Astrophile [J.P]

Chapter 33

~ Hold on we're so strong, now we fight as one

A new day and we'll stay, like a rising sun. ~

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Sirius was relieved that Fel was staying. He couldn't bear to be alone in his uncle's house any longer. It was far too painful for him. And yet it was nearly the same case for her.

The grief was so evident in her blue eyes that it made Sirius feel even worse. But he knew that his uncle would have wanted him to take care of Felicity, to console her and to be her support now that he had gone.

And keeping that in mind he forced back the tears, putting on a brave face, "Felicity, we should go home too."

"Home...?" Her voice got stuck in her throat and no other words came out.

"Yes," he grabbed her arm firmly, knowing she wasn't stable just yet, "home. We can't come in the way of nature, Fel. We have to accept it."

Her eyes were glued to the coffin as he led her out, "but Father..."

"I'm certain he'll be in a much better place than this world," he gave a vague reply.

They walked back to their street since it was close to the church where the funeral was held. Silence prevailed among them as they reached the house. Sirius unlocked the door and both of them stepped inside.

Felicity's eyes watered yet again and he quickly gave her his handkerchief to wipe away the tears, "uncle wouldn't want you to be sad."

"If he really didn't want me to be sad then he shouldn't have left," she replied through gritted teeth, trying with all her might not to break down in front of him.

He looked at her sympathetically, he knew he had to handle everything before her state got worse. "Don't be a child, Fel, you know everything yourself very well."

She chose to keep silent instead of replying, her eyes fixed on the door of Alphard's bedroom as the last day's scenes replayed repeatedly in her head.

Sirius put the coffee on the stove and while she was absentmindedly staring in the direction of her father's room, his concern was focused on her. Losing Alphard was not going to be easy for either of them.

When the coffee was brewed, he placed the cup in front of her along with a sandwich, shaking her out of her memories. When she didn't make any attempt to take it, he gently pushed the cup closer looking at her as if pleading her to drink it.

He was being really soft with her, just like how one treats a poor lost child. "Felicity, please," he entreated. She could see the unspoken sentence in his eyes; uncle wouldn't want you to give pain to yourself.

Slowly she gripped the cup with trembling hands and took a few sips of the liquid. The warmth was soothing but not enough to make her feel fully better.

"Now eat," he spoke, "you won't get better if you keep starving yourself."

"I don't want to," she held her head in her hands, "I don't want to get better."

"You have to," his voice was firm which startled her but soon enough she took and ate a few bites of the sandwich as well. It was as if Sirius knew very well how to persuade her into giving in.

Dinner passed in uncomfortable silence. Both of them were not willing to eat at the moment yet they had to. Sirius kept eating in hopes that she would eat as well seeing him. While Felicity ate a little just because she didn't want Sirius to get upset due to her.

After they were done, Felicity looked up at Sirius who picked up the dishes and cleaned them up. He had taken every responsibility on his shoulders and she felt bad that he was going through too much. Not only did he have to cope with Alphard's death, but he was also taking care of her.

Deep down she was touched by his concern and by the way he was dealing with the sorrow.

She wished she could be like him, but she had never been strong enough. Even now she felt too weak to keep going on while in front of her was Sirius who was coping with everything and also managing his responsibilities at the same time.

She admired him while knowing that she could not be like him.

She was shaken out of her thoughts by a comforting hand on her shoulder and knew it was Sirius. She stood up to face him, taking in the brave demeanor he always exhibited in front of her even though he too was hurting inside.

"Sirius, I have got to say something," she spoke up.

He nodded encouraging her to continue.

"From this day onwards, we are not cousins. Not anymore."

He didn't understand her and surprise flickered in his features, but he kept silent knowing she had more to say.

"From this day onwards... We're siblings."

Hearing that sentence, relief dashed on his face as he stepped forward pulling her into a brotherly embrace.

When they pulled apart, her face was tear stained, but she resumed, "Father treated us both the same. He treated you like his own son. And you looked up to him as your father. Even though he's... He's not with us... I would not want anything he wished to change. He was our father. Which makes us brother and sister. From now on, I'll always have your back and you'll always have mine."

He was touched by her words as he gently wiped away her tears, "Fel, I'm so glad you stayed here. After Uncle Alphard, you're the only family I've got."

"I'm glad to have you too," she paused for a while but the word finally came out, "brother."

And although Sirius had so far succeeded in maintaining a strong facade in front of her, it was that one word which pulled him down. The sincerity, the genuine emotion concealed in it and the effect it had on him was too much.

"I'll never let you down... Sister dearest."

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