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He winced. His blood seeped into the white bandages wrapped around his arms. Jupiter insisted that Uranus must not remove them, afraid that the wounds might get worse.
He floated around in his orbit, alone. Him being alone isn’t a surprise to anyone at this point. He hated this orbit. He hated being isolated from everyone. Sure he had Neptune.. but every time they talked, one of them ended up hurt. Of course all of it was his fault. Everything is Uranus’ fault, isn’t it?
The Solar System would be better off without him.
That’s it!
He… He could leave! He could join Planet X! Perhaps then he’d be happier. And so would be everyone else. He didn’t even notice the smile creep on his face.
He got up and looked around. Everyone else was busy with their own lives. Not a surprise. He started walking towards the Kuiper Belt. Each step he took, his smile got wider.
This was perfect! Exactly what he wanted! But if it’s perfect.. then why does it hurt a little bit? If this is what he wanted then what is this weird, negative feeling bubbling in his chest?
He walked past the stray debris that crashed into each other.
“Hey it’s okay!” Jupiter shooed away the remnants of the asteroid that had clashed against little Uranus.
Uranus sniffled. The asteroid had left a nasty wound in his cheek, allowing blood to flow out, the droplets floated around. He was in Jupiter’s arms, held gently, being cradled and comforted.
Gently huh? When was the last time he was held gently?
“I won’t let anything else hurt you, okay? I promise.”
Well he failed miserably. Everything was hurting Uranus. Nothing’s okay anymore but everyone’s gotten so used to it, it’s sickening.
He walked past Neptune’s orbit. Neptune had his back to him, he was talking to his moons. Perhaps it was for the best that Neptune didn’t notice him.
“I’m gonna catch ya mate!” Uranus declared, sprinting after Neptune. Neptune shrieked, zigzagging around the giants. Jupiter and Saturn just chuckled to themselves, amused by their little game. Uranus jumped onto Neptune, tickling him. Their laughter echoed through the dark, cold, empty void of space.
Uranus fell down, lying next to Neptune as they drifted across the dark. Neptune intertwined his fingers in Uranus’ and looked at him.
“Can you promise me something?”
“Go ahead mate!”
“Promise to never leave me?”
“I promise! Can you promise me that you’ll never forget me?”
“Deal!” Neptune got up on one elbow and stuck out a pinky finger. Uranus did the same. They wrapped their fingers together, grinning.
They both had broken their promises. Neptune forgot. It was out of his power to stop it but he forgot. Uranus was leaving. He had the power to stop it but not the will. He couldn’t bring himself to stay. He’ll only hurt others. Besides Neptune will just forget Uranus’ existence and it’ll be for the best.
He walked further. A set of paints floated in front of him. This was where his missing paintbox was. He picked it up, unable to stop a tear from falling onto it.
“Uranus!” Saturn’s smooth voice called out his name. Uranus got up on his stubby legs and staggered towards the origin of the voice, quickening his steps once the ringed planet came into view.
With one arm, Saturn scooped up Uranus, causing the little to giggle.
“I’ve a gift for you!” He brought his other hand in front of Uranus, revealing a wooden, brown box. Uranus opened it and saw an arranged row of paints. He picked one up, confused.
Saturn settled him down and placed a white canvas. He handed the brush to Uranus. “This is so you paint!”
Uranus squirted yellow paint onto the brush. The paint dripped down the sides and onto his hands. He pressed the brush to the canvas, creating a shaky line.
He smiled and turned back at Saturn, who beamed down proudly.
“Thank you! I love you!” He hugged the giant’s legs.
What went wrong? Where did all the love go to?
Uranus missed the Sun. He misses the warmth of another’s embrace. He pushed the paintbox away, too many painful and bittersweet memories creeping into his brain. He started running, his tears lingered in the air behind. He wanted to escape the Solar System. He wanted to escape the memories.
He finally reached the rocky barrier and stared at it. Sun’s light wouldn’t reach here. All that would be there to hug and kiss Uranus would be the darkness.
He looked back. His ‘family’ were small painted specks on an enormous canvas. However unlike Uranus, they held importance.
“Goodbye mates…,” he called out. No response. He chuckled to himself. He was a fool if he expected anything else. They hated him. Uranus hated himself to be fair.
He turned back to the Kuiper Belt and pushed through the debris. Once he’ll leave the Solar System, he’ll leave everyone’s lives, everyone’s minds. He’ll just be a rumour. A myth. Forgotten.
They’ll search for him or mourn him for a day or two but then they’ll move on. They’ll move on without Uranus.
It’s all for the best.