Short Stories (ErrInk)

A Pair of Wings - 6 Months Left

Error's POV

I stared out the hotel window, watching the cars drive through busy morning traffic.

The air conditioner made the room comfortably cold and there was little daylight outside.

Looking behind me, I saw Ink sleeping peacefully in his bed. He hugged his brown scarf almost like it was a comfort object.

  Standing up, I silently walked to my luggage and grabbed a clean pair of clothes. In the bathroom, I slid my shirt off to reveal my ecto body.

  Through the somewhat transparent skin, I saw my soul secured safely in my ribcage. A small part of it had already deteriorated and withered away.

  I sighed as I slipped on the clean shirt and changed my shorts to a pair of jeans.

  When I walked out, I saw Ink sitting up in his bed. He was yawning while rubbing his tired face. It seemed that he wasn't a morning person in the slightest.

I waited for Ink to get dressed. He was quite slow but it didn't matter to me, I wasn't in a rush.

Once we were ready, we left the hotel and entered the car that Ink had rented. As I drove the vehicle I noticed that Ink had pulled out his phone and began recording.

Me: What are you doing?

Ink: Just a little something for me to remember you by.

I nodded as a way to give him permission.

(Time Skip)

We stood in front of my brother's house. Nothing could describe the nervousness that swirled around in my spectral stomach. After so many years, I was able to avoid speaking with him about high school but I really had no choice as I was currently standing at his doorstep.

  Ink looked at me before motioning towards the home. He had come with me as I needed him for mental support. I knew that I was going to freak out if I didn't have him to help me.

  I took a deep breath and began walking up the concrete steps. My hand lifted, knocking on the wood. Ink and I waited in silence. Most of me wished that Fresh wasn't home so I didn't have to stay here but a small part of my soul knew that this was necessary.

  I heard the lock on the other side switch and then saw the door open. There stood Fresh, my younger brother.

He still looked the same as he did from high school. The only thing that had changed was that he replaced his YOLO sunglasses with regular ones. Even his once colorful hat had been replaced by a normal grey one.

Fresh: Out of all the people in this world... it's you who decided to show up at my doorstep. Come to steal more from me?

  He said while glaring at me. I tried to keep my cool, apologizing was my first priority.

Me: Actually no. I'm here to say sorry.

Fresh's expression changed.

Fresh: Really?

I nodded. My brother sighed before letting Ink and I into his house.

Fresh: Have a seat wherever you like.

He said, putting his hat on his hook.

Ink sat next to me on the couch. He seems to be confused about Fresh's glasses. He leaned over and whispered to me.

Ink: Why is he wearing sunglasses inside?

Me: He normally doesn't but there's people around he doesn't know. His eyes make people very uncomfortable.

Ink hummed in response as he looked around at the living room.

My little brother pulled a seat and sat across the coffee table between the three of us. He sat down with the chair facing backwards so he could rest his arms on the backrest. Despite the sunglasses, I could tell that he was glaring at me.

Fresh: So... Did you just come here to say sorry? Because you can leave since you already did that.

Me: No. I wanted to explain everything from high school.

I sighed.

Me: I never liked your crush. I never intended on making her love me. I was just being nice to her when she constantly dropped things. To tell you the truth... I'm actually gay. I like men.

Fresh straightened as he heard my confession. I had never told any of our family members that I wasn't interested in women, even he didn't know.

Fresh: Why didn't you tell us that years ago?

Me: Because I was scared that mom and dad would disown me.

Fresh: Mom and dad would have loved you either way.

I shook my head.

Me: That doesn't discard the fact that coming out when I was younger could have changed my life for the worse. So I just didn't.

There was a silence between my brother and I. He suddenly stood up from his chair and walked over to me. I got up as well as I didn't know what he was doing. He hugged me, patting my back.

Fresh: I forgive you.

An hour later, Ink and I headed back to the car. I took steering wheel and drove us to the hotel.

Ink typed on his phone which caused me to realize something.

Me: You weren't very talkative back there.

Ink: He barely knows me and it would be awkward for me to cut in all of a sudden into a conversation like that. However, I noticed you never mentioned anything about your cancer.

He said while giving a slightly sad expression. I rubbed the back of my neck.

Me: He doesn't need to know. We haven't seen each other for years and even though we made amends, I doubt he'll try to contact me.

(Time Skip)

I yawned as I woke up. I had no idea what time it was but I knew that it was midnight due to the fact that it was dark.

Looking to the window, I saw Ink sitting outside on the balcony while drawing. It made me curious as to why he was up this late.

After getting out of my bed, I pushed open the door and broke the silence.

Me: Couldn't sleep?

Ink jumped slightly but calmed down right after. He turned his attention to me and nodded. He motioned for me to join him in the other seat. I reluctantly did so.

There was a comforting silence as neither of us spoke a word. I watched the moon but every once in awhile, I would glance at him.

Something about the artist just made me smile and it almost pained me that he had to deal with my gloominess and my sickness.

I thought to myself as time passed.

Me: Ink, I have a request for you.

Ink: What's that?

Me: I want to travel the country while I'm still alive but, I don't want to do it alone...

Will you travel with me?