speak now | regulus black

24

starry starry night — lianne la havas

'this world was never meant for one

as beautiful as you.'

♡

Sofia held Vanya's hand in hers tightly. She had debated not letting him come but he needed to be here. Otherwise, he might never get closure.

Sofia couldn't stop staring at the casket. It was made of dark polished wood. Tasteful. Tony had always had good taste.

Vanya had been surprisingly really good about the situation. Probably since they had been preparing him for this moment a long time. He let go of Sofia's hand and went up to the casket. Sofia heard him whisper something, his little hand clinging to the side of the coffin.

Her seven-year-old brother could look at their father like it was no big deal but Sofia was petrified. She couldn't see him. The last time she'd seen him he'd been sickeningly thin, his skin sallow, she didn't imagine he'd look much different now.

"Are you gonna..." Vanya trailed off as he returned to Sofia's side.

"In a minute. You can go with Mami if you want," Sofia said and Vanya ran off. She wanted to tell him not to run but her throat was too tight for words to come out.

She was determined not to leave that spot until she saw him. She'd already gone up a bunch of times only to walk away, not gathering the courage to do it.

She felt a hand fall softly on her shoulder. She didn't turn around immediately. It was a small wake, there were only so many people it could be; a family member, or Sirius, maybe one of the ballerinas in attendance. Sofia finally turned and maybe part of her had been expecting it because she wasn't all that surprised to see him.

Regulus didn't speak, just looked at Sofia, his condolence in his eyes. Sofia turned back to the casket. If she took another step forward she would see him. It was so easy. Just move an inch forward.

Sofia's hand went up almost involuntarily and settled on Regulus's. He removed it from her shoulder so he could hold her hand properly. She latched onto it like a lifeline.

She stepped forward.

She took a shuddering breath. There he was.

"Bye, papa." It was barely a whisper.

She stepped back. Tears escaped her eyes. She stood there for a long time. Holding on to Regulus's hand. Then someone else came into the room and she felt Regulus slip away.

She tried to look for him once she finally walked away from the casket but he was nowhere to be seen. Sofia started thinking she might have imagined him. How the hell would he even have found out her dad had died? And why would he travel all the way to Russia for the funeral? Maybe she was going insane.

They buried him later. There was no church service as that had been his wish. Tony had felt like they should say a few words though. He stood on the muddy dirt, the sky overcast above him. Sofia had no idea how he was holding it together so well.

He'd asked her to say a few words as well but Sofia felt like she'd break down into sobs if she even opened her mouth.

Natasha tugged on Sofia's arm. "Sonya, come one. Tony wants you to say something, for all of us."

Sofia felt sick. She was the eldest. She should probably go up. Say something for them.

Sofia walked up to the spot where Tony stood at the front with shaky legs.