Work Text:
The most distinct sound one could hear was crying. From the insides of one's heart, washing itself inside out in a seeping torrent to the tears and agonizing pitying words from people expressing their sympathy.
From known people to not, another tragedy had played one in another sick joke the game of life played on a drained young man. From losing his job, then his wife, then to his own son. Kevin felt these sick events were connected, but as far as he was concerned, he was done. With this city, its people, its 'crime issue', and the world even. To him, it was all muted, sound muffled with the sound of the sky itself crying.
Tears pattered onto bare skin, feeling sickly uncomfortable, its cool touch jogging delayed senses, but it didn't bring any relief. He didn't know if the sky was sympathising with him or making crocodile tears just to forget about this whole incident the next day. It wouldn't be the first time, and honestly, this sitcom-like weather was really beginning to bug him.
Just like the man next to him.
--
Static. The pressure in his legs. His lungs. Screaming. Chaos. Confusion. A boy, his boy in the midst of it, crying, wailing, begging. There was so much rubble. So little time.
There seemed to be debris everywhere. So much screaming, pointing, shouting. Then there the man was, calling, begging. Slow hands. Too slow, too stupid to succeed and then a push, a push. A boy disappears from the world and he remains. Another person lost.
-
Kevin should be grateful for Marcus. He saved his life, gave him the chance to see tomorrow, to do... what exactly? He clenches his fists. In the rain, Marcus stands next to him in solemn silence, a black Gucci umbrella sheltering him to look as fashionable as possible in the worst day of his life (or just a regular day now, apparently). He had refused to be covered previously. After all what was the point of him being spared when his son couldn't?
The procession was long over, but Marcus remained. Maybe he wanted to say something. Maybe he wasn't. Kevin really couldn't care less, but in such a desensitised state, he felt bad for letting Marcus stand in silence for so long. How awkward it must be.
So, he spoke:
'You know, jimmy always wanted me to play the guitar for him...," his voice hoarse from his entire breakdown.
He was a broken record, scratching, rambling, "he only ever learnt the ukelele from me..." A pause, eyebags and blank eyes never leaving the gravestone. "How I wish I could have joined you..."
Marcus sighs, and put his hand on Kevin's shoulder. He flinches at the touch, eyes staring back as if disturbed. "You... can fulfil his wish, Kevin," he starts--
"What?? What would you know?!" Kevin shakes, shrugging off the hand, but then retreats further, stepping away.
"I can't fulfil anything. Not anymore."
Marcus remains steadfast, a pillar standing strong against a crumbling statue.
"Kevin, no matter what you believe, these events were out of your control. This wasn't your fault."
"My son was. If I wasn't at that bank that da--"
"A major criminal organisation ordered an unexpected strike in a major bank and managed to bypass all its security. What could you have done?"
"I should have called paramedics."
"The building would have collapsed before you could have gotten help. And those services would not come in time."
"The people the--"
"Were in as much shock as you were. It's to be expected"
"I COULD HAVE SAVED HIM. I HAD THE STRENGTH TO, IF ONLY I WAS A LITTLE STRONGER, I HAD A LITTLE MORE TIME, I HAD THE SKILL TO SAVE PEOPLE. I SPENT HALF OF MY LI--"
"Life has given you very rough circumstances that you could not possibly prepare for. It's nothing short of tragic, and you of all people don't deserve this. This city and its people do not deserve this hardship and suffering."
"There's nothing you can do..., you can't take it away. You saved my life, but I don't think you can save me."
"...I'll recommend a psychiatrist. But if you want some sense of normalcy again... I want to invite you to my garage."
A beat.
"Your... what?"
"I wish to learn music. I want your help."
"..."
"I wish to create a band someday. We may not have the power to directly fix the problems here, but we can rally some people who when assembled together, can. Or at best create a damn good distraction. I think it'll benefit the both of us."
"Weird way to drag me into group therapy."
"Calling this therapy is way too formal. It's only you and me. I want to learn music. You know music and have a connection to it. Plus, you can fulfil your son's wish."
Kevin's face is lowered to the ground, tears blending with the slowing rain. His broken voice has gone silent. The record stopped.
"I'll... wait for you. Please don't forget Jimmy's wish."
With that, Marcus closes his umbrella and finally leaves.