Work Text:
“You’re not doing enough. Work harder.”
Icarus’s wings fluff up, angry tears prick at their eyes as they glare at their father, hoping he’ll turn around and laugh. Maybe he’ll say it’s a joke… because he couldn’t really mean that..right?
“I try so hard for you! Am I just not enough?” Icarus’ arms fall limp at their sides as they scream at their dad, he was actually serious about this. He really thinks that Icarus is useless doesn’t he.
“No. You just need to work harder.“ Fable turns to look at his son, his face revealing no remorse or pity as he watches a tear roll down Icarus’ cheek.
“I’m working as hard as I can, dad!”
The door slams behind him, heavy footsteps echoing through the house as they wipe tears from their eyes and run up the steps leading to their bedroom. Maybe Fable is right, Icarus just needs to push himself, then they’ll be good, actually good. After everything is done and Fable brings Centross everyone back.
They collapse into their bed, wings cradling their body as they shove their face in a pillow.
If Haley could come back then so could Centross, and everyone the group had lost. Spouses and family, friends, anyone, Fable could bring them all back. Why did no one else see the good in this, all the gods Fable had.. would come back, no harm truly done in the end. And Mom… Icarus and Rae could finally see her again.
Icarus smiles at the idea of having dinner with Fable and Isla, Rae and Icarus sitting side by side, like they did when they were young. Of course the rocky relationship they had when they were kids seemed to keep returning but after everything is done and over with, they could be brothers again.
Rae would be okay with that, right? Obviously, he had to be… he couldn’t just.. hate them forever… Right?
Icarus feels more tears well up in their eyes, soaking the pillow. He pulls his wings closer, attempting to use them like arms, in the absence of the usual ones that would hold him.
This thought brings more tears, sobs racking their body as they think about all the people who would’ve helped him if they were there..
They think back to the night before Haley’s funeral, Rae holding them and telling them it would be okay. Telling him that he didn’t mean to, cause in theory it wasn’t really him who did that. But it was. He shot the arrow, sane mind or not, he did it.
Then when Centross cuddled them the morning after the two had gotten drunk. Remembering how he held them, threading his hands through their hair and allowing them to lay back on him.
Then Rae left them.. well- he kind of left Rae, it was a mutual leaving. And Centross went and… tried to save Icarus from their.. dad. But Fable said he would’ve brough Icarus back, and he said he’ll bring Centross back.
Maybe Quixis could bring him back, they brought back Haley. Yeah it was an accident but, it doesn’t mean Quixis can’t bring people back.
They whimper, tears still streaming down their face. It felt like they were drowning in their own mistakes and sorrow. It was like an endless loop, they mess up, which leads to sorrow and trying to fix things, then they just mess it all up again and then it just.. never ends.
A hand rests on their wing, they inhale sharply at the sudden touch and warmth. It was unclear whether it was another one of their hallucinations or someone real.. but there were no footsteps, and Icarus really didn’t want to find out, because it was warm and comforting. They roll over, burying their face in the lap of whoever (if anyone) was there. The hand rests in his hair, carding through the tangled mess it had become over the week of pure stress. It reminded them so very much of when Centross had held them. Maybe he was hallucinating him to calm himself down and was just comforting himself. The urge to open their eyes was heavy but if it was all fake, what if it went away when they opened their eyes.. so they determined keeping them closed would be better.
“Centross?” Icarus whispers, their voice hoarse from the sobs. They don’t earn a response, furthermore proving it was fake.
Another arm wraps around them, slowly running up and down their back. His wings relax, hiccups and sniffles replace the sobs and tears as he slowly calms down.
“I miss you, Centross.. please come back.” They mutter, their eyes growing heavier as they calm down, becoming more and more tired. Maybe in their dream Centross will be back, talk to them, comfort them.
As they drift into sleep, they swear they heard him respond. Though he’d never figure out what the ghost said, maybe it was really just him responding to himself. But part of them truly hoped that maybe, just maybe, Centross was truly there.
“I’m here, Ic.”
—
The sound of footsteps on the floor above woke Icarus.
Great, he’s home.
They sigh, stretching their arms and wings. He turns to look behind him sat an empty space between him and his pillow. Maybe there was someone there last night, definitely not Centross though. Centross always stayed after cuddling them.
Unless his new thing is leaving- no. Centross is gone.
“Icarus, my child, you're awake.”
He glances up at the stairs, his father stepping down into his room.
“Hey dad…” they mutter, not looking at the man as they pull themself out of their bed.
“My son, I.. I want to apologize for yesterday, I don't want to push you.” Fable walks over to Icarus, placing a hand on the avians shoulder.
Icarus nods, “I… yeah I know, it’s okay, dad.”
Fable smiles and nods, “good. Get dressed, we have a lot of work to do.”
Icarus nods and smiles at Fable, though it almost hurt to force the expression on their face. Feeling as if they were pulling laces on a puppet doll, forcing it to be truly happy.