Rashel took a steadying breath, squeezing John's hand in hers. He squeezed back, his breath coming in ragged, uneven breaths, like hers. They watched as Zach and Seraphina held the torch of fire over the wooden coffin.
Slowly they lowered it until the fire licked at the wooden boards. Rashel's bottom lip started shaking and she leaned, defeated, against John. Zach and Sera stood silhouetted against the light, Zach's tall form contrasting with Sera's hunched body.
Slowly they made their way back to the group, Sera leaning on her brother-in-law for balance.
Rashel had watched Lucas grow old, until his fur was silver more so than black. They both watched. Never ageing as their son grew slower and smaller.
She wanted her son to bury her. Not watch along with her grandchildren as his wife set his body on fire.
Zach fell to his knees, collapsing onto the ground with no warning. Rebecca ran to him, enfolding him into her sobbing arms, her hair as wild and fiery as her mother, falling over them like a curtain.
Rashel looked behind her, watching the party break up slowly. Rakasha had died a couple years earlier, only an hour after Galen. Ash and Mary-Lynette were walking slowly towards Theirry's house. Thea was long gone. Delos and Maggie were sitting stone silent on a nearby bench, their heads together. Jez and Morgead were watching from the roof, Jez's sobs audible to everyone within a 4 mile radius. Poppy was arguing with James, her hands raking her hair now and then.
She turned finally to John, his eyes mesmerized by the flame.
When he finally spoke, it was dark and the flames had died out, "He never forgave me. For not being his dad."
Rashel watched the empty spot where a few hours ago her son's body had been, "He loved you all the same."
"I wish...I wish we weren't immortal. I wish they buried us instead of...this."
"It feels weird, doesn't it? Most of our friends are gone...my sister...my son...It almost doesn't seem worth it."
"Almost," John leaned down, his lips cool on hers.
Hand in hand, they walked to the house where Zach stood silhouetted against the light of the living room, waiting for them.