Octavius

19

"Stop acting like you care." ~ Brent Faiyaz

Procel's POV

I watched as Cole's name flashed across my screen, did he really think I was going to answer. I sighed as I put it back in my pocket and continued cleaning the tables. "Hey, kiddo. How's it going?" Mr. Parker said as he ruffled my hair. I blew out a breathy laugh as I straightened my hair and turned to face him. "It's fine, how's Mrs. Parker?" I asked as he laid his hand on top of mine.

Pain flashed through his eyes as he looked away. "Not so good kiddo. She has been asking about you for some time now. You should come by and visit when you're not so busy." He motioned to the nearly empty restaurant and smiled. "Of course, I get off at 2 so I'll swing by later." He nodded as he bid me goodbye.

Images replayed in my head of Mrs. Parker, she was gravely ill and they didn't have the money to get her the help she needed. Sighing I sat down in the chair and laid my head on my hands. I have to help her, I can't lose her too. I thought as a lone tear rolled down my face.

"Hey there beautiful, what's got you all down in the dumps?" The familiar voice of Octavius rang through my ears. I jumped slightly from the warm hand that gripped my shoulder. Images of a smiling little boy asking to see the world flashed through my mind. Warmth washed over me but was soon overcome with coldness and heartbreak. Images of a fire and a sobbing Octavius ran through my mind.

Tears rushed down my face as I turned and pulled Octavius into a hug. He lost his parents and son all in one night. "How do you do it?" I whispered into his ear. He pulled away and looked at me with confusion. "Do what?" He asked with a small smile. "How do you keep it all together even when it's all falling apart." I looked at him with tears in my eyes.

His eyes softened and a look of realization crossed his face. He knew what I saw and he knew why I asked. "I don't have it all together, in fact, I'm falling apart every single day. I won't get the chance to hold them again, or to see them, or to tell them that I love them. They're not coming back, I've accepted that a long time ago, but now I have something special and I hope it lasts." He said with glossy eyes. I smiled and pulled him into me.

"I hope it does too," I said before I pulled him into a passionate kiss.

A/N

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