Of Love and Death.

The Past Chapter 11: Wanting to Love Pt. 3

       Bending down Fire rested his head on Mind's shoulder, both to try and comfort Mind, and comfort himself. Because, in truth, those tears that had been forming in his eyes were streaming down now. It was all Fire could do to not shake uncontrollably. All he and Mind could both respectively do to not break down in some way.

      Mind, I, Fire didn't bother to finish the sentence. There was literally not a word that had ever been invented or would be invented that he could use to speak to the shadow right now. It was pointless to try.

       Fire felt like a jerk. Which was a deserved title for him. How many times had Mind come to the asteroid and put on a smile? How many times had Fire not noticed that the shadow had been down, or quiet, or apologized too much, or whatever? Had it just been constant enough that Fire had just thought it was how Mind was? Was that better or worse?

       How hard had it been for Mind to tell Fire all of this? From the way the shadow had spoken, it sounded like he'd told the story before. The words had a familiar echo to them, like they'd been said before. But they'd been accompanied by so much pain, anger, and frustration, it had ripped into Fire. To be the one living though that. I can't explain how sorry I am. I wished I'd noticed or done something or- The sun was cut off by Mind.

     The words the shadow said were kind, selfless, and full of concern for the sun. Mind didn't need to be selfless right now! He didn't need to worry about how Fire felt! His tears even seemed to calm as he spoke! I always felt better when I was here, with you. Wow that sounds sappy. But it's the truth. It would have been harder to pick up on anything, and you'd never dealt with something like this before. How would you have known? Mind asked, reassuring Fire.

      Fire wanted to say something to argue with Mind, to say that the shadow was being far too nice, but he held his tongue. He didn't want to upset his blue friend, or make Mind feel bad. He felt the need to encourage the shadow that he was doing the right thing, because, although annoying, he was. Mind didn't seem to hold any animosity towards Fire, so why would the sun force that on him, when it was his job to deal with guilt? Then at least let me promise to be more attentive in the future, to help you, Fire finished.

      The one thing that Fire could excuse in asking Mind for forgiveness was asking permission to be better. It was good for him, and for the shadow, to know there was another person who had his back. Because it sounded like Mind had amazing friends. Even if Fire was a bit jealous of them, he had to admit it was great for Mind to have such great people around him.

      Pulling apart from each other, Mind and Fire gazed into the other's tear ridden eyes. The shadow gave a small smile, but clearly a forced one. You can promise that, Mind consented. His thoughts sounded humorous, but also serious. Like he was half-joking. Not that Fire was going to let Mind off easily. He was serious about this promise.

      Then I promise, Fire declared. All of his flaming power and all of his emotion was put into the words. He was going to keep this promise. He was going to protect his friend if it was the last thing he did.

     Thank you, Mind whispered. The shadow closed his eyes, and let any tension he may have had in him, go. His tears calmed. Fire smiled as he watched his friend's breathing calm, and he felt his eyes begin to dry as well. It would seem that Mind had needed some rest, and who was the sun to keep that from him?

      "Thank you for helping me out with all of this, by the way."

      Rock watched as the mask wearing figure turned her head to look at him. The tiny part of her face that was exposed under her dark mask and even darker cloak smiled. She stood up from where she was sitting on the white bench, and walked to the railing to stand next to him, resting her arms on it. The two looked out over the center of the Orb, with Earth's garden, all of the nexus force's rooms, and of course Light's throne room.

      It was all beautiful. There was no denying that fact. Everything sparkled in the light the Orb gave off. The high sloped ceiling was immaculate, and the winding brick paths cut to perfection. There were quite a few suns milling about. Too far away to see their faces, but they seemed happy, just enjoying their life.

     They were idiots.

     Rock wasn't stupid. He knew that not everyone thought the way he thought. He knew that most people looked forward to every bit of existing. He knew that they thought that Light was nice. And, yes, he wasn't bad. He was doing his best, but his best was idiotic. The draconic leader of the suns was basically a figurehead, unable to get anything done without the help of Earth, Sky, Water, and of course Fire.

     A better role for Light would have been as an announcer, or a therapist. He was good at making people feel happy, but an idiot when it came to keeping track of literally even the simplest of things. Like a book. Or lunch. The list goes on. Rock did not hold anything against his leader, as a matter of fact he respected the glowing sun's morals. But the rocky sun did not think that Light deserved to lead.

      To be honest, Rock wasn't sure who should lead all of the suns. He had met a few shadows, even if it was frowned upon, but nevertheless had heard good things about Dark. But even if he was a viable option, he already had too much on his plate. "Who do you think should do it, after Light's gone?" Rock asked aloud, turning to his masked friend.

      She shrugged, her cloak pooling around her shoulders. "Probably one of the nexus forces," the masked sun - well Rock supposed he couldn't be certain she was a sun, he'd never seen her face - said nonchalantly. "After all, they have the most experience," she explained, resting her chin on her arm, leaning slightly forward over the balcony. There was a soothing calm to her voice. Even if Rock might not know her name, he did trust his friend, and her judgment.

       Only one problem.

      "Not one of the nexus forces would ever agree to help us," Rock grumbled, "Light's even more of a grandfather to them than to us!" Then he realized something. He realized it as he looked through the white holes of her otherwise black and green mask. She didn't just mean the nexus forces of the suns. She was also talking about the shadows.

     Rock's mouth formed an "o" shape. She flashed him a knowing smile, and he turned away from her, thinking his thoughts. Would that be a viable option? It actually might be. The nexus forces of the shadows would have experience running things, next to an actually capable leader. And, while Rock hadn't met any of them, the shadows he had had said good things about most of them.

     Drought, Cold, Void, and Dust. The siblings of Water, Fire, Sky, and Earth respectively. Rock had heard amazing things about Drought, and relatively good things about Void and Dust. However, he had not heard much about Cold, other than that she had a boyfriend. Which was likely a good sign. After all, if you were capable of loving one person, then Rock figured you had a better chance of being a good person.

     "Maybe," Rock whispered. "Maybe."