tacenda || f.hargreeves (0): A PREQUEL (COMPLETE)

Part 13: Numb

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It's been days since the accident. Days since Nine ever spoke a word to Five. Although, to Five, it felt as if weeks have passed. 

Five looked at Nine with sorrowful eyes. He hated seeing her like this. So damaged, so distant, and so... numb. Although, he understood that she's grieving by herself. It's understandable. She lost their children. Of course, he can't blame her for what happened. He can only believe that she has nothing to do with their children's deaths.

"Nine..." Five whispers, frowning as Nine visibly flinches. "I, um... buried them. Near here."

He didn't receive a response from her which he expected. Five sighed, pulling his hair between his fingers. He doesn't know what to do. Because when it comes to difficult times, Nine would always be the one comforting him. Now, he felt worthless.

"Nine," Five slowly moved forward towards her. Nine still didn't move an inch. "It's not your fault, sweetheart. We didn't expect that to happen at all--"

"Stop. Please."

Five freezes, his heart pounding through his chest. "Nine..."

"I-I... I can't..." Nine's body begins to shudder, a quiet sob leaving her lips. Five didn't hesitate on quickly moving towards her once again but did hesitate to touch her. "It's all my fault. They're gone. I killed them...!" She then begins sobbing loudly.

Five took Nine into his embrace, tears falling from his eyes. He whispers sweet nothingness in her ear, shaking her carefully as if she's too fragile to touch. Five plants small kisses on her head and forces himself to stop crying. "Darling, it's not your fault. It was never your fault." He assures her, still rocking her back and forth in his arms.

They stay like that for a while. Just holding each other, crying. 

They only have each other. Nothing more, nothing less. Five hopes no one will take Nine away from him, and he knows deep in his heart that Nine feels the same way. They wouldn't know what they'll do if they ever get separated. Now that they're the only ones they have left in this so-called world.

"I'll keep you safe." Five whispers, "I promise."

~

"Nine, please, you can't do this!" Five pleads, biting his inner cheek to prevent him from crying. Nine only held a stoic expression as Five was on the ground, hugging her waist to prevent her from leaving. "You can't leave me!"

"I-I... I need some time to think, Five. Alone." Nine whispers. She can feel her heart breaking as Five begins to cry, burying his face onto her waist. "I can't be a burden for you. I've been distant."

"That's alright with me!" Five exclaims, standing up to his feet. He held her face with his hands, "I don't mind if you're distant to me. As long as we're together. Please, Nine, I don't know what I'll do without you. Please." He continues to plead, causing Nine to avoid his stare.

Nine shakes her head, carefully pushing him away from her. She doesn't want to leave him. But, she has to. She can't go on with the days of ignoring Five, and not eating properly like she used to. She can't just continue being a complete burden to him. Nine knew she's holding him back. Everything up to this point, their actions towards each other, was all her fault. Why can't he ever see that? She was the reason why Noah and Lia got killed. Not anyone else. It was all her fault. 

"I can't," she whispers, tears finally falling from her eyes. Five choked out a sob, his hands trembling as he tries to reach out for her. Nine shakes her head, smiling sadly. "I'm sorry, Five. I need to think. I need to be alone. I'll..." she trails off her words, slowly leaning in to give him one last kiss. Five was about to make it longer by deepening it, but Nine quickly pulls away. 

"I'll come back for you." Nine whispers, placing a kiss on his nose. An indication that she'll be going away. Far away. 

"I love you." 

With that, she warped away, not waiting for any of his reponse.

Five stood there, still trembling. He covered his mouth with his hand, but he couldn't held back the loud sob and finally cry his heart out. His heart slowly breaking as he knew to himself that she might never come back. He felt so worthless. He couldn't help her. He couldn't do anything to make her stay with him. He lost her. 

"I-I love you... I love--" Five sputters out, sobbing more and more. He wishes she can hear his reply before she disappeared. Oh, how he wishes. 

He felt so empty. So, so... numb.

All he can do is cry it all out. If days, weeks, months, or even years go by, he promised himself he will wait for her. If it's the last thing that would keep him alive.

As long as she comes back to him. As long she's in his embrace.

"I'll wait for you, Nine..." Five hiccups, sniffing as he does so. "Please come back to me. Please..."

~

A/N: Is it just me or are my eyes sweating? Sorry to keep it short. I wanted it to be bittersweet for this chapter.