[ P ] grim realizations

Since the parade he felt off. His body ached more than usual, given his age, and there was a cough he could not rid of. He was careful to stay away from the children, Oksana especially, she was so young and frail he would be unable to forgive himself if he got her sick. As of late he lay in he bed, every now and again Nora would bring him food and something to drink. He did his best to eat, but may days he did not feel his appetite was very sufficient. Anteros didn't want her to worry but he knew she would, and a part of him felt like he didn't have much time left with her and the kids.

The thought put chills in his arms, and when she wasn't around the threat of tears welled up in his eyes. Anteros, through all the years, was a man who went through the mixes of new learned emotions starting with Kylar, and ending with Nora. He never thought he would be able to share that kind of love again until he met Nora who soon after would become the mother of his children. If he could go back and do it all over again, he wouldn't of changed anything. Despite losing Kylar, and thus losing a part of himself in her death, Nora aided him through those times and never once shied away. She was what he needed then, now, and until his last moments.

Anteros inhaled a deep breath, he could hear her coming and he was careful to make sure his eyes were dry of any remaining tears. When she approached at the doorway he offered her a soft smile, his heart beat just a little heavier every time he saw her.

@Nora

table by argent 2017

It was with a heavy heart she trudged towards their room where Anteros likely lay in bed, still sick. Hyacinth bore some illness too, and she'd just finished checking on the girl only to find her condition worsening. She'd always been so small and not of great health that it was now becoming more than worrisome to the tired mother. She wanted nothing more than to take away her daughters pain and suffering but she didn't know how. She did the best she could with what she had and the doctors could not place her illness either, so it was more or less a waiting game now.

A part of her feared Anteros had caught the same mystery illness or something worse, as he wasn't eating or drinking much anymore. What would she do if she lost him? Hyacinth? A pain shot to her heart at the thought and she knew it was a real possibility but she didn't want it to be. Life had been so, so good to her up until now it felt like some sort of sick joke. She had been wary about it, waiting for the other paw to drop, only to find now was the time it finally happened.

She opened the door and looked upon him and his teary-eyed smile. He tried his best to stay in good spirits around her, she knew that, but she just wanted to scream her frustrations out into the world. She felt like she was going to lose it any moment now, but she had to keep it together for them. Wolves depended on her right now.

"How are you feeling today? Any better?" she asked softly as she moved to the side of the bed. She lifted a paw to touch his cheek, not finding it hot today. A relief swelled in her breast and she sighed. Maybe he was finally getting better and they could continue their beautiful, happy life together. It was what she wanted, more than anything else right now.

art + code: clae

Anteros' eyes softened as she neared the bed, her cool paw placed against his warm skin caused his eyes to close while a slow exhale escaped him. In truth, he wasn't feeling any better and he could not find himself to lie to her. "Unfortunately not," he said with a sadness in his voice. Every day that passed he wanted to do nothing more then get out of the bed and spend the time with his family. His bones ached, his head pounded, and it was hard for him to keep food down. Nora made him aware the same thing was happening with Hya, and he feared the worse for them both. No doctor knew the sickness, and many more were too afraid to near them both. "Nora, we have to discuss some things," his golden eyes softened further at her. "In case I don't come out of this," straight to the point, as he always was though the look in her eyes was enough to kill him first.

The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, or any of his children, behind.

Anteros, over the years, accumulated much wealth and he had it stored away for her. He felt his time was limited, and he would be unable to pass peacefully if he didn't set them up to comfortably live out the rest of their lives. "I've stored my money away in the attic, there is a single, wooden chest up there. It is all yours Nora that, and the houses." He exhaled a slow breath knowing she wouldn't want to hear any of it, but he wouldn't feel at peace until he made it known to her. "I love you," he offered her a soft smile before noting that Okie stood in the doorway.

His heart ached, but he didn't want her to come closer in fear that she would catch whatever it was he had. "Don't come to close Okie, I don't want you to get sick." She nodded her little head, and he felt his heart shatter. "I love you too," he gave her a pained smile.

table by argent 2017

Though she almost wanted him to, he did not lie to her about his condition. He was not feeling better and it would seem that perhaps... he thought he wouldn't. Her heart began to ache as he continued on, telling her that they had to discuss some things. "No, I don't want to." she whispered as she looked at him, tears filling her ocean eyes. She didn't want to prepare for the loss of him, or the loss of her daughter with whatever this illness was that had them in its grips. But he did not stop, and he did not sugarcoat things as was usual of him. At least he had not lost himself yet in this. He told her where his money was and told her the house was hers. She didn't want those things -- she wanted him.

A sob escaped her as she came closer as he told her he loved her. "I love you, too." she said softly as she nuzzled into his neck. She didn't care if she got sick too. Maybe life would be kind and take her with him. But she knew she couldn't think like that - she had children, their daughter, to care for. A noise caught her attention and she turned to see that very same daughter in the doorway. Anteros spoke to her, telling her he loved her and not to come near, but she could tell by the look in the girls eyes that that was all she wanted to do.

"It'll be okay, sweetie," Nora said, though she didn't believe a word herself. She felt like a noose was tightening around her neck and she was going to be left dangling in the wind without him. She knew she would be safe and comfortable here in his house, with his money but without him? What did she had left but her girls? Her siblings were hardly around, her own parents dead... but life was no so empty she would seek a way out. Not yet. "You'll be okay," she said more firmly as she returned her attention to Anteros and offered him a weak smile.

art + code: clae

His eyes softened at her, knowing very well it was a conversation she didn't want to have, but he would feel incomplete otherwise. For all that Anteros was, and for all that he accumulated over the years—wealth, status, property—would be all for nothing if there was no one to leave it to. He was glad to be able to share that with Nora, and Okie, he felt comfortable and fulfilled knowing that they would not have to worry about either of their futures even if his was grim. He was going to miss them, so deeply that he wished life didn't have to be so cruel. Nora lost so much, and now he would be adding to her pain further. Looking at her, teary eyed and fighting through smiles, broke his heart piece be piece the longer he kept her gaze. Warm tears welled in the corners of his eyes, the reality setting that this was his final moment with her, and his daughter. He was scared to leave them behind with the inability to protect them anymore, but if there was one thing he knew, it was that Nora was a force.

I love you Papa.

His throat constricted as he peered over Nora's shoulder and into those bright orange eyes, "I love you more," he faintly smiled and watched as she turned away and headed back into the depths of the living room. Tears streamed down his cheeks, unable to hold them back any longer as his fading yellow gaze found hers once more. "Nora," he breathed softly, every word only deteriorated him more, each breath more pained than the previous. Nora deserved more than the cards she was dealt, she overcame so many obstacles before him and he was happy to have been a part of her healing. As she pressed soft kisses into his cheek and harbored his warmth his heart dropped just a little more. "You're stronger than you think, I know you all will be just fine. Don't ever forget how much I love you, and you two are the greatest thing that ever happened to me." Anteros was a lucky man to have found her when he did, she saved him in more ways than she could imagine.

His life was long and fulfilled with each individual he met along the way playing a very important part of his growth. Kylar for teaching him what love was, and Nora for solidifying the parts of love he never knew existed while giving him such a beautiful family. He was taking all the pieces that made him who he was, and letting them rest with a heart that was so full, but there was one final piece of his chapter he needed to close.

"Will you marry me?" A smile tugged against his darkened lips, wanting to give her something he'd never given anyone else. He wanted her to know that he would choose her in a million lifetimes, and his soul would always be attracted to hers if there was such thing as an afterlife.

Slowly his eyes would close as his heart began to slow, darkness casting over his lids in the comfort of his wife's embrace. The comfort of knowing Okie was in the living room playing was the notch released on his conscience, allowing him to pass peacefully in the arms of his wife.

fade out anteros for the last time

table by argent 2017