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But, out of all of the difficult days, the hardest to get through was the day Eber passed. Darius hadn’t felt this sort of ache since ‘He’ died.
As much as he always knew Eber's lifespan wasn't as long as his own, it never dawned on him until the day it happened. Eber was always so joyful and energetic. Even as his fur began to gray and they spent more time curled up by the fireplace rather than running through fields till dusk, Eber never lost his signature snark and 'pup-ish' yips.
The day Eberwolf died was hard for everyone, Darius remembered the scene so vividly. He had woken up like any other morning, (affectionately) threw a pillow at Alador, and headed downstairs to begin to cook.
That day he and Alador had plans to have brunch with The Clawthornes and the other members of the former CATS Rebellion, nearly 30 years ago.
'My, where did the time go?'
Darius had come down to the parlor and was met with Eberwolf sprawled out on their personal tiny couch, flopped over, twitching and whimpering. For once he wished he couldn't understand Eber.
In seconds Darius had scooped him up and teleported the two to a Healer, as Eber was being checked out he messaged the group chat he'd have to miss brunch. They were all so understanding… Titan, he couldn't have been more grateful. How did he get so lucky?
After an hour of waiting The Healer called him in.
And in just a few words… the world shattered.
The Healer found that Eber had less than 24 hours left to live, he was in so much pain it wasn't safe for them to move around on his own. Other than being given painkillers there wasn't anything that could be done to save them.
When the two arrived back at the manor, they were met with EVERYONE waiting in the parlor. Pillows and blankets littered the floor and these wonderful witches sat entangled in the cozy bundle.
They cleared a path toward the couch, where Emira, Edric, and Amity sat forefront, they gave a remorseful smile to their Father, beside the couch stood Alador, his lowlife of a husband. That hack had told everyone.. and…
They had scraped Brunch to be with Eber.
Hunter sat on the couch, he silently patted the seat beside him.
Titan, his kids grew up so well, he was so proud.
Darius sat down, careful to not hurt Eber. Hunter snuggled close to his dad, reaching over to also stroke Eber's fur. Eber sniffed, recognizing his Nephew's scent, they cracked their eyes open, looking back and forth from Darius to Hunter. Eber made a chirping noise, muttering a loving statement to their family.
Darius inhaled deeply, a few snotty tears welled up, he held his little brother close, continuing to pet him. The rest of the family inched closer. Alador placed a hand on Darius' shoulder lightly squeezing.
Alador looked across the room to Raine and Eda, tilting his head forward. The two returned his nod and began to fill the room with a soft hymn, a familiar tune they'd grown accustomed to singing during The Collector's ‘playdate’ .
Soon all who sat in the room hummed their hymn, holding one another's hands. Darius looked up at the slew of people he loved, silently thanking every one of them, then he brought his attention back to Eber, once again meekly chirping.
"Scared?"
Was all he said.
Biting his lip and holding back his pain he brought Eber to his chest, whispering that it was going to be okay and that he was safe. Eber mustered out a growl.
"No. Darius. You, scared."
Darius didn't know how to reply. After a moment, he quickly shook his head, he'd be fine.
He'd be fine.
He'd be fine.
…
He wasn't going to be fine.
And Eber could tell, using the strength he had left in his little body, he clawed his way up Darius's chest to lick his nose.
"Strong boy. Good boy. Good family."
He chirped out as he brought himself back to snuggle up on his chest.
Soon the painkillers kicked in, and Eber drifted off to sleep, cooing out the hymn in tune with the family.
Now and then, Eber would stir, ears perking up whenever the family repeated the hymn. They stayed together for the next hour, hands held, humming their song, all the way up to the moment Eber's chest stopped rising.
A hush fell over the room, Hunter and Darius trailed their fingers to find Eber's pulse.
Nothing.
Darius lifted their tiny body as he sobbed into his arm. He carefully cradled Eber into one last hug.
His little brother was gone.