His lips trembled in silence, bound in a giant chair with cuffed hands, they were connected to long metal chains that were hanging in the air behind his back. His eyes traced the ground. As if he was a caged bird who lost its freedom. Sunday had nothing to share but sadness and melancholy. Stelle stood there staring at his dead looking eyes.
“Why are you here?” He broke the silence, his grip tightened ever so slightly. “Are you here to look down at me? If so, you have the chance. Because I'm going to meet with my deserved fate soon.“
Stelle stepped inside, closer to his form. He wasn't honest with himself even after she answered him before. Her answer was clear as the sun, but maybe he was blinded by it.
A sigh left her lips, What a stubborn man. Did he think she was here to laugh at him? What does he take her for? She pouted and puffed. “Sunday, I'm here for you.”
Bitter laugh echoed in the cell. He didn't even glance at her, but his body radiated defeat. “For me? “ he questioned sarcastically.
She knew she would deal with this, gripping the key she held in her hand as to release the stress. A flashback played in her head, It was Jade giving her the key and smiling confidently. “Yeah, for you. Because people eventually wake up from their slumber. “
Sunday lifted his head to look at her, It was this line again. That line that drew him into her, It was magnificent. His eyes flickered some light before he pursed his lips. “I see, But aren't you missing something, Miss Stelle? I'm not asleep, I'm yet to be punished.” he exhaled.
She arched an eyebrow “I suppose I have nothing to say to this but, I feel like this whole time you were punishing yourself.” Her eyebrows furrowed when she remembered his good intentions but wrong ideals, He was trapped by reality and indulged in fantasy of his own. A world with no pain but no gain, It was not ideal but a life skip. Yet, She knew he was harsh on himself more than anyone. “I'm here to free you from the shackles, from yourself. I want to offer you a new perspective of life.”
“Please, don't continue.” he dismissed it immediately. “My pride doesn't need further shattering, I know where I belong. “
“Are you saying you belong to jail?” she remarked jokingly as she placed her both hands on her waist.
“No, I belong to nowhere.” His answer came out blunt. if one can imagine what his answer would look like. It would be this kid who cries alone in darkness and tries to thrive, he thought that being exposed to darkness made him strong but it was eating him alive.
Stelle sighed and walked even closer to him, she leaned till their faces were close, He felt her breath on his lips and gasped. “If you belong to nowhere then I belong to the trash can.” her smile was cheeky but genuine.
“Trash can?” He looked confused but soon exhaled “Miss Stelle, I'm not joking.”
“I'm not joking either. ” she confirmed.
“W-what?” Sunday looked more puzzled at this confirmation.
Stelle dipped her hand in her pocket, took her phone out and searched in her gallery. Photos of her silly moments with her trash can romance “Here.” she switched the screen for him to see.
Sunday smiled awkwardly and blinked twice “Uhh I see… “
“I’m really sad that I couldn't take a video of these trash cans I saw moving in my dream! Ugh…they even had muscles!!” she pulled the phone back to her and let it sleep in her pocket again. What a weird way to make an impression in jail.
Silence. It was very awkward between the two, Stelle felt awkward to change the topic. And Sunday felt awkward to ask any more questions.
Once again she gripped the key in her other hand but it felt wrong to unlock these shackles without breaking his mental shackles to dust. It wasn't going to be easy but it was worth the shot. “I don't know what happened to you in the past but… everyone deserves second chances you know?”
Sunday sighed and looked away “Yeah, but I don’t think it works on me. I have fought you guys twice, used Sterallon to make you all indulge in endless dreams…If it weren’t for your dedication as a group. You would have…” He didn’t continue, looking at his hand as he shut his eyes.
“You have a point.” Stelle eyed the broken criminal, she knew he needed to let everything out somehow in order to let new views in. “Sometimes, all we need is to have someone who would correct us when we are wrong.”
“You don’t understand!” he gripped his fists.
“Indeed. That’s why I want you to tell me more so I can.” Stelle touched his chin and looked at him firmly in the eyes.
“Y-You…” His eyes snapped open. It took him off guard and he had the face of a small child, his eyes were desperate for tears but he fought them. No he can’t be pathetic more than this, What is this? He is used to caring for others, but when someone cares for him it feels weird and new. Yet he scowled at how he doesn’t deserve it. “Why….Why do you care so much about me? I don’t deserve it! Can’t you see…I should have died! Beheaded! Gone for good…I’m a traitor, I'm a criminal! Why would good people like you want to free someone like me!? Please, leave me alone.” His voice echoed in the cell, Stelle noticed how shrouded and alone Sunday was inside. What can she say now? It’s not easy or can be fixed in one click overnight for him. She knew but part of her refused to let this little lonely charmony dove to be left behind.
“I understand that I can’t do much but listen…” She breathed out softly “Your intention all this time was pure and potent, You wanted to protect everyone right? When you knew you couldn’t make everyone happy…you,” They were already close, she bent a little and hugged him. “Please? Why are you denying your own happiness like that…If you look at it, You stopped eating sweets, you stopped having fun yet you anticipated fun for others, comfort and well being. It’s not fair for you, isn’t it?”
A blush creeped on Sunday’s face. He wasn’t prepared for that, nor he said all of this to earn this. Those were his honest feelings about himself. No, he wasn’t hugged by anyone but his sister. “Miss Stelle…Can you…let go?”
“No.” She tightened her embrace around him.
What a situation. He can’t push her away even if he wanted to. His heart hammered in his chest, like someone playing the piano at a fast pace.
Have I really given up on my own happiness that I became so difficult? Is it okay for me to accept genuine kindness? Jade said my sister asked for this, And now Stelle, Maybe she is right. If that’s Robin’s wish for me I...
Rattling of chains occupied the cell for a brief moment as he reached out to embrace her back. It’s okay, it was always okay but he denied it. Hot tears betrayed his golden eyes, He silently sobbed in her hug. Can he really find his way again? Can he really be forgiven? It didn’t matter to him anymore. He shivered and squeezed her closer, He whimpered as loud as he could. Like he used to before he grew up, Before he forced himself to grow up.
Stelle smiled as she softly ran her fingers in his hair. Now, she can surely unlock those chains after he cries. At least he would look cute. Would he pout or look away? All seemed wholesome and adorable to Stelle, but as for now he needs his moment.
He is free now, he doesn’t need to hold meetings, Investigate, or even think about others’ lives anymore. His life ahead of him is now his and his only. He can spread his wings and fly, wherever it will take him, He shall be okay.
Author's note: This fiction is based on 2.3 hsr story, I just happened to get fascinated by such scene that I wrote it, enjoy (✿❛◡❛)
