Quillish sighed heavily as the rain poured down on the cathedral roof. A solemn church standing alone in a large green field, surrounded in graves. A wrought, jet black, iron surrounded the well groomed and pristine conditioned chapel, the Wammy House sitting off in the distance. Taking his hat off as the coffin passed him. Rain poured from the sky, soaking everyone who was waiting for the coffin to enter. Whispers could be heard.
Beyond held the front left corner with Light on the opposing front side, both with tear stained cheeks and the occasional sniffle. Caspian holding the back left corner with L on the opposing back side both with red, puffy eyes. Each of their suits with a single flower pinned to them, representing their memory of Anthony. Caspian's suit bore a single white lily, to represent the innocence of A. Beyond's flower of choice was a small cluster of gold Gladioli, representing the strength of A. Light wore a single red carnation, symbolizing his admiration for A. L wore a single purple hyacinth, representing his own regret and his eternal apology to the lost life of A.
They entered the cathedral styled room, cream walls and golden oak pillars and accents, a symbol of faith for every religion was in the room both hung and alter displayed. Bouquets of flowers gave the air a sweet but heavy aroma. The rows of pews covered in a navy blue crushed velvet, covering the golden oak benches. A deep red rug ran towards the head of the church, where hundreds of lit candles and more bouquets of flowers awaited.
The crowd of children and close confidants of the Wammy household followed the casket in, slowly taking their reserved positions in the church. Sayu walked behind Roger and Quillish, with Matt, Mello and Near walking behind her. Sayu carried a small bouquet of roses, only three. Peach, Blue and Black. Her tears landing on the petals keeping them freshly soaked.
The small group took their place in the second row, leaving the first section for Anthony's closest friends, his pallbearers. All who wore hallow expressions, only with the occasional silent tear escaping them.
Placing the coffin in its resting place, three of the four shuffled to their designated spots. Leaving Caspian up front, his hand on top of the casket. His deep sapphire eyes filled with tears, his cheeks painted red from being constantly wiped. He took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as he turned to the crowd.
"Anthony. His name was Anthony. Not Tony. Not A. Anthony Wilfred Atticus. As many of you know, he was an accomplished student and had a natural talent for the saxophone. He always wore a smile and hardly ever showed anger, sorrow or fear." The blonde took a deep breath and swallowed coarsely, fighting the tears back and the lump that began to sting his throat. "It's often too late when we finally discover that the brightest smiles are the most broken. The wisest advice is often given by the damaged pasts. The one who strives for everyone to be included, is often the loneliest." Several soft sobs could be heard coming from the crowd. "We mourn the loss of Anthony, but we celebrate the time we had the honor of being with him." Caspian's voice cracked before spilling silent tears, he spoke once again only to have his voice strained. "They say love is blind. And I'll be the first to say: I was blind. I am not a religious man, but I pray to any god or goddess that can hear me. Bless this child, let him finally be free."
Caspian took a deep, shuddered breath. "I invite others to come up and speak, one at a time, please." He hung his head slightly and sat next to Beyond. An odd silence passed over the crowd, no one rushed up to speak. Beyond scanned over the crowd, worried no one else would come up. He jumped slightly when Light stood at dizzying speeds.
The brunette stood in front of the crowd. "I didn't have the blessings of knowing him long, but when I did know him, I looked up to him, he helped me settle down in an unsettling time. He brought my sister's smile back… He brought mine back. Today, I stand here, wiser, stronger and kinder because of him and his guidance. I don't mourn his loss of life, I mourn our loss of his light in our lives. The world is a little darker… A little colder, without him. But in the time I was embraced by his warmth, I swear to him now, I will grow up to be the kind of person he already was. We lost Anthony at the young age of seventeen… But we lost the wisdom of a soul, ancient and wise. That's how I would describe him, wise, well beyond his years. He was my roommate, my friend, my brother in these trying times. I believe…" Light's voice choked slightly. "I believe it's our turn, our turn to fill his legacy, his legend of kindness, wholesomeness and forgiveness. I thank him, for his time, his patience but above all, his kindness." The brunette bowed before returning to his seat. Setting himself down, Light cupped his face and quietly cried.
A few more people stood to speak about Anthony and good memories they had of him.
Beyond stood and placed a hand on Light's shoulder. "That would have made him happy." He smiled when golden irises met his. "I suppose it's my turn." He cleared his throat and stood in front of the casket.
"Everyone mistook Anthony for weak or fragile." His crimson eyes fell directly on Matt, Mello and Near. "He was neither. He was fighting battles we couldn't see, nonetheless comprehend. He fought wars against his own demons, day in and day out. He would go to bed, exhausted, only to wake up the next day to fight them again. Everyone was wrong. He wasn't weak: He smiled through his wounds and helped others heal their own. He wasn't fragile: he lifted everyone else around him up, even while he was crumbling inside. He wasn't afraid, of anything, he was brave. He fought until the very bitter end. He was courageous, but even the strongest soldier perishes to fatigue after a lifelong struggle." Beyond bit his bottom lip before releasing it. "Anthony was my best friend, this time, blood wasn't thicker than water. I will continue to mourn him, probably until, I too, lose the fight, in someway or some form. But, I will live for him. I will endure… For him." His eyes fell on L. "Because, sometimes… Family doesn't need to be blood related." The scarlet eyed boy released a shuddered breath and wiped his eyes silently. "Thank you, Anthony, for always being there. You will always be here, even if you're not here physically." The young raven quietly took his seat between Caspian and Light.
L hung his head and shut his stormy eyes, biting the tears back. Before long, the tears spilled over and his sobs echoed through the vaulted ceilings. Beyond put his arm around him as he haunched over more than usual, curled his legs to his chest, closer than ever witnessed and released every hidden emotion. No words that he could have ever said would have ever conveyed how he felled more than those pained cries. Everyone had concluded that, L's display of emotion, was worth more than any combination of honeyed words.
A/N: Some interest was shown in the visitation of this story. You asked and you received. Even if you didn't ask, you favorited and showed interest :) Sorry it's a little short... It didn't feel right to force it further.
Language of flowers used:
White Lilies: Representing chastity and virtue. Funeral: Restored innocence after the soul has departed the body. Also representation of humility.
Meaning from Caspian: Anthony was always held in high regard for Caspian, often praised him for his humility and purity of spirit.
Gold Gladiolis: Symbolizes strength and moral integrity, can also represent infatuation. Typically given to someone who strikes the giver with passion.
Meaning from Beyond: Beyond often saw the struggle and strengths of his close friend, he also valued his moral high ground.
Red Carnation: Admiration. Generally given to those who are cherished dearly.
Meaning from Light: Light started to look up to Anthony, though subtly and normally from a distance, he would often observe him and try to model himself to be similar in demeanor.
Purple Hyacinth: Asking for forgiveness or symbolizing deep regret.
Meaning from L: He deeply regrets not spending more time with Anthony and is in a way asking for forgiveness in his choice of successor.
Peach Rose: Sincerity, gratitude, sympathy. Usually a flower sent to someone in mourning or to represent the feelings of the one being mourned.
Meaning from Sayu: She looked up to Anthony, she was grateful for him and the time she had with him, and felt deep sympathy for him finally succumbing to depression.
Black Rose: Death and Rebirth. Typically found in funerals.
Meaning from Sayu: Death is only the beginning of a new journey, she believes that in one way or another Anthony will be reborn in a much happier situation.
Blue Rose: The unattainable and mysterious. Typically given from a secret admirer.
Meaning from Sayu: Anthony was always distant in one way or another and now that he is gone, his heart is unattainable for her to reach to.