Wings Of Fire As Humans ~ 4 ~ {MOONBLI}

[6] One Wrong Step at a Time

^Moon^

I came home early, and I was a little surprised to see that Qibli was already there. He'd usually be back by around 12 or 1 in the morning, but I could tell something was up.

"Why are you home so early?" I asked, placing my bag down on the kitchen counter as I also sat down, resting a hand on my stomach that was seriously starting to cause some back pain.

"You aren't happy to see me?" Qibli asked, walking over to cup my face in his hands and kiss me. I pushed him away, laughing.

"You seem to be in a good mood," I pointed out. Qibli shrugged, going back to kiss me. I pulled away again. "My back hurts. Give me a massage."

Qibli raised a brow. "Are you asking me or telling me?"

I grinned. "Well, you're doing it regardless so it doesn't matter." Qibli chuckled and kissed my cheek before walking away.

"Sure."

I crossed my arms over my chest, eyeing Qibli suspiciously. "So, are you going to tell me why you're back so early or are you going to keep avoiding the subject?"

Qibli hummed, amused. "I'm home early because Swordtail's covering for me."

I raised my eyebrows. "I thought you guys hated each other's guts."

Qibli shrugged. "Turns out we work well together. Besides, isn't this what you wanted?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Well, now I'm not so sure." I decided to brush it off, turning away. "So. The funeral? It's tomorrow, right?"

"Are you ready?" Qibli asked, opening the refrigerator to look for something to drink. "I'm definitely not."

I shuddered. "What am I supposed to say to Deathbringer? And Glory? We've never really been close. And to be honest, how am I supposed to keep a strong act in front of their kids?" I sighed. "Why did he have to die?"

Qibli didn't respond to that, taking out a bottle of water and drinking out of it before handing it to me. "Stay hydrated and get some rest," he calmly said. "It might help with your morning sickness."

I hesitated before saying, "Qibli?"

He looked over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

I held the bottle of water tightly in my grasp. "Would it be bad if I said I didn't want to go?" Qibli's gaze softened before he made his way over to me and hugged me.

"Nah," he whispered, kissing my head. "I don't know anyone who wants to go, but we're honoring him, okay? We'll get to tell the happy memories of him."

I felt my eyes sting with tears. "There isn't even a single word written in my eulogy! There are so many good memories I have of him, but my brain goes empty the second I pick up a pencil."

Qibli pulled away to wipe my tears. He gave me a weak smile. "Then speak from your heart instead." He tried to look reassuring.

"Wanna order takeout tonight?" I asked, sniffling.

"Hell yeah."

"*"

I had the same vision as I had almost every night now. It was of Qibli's death, but any time I even shifted in my sleep, that changed. It was as if Qibli's outcome was so easily reversible, it almost scared me.

I sat up in bed. Beside me lay Qibli, sound asleep. When I checked the time, it was four in the morning. My throat felt parched and I felt a little disoriented like I always did when shifting back to the present after having a vision.

I kicked my legs over the bed, quietly, and crept silently out of the room, heading for the stairs that led downstairs.

If Qibli's outcome can be dictated by any little thing, is there a chance we can both follow a strict path for the time being?