Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Death Do Us Part ❯ Red Wings ( Chapter 3 )

I'm glad people are feeling the hurt =p I'm gonna keep working on that XD

 

Disclaimer: This is an original story with original characters, none of it is based on actual events.

Fix You
is by Coldplay

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Enjoy!

 

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This is nice.

 

What are you doing out here?

 

…I don't know.

 

Go home, Satoru.

 

I don't deserve to go home. I made her cry again. I can't keep doing that…it hurts too much. Besides, I like it here. The wind…it's nice.

 

You're such a brat sometimes.

 

Don't you like it here, too? You must have chosen this place for a reason. I think we were on holidays…I can't really remember...we were…looking for a house to buy so we could move here. There were so many.

 

Don't go changing the subject.

Hm? Ah, yes. Rei.

 

She's probably worrying about you.

She probably hates me.

 

Rei loves you. You know that.

 

Then why does she cry all the time? I'm the one with the condition. She should be smiling.

 

She cries because you aren't happy.

…That's not it.

 

Satoru, she wants you to be happy.

I can't be happy…it's too hard…it hurts.

 

I know how it hurts…I know.

I'm…just not strong enough.

 

Yes, you are. Be strong. Be happy. Spread your wings.

These wings…these red wings…they don't fly.

 

You haven't even tried yet.

But you tried. They landed you at the bottom of this river.

 

…

 

Exactly. Who are you to tell me not to give up?

At least I tried!

Shut up! You didn't try at all! If you had loved us enough you wouldn't have done it! You left us, you made mother cry! Who are you to tell me…?! You… didn't even come to my wedding!

Don't make the same mistake. Don't make Rei cry.

Shut up! I hate you!

 

You're throwing another tantrum.

Just…go away. Leave, now.

 

Don't make the same mistake.

 

Please…

 

My heart…still aches.

 

Go…!

 

Dying didn't stop the pain.

 

Just go!

 

Go back to your wife, boy.

 

Why!? So I can fucking screw up again?!

 

You're not trying hard enough.

 

No! I…just…I'm so tired…it hurts too much…when will it stop?

 

You need to be patient. You need to try harder.

 

Please…I need your help…I can't do this alone.

 

This is something you have to do without me.

 

I can't…I'm just not strong enough. Don't leave me!

 

Rei will help you.

 

Rei is sick of helping me. She made that clear tonight…

 

Do you love her?

More than anything…

 

Then try harder. Do it for her.

 

I keep making her cry…I feel like a child, someone she has to put up with.

 

She wants you to be happy. Your pain…it hurts her, too.

 

She can feel this ache in my chest?

 

She can feel it.

 

She can see the hole in my heart?

 

She can fill it.

 

…It's just so hard…

 

No-one is saying that it'll be easy.

 

I can't take this pain much longer…

 

Get away from the edge. Don't be a fool. The pain will just get worse if you jump.

 

You must know how it feels. Did your heart ache like this?

 

Yeah.

 

How do you know it'll get better?

 

I…don't. I know what will happen if you jump though. I know it'll be worse.

 

Will I ever get better?

 

That's up to Rei.

 

What if she doesn't forgive me? What if she gives up?

 

She won't give up on you. She's strong.

 

I…don't deserve her…I'm such a coward.

 

You're a good man. You'll make her happy.

 

I…will try.

 

Do your best.

 

Until next time, father.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

He was gone when she had emerged from the bathroom. The room was empty. The hangers for his suit still lay on the bed, but his tux was gone. She wandered around the apartment, calling his name. Silence. She sighed, trying not to think about anything bad happening to him. There was no way she would miss her sister's wedding. She had fixed her make-up to perfection. She'd go without him.

 

She called a taxi and sat in silence for the short drive to the wedding venue. She could hear the music and the chatter of guests from the car park. She paid the taxi fare and made her entrance, hoping the bridal party, the one she should have been in, hadn't arrived yet. The long table was empty. She let out a sigh of relief. Their photo shoot must be taking longer than expected.

 

The room was heavily decorated with white flowers and fairy lights, no doubt her sister's doing. There were many people there, some she didn't recognize, probably from the groom's side. She spotted the long table for the bridal party, dotted with candles, and saw the table next to it that she would be sitting at with her parents and close family. She sat alone on the table, chatting with passers-by. Her parents would be coming with the bride and groom. She had been offered a bridesmaid's dress but turned it down, predicting something like this would happen. Satoru would be late from work and she'd let her sister down. Her father would have a field day with this. She let out a shaky sigh.

Alone.

 

Didn't getting married mean you never have to be alone anymore? She wondered about her sister, would her marriage turn out like Rei's? No. Her sister's husband wasn't…sick. Sick? Did she think Satoru was sick? True as it may be, she didn't look at his depression like some kind of disease. It was part of who he was. She didn't like that part of him, only because she knew it caused him hurt, but she loved it simply because it was part of him.

 

She knew she should be angry at him for missing this, as all wives would be if their husbands had bailed on them on the day of their sister's wedding. She was more worried than angry. She had half hoped he'd be here already; his tux had disappeared too, after all. The screeching of a tuning microphone sounded across the room from the speakers on the stage. Loud murmurs followed and all heads turned to the MC.

 

“If I could have your attention please, ladies and gentlemen.”

 

It was a very westernized wedding; the hall was loud and lively as apposed to the quiet traditional weddings that are growing less common in Japan.

 

“The bridal party has arrived,” The double doors at the entrance opened and cute little flower girls walked down the carpet with baskets of confetti. “Please raise your glasses to the maid of honor, the best man, the parents of the bride and groom and finally, the new Mr. and Mrs. Endo Akira.” There was applause and many camera flashes, the many Japanese guests not used to having the bride and groom announced like this.

 

It took a few minutes for everyone to settle down and for the bridal party to be seated. Soft music started playing in the dimly candlelit room and people rose from their seat occasionally to congratulate the couple. Rei watched dreamily at the smile on her sister's face, reminiscing about her own magical day.

 

“So where's the boyfriend?”

 

Her father's gruff voice broke her daydream as he sat beside her, her mother caught up in conversation nearby.

 

“He's my husband, daddy.”

 

“Oh? Why isn't he here then?”

 

“He had to work…” She tried to hide the resignation in her voice, looking away from her father's judgmental gaze.

 

“What did he do?”

 

“It's nothing, really, dad.”

“The hell it isn't! Tell me why he let you come here alone. Where is that little punk?”

 

“Please,” Her voice cracked as the earlier shed tears reawakened in her eyes. Her father realized he had hit a sore spot. When he got his hands on that little punk…He sighed in defeat.

 

“You look very beautiful,” He pulled a stray silken lock of hair behind his daughter's ear and hooked his finger under her chin, turning her face towards him.

 

“You should be saying that to Mei, it's her special day after all.”

 

“Meiko is getting enough attention as it is. She'll probably hate you when she sees how beautiful you look tonight, you're stealing her thunder.” He smiled and the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth highlighted in his growing age. She graced him with a smile of her own,

 

“Thanks, dad.” She looked up at her sister and brother-in-law, whispering in each other's ears, blushing. The man next to her pulled her from her thoughts again,

 

“Do you…want to talk about it?” She looked at her father and opened her mouth to speak,

 

“Oh! Rei! You look amazing!” An older woman, her mother, tackled her in her chair and fixed a secure bear hug around her shoulders. “I love your dress! I still would have liked it if you wore the blue, but…” Her mother yammered away as she usually did while chatter continued to resonate around the cheery room. Late comers flowed through the entrance doors; waiters flew around the room with trays, dispensing drinks. The chatter died to a soft murmur when the music played louder, setting a romantic mood.

 

The table Rei sat at was by now full, her close cousins sitting across from her. It looked like everyone who was invited to the wedding had come; the only empty seat in the decorated function area was the one directly to her right. Another sigh caught her father's attention.

 

“Come, we'll go outside and talk about it.” He held her arm and got up, excusing the both of them. When she resisted he told her sternly, “I won't take no for an answer.”

 

The music could still be heard outside, the temperature of the air was a little warmer and humid, but it was nice to have the fresh air. The few smokers chatted outside, heeding the no smoking rule inside. She enjoyed the sound of her heels on the hard ground. They found an area by the car park where they could talk in private, still close to the entrance. The pair stood in silence for a while, anticipating the coming conversation.

 

“So,” He let out a sigh. “Problems, again?” He turned to her and she lowered her gaze. “Again, Rei?”

 

“I…we…”

 

“I want you to come and live with us for a while.”

 

“What? Dad, no.” She saw her father was being dead serious. “We can figure this out on our own!”

 

“I've been telling you this for ten years, that boy is no good for you.”

 

“He's not a boy! Why can't you just stop adding to the problems?”

 

“I'm worried about you, Rei! The whole family is!”

 

“I don't care what the family thinks. We love each other, we'll work it out.” There goes her voice again, it cracked. She swallowed the lump in her throat, burying the rooted emotions once more.

 

“He just isn't stable!” He had finally said it, he hadn't meant to, but he had blurted it out. She gasped at the outburst.

 

“How dare you!?” It was harsh and whispered and it came from deep in her throat. “You could never understand what he has to go through every day!”

 

“So you stay with him out of pity!?”

 

“Shut up, dad, you could never understand.” She turned her back to him, angered him even more.

 

“I'm right, aren't I?! You know he has nothing without you; he'd probably go kill himself if you left him! You're too kind, Rei, you shouldn't have to be stuck with him because of that!” The smokers outside noticed the spat and one ran inside to fetch a mediator.

 

“Stuck with him?!” She was almost yelling. “Stuck with him!?”

 

“Your man should be taking care of you, not the other way around!”

 

“Enough!” Her voice was cold, as if she held authority over her father.

 

“What the hell is going on out here?!” It was Meiko rushing out towards them, hoisting her wedding dress off the floor. “You two! This is supposed to be a happy day! What are you…” She trailed off, looking towards the car park. “Satoru?” Both fuming faces followed her line of sight, landing on said man, standing between the two cars facing the trio. He was looking only at Rei. Their eyes met and spoke volumes to each other without moving their mouths. They took a step forward, the world around them disappearing for a moment.

 

“Akaba?!”

 

He inclined his head towards his angry father-in-law.

It happened fast. One blink showed him the older man charging towards him, a feral growl on his face. The next gave him a close-up of a huge fist. Pain exploded in his head for once, first from his nose, then from the temple that had been knocked against a car. He was on the floor for sometime, not having the energy to react to the barrage of fists. He could hear yelling, running, shoes on gravel of the road he was pinned to. Two women shrieked at their crazed father, prying him off his target. With help from the people nearby, they had the furious father of the bride subdued.

 

Both men were breathing heavily. Rei's father shoved away the scared people holding him; he spat at his son-in-law and stalked back inside without another word. The sisters ran to help Satoru but he managed to get to his feet alone, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand and sniffing. Meiko looked at him with sympathy and sighed, those two could never be in the same room together without having a fist fight.

 

“I-I'm going to go find dad.” With a nod from her older sister, the pretty bride rushed back inside, leaving the two alone. They could hear the chatter die down inside when a particular song started. The newlyweds must be sharing their first dance.

When you try your best, but you don't succeed

 

 

“Wow… he really went all out this time, huh?” She cupped her husband's face and touched a delicate finger to the cut on his temple, wiping away some blood.

 

“Eh, it's been a while. He needed to vent.” He gave her a weak smile, one eye almost half closed. “Got any band-aids?” She almost laughed, his eye was swelling.

 

“Come on, let's get you cleaned up and put some ice on that boulder.” She took his hand and he laced her fingers into his. They paused for a moment, he looked as if he was about to say something profound, but they mutually decided it could wait for later.

When you get what you want but not what you need

The music's volume was magnified when they passed through the entrance doors. All the lights were out, only the few candles and fairy lights that dotted the room illuminated the place. All eyes were on the couple dancing in the center of the dance floor, moving slowly to the beat of the slow song. It wasn't the most suitable wedding song, but it held some significance for Meiko, and her sister. Rei turned away and led a bloodied Satoru to the bar for some ice and wipes. He watched his sister-in-law dancing with her husband, a man he had somewhat become friends with. He saw in the background, Rei's seething father being calmed down by her mother. The man relaxed and looked on at the dancing pair with a smile.

 

He didn't smile at our wedding…

When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

 

Rei had gotten the things she needed and led Satoru to an empty dressing room in a far corner. They cleaned him up easily, having only to remove bits of gravel stuck to the blood on his face. She suppressed a laugh.

 

“What?” His eye was barely open by now, the swelling made him look like he had a tumor of some kind. “There something on my face?” He smiled but it hurt to move his face. He hissed. “Put some ice on this thing”

 

“Wouldn't want your pretty face ruined now, would we?” He shot her a dagger and a half in mock anger. She inwardly sighed, this was nice. Moments like these had become too rare.

And the tears come streaming down your face

They sat in silence, listening to the Coldplay classic, both holding the ice pack to his face, his hand covering hers. He was sitting up on the edge of a table and had Rei standing between his knees, the dirty rags in a messy pile by his leg. She moved in closer and he dropped his hand from hers on his face to pull her into a loose embrace. She rested her forehead on his shoulder.

 

“Thank you for coming…I really didn't want to be alone.” There was another pause, Satoru pulled her hand with the ice pack away from his face, the swelling around his eye had gone down well. She lifted her head to look at him, their noses almost touching.

When you lose something you can't replace

 

“I won't leave you alone like that again.” Was it just another one of his empty promises? No. This one was different. “Never again.” He whispered against her mouth, inching closer before he took her bottom lip between his, sucking gently. Her eyes fluttered closed and they kissed slowly, listening to the soothing song in the background.

 

They parted and rested their foreheads together, eyes still closed. Her thoughts raced about her family, her father, and wished they would accept her husband. She knew, though, that as long as they loved each other, they could work things out. In his mind he winced at the slight throbbing at his eye, wishing he had left a better first impression for her father. Being caught naked with her in a park was probably a mistake.

 

 

When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

 

 

“'Toru…” They opened their eyes and their lips met again, more passionately this time. His hands were on her hips, massaging her, and her arms were hooked around him under his shoulders, hands running over his back. She shifted closer to him, sliding her hands to his front, resting on his thighs.

 

The kiss got rough, months of pent-up frustration taking control of both of them. He pulled her flush against him and tilted his head to deepen the kiss, their tongues joining the play. She nudged his chest to push him away and they parted, air coming in heavy gasps. She gripped his thighs through expensive material and her hands went straight to the bulge between them. He reacted fast, with a groan, pushed himself off the table and had her pinned to the wall directly behind her.

 

Rei, recovering from her surprise, and all thoughts of sparing the condition of their clothes long lost, hiked herself up and hooked her legs around his hips. She put both hands under his ears and pulled his face to hers, attacking his lips.

Lights will guide you home,

 

“Rei…” He ground out; desperate after having gone celibate for god knows how long, “I…need…” he tried to get a sentence out. His words were breathless and came out between pants. He ground his hips into her, pressing her against the unrelenting wall. She whimpered in response, the sound drove him insane. They faintly heard the door open.

 

Both heads snapped towards the third party when they heard him clear his throat. They looked at him, wide-eyed, skin flushed and panting. Rei's father cleared his throat again and they came to their senses, quickly parting and rearranging their clothing. The young couple both cursed inwardly, they had been so close… but would they have really thrown all caution to the wind and had sex right then and there? They weren't teenagers anymore…

And ignite your bones,

“Mei wanted me to tell you that you can join the dance,” he eyed Satoru almost with disdain, “Try to keep it PG…” He moved aside, holding the door open for his eldest daughter. She glanced back over her shoulder and continued to the dance floor. Satoru made his way as well, but was stopped by an outstretched hand. “Keep your hands off my daughter.”

 

“She's my wife,”

“Then you should treat her with more respect.”

“I didn't hear her complaining.” They were eye to eye, standing in the doorway to the small room. “You don't want grandchildren?” Satoru almost smirked and pushed though the older man's outstretched hand, making his way to Rei. His father-in-law still stood in the doorway, determined to have the final word.

 

“I don't want any grandchildren from you, Akaba.”

And I will try

He knew exactly what the older man had meant. It stirred something in the pit of his stomach, it got him thinking. He forced it back when he got to Rei, taking her hand and leading her to the middle of the room. They moved slowly, he pulled her close and she laced her arms around his neck.

To fix you.

 

“You ok?” Her nose was touching the side of his jaw as she looked up at him and his troubled expression. He nodded and gave her a gentle smile. She rested her cheek against his shoulder, closing her eyes. “'Toru…”

 

“Mm?”

 

“You heard my argument with dad, didn't you…?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“You…would you…” She shifted to look at him, her hands under his ears. “You wouldn't…ever…try to kill yourself…would you?” She averted her eyes, she couldn't look him in the eyes, she was too afraid of the answer. “I mean…even if I left you?” There was a pause.

“Are you planning on leaving me?” There was a playful smile in his voice, but his grip on her tightened. She could feel his fingers slowly digging in. His reaction…had scared her.

 

“Just…answer the question.” Another pause. She hadn't expected this, she had expected `Oh, hell no! Why would I kill myself?!'…or something like that.

 

 

High up above or down below

 

 

“I'm not going to kill myself,” It was the most difficult question he had been asked in his life. “…even if you were to leave me…” He somehow felt like he was lying.

 

“Good.” She smiled and embraced him again, rocking to the music. A simple dance.

 

“Besides,” he added, voicing his afterthought. “If I did, I'd never see you again.” She pressed against him, kissing his neck. Score. “Wouldn't want that.”

 

“You…haven't ever even considered it…have you?” It seemed like a rhetorical question, but her voice held a pitch of hope at the end. She knew him well, a `yes' was definitely a possibility. He was quiet again.

 

 

When you're too in love to let it go

 

 

“No…not really.” She didn't know he had been standing on the edge of a parapet at Agate Bridge a matter of minutes ago.

 

“Good.”

 

 

But if you never try, you never know
Just what you're worth

 

 

The party continued in a blur, flowers were thrown, wine was everywhere and drunken guests had a good time. The crowd slowly thinned and it was finally time for the bride and groom to leave. The father of the bride was smashed off his face, he had even hugged Satoru goodbye, sputtering with whisky-laden breath. Satoru was waiting for his wife to finish congratulating her sister and new brother-in-law, standing near the doorway. His face betrayed none of his thoughts.

 

If she were to leave him, he would die a thousand times. That was the cold, hard truth of it. Rei was his world, everything he lived for, everything he was fighting for right now in the battle against the ache in his heart. He fought the thoughts away. She hasn't left him. She wouldn't leave him.

 

He abandoned the thought as best he could and they made their way home, rekindling their interrupted passions from earlier when Rei jumped him in the taxi. Apparently she was a bit drunk, too. Her hand had gone straight down his pants, and stayed there until they got to their bed in their apartment. They messed around until the very early hours of the morning, making up for much lost time.

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try
To fix you

 

 

*

 

 

 

They lay staring at the ceiling for a while, soft sunlight filtered through the window. They were still catching their breath. Rei turned to her partner,

 

“Wow…” she said breathlessly.

 

“Mm.” his eyes were closed, he looked asleep.

 

“Don't ever make me go without you for so long,” she rolled onto him, resting her head on his chest. “You must be exhausted.”

 

“Mm…”

 

“You hungry?” No response. Sleeping? “Oi,” She poked him in the chest. “Sato!” He grumbled a complaint, rolling over and in avertedly took her with him. He stayed like that for a while, enjoying the feel of her naked beneath him. His stomach broke the silence with a loud growl. He sighed, defeated, and got up.

 

“What do you want to eat?” He stood in the doorway.

 

“Hmm…” She stared at him for a moment, lost in her train of thought.

 

“You can have more of me later.”

 

“Hey!” She laughed and threw a pillow at him. “You're making me an omelet for that.” She ducked as he threw the pillow back as he went to the kitchen; it missed her and fell beside the bed. She was still smiling, and bent over to retrieve her favourite cushion. Something caught her attention under the bed. “Hm?”

 

In the kitchen, Satoru paused for a moment while cracking an egg, realizing something was amiss. He concentrated on his heart. No pain. The feeling was alien…was it happiness? How could he be sure? He knew that it was a feeling he'd had before, but the distant memory provided no insight as to what it felt like. He stopped thinking about it. Don't think about it, and it won't be ruined. He absentmindedly finished cooking and put everything on a tray. He heard Rei call from the room as he was passing through the door.

 

 

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace

 

 

“Satoru…” She looked up at him from her sitting position on the bed. She had in her lap a leather-bound black book. His eyes went wide and the tray slipped from his slackened hands. How did she find it?

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes

 

His journal. His diary. The book in which he confided his every thought; exactly as the doctor had recommended it. He wrote everything in it, about his work, about his feelings, about Rei, about his life.

 

And about Agate Bridge.

 

“Satoru,”

Her voice was broken and her eyes met his, tears dripped from her chin to the open book, she tried not to cry, but just couldn't hold it back.

“What is this?”

 

 

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones
And I will try

 

To fix you

 

 

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To be continued…

A/N: In case some of you are puzzled, Akaba means `red wings'. It's a Japanese friend of mine's name and I just thought it was really interesting. I have a friend called Satoru too XD
R&R =)

 

Edit: Added the lyrics for the song, I left them out before because the formatting goes wrong, but they're really relevant, so I put them back in =)...