Ad Maiora Semper

Memories

"SISTER?"

Merry looked at the man standing in front of her and couldn't believe her eyes. He was exactly her, masculine for sure but he had the same eyes and hair. Even his lips were the same! It was as if she was looking at her mirror image with a filter on it.

He stood at the edge of the bed, not caring for the other man in the room. He looked at her as if he couldn't breathe. His eyes were wide open and his lips were shaped in a small 'O' of surprise. He was dressed in fashionably tailored black pants that hugged his calves perfectly. A shirt of the same material was thrown over his broad shoulders. A silver line ran the length of him, sitting on all the edges and curves.

"Major Verlin," Rus stood up in attention to the man. It was for the first time that Merry noticed the black line that ran through the same edges and curves on Rus' clothes. "Shut up, Rus," the man said in a gritty voice, something that every woman would remember even in their sleep.

"Well, here's your nutcase, Fallon," Rus' mouth curved in a wild grin, giving him a boyish look. Merry glared at him but returned her eyes to Fallon as he spoke. "I'm happy that didn't change." Fallon smiled lightly, a sweet thing that made his facial muscles take a dip and a wide dimple appeared on both his cheeks. Rus looked as if he'd seen a ghost.

"You..." he breathed. "Is she your--" 

"Sister," Merry said again, her voice strewn with disbelief.

"I can't believe it, Fallon." Rus said.

 Another headache started planting its feet in her temple. "Now who are you?" she looked up at Fallon. He covered the few steps between him and her bed with his long legs and placed his hand on her head.

"Claire," he said, smiling more brightly this time. That smile seemed familiar to her but she couldn't waste her time thinking about it. "You're home," he said, patting her head. Merry rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh.

"I don't understand what you're talking about? Home, sister, Ginsar? What the hell is this?" She needed answers fast. Fallon frowned as she jerked away from him. He turned back to look at Rus who rolled his eyes too. "She doesn't remember," Rus said, shrugging his bulky shoulders.

"You don't remember anything? Mama? Dad? Me?" Fallon's voice gradually tumbled to disbelief and then rage. "How dare she do that to you? I'll kill her!" His voice bellowed in the small room.

"Who?" asked Merry, looking back and forth between her brother and Rus. The other man placed his hand on Fallon's shoulder in an attempt to soothe his anger. "Fallon, we can't act that way-"

"Have you had your sister not remember you?" Fallon's eyes were now burning like a forge as if he would chew anyone alive. "It took me seven years to find her! And what I get is this?" He looked at her and his eyes softened. "It's not your fault," he shook his head and ran a hand through his shoulder-length hair." I should've found you sooner. I shouldn't have let all this happen. I can't forgive myself," the last words were barely a whisper. Merry felt an emotion tug at her, pulling her closer to the man who called himself her brother. She wanted to hold him, let him cry at her shoulder.

Rus took another careful step towards the bed. "Fallon," he placed his hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault."

Fallon held his head in his hands and his shoulders shook as he gulped down a sob. Merry, despite the internal fight, put her hand on his forearm, offering him whatever comfort she could. The air felt warm and comfortable. She was hit by a sense of Déjà vu, as she had already been in the same position, holding her brother while he blamed himself for whatever bad had happened. A moment later, Fallon ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his face to straighten out whatever feelings had gone through it. His eyes shone but he had a determined look on his face.