Stories Unknown

Blackbird

Kai heaved a sigh as he left his meeting, checking his port even as he meandered out into the hall. He let out a curse when he saw the time, picking up his pace and rushing to the royal suite, all the while Torin's voice echoed in his head: royals never rush. But Kai had never been particularly good at following that rule.

He didn't run, but one couldn't exactly call whatever he was doing walking. He absolutely despised being late for bedtime, though he seemed to be missing it more and more lately. Of course he adored his country— would do just about anything for it— but sometimes he wished he could hit the pause button on the world's issues and just spend time with his wife and son.

As Kai approached his son's room, he heard the quiet hum of voices. He leaned against the doorway, listening as Cinder whispered the closing lines of Rikan's favorite picture book, and couldn't help but close his eyes and revel in the sound of it all. After attending meeting after meeting full of people arguing continuously about different issues in the world, there was something so comforting in the soft lull of a storyteller's voice and the gentle breathing of a child.

"...And they lived happily ever after, the end," Cinder concluded, setting her port aside.

Kai walked into the room, smiling as he took in Cinder kissing the top of Rikan's black-haired head. It was strange how much he resembled Kai, even at three years old, all the way down to the striking copper of his eyes.

"Daddy!" Rikan cheered, his eyes landing on Kai.

"Hey, Ri," Kai grinned, kissing Cinder on the cheek and wandering over to the other side of the bed. He settled in against his son, pulling him close in a hug. They were one big royal family sandwich— just the way Kai liked it. "Did mommy read you a story?"

"Yeah," Rikan said, nodding his head rigorously and scratching at his nose in the absent-minded way only a child could do. "There was a dragon."

"Oh, you know it's a good story when there's a dragon," Kai replied. He reached his arm around Rikan and absentmindedly began to play with Cinder's hair. She leaned into his touch.

"We were just about to go to bed," Cinder said, giving Kai a pointed look over their son's head.

"Mommy's gonna sing a song," Rikan smiled mischievously. "Backbird."

"Or really?" Kai smirked, to which Cinder sent him an annoyed glare.

"Torin introduced him to some second era music today and for some reason he really took to this band from the United Kingdom called The Beatles," Cinder explained. In the time since he'd learned to walk and talk, Rikan had taken to following Torin around the palace, which, to his credit, the old advisor didn't much mind. But being the busy man he was and believing that ports should not be given to young children, Torin preferred to share old music with the young prince. "You probably know a few of their songs— 'Here Comes the Sun' was written by them. You know, that song that they used for pro-lunar integration? Anyways, Ri really likes this one called 'Blackbird.'"

"Backbird," Rikan repeated cheerily.

"I know the Beatles," Kai exclaimed, blinking rapidly. Cinder stared, tilting her head to the side. "I mean, I grew up following Torin around too," Kai explained. "My mom loved them as well, though she was more of a 'Golden Slumbers' kind of person. But I remember 'Blackbird.'"

"Will you sing Backbird, daddy?" Rikan asked, eyes wide as he stared up at his father.

"Oh, um–"

"Yeah, dad, why don't you sing 'Blackbird' for us," Cinder grinned, trying not to laugh.

"Alright then," Kai said, swallowing sharply. "Settle in, and mommy and I will sing 'Blackbird' to you." Kai sent Cinder a wink, to which she rolled her eyes.

Rikan laid back against his pillows, shutting his eyes briefly before staring up at his parents with an expectant look in his eyes. Cinder turned out the lights, leaving them in near darkness, with only dim illumination coming from the hall. Both parents snuggled in on either side of Rikan and Cinder gently traced her right index finger over their son's face in the way that always seemed to lull him to sleep.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night.

Kai began, his voice wavering just slightly. He'd never been a particularly good singer, despite finding joy in the act. Though she would never admit it, Cinder had an excellent voice— one that Kai always yearned to listen to. It was almost strange how wondrous her voice was. It was almost sad that she rarely sung, though perhaps that made the rare occasions in which she did that much more magical.

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Rikan heaved a great sigh— the kind that only those who had fallen in the traps of sleep or dangled close above could breathe. Kai smiled down at him, then looked up at Cinder. Her eyes were dreamy and far away, and Kai was surprised to see that her mouth was open, prepared to sing the next verse. Kai placed his hand on her cheek.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Kai couldn't help the soft sigh that escaped him as his wife sang, or the sudden spread of warmth throughout his chest. And somehow, he found himself singing the chorus with her, his weaker voice soft below hers, but somehow beautiful; the charm of her voice only adding to his, rather than outshining it.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night.

Cinder caressed Rikan's face one final time, then leaned down and kissed his forehead. Kai followed, brushing the locks of hair out of his son's face. The pair got up and walked to the door, hand in hand as they watched Rikan.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night.

Cinder sang, her voice almost a whisper. Kai wrapped his arm around her from behind, kissing her just below her jaw. He joined in on the next line, his words brushing against her ear.

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Slowly, the pair backed out of the room.

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

They glanced at one another at the click of the door, and suddenly, Kai was sucked back into the moment that he had first met her all those years ago, despite her finer clothes and the years she had gained. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a love that never seemed to die. And when they broke apart, still holding one another close, he whispered the final line of the song in her ear.

You were only waiting for this moment to arise.