Silver & Gold (Scomiche)

Closer

Scott finally found the will to lift his head. His eyes felt like cotton balls after the tears he hadn't seemed able to control. Everything had just hit him all at one time and every nagging fear and doubt, every restless night full of nightmares of clashing metal and blood... every 'goodnight Mitchy' he whispered out to into the dark without a response... it all piled up until he collapsed beneath the weight. He was just so tired. He was tired of worrying. He was tired of pretending to be ok just for the benefit of others so they wouldn't worry. He was tired of waking up with empty arms and a wounded heart.

He'd exhausted all of his excuses for Avi and knew that soon he would have to come up with something believable or his family would come knocking on his door.

Sarah grew more and more despondent, spending her days sleeping or moping. Her bright golden hue had dulled down to a pale yellow and he was beginning to worry about the creature. Was the lack of magic in his world hurting her? Was she finally caving under the weeks of loneliness just as he was?

It was more than his brain could handle.

He sat up, looking at the painting of the man he missed more than words could begin to express. "I spent nearly 8 years with a hole inside of me, lost and confused. I didn't remember you then, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss you every single day. My heart missed you. I didn't even get a full day with you before you were gone again. Three months, Mitchy. It's been three months and I'm still alone."

Tears slid from his cheeks and he tried to wipe them away but more just took their place.

"Why aren't you here? I miss you." His voice cracked as he stared at the sad silver eyes he'd painted what felt like a lifetime ago.

"I keep having this dream where I'm 17 again, only this time I'm not an idiot and you don't have to take my memories. In my dream we never lost all of those years together." He sniffled a bit, just closing his eyes for a second or two. "We were happy, Mitch. You and me... You left Illyria in the hands of your father. We moved in together and we were perfect."

Regret was an evil he knew intimately and it was whispering every wrong decision he'd ever made into his ear. "Are genies real? Can't I just make a wish and we can go back in time? I just want ... I just want you here in my arms. I always feel you in my heart. It never stops aching for you. I never stop worrying about you. Are you safe? Are you ok? Where are you? Please don't leave me here alone."

His eyes moved to the golden shimmering lines on his arm. He covered them with his hand and whispered out the words on his heart. "I love you and I miss you. I'll never stop."

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Mitchell slowed his pace before finally coming to a stop. He regarded the area around him while he waited for the others to catch up to him. Sora hopped from his shoulder and shook off the fine black dust that the thick air seemed to be saturated with. It must have ended up tickling his nose because it caused him to sneeze out little golden sparks and the disgruntled creature breathed out a short stream of fire in frustration. Mitchell just shook his head as he watched him. He knelt down to scratch the creature between his growing horns and then down his neck. "Your wings will be coming in soon. "

The pudgey leaned up into the touch, eyes staring up into Mitchell's . "It will not be much longer now, my friend. You will be with Sarah soon."

"Is something wrong?" Oryn inquired as the others finally joined him.

"We will rest here until the stars fade." He gave Sora one last pat and then stood tall as he turned to the rest of his party.

"The stars are not yet visible!" Orion countered. "We should continue on."