Sunrise
Imported from SF2 with no description.
I saw myself—or rather, Torku—running away, while I just stood there, regret gnawing at me for everything I’d once said.
I looked down at my fist, clutching the shattered remnants of what was once a glass bead, now just jagged fragments. Blood traced lines down my hand, dripping to the floor, but I barely noticed. There were bigger things at stake.
Everything flashed before my eyes. Four years. Four long, agonizing years since that day. So much had changed. He left, and then she followed soon after. I’d had to face myself in ways I never wanted to, questioning, “Do I even have any worth?”
I, sobbed through the distant memories that felt so strange yet so familiar. I, wiped my tears as a strange, raw surge of feeling flooded over me. Who was I? Who am I?
I know what to do now.
My legs moved before my mind could catch up, carrying me in a direction that felt both foreign and inevitable. I started walking faster, then sprinting, pushing harder with every step. Faster. Faster.
***
I arrived at the riverbank, its quiet beauty unchanged, as if all that had happened was nothing but a nightmare. The familiar landscape lay before me, still and unbroken, yet reality pressed in, sharp and unrelenting. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what lay ahead.
He… was there. Right here, in front of me. I could feel his presence, grounding me, pulling me forward.
I took the first step, never realizing how heavy it was. His silhouette slowly filled up my vision, leaving nothing but tears pouring out of the corner of my eyes.
“Brother.” He turned, a faint, fragile smile on his lips. You were as beautiful as ever—your eyes still sparkled in the sunlight, and your fur danced in the wind.
I said nothing, just standing there sobbing uncontrollably as he slowly got closer. Gently, he reached up, brushing away the tears, his touch soft and familiar, a balm over old wounds.
“Don’t cry. This isn’t like you at all.” His voice washed over me, warm and steady, sinking into every corner of my mind.
“I know.” My voice trembled as I forced the words out. “I know… everything.”
Before he could respond, I continued, “I saw... everything. I’m sorry…” My voice broke into a sob. “I’m so sorry.”
He wrapped his arm around my torso, pulling me into a hug. I tried to lift my own arms but failed miserably, so I simply stood there, feeling the warmth of my brother.
“What do you mean by ‘saw everything’?” His voice was gentle, but I could hear the confusion.
“Torku…” I hesitated, feeling the weight of what I was about to say. “Do you… really love me?”
I felt him tense, his heartbeat quickening against my chest. For a moment, he just held me, then he tightened his grip. I continued. “Did everything I saw was the truth?”
We both stood there in silence, neither of us daring to be the first to speak. The quiet stretched on, heavy and endless, until finally, he pulled back slightly, meeting my gaze.
“I…” His mouth opened, but he stopped himself, the words caught in his throat. He opened his mouth again, but no words came. Instead, he turned, choosing to flee. Before he could slip away, I grabbed his hand, holding on tightly, refusing to let him go.
“It’s been four years… four fucking years,” I choked out, the words laced with raw pain. “How long will it take? Another four years before you can face me again? I can’t… I just can’t do this anymore.”
“I thought I was prepared for this,” Torku said, his voice cracking as tears filled his eyes. “I told myself that no matter what, my heart wouldn’t break again.” He took a shaky breath, eyes downcast. “But seeing you sobbing like this… it shattered me. I can’t bear to face you like this, not when I feel so broken.” He paused, struggling to catch his breath, every word a confession of the hurt he’d been carrying.
“I know it’s not fair to you, to either of us,” Torku said, his voice trembling. “But this feeling… it just keeps rising up, and I’m terrified. Terrified that it’ll drive me insane.” He took a breath, the words pouring out before he could stop them. “I love you, Larke. I fucking love you.”
“I know.” I wrapped Torku in a tight embrace, holding him close. “I love you too, little brother,” I whispered. “Even if it’s not the kind of love you want… my love for you will always be here. I’m sorry for taking this long to realize it.”
We stayed there, clinging to each other, tears spilling freely, our silent cries blending with the fading light. As exhaustion seeped in, we drifted into sleep, still holding on. Sometime before dawn, I stirred, half-awake, feeling his warmth beside me.
The first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, casting a soft glow across the riverbank. In that moment, it felt like a quiet promise—a new beginning. I didn’t know what the future held for us. I didn’t need to. For now, just having him here, breathing beside me, was enough.
Maybe tomorrow, or in a year, or even in a lifetime, I’d find the answers to all that was left unspoken. But right then, under the gentle light of dawn, I let go of needing those answers. I just held on to him, feeling whole for the first time in years, content to let the rest come in its own time.
I am Larke, Torku’s beloved brother.
~Fin~
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS STORY.
It's been a great journey there, and there are so many things still hidden in the story but I will gladly save them for the other stories (If I have time lol). Hopefully you guys enjoyed this whole thing as much as I do.
Some of you might be wondering why the story unfolded the way it did. This was part of my plan from the start, and there are subtle hints sprinkled throughout. If you picked up on them, consider yourself a true pro!
Looking forward to seeing you guys in the future OwO
P/s: I really love these 2 silly tigors UwU