at the moment, if you could not tell. I just wanted to say that I'm okay, and don't let Laxus be a bossy little man about finding me.
But before I go into something unnecessary, I wanted to tell you I decided to leave for a while. Don't worry though, I'll be fine, I won't be gone
for long, and I promise I'll try to contact you in some way very soon. I just need some time is all, you know? Lucy would understand me,
in this situation. Who ever is reading this, tell Yukino that I love her, and I hope that she is dealing with this well. I will see you soon.
-Sting
Swallowing hard, the girl sucked in a tight breath. "Can I...be alone for a while...?" she barely spoke. It seemed more like a breath. Saying a 'yes', Laxus gently lead Lucy out of the room, closing the door behind him, making a small 'click' noise. Hiccuping, the former mother went to her bed, tears falling down on her pillow and sheets, leaving salty stains for later. Sobs shook her small chest, and the cold clawed at her skin.
She never knew she could lose the two people she loved most in one single day.
Luvviez: Hey guys! Next chapter is up and ready to be read!
I'll have to see if I can update the next two chapters soon, because tomorrow I'm going to the pumpkin patch with some friends, and of course, it's going to be during the time I usually have time to sit down and write so xD we'll see how it works out. I might just remove from the chapter list one extra chapter, because it's just most likely going to be a filler, so, just going to combine the next two chapters!
The last chapter before the 2 Year Anniversary is:
Chapter 38: Find You
Thank you all for the nice reviews! So sweet of you guys! :3 3
Till Monday my dears!
-Your Little Author