Fall Is Beautiful

S2 chapter 4: A Blink Of Hope & Desperation

For the past week, me and Cassim have been sitting at that desk in front of the communicator, keeping in touch with the intel team. They had been looking out for a small 14 year old boy with silver hair, green eyes and pale skin. Jafar. They hadn't found much as of yet, but the world was big. It was huge. Jafar could be anywhere, and we'd find him. I'd find him. I had to.

"Are you both sure you want to keep at this all day? You've barely eaten." Alibaba asked, setting down a plate of bread for the both of us.

"Yeah. I mean, Cassim's only passed out like 6 times and me only 2, so we're fine." With that statement, Alibaba turned to his friend, eyes wide.

"Cassim! I told you it's not good for your health to be staying up all night!" I chuckled, and the blonde turned to be, pointing accusingly. "Don't think you're out of this too! I know you want to find your brother and all, but that's no reason to push away your health."

"Don't know what you mean." Cassim commented, taking a bite of the bread. "Been doing that for the past year." Alibaba glared holes into Cassim's head and the latter just shrugged and went back to eating.

"Well, I'm going to be out for a while. Sharrkan should be calling in anytime now that he's almost here. Please keep your ears open to that." Both of us nodded. "And... sigh. Please remember to get some fresh air." With that, Alibaba left the room, and we both went back to listening to details on some intel we were gathering.

...

A little while later, I did decide to go for a walk. I need to stretch my legs, and I also wanted to see the beautiful lights. This place had a sense of peace and unity to it that most countries didn't have. It was... home. "Good afternoon, Sin." I jumped a little when Seren came up behind me. Quickly, I turned to see her. She looked just as beautiful as before- okay maybe I should shut my brain off. She smiled brightly at me. "I thought you had left. Why're you still here?" She asked. I hummed.

"Cassim and the Intel Team are helping me find Jafar." At hearing his name, Seren's smile downed a little. I could understand why. She and Jafar were really close, and Jafar even once said that she was like an older sister he never had. Then, her smile slightly returned.

"I had wondered where he was when I rescued you. How'd you get separated? You two were usually pretty much like tied to each other's shoe laces." I chuckled.

"I don't remember it all too well, all I know is that he went missing one morning... the day after Christmas, and I went to look for him and he was just gone. I was captured and went to a PSI camp." Seren hummed, putting her hand under her chin.

"Did you ever think that an orange messed with your mind?" I blinked, giving her a confused look. "Like, oranges can manipulate the mind. If one really skilled orange was able to access your memories and make you think that Jafar went missing, making you go out to find him and immediately get captured... I don't know, it just sounds kinda suspicious. Why would he ever run away from you in the first place?"

"Well, our guardian at the time was training us so we knew how to fight when he wasn't around to protect us... he told me that he sent Jafar out..." Seren nodded, humming once more.

"That old fart? Yeah, this was definitely the work of an orange." She looked up at the lights decorating the poles of stop signs and others. For a second, I could've sworn I saw a Christmas tree in the distance. Then, she looked at me again, smiling so gently. "Jafar had an act for getting into fights with that balding veteran. He was defiant in almost everything the old man said to him, so I doubt he'd just leave you for "training."" She made sure to do air quotes on the last word. My eyes widened slightly, as I slowly started to connect the dots, the missing links in my brain. "If anything, my best guess would be that the orange manipulated you, the veteran and Jafar." I grabbed Seren by her arms and quickly brought her into a big hug. Even if she didn't realize, she'd just made my whole day, whole life, that much better.

"Thank you." I whispered, and she smiled and hugged me back. It was a while before we separated, and I had to turn away to avoid her noticing my blush. "... so... what are you doing?" I asked, trying to change the subject. Seren smiled again.

"I was just walking around. Maybe... you'd like to join me?" She offered her hand, and I smiled and took it gratefully. Her hand was warm, soft, and everything felt right again even if it wasn't. Jafar was still missing, but at this moment, it didn't matter to me. I was finally able to be happy.

We spent the day going around helping little kids find their toys, traded some stuff with older kids, and had a full meal. I couldn't believe it when I saw the soup in front of me. I had been so focused on the radio that I hadn't realized how paradise this place was. I took my time eating, so happy. Seren didn't seem to mind me taking my time, as she continued to speak to me while I kept her waiting. Once we were done eating, Seren offered to take me back to the room where Cassim was still at. I wanted to hold her hand, but I didn't.

When we got to the room, we both stopped to look at each other. I smiled at her, putting my hand out to shake goodbye. She shook it, and I was about to say something right as a smack was dealt to my cheek. I stumbled backwards, and rubbed my cheek as I stared at Seren. She sighed. "That's for rejecting me. That's all." I regained my posture, still rubbing my cheek, and frowned. I wanted to say something back, to defend myself even just a little from what she did, but I knew I deserved it. I deserved all the hits in the world from her, from Jafar, from everyone. I slowly lowered my gaze.

"I'm sorry." Was all I said, before shaking my head. "I hope you still like me as a friend." I could tell that Seren was staring holes into my skull, but then she sighed and shook her head, stepping closer to me. I felt her hand cross over mine, where it laid on my cheek.

"I forgive you. I understand." She muttered, and pecked my lips slightly. I blinked rapidly, the blush flying to my cheeks as I stepped backwards, almost falling to the ground. Had Serendine just... kissed me? I could still feel the warmth of her touch on my lips, and I pressed onto them to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Yes, she had kissed me. I sputtered, couldn't find the words to say, until finally I felt myself holding in a sob. Why? I do not know.

"Thank you, thank you... thank you." I cried, dropping to my knees. This was the most emotional I had been in 4 years. It felt like a burden had just been lifted off my shoulders, and everything didn't seem so scary anymore. Seren knelt down to me and wrapped her arms around me.

"We all have trauma here... it's okay to cry." She comforted, and more tears came pouring out. I cried into her arms, my body shaking. All my guilt, all my burdening, it was going to be okay. I was forgiven by Seren, I was going to find Jafar, and he'd forgive me too... Sharrkan didn't seem to hold any grudges against me, everything seemed to be lifted off my shoulders. I felt so light I could fly.

That feeling didn't last for long.

As I walked into the room, I saw Cassim frantically talking over the radio, and my worst nightmare came true as are eyes locked, and a guilty and sorrow expression filled in his eyes. Shit.

Sooooo how's everyone doing todayyyy???? Doing okay??? No sad??? Well I say FUCK THAT and here ya go. Have a wholesome but then anxious update hehehehe