polaroids

| dysfunctional hearts |

Rue stood frozen like someone who'd just been told that they'd won a million euros.

Just in her case, she was scared to death, not escalated with happiness.

Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion, like those action movies. Xavier and Avery, after taunting each other, had begun to use more violent means to fight.

'You're the one who left! Left me, left mum!'

Rue could feel the tension bubbling inside her.

'Don't blame your faults on me!'

Any minute now, she would erupt.

'I looked up to you!'

Xavier seemed stunned by his words, stopping for a moment, right before Avery shoved him backwards into a table.

'Avery, stop it! Xavier! Both of you just stop it!' Rue bellowed over their voices, causing them to look at her in shock. Xavier's hands were still on Avery's collar, when she pulled them apart.

Avery looked like he was fighting back angry tears, while Xavier looked equally as miserable. They were both broken.

'You're both equally as dense as the other. Not to mention, arrogant and egoistical.'

'You...' Xavier started, but Rue's glare cut him off.

'Don't you see? You're both blaming each other was something that was in neither of your hands!' She took in a breath. 'And no matter what you do, or what you say, your mother's dead. So you might as well make peace and make her proud.'

She looked at them.

'And fighting like this? It's getting you nowhere. Tell me, would your mother be proud to see you like this?'

'Rue...' Avery whispered.

'Don't you "Rue" me. I know it isn't my place to say any of this. But if there's one thing I do know, it's that you're brothers. You're supposed to help each other, not fight.'

She managed to breathe once again, realising the weight of what she had just let out. But there was no taking any of that back. Somehow, her words struck cords inside the Black boys. And somehow, they managed to bind together the pieces of their dysfunctional hearts.

To their surprise, Xavier was the one who spoke up, after a long silence. Touching the bruise on his jaw, he said bitterly, 'As much as I hate your lowly companion,' Rue glared him down. 'Alright, alright. Not lowly.'

Satisfied, she nodded.

'I agree with her. Lord, I can't believe myself anymore. What am I doing?'

'Did I just hear that, or have I gone mad?' Avery asked mockingly. Rue silenced him with another of her death glares, not wanting another bout of fist-fighting.

'Yes, little brother. You heard me right. But the damage can not be repaired.'

He let out a loose chuckle. A sad laugh of loss. Then with a glance towards the paintings on the wall, he walked up to the double doors.

'Enjoy your rights as the "worthy" one. I doubt you'll miss me.'

Avery was as confused as Rue.

'Xavier, no... what...'

Avery's wide eyes and words were cut by the sound of the door closing behind Xavier's back. Rue stared at the closed doors. What did any of that even mean?

Avery knew.

It meant that he was never coming back.

Xavier Black was gone for good.

They stood there in that room for what felt like eons. Neither of them complained. They simply stared into nothingness. Finally, Avery sighed, 'Come on, let's get you back home.'

Rue followed him back to the foyer. She could feel him looking at her from the corner of his eyes. But she didn't dare say a word. She'd said enough for the day. They came to a halt a foot in front of the main door, when Avery turned to her.

He was way too close, way closer than what he had been ever before and there was a sort of sparkle in his deep eyes that Rue hadn't noticed before. They were pleading. Asking. Desperately hoping that she would consent. If this had been a few months ago, she would have backed off and run far away.

But this time felt different.

She didn't back away.

Avery swallowed and said something so softly it was milder than even a whisper. 'Rue... thank you.'

'Not a problem.'

A faint smile tugged at his lips as his eyes trailed over her nose, then to her lips. She didn't know what to expect so she closed her eyes and now all she could feel, was his soft breathing and her rapid heartbeat.

'Mr. Black?'

They pulled back sharply at the sound of the butler, Erwin. He appeared before them and looked at them.

Realisation dawned on his wrinkled features.

'Oh, forgive me... I'll just ask you this later...' he mumbled and walked off. Rue couldn't help but snort at the way Avery dragged his hands through his already-messy blue hair. Annoyance and regret radiated from him. Realising what could have happened made her both frustrated and lightheaded.

'Oh so that's funny, is it?' He asked, rolling his eyes. She doubled over in laughter. He couldn't help but smile.

'I'm sorry, I couldn't hold it in.'

Avery opened the door, letting her step out. He followed her and made sure she was comfortable in the backseat of the car he had reserved to take her home.

Right before he closed the door, he thought of trying again. But before he could act on his thoughts, her voice interrupted.

'Let's try that next time, okay?'

'See you later, stranger.'

'See you later, blue boy.'

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A/N jeez that was so long, this chapter is like 916 words so i hope it was good. anyways, i'm sorry for disappearing sometimes, but i hope the chapters are worth the wait. so now one story arc is over! yay! but there's way more to come (;