[OTA] Once Upon a Dream

[karatofquality]

Father's Day had seen Silas with his grandchildren, and paying visits to his other four 'children.' It had been a good day, if bittersweet.

Today, after the work day had ended, he'd gone to visit Isaac's grave site. Just over a year ago, he'd risen to King, and his son had been there to support him, to bring him tea and sit with him for a little while. Silent support, as always. His good boy.

He'd lost count of how many times he had told Isaac about the triplets, about the Suit, that he missed him.

But now he was standing in his favorite corridor, just reflecting on the last year. A lot had changed; a lot had remained the same. Even Silas wasn't the same man now that he'd been last year, but that wasn't a bad thing.

Comments

[karatofquality]

"Slightly cleared is better than not at all," he reminded her with a sigh. "But at least there's that much, darling. I'm glad you're able to relax."

He understood the difficulty with the month. He'd be feeling the same pain in just a few months, himself. Of course, the deaths in her life had been friends, lovers, partners in crime, while his had been family -- mother, father, son -- but the ache was the same and there was no making it stop.

"The best thing you can do to honor them is to live each day to the fullest, remember. They wouldn't want to see you suffering."

[thecutdiamond]

"I know." Had known, for some time now, but it had taken all these years to realize it. "I try. And-- I hope you do, too."

She's well aware she's not the only one who suffers, and his is just a little closer than even her own pain.

[karatofquality]

He tried, but sometimes he just didn't have the energy to make the effort. Sometimes, he let himself be dragged back down by the grief, and blamed himself for Isaac's death. He wasn't responsible, and he knew that intellectually, but he couldn't escape the self-doubt sometimes.

"Each day is a new beginning. The pains of the previous day ease so that the new day's can come and be dealt with.Pain lets us know that we're still alive, hmm?" Or something like that.

[thecutdiamond]

Grief was a constant struggle. The only way to the other side of the intensity of it was through.

"It does. And it's easiest if we take things day by day." There's a tiny smile as she reaches to squeeze his shoulder slightly, "We'll make it through the hard days together, mm?"

And have enough of the good days, hopefully, to make those hard days a little less so.

[karatofquality]

"We will, indeed," he sighed quietly. But it was time to go; he was already late for dinner with Roisin, and he didn't particularly like the annoyed little sighs and huffs and snorts the sweet little woman gave in his direction when he was late.

"For right now, I have a dinner date with a Welsh woman. She doesn't much care for a lack of punctuality, so I'll see you soon." He tried to smile. Really. But then he was taking his leave.

[thecutdiamond]

"Take care of yourself, Silas." Surely she of all people has the right to request this of him, yes? "And talk to me, if you need it."

But for now, she lets him go.