Work Text:
The sound of churning earth is repetitive, almost soothing. If it were any other circumstance, Simon might’ve felt put at ease by the simplicity of the task.
This, however, is anything but soothing.
Simon knew it was coming, he’d known for a while. The way Taka hunched over and never seemed to have the energy to open his eyes, much less stretch out his wings. Although trained to sit on his shoulder, Taka was more willing to be handled, too weak to move.
Simon knew this was coming. He could not stop it.
He once thought he was going to die too. He will, one day, just not so soon.
Simon stops digging. He carefully lifts the shoebox, holding Taka’s still body in it, and places it gently in the earth. He then begins to fill the hole. One day, his heart will be full again. For now, all he can do is dig and bury his own with Taka's.
Once he is done, he puts the shovel down and places a small stone as a marker on the grave. He then goes over to stand by Athena, who puts her arm around him, as he takes a shaky breath.
“He was a good bird,” she says softly.
“Yes, he was.”