Summary: Grief

Stories That Must Be Read Before Reading This Oneshot: none. It's a standalone story that doesn't really take place in any particular universe.

Warning: this oneshot contains the theme of suicide, so please don't read if this upsets you.

…

Kane Kennedy was sat at his desk, clutching an old family photograph, and sobbing mutedly into his sleeve. His head ached and his eyes hurt, but he couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

Why? Why had it happened? Why did it have to happen? Why did it have to happen to THEM of all people? The man and woman who had consistently been in his life since he was born…and to top it all off…her…

Kane stood up, still clutching the family photograph. He numbly headed down the stairs and accidentally bumped into Perry, who was heading in the direction of Major Monogram's office.

"Kane…is everything okay? You…you look like you've been crying," the small platypus observed.

"My-my cousin just phoned," Kane said hoarsely. "Th-there was a car accident back home…my uncle and aunt are…they didn't…" Kane squeezed his eyes shut to try and avoid crying in front of Perry.

The teal platypus looked stricken. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Are you going to be okay?"

Kane nodded numbly. "I…should be fine. I wasn't that close…anyway…"

"You're a terrible liar at the best of times," Perry said, folding his arms. "You're not going to be okay. Do you need anything? Do you want to go home?"

"I'm not going home," Kane said. "There are too many things I have to work on right now. I just need a drink and I'll get back to work."

"Maybe you should see Artemis," Perry said doubtfully. "Or even Apollo."

"I'm fine, Perry. It's just been a bit of a shock."

Perry finally caved in. "Alright, but if you need anything, just tell me, okay?"

Kane nodded expressionlessly. "Thanks," he said monotonously. "I will."

Perry still looked doubtful, but he gave one last smile before carrying on past Kane and down the corridor.

Kane went to the water cooler, just as he said he was going to, and got himself a cup of water. Instead of drinking it, however, he just stared morosely at it.

"I won't even be able to bury you, Mom," he whispered. "You're all the way in Oregon and I'm here. I'm so sorry, Mom…Uncle Morgan…Aunt Jennifer…all of you. I won't be able to say my final goodbye."

"Kane?"

The voice caused Kane to jump in fright, dropping his cup of water, which hit the ground and spread the water everywhere.

"I wasn't crying!" he yelped immediately, turning.

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "You do know who you're talking to, right? I'm a psychiatrist."

"And I'm no psychiatrist, but even I can tell you've been crying," Apollo said, frowning. "Kane, you can tell us anything. Are you okay?"

Kane shook his head. "No…not really. I just got the news that three members of my family were killed in a car accident yesterday."

Apollo's eyes widened. "Oh, Kane…"

The twins gently pulled Kane into a comforting hug. Despite knowing he could count on his friends to not judge him, Kane did not cry. He simply rested his head on Apollo's shoulder and allowed his heart to throb.

"Do you need anything?" Artemis asked gently. "The best strategy for dealing with grief is contact with friends."

Kane shook his head and pulled away. "I want to be alone for a while, guys. Thanks for being here."

"Anytime," Apollo said, but Artemis was scrutinising Kane closely.

"You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?" she said suspiciously.

"Define stupid," retorted Kane.

Artemis gazed into Kane's eyes. "Kane-."

"I'll be fine, honestly," Kane interrupted. "Okay?"

Apollo and Artemis glanced at each other, but they apparently decided that there was nothing to worry about; they also gave Kane one last smile, before continuing on their way.

Kane made sure they were gone. Then he went up the stairs and opened the cold door to the roof.

The night air was chilly, and it was completely dark. Stars twinkled in the sky above him, like a million tiny connect-the-dots drawings. He went to the edge of the roof and looked down. It was a long drop. Long enough to kill him.

He wondered why he was contemplating jumping off the roof. The pain in his heart was great, absolutely, but…was it really enough for him to kill himself?

Yes, he decided. His mother had been with him for twenty-four years. Her passing in such a sudden accident was devastating. Grief clouded his vision and judgement. He didn't want to live in a world where his mother wasn't there beside her. Now she'd never see Kane and Mavis get married, as Kane had planned. She'd never meet any future grandchildren Kane would have. Never again would Kane entertain her with funny stories or tell her the things he'd accomplished in order to make her proud or smell her favourite lavender shampoo whenever they embraced.

She was gone, and it hurt Kane so much that he wanted the pain to stop by any means necessary.

He stepped onto the ledge and looked down, feeling the chilly wind on his arms and torso. Was he really going to jump?

Yes. I'm coming, Mom.

Wait, said a voice inside Kane's head that sounded suspiciously like his mother's. Kane, what are you doing?

I want to be with you, Kane thought. I wasn't there when you died, Mom. I'm sorry.

Kane, if this is how you're handling the news, I'm glad you weren't there, said his mother's amused and sardonic voice. My Kane…I love you so much. You know that, right?

"Of course," Kane croaked aloud.

"KANE!" yelled a voice, causing Kane to flail. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Kane turned to see a horrified Mavis standing on the roof, staring at Kane. "The twins told me that-oh, Kane!" she cried.

Kane looked down at the floor. "My mother was killed in a car accident," he said, his heart hurting even more now that he had finally said it aloud. "My aunt and uncle too. The pain…it's too much. I-I can't…I can't bear it…"

"But you don't have to go through this alone," Mavis said pleadingly. "That's what friends and family are for, Kane. I won't let you suffer alone." She took a step towards Kane and held out her hand. "Please, Kane. D-don't jump."

"I can't live without my mother," Kane cried.

"And I can't live without you!" Mavis cried. "If you die, I die! It's just like that stupid play Rudolph and Jemima."

"Romeo and Juliet," Kane chuckled weakly.

"Exactly. Remember how much we used to make fun of it and the stupid way the two of them "solved" their situation? Well, that's exactly what's going to happen if you jump. Don't kill our love, Kane. And I'm being deadly serious when I say that. Please don't kill yourself. I love you; I can help you recover from this. It-it isn't the end of the world."

Kane met Mavis's eyes and shakily nodded, accepting her hand. Mavis gently helped Kane off the roof and embraced him tightly. Surrendering to the pain, Kane began to sob uncontrollably.

"I got you," Mavis whispered comfortingly. "I got you. I'm never leaving you. You know that, right?"

Kane could only nod.

He was thankful to have a girlfriend like Mavis.