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Heart was in his room, which was no big surprise for Whole, as his lover spent most of his time in his room. But… today was different. Whole heard noises. Painful noises… cracking, screaming, whimpering… he knew he needed to find out what was happening.
Cautiously, Whole made his way upstairs. His fingers brushed against the doorknob, but before he could open it, an earpiercing scream rung through the air. Whole jumped in surprise, his eyes widening in concern. There were muffled whimpering noises next, further bit-back screams mixed in. The voice was Heart’s, and it made Whole’s heart shatter hearing him in so much pain.
Whole’s hand drifted towards the doorknob once more, and he twisted it, cracking the door open.
Heart didn’t know what was happening. His entire body ached. It felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside out, like something was moving underneath his skin, threatening to break free. Something was pressing against the inside of his back, moving on its own. Heart had clutched onto his pillow, burying his face in the soft, comforting fabric, although it did nothing for the excruciating pain he was feeling.
He heard the sound of bones cracking, and he screamed. He felt like he was going to die. Blood pooled in the back of his throat and dripped past his lips. His arms shook around the pillow. No, they didn’t shake. They tremored , as if he was having a seizure. Skin started ripping. He bit back further screams, he didn’t want to wake up Mind or Soul…
The door slowly opened. Heart didn’t know who was on the other side, but he hoped and prayed they would help him. He heard a soft gasp, and footsteps rushing to his side. The bed dipped beside him, and a soft, warm hand made its way over his back. He knew who it was now, and he was so lucky it was him.
“(E-eclipse…)” Heart stammered through the pain. Whole felt tears welling up in his eyes as he scooped Heart into his arms. Heart was so loving, using that nickname he loved so much even when he was in this much pain… The Moon squirmed in Harmonia’s arms as he tried to comfort him, whispering soft words into his ears and holding him close to his chest. Whole could feel something moving under Heart’s skin, and he gasped. Blood coated the back of Heart’s hoodie, dyeing the white fabric purple. Steeling himself, Whole let his hand slip under Heart’s hoodie. His hand immediately touched a wound, and his lover squeaked, tensing up in his arms. Whole felt blood, flesh, and… feathers? Feathers poked out of the hole in Heart’s skin. Whole withdrew his hand, which was now covered in sticky, purple blood.
“(P-please, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts…)” Heart sniffled, clinging to Whole tightly. Harmonia noticed Heart start tremoring more, his body tensing and untensing in pain. “(Put me down, it’s gonna b-break free, please…)” Whole heeded Heart’s words, placing him on the bed. Heart clung to the sheets, his back arching off the bed, blood soaking his hoodie until-
With a sickening noise, wings burst out of Heart’s back. Skin and fabric ripped, bones cracked, and feathers fell to the bed. Heart screamed, tears flooding down his face. He collapsed afterwards, barely consious, his chest rising and falling quickly. Harmonia quickly laid next to him, a panicked look on his face. Heart’s wings would be beautiful, if they weren’t coated in blood… Whole embraced Heart, careful not to touch his back or wings. “It’s alright, Juno, it’s okay, you’re alive…” he whispered frantically, gripping Heart tight. “Just stay awake, darling, s-stay awake, please… just stay with me…”
Heart went limp in Whole’s arms, and Harmonia could only pray that he would wake up.
It had been a week since Heart’s wings came in. His back still hurt greatly, but Whole did everything he could to ease the pain.
Whole wiped the remaining drops of blood off Heart’s feathers. He could hear Juno whimper, but quickly soothed him with a pat on the head. Whole’s hand carded through the feathers on The Moon’s newly cleaned wings. “They’re so pretty…” Whole mused, burying his face in the feathers. To Heart’s surprise, a quiet purring sound made its way out of Whole’s chest.
“(I’m glad you like them.)” Heart sighed, a soft smile on his face. “(But… I’m sure I’ll adapt to them.)”
“(Just like I did with my blindness.”)