Letters From The Sky (JoongNine AU)

Chapter 18

The Sky

Areo

I visited Nine while he was asleep. He was tossing around, the look of distress marring his face. What did he dream about, I couldn't guess, but that must not be a good dream at all. I disappeared as soon as he opened his eyes. I didn't want Nine to know that something was definitely off, if he managed to see another burnt finger. That perceptive Angel was good at hiding his worry, but I knew, even without me saying anything, he could guess the turn of events recently. I was right. After he woke up, he was crying his heart out, hiding his face on the pillow, shoulders shaking.

He needed someone else to comfort him, not me. Luckily, the weather at Joong's filming location deteriorate, when it was supposed to be a clear, warm weather for that period of time. The change help gave a little time for Joong to go to Nine. It's true, that earth inner changes always mesmerized even the Angels; because nothing changes in The Sky, until an oddity liked Nine and Joong existed. Nine was sick for 3 days. I knew because the spark ignited again the next day and the day after. My whole right hand was now burnt, and the pain caused me to shiver continuously.

I was getting anxious at the rate that the spark randomly started. What if I am busy with other tasks and couldn't detect the burn? Is there any other way to delay it other than this? I really needed to know. Heck, I only got 5 more times to spare, and then, after all my fingers had burnt...No, not now, I didn't want to think about losing Nine this early without trying everything I could to stop it. As a precaution, I stayed near the Water to look if anything happened again to Nine.

"Areo...", my friend, Zartec suddenly visited me. I raised my head and gave him a nod as an acknowledgement. He sat besides me and gave my hand a look. Angel of Death knew what a burn meant; an objection to an Order. Because the pain was unbearable, no Angel of Death would dare to defy any Order.

"Dromiere; the centuries old and wise Angel of Illusion; she told me that I appeared in Nine's dream, Areo. From what I remembered, you came and asked for my help, to take the Order that was supposed to be yours. I agreed, though I realized the consequences was unpredictable. Because I knew, it must be hard for you to take the soul of someone's important to Nine, right in front of him. We went to see The Master to change the Order in the last minute, but didn't predict for Nine to be that defensive when the actual time came. It had caused an uproar at that time, both in the Death Sector and also The Sky. Twice, for the same human, his death was delayed because of Nine. Didn't the Guardians choose to obscure the memory of that night from reviving inside Nine's head? So that he would not cause any further disturbance to the sequence as was stated in the Order. Then, what is happening right now, Areo?".

So, that's what the dream was about!. No wonder Nine was restless.

"Nine is a damn curious and courages being. He would compare the half-truth that was planted in his memory, with the one he saw in his dream. I believe he would start to recollect his memory, little by little, Areo. No Guardian's power is strong enough to block someone's memory that long, especially with a special being liked Nine", Zartec stated hesitantly, stood up and left me alone after.

Yes, my order to take Joong's soul to The Sky when he was a child, didn't change when Nine brought the decree to me. It was only delayed, and only I knew the time it was going to happen too. My oath as an Angel of Death prevented me from saying anything to Nine. I could only see him through the Water, while he was living his life as a human on earth, with Joong. I didn't know what was his agreement with The Master. That was a secret kept between them only. For six years, I monitored both of them grew closer, becoming each other's breath, yet never had the chance to actually be together.

Every deal with The Master would never come free. Not because of his lack of benevolence, but because the ripple effect would still happen whenever something was changed. And the price to pay; was harder than I could have ever imagined. That, rather than took the life of someone he loved, now I had to live with the Order to take the life of someone closest to me, my dear Nine. The moment he came back, and the Leaf appeared under my care, I knew, the ripple had started. And all I could do, was to be with Nine throughout his counted life. Regardless of the Order, I won't just stay still until every way runs dry.

Joong

"Hmm...yes, bye, wait...I love you", I hung up my phone with a foolish smile plastered on my face. I really liked this, that I could say loved to him as much as I wanted. Nine sometimes just grunted with irritation, but I didn't care. We had a silent agreement, that he must accept anything I wanted to do. Even if it was as cheesy as this, that he said his ears almost fall off, that his lips tightened in annoyance, but still, he would reply I love you back to me, in his brief, stoic way. Ah, that cold exterior was almost a challenge for me to break. Fortunately, it wasn't so in bed. That was liked a whole different Nine. My foolish smile grew fonder.

"Ayyyyyy, Joong! The only thing left is for your saliva to drool off from that mouth, then you will look like a fool", P'Tha said, laughing while tapping my shoulder lightly to remind me that I was on public view of the crews and others. P'Tha's ears must be bleeding, to hear me sprouted nonsense every time I was on call with Nine. I managed to spend a week with him, 3 of them spent taking care of the sick baby, and the rest waiting for him to come back from work, eat, talk and sleep. But, no to the "other" activities. I wanted Nine to be fully rested to be able to recover well. I asked him to take a week leave, but that stubborn pup said there's not enough hands at the hospital as it is, so his leave would only made things difficult for everyone else. As soon as his fever was down to occasional cough on the third day, he was back to work on the fourth.

There's only one scene left to shoot today, and I was waiting for the call to be ready. While waiting, P'Tha handed me the screenplay and scripts for the following day. I read through and my brows furrowed. I tapped P'Tha and pointed to him the scene that had left me feeling uncomfortable.

"Fire? Didn't we agree on earlier meetings, that the scene will be done by a stuntman? They knew right, that I'm not keen on shooting a scene with huge fire. The only fire I could handle is just as much as a campfire, not more than that. How come this happened, P'Tha?".

"Hmm, something must be wrong during the writing process. This team of writers are new, they never work with us before. Let me check back Joong. There must be some mistake, maybe the team that discuss with our side forgot to relay the message to them".

P'Tha went to meet with the production team while I continued to shoot the last scene for the day. After that, I was also called to join the discussion at a table that was set under one of the temporary booths.

"Joong, we are very sorry. Yes, our writers made a mistake to include the scene. But, the past week's delay already cost us some dollars, and tomorrow shooting's set is already set up nearby. We will try to contact our resident stuntman, and hope he could accept our immediate request. Usually it is difficult if thing is requested last minute liked this, he might be already hired by other productions as well. We will try. But, in case there's no other option, could you at least try, Joong? We'll make sure to take every safety measures". I could see worry marred the face of Mr. Loy, the representative for the production company. Another delay would add up the cost of production and the set needed to be dismantled and rebuild again.

"I'm not promising anything Mr. Loy, but I will try". Mr. Loy held both of my hands in his, and a relief gratitude shone from his face.

"Thank you. We will try to work it out first, alright? Hopefully, there's no need for you to go through this, we are very sorry na, Joong".

My heart was heavy, but maybe I should face my biggest fear not to just let it go but also to grow as an action star. I took a deep breath and nodded.