Chapter Text
“Brother, look! I drew something for you!”
Marc gazed down at the picture which had carefully been thrust into his hands. It was a small drawing of him, his little sister and Nathaniel, together in a field under the sun and stars.
“Oh this is so beautiful Poppy!”
The girl beamed up at her sibling, wrapping her tiny arms around him in a hug, not wanting to let go because of her adoration for the other.
“Come on, you’ll be late for school, grab your bag and I’ll take you there.” He spoke after a few moments, realising that the time was nearing 8:15.
She sighed, getting her rucksack, being aided by Marc to get it onto her back. The two embraced each other's hands, small in large, while they waved goodbye to their parents for the day and headed out the apartment and onto the busy Paris streets.
“Remember to stay close by me,” he giggled, kneeling down and tapping the little one on the nose.
She nodded in agreement, keeping close to his side, but still skipping down the walkway.
The two soon approached the school, the building being quite small as only being for the younger few years. The stone bricks curled their way around each corner of the walls, some vines and lichen clinging onto the walls.
The day was a little grey, but the sun still peeked through in drabbles, casting light off the windows which balanced within the architecture.
“Have a good day at school today,” smiled Marc, rubbing the top of her messy hair, but then quickly adjusting the bow which was now loosened.
“See you later brother!” She lit up, spinning on the spot and running off to the door.
A few moments passed as the boy made sure that his sister safely got inside and met her friends, making sure she didn’t get into trouble immediately.
He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was not causing too much mischief at this moment.
“Boo!” A voice whispered into his ear, starting Marc into nearly toppling over onto the pavement.
“Nath!” He yelled lovingly, pouting and crossing his arms at his boyfriend.
Nathaniel stood there pleased in himself, giving the other a small kiss on the cheek before continuing off down the road to their college.
The writer sighed, “not even an I love you, good morning?”
“Yes yes, I love you very much, lovely morning isn’t it?” The artist giggled, turning around to hold onto his partner’s hand.
The walk to Francoise Dupont Highschool was often quick and was no different this morning. The sky still held heavy above their heads, threatening a potential rain shower.
“Alix!” Waved Nathaniel, running to give his best friend a hug.
“Hey there you lovebirds,” she smiled, giving Marc an embrace as well.
“Come on we’ll be late if we stand here talking, you both have science first I believe and Ms Mendeleiev already doesn’t much like Nath.”
“She loves me, I’m her star student,” the ginger joked.
“You failed science 3 terms in a row one time,” said Alix with a deadpan stare.
“Look!” He began, staring down to the ground and scowling when he couldn’t think of any other response.
“Exactly. Let’s go!” The skater spoke as she pulled her friend behind.
“No I don't wanna go to science,” He complained, trying to break free and run away from the classroom.
“Too bad,” Alix grinned, pushing him through the door, waving a confused and worried Marc good day.
The writer stood stunned at the bottom of the stairs, blinking, unmoving.
“That was something,” noted someone, walking up behind the boy.
“Hi Zoe,” smiled Marc.
“Want to go to maths?” She asked.
“Not really but we have to,” he said, dismayed.
Class went smoothly, differing from the usual schedule of writing anything but lesson notes and answers to questions was not to be had. Occasionally Zoe would look over, wanting help for some questions, but kept finding that Marc was furiously scribbling ideas for possible Sunheart and Rainpiercer extras after the final edition.
After what felt like several hours the bell finally tolled, announcing the next change of rooms to start.
The next lesson followed a similar suit, the writer not finding much interest in subjects other than English and Literature. The clock slowly dragged around the circle. Once the end had finally arrived Marc made a beeline for the door, rushing off to the cafeteria to find Nathaniel and Alix.
“You’re in a hurry,” Zoe mentioned, rather confused.
“I had new ideas for Sunheart and Rainpiercer and I want to tell nath!” He beamed, still sprinting down the corridor, closely tailed by the blonde.
“Marc!” Was heard calling in the distance, quickly followed by a blur of blue and red as the artist embraced his lover.
“Hi Nath!” Smiled Zoe, waving.
“I had new ideas for Sunheart and Rainpiercer, wanna hear!” Blurted Marc, pulling Nathaniel towards the cafe, finding that he was rather hungry.
In the middle of the corridor they were stopped. Ms Mendeleiev was stood waiting for Marc, looking for where he was heading. This had unfortunately not given any time for the artist to respond to his enthusiastic partner.
“Marc, can I talk to you?” She spoke, more sympathetic than usual.
He nodded, confused, shrugging to Nath.
“Do you mind coming with me, Nathaniel can come if he wants…”
They all arrived soon in the all familiar science classroom, the door quickly and firmly closed behind them.
“Your parents are on their way.” She continued, no explanation why.
“Ms, I don't mean to be rude, but why are my parents coming?” The writer asked, one hand in the air, one hand holding his boyfriend's.
“Your sister…” She began, stammering and struggling to get words out. “I'm sorry for your loss.”
Marc stood frozen, everything felt empty but loud around him. The faces of the two became a blur. The arms around him felt hollow. Any other words faded into static. Cold, warm tears fell.
He tried to stammer out a response but fell to his knees on the floor, feet being wobbly below his shaking body.
No… No this couldn't have happened.