Bury me in Amaranth (reader x Edward)

Chapter 4

13.08.1967

"Are you okay?"

My hands are empty, sitting on my lap as I stare down at the dirtied carpet. It feels off, the ticking consistent without anything to count for, no page to turn. But I feel no need to read when the boy beside me silences my hourglass of sand, of time. "I don't know."

Gold hair, gold eyes. He offers me his hand.

"Hm?"

He leaves it outstretched, "Once again, you remind me of my brother."

"Why?"

I can hear the hint of a smile when I place my hand in his and he speaks, squeezing his fingers tight. "Both me and my brother... we made a mistake when we were young, one so grave that it would affect us for the rest of our lives."

I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Because of this, he lost his physical body. While I managed to trap his soul in a body of armour, it took a very, very long time until we brought him back. During the time in a suit of armour," Edward trailed off, he sat straight from his slouched position. "He underwent a lot of doubts, fears. He fought for his body, but he waited for a very long time."

He goes silent, and I twist my head around to get a look at his face. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, whether it be tears or a frown. But it was a bittersweet smile that rested atop his lips, eyes centred ahead, past the windows. Past this cage.

"When I imagine how he felt throughout our journey, I imagine someone patient." His gaze slowly drifts to meet mine, "Someone who is tolerant, but grew discouraged with every day that passed by. Until they were consumed with hopelessness."

"Did your brother get his body back?"

Edward squeezes my hand again, "Yes, he did. I never let him give up, he never let me either."

I turn to stare at the windows, I can't see past my reflection on the dirtied glass. "The way you talk about your brother... I wish I had someone like that to care for me. To worry about the expression on my face, to not let me give up."

"I care about you," The boy says this without hesitation and it's my turn to smile bitterly. "I'll be your brother, I'll bother with trying to identify what you're thinking, what the look on your face means."

It suddenly strikes me how long it's been since I've heard the sound of ticking, this numbing silence was so calm. Loud in the impact it meant, what this boy seemed capable of doing to me. "Thank you," I whisper before indulging myself in the presence of someone who cared. I leaned my head against his shoulder.

We stay like this for the rest of the train ride. Until he stands at his stop and my hourglass resumes with its impending doom. I bring the book back into my lap.

Goodbye Ed.