𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃

June 30th

(Dallas Texas)

( Two weeks later )

Omniscient

Grief comes in waves but what they don't tell you is how it can hit like a hurricane, the emotions brewing up like a storm a storm so powerful it leaks into your chest and your entire body is drowning suffocating waiting to break the surface to only be reminded of what was loss and not gained We use our strength to swim through the current but no matter how far we swim we are stuck in a loop of waiting for the hurricane to pass grief.

...

Sincere held Aphoria in his arms, cradling her as if she might break into pieces. Her tears dampened his shirt, but he didn't mind. He whispered softly, his voice steady, though his heart ached for her.

"Angel, I'm here. You don't have to do this alone. I promise you, we'll get through this. Together."

Aphoria let out a shaky breath, her sobs quieting just enough for her to feel the warmth of his presence. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she didn't feel completely alone in her pain. But the weight of her loss still pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"I keep seeing him," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I close my eyes, and it's like I'm back there, holding him... and I can't save him, Sincere. I couldn't save him."

Sincere tightened his hold on her, his heart breaking at her words. He knew nothing he said could erase her guilt, but he also knew he had to remind her of the truth.

"You were there for him, Aphoria. You gave him love in his final moments. That's more than most people get. Angelo knew he was loved, and he knew you'd carry him with you always."

She clung to his words like a lifeline, though her chest still felt hollow. "It's not enough," she whispered, the tears starting to fall again. "It'll never be enough."

He brushed her hair back gently, pressing his forehead against hers. "It's okay to feel that way. It's okay to grieve. Just don't shut me out, Angel. Don't push me away."

She nodded weakly, her trembling slowing as exhaustion began to take over. Sincere stood, still carrying her, and brought her to the bed. He laid her down gently and pulled a blanket over her.

"Rest," he said softly, brushing a kiss against her forehead. "You need your strength, for him and for you."

As her eyes fluttered closed, she reached for his hand, holding it tightly. "Don't leave me," she whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere," he promised, pulling a chair close to the bed and settling in to stay by her side for as long as she needed.

And in the quiet of the room, as the storm of grief ebbed for just a moment, Aphoria felt the smallest flicker of hope. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind her she wasn't completely lost in the hurricane.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this chapter! I hope it resonated with you, and if it did, please leave a comment or vote. Let me know your thoughts and your favorite characters so far—your feedback means the world to me. Until next time, stay safe, my beautiful people. 🖤