The Vampire Fairy•Sky of Eraklyon

15

In the end Bloom drew the burned ones away, somehow transformed, and nuked every one of the monsters.

Talia wasn't shocked, Bloom was special, any idiot could tell.

Why they wanted her in the first place was a mystery, but for now Alfea was content to recover from the battle.

Stella had hugged Talia hello, and updated her on why the fuck she was at the school that night, then gone to tend to - her apparent new best friend?- Bloom.

And Talia found herself aimlessly wandering Alfea as everyone else settled in for the night.

The faculty was still awake, Talia doubted they'd sleep.

There was too much to clean up.

She found him on the lawn, watching the horizon blankly.

Sky didn't notice her at first, she came from behind him, and she could be quite stealthy (in spite of her large boots).

He looked up as she settled next to him, searching the sky for whatever he was staring at.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Talia wasn't sure what it was, but something was clearly wrong.

Sky sighed, his shoulders sagging.

"I told you about my dad, how he died in the war with the burned ones?"

Talia nodded curiously, twisting her knuckle rings absentmindedly.

"Well tonight, when I confronted Silva about Aster Dell, he told me the truth."

Talia frowned, as Sky gave her the details, clearly being as brief as he could.

He didn't meet her eyes and his shoulders shook, from pain, grief, or even rage.

"Flawed."

She repeated, withholding a scoff.

Sky nodded darkly.

"Would you like my opinion? Or should we leave it for now?"

He deflated even more.

"I guess it depends on what your opinion is."

He'd tried to sound teasing, but pain still made its way into his tone.

"Well... I think Silva was right, one mistake didn't make your father a monster. He was wrong to keep it from you though. To lie all those years. I think you're right to be angry. Being angry won't change it, but for now, you're allowed to feel however you need to."

Sky seemed to drink in her words.

"Sorry might've been a bit too shrinkish ."

Talia joked nudging him.

Sky gave her a small smile.

"Do you wanna be alone?"

He thought about it for a moment, then shook his head.

"You can stay, but I don't really want to talk anymore."

Talia nodded understandingly, secretly thrilled he wanted her there.

She scooted closer and leaned into him, and they sat in silence.

At some point she fell asleep.

Her face was resting on something soft, and warm, and she let out a tired groan as sunlight met her face.

The sun was just peaking over the hills, and a few annoying birds were singing.