Unconditional Love

Carry Your Cross

Y/n POV~

The run back home was filled with loud silence, and nail biting tension. My brain feels fried and scattered, and my eyes burn like hellfire from crying so damn much. Even though I keep losing my train of thought, my mind always finds its, way back to Claggor. I need to get home to Claggor.

By the time we make it to the Last Drop Vi and I are out of breath from sprinting the whole way home. We take a second to catch calm down before entering the building. We slugged down the stairs, legs sore from the run. I stopped infront of the door to the basement, and I overheard Mylo and Claggor's ongoing conversation.

Their hands are on the table leaning forward, and they're hunched over their collection of weapons.

"Well, if the enforcers hit tonight, we'll be ready... I think," Mylo exclaims.

"Dibs on the bat," Claggor said quickly.

"No, no , no, no I found it," Mylo said annoyed.

"But I called it," Claggor said, egging Mylo on.

"I found it!"

"Respect the dibs, man! I called it already."

"Respect the?? Stop being such a big baby," Mylo retorted.

Vi and I made eye contact, and both nodded signaling to the other that we're ready to go inside.

Vi gently swung the door open, and she held it for me to go inside first. I walked in slowly with my head hung down, and I jumped at the sound of the heavy door slamming shut inches behind me.

"Vi? Y/n?" Claggor asks, seeing our solemn expressions.

We trudged down the stairs like it was a chore, but once we got to the last step and took one look at our little siblings in-front of us, we were instantly reminded of our mission. Save dad and save the family.

Vi immediately got down to business, questioning the boys, wasting no time. "Where's the—-".  "Oh you guys are back!" Powder said innocently, running up to pull us into a group hug. I looked over at Vi who was looking down at Powder's soft, childish face, and I saw the horror displayed in her eyes. That's when I realized she's exactly like me. She will do anything to protect her family. Her breathing starts to falter, and I give her shoulder a squeeze. I need to be strong for Vi. My trauma can wait a day. Still hurts my heart like a bitch though. Even more than my head that's been pounding for 24 hours straight. Vi shrugs my hand off her shoulder, and she walks away from Powder and I. I give Powder a tight hug, and I can't help but picture hugging Ekko earlier. So small, fragile, and helpless.

Vi goes to pick up Vander's gauntlets, but Mylo stops her. "Hey. Those are Vander's. Slow down. What's going on?" Mylo asks trying to calm Vi down.

I stand up straight, and Powder holds onto my leg. "Benzo's dead," vi states, trying to choke back tears. Meanwhile, a single tear falls from my cheek as I picture my old friend dead at my feet.

"Dead?" Claggor asks surprised, making eye contact with me.

I blink back my tears, and I stand next to Vi.

"They took Vander," I state with hurt in my voice.

"Who took Vander?" Mylo asked.

"I don't know. But I need to help him," Vi answers with sorrow written on her face.

"Woah woah, you mean we right?" I ask while Vi shakes her head.

"No. I need to do this myself. I can't have you getting hurt, Hawk."

"When are you going to learn that you're stuck with me, Peach? I won't let you go through anything alone. Your fight is my fight. Your scars, we share. Most importantly, your burden I carry as well. I will pick up your cross and carry it everyday for the rest of my shitty life if you want me too. But I'm never leaving you."