The Stage is Set

A Brother's Call pt.1

Rescue me - OneRepublicSo sorry for the late posting! I got busy yesterday! Nothing major. Only threw up a few times, pretty sure I nearly fainted too. Not the issue, the main thing is that I was so tired that I didn't post anything yesterday! For that, I apologize. Anyway, here we go! Heads up! There are brief mentions of self-harm! So be wary of that!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He sits and waits.

He waits.

He sits on the couch and stares at the clock. He wants to do more, but he knows he can't. The others won't let him help. They don't want him accidentally killing anyone in his worry; as if he would forget his gloves. He never forgets his gloves. He doesn't need to give anyone another reason to hate him. To shun him. Do they blame him for the others missing? Would they blame him if he was the one to find them? Not when he wants to be the one to find them. He only wants to bring them home. He didn't take them away. He didn't hide them where others couldn't find them. He wouldn't touch them without his gloves. No more than three people can live from his touch. Even if his gloves have been torn to shreds in his grief; he wants to know where his brothers are. He wouldn't hurt anyone he knew for those answers. Not when his brothers care so deeply for those who went missing too. They've been missing for so long, he needs to know if they're okay.

Ink's name had appeared on his list for a moment, as brief as it was, it still appeared on the list.

He feels bad, he's pushed Geno away too. Not too far, but enough that he feels completely alone despite their bond. His grief is a powerful thing, a scary thing. Something that he doesn't show often. Something that has killed many people before. It's the very reason why he's hidden his emotions before. Emotions as a part of Death are powerful and damaging. He doesn't want to risk someone who makes his world brighter. He doesn't ever want to hurt Geno, not even unintentionally. He feels that guilt pool in his soul again. Yet he won't let Geno feel these feelings in their bond. Not when Geno is already so busy trying to care for himself and Reaper.

Void, he's a bad partner.

His Papyrus said he was going to visit soon, he's also worried for his younger brothers, yet he hasn't come yet. Reaper wonders if that's because he hasn't left to do his job recently. Or does Papyrus not care for Cross and Ink? Does he feel replaced? Maybe Papyrus does not want to deal with his emotions after the last time. Isn't he such a bad brother? He's the eldest, yet relies on the younger ones to take care of him when he feels sad. He can't even do his job right. He can't be ruthless, he can't be emotionless. Not when he used to help those who were unjustly killed. Not when he's seen the worst happen to the best people. Not when he's had people throw themselves at his feet for help, crying for him to take them with him.

His hands clench the paper in his hands. He knows he should look away from it, but his gaze is fixed on his list. The list that holds the names he should collect. Yet he doesn't move. Not now, not since those two names appeared. He can't find the strength to get off the couch. He needs to know that neither of his brothers will show up again. If his youngest chick appears on his list, he'll lose it. His youngest can't come back like Ink can. His youngest brother, Cross, only has one life. His youngest, who's barely grown into his feathers, whose eyes would still be blue if they were birds.

If they were birds like him.

What about Blue? What happened there? He's scared. Blue's had a record of being one of the strongest stars. Something had to be strong enough to take down one of the strongest stars. Had held him down enough to take him out. Blue should've dusted at one point. Reaper should've seen his ghost float over to him. For such a violent death, with the way Blue's name was dripped and carved on the paper, Blue's ghost should've appeared before Reaper. Yet he didn't. Something else was strong enough to bring Blue back to life. It wasn't Life, he knows she doesn't meddle with the affairs of the Multiverse. He'd never felt fear like this, not even when Life had disappeared. Reaper's wings curl around him tighter. He wants his brothers to come home. Come home safe. He sinks further into his wings, wishing to catch the scent of fresh paint and cookies his brothers would leave on his wings.