Chapter Text
Wemmbu stroked Spoke’s hair slowly, watching his chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm.
He hadn’t decided what to do.
He didn’t want to leave Spoke, but he didn’t want them to suffer with him.
He isn’t good enough for them.
He’s weak, he doesn’t know how to fight, all he can do is give them medicine if they are sick, they don’t have a proper home… if they were to leave they would have to stay hidden, cutting lots of opportunities they might have had.
Wemmbu couldn’t do this to them.
He knew they needed a proper home, one he himself didn’t even have.
Would it really be that bad if he just lets them go?
His vision started blurring without him realising.
He could feel the pillow his face was resting on slowly getting soaked.
He couldn’t even be strong enough not to cry.
How would he take care of his brothers like this?
Pathetic.
He pulled Spoke closer to his chest, resting his chin on Spoke’s head and kissing it softly.
The tears wouldn’t stop coming.
God, he wished all of this would end.
He sniffled as his arms wrapped around Spoke, the heavy sleeper leaning into the touch.
He was only six.
Wemmbu couldn’t just take him.
Wemmbu was only 14, what good could a 14 year old do in raising a kid?
Leo would be a much better father.
Wemmbu let himself fall asleep only after his eyes dried out, which took another 2 hours.
The sun had no mercy on him either.
It was just a reminder that the day Spoke is leaving only arrived.
He looked down at the kid still wrapped tightly around his torso.
“Good morning, Spoke.”
He watched his littlest brother shuffle in his arms before slightly opening his eyes.
“Gud moorning, Vemm.”
His heart ached as he forced out a smile and swallowed his tears.
“Are you still sleepy?”
Every word made holding himself together harder and harder.
The little voidling nodded as he snuggled closer to his chest.
“You are leaving today.”
His voice was soft, even though admitting it felt like a punch to the gut.
Spoke whined and hugged him closer, face pressed tightly against Wemmbu’s chest.
Wemmbu chuckled and stroked circles on his back, memorising the last moments he would have with his brother before he left.
Only after a lot of coaxing did Spoke get out of bed and freed Wemmbu of his grasp in the meantime.
Wemmbu sat on the bed neatly, watching the void-born walk to the bathroom, sleep almost taking over him again.
Wemmbu let out a shaky breath before standing up to follow Spoke.
Walking out into the hallway he could see the couch where Parrot and Flame were still sleeping on.
He was going to have a hard time letting them go.
It didn’t hit him yet.
He still felt normal, despite all the crying at night.
He is only going to truly realise how much he misses them once they are gone.
To say the least he is dreading the feeling.
He wishes life could be fair.
He wishes that they could be like this- a family without anyone leaving.
He wished he could keep his brothers.
But that would be unfair for them.
He heard the bathroom door click shut, snapping him out of his thoughts and bringing him back to the real world.
He walked over to the couch, sitting down at the feet of his other brothers.
He lifted the covers and started lightly tickling both their feet.
He laughed as they squirmed to get up and escape the tickle monster.
They both glared at him.
Wemmbu laughed at them in response.
“Wemmbu!”
Parrot whined and pulled the covers back over his head as he let himself fall onto his back.
“Come on sleepyheads! Time to get up!”
Honestly? Wemmbu should get an award for best acting.
Soon enough they all spotted Fymada coming out while stretching.
“Good morning, kids!”
“Morning Fymada.”
Wemmbu was the first to answer her, in the not most friendly tone.
Fymada raised an eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything.
Spoke got out of the bathroom already dressed and ready, so that left everyone else to do the same.
Wemmbu held Spoke close in the meantime, waiting for his turn to get ready for the day.
Leo said he’s going to pick up Spoke in the afternoon, that meant that Wemmbu had only a bit of time left with Spoke.
Once they were all washed and dressed Fymada made them breakfast, which Wemmbu spent near Spoke as well.
He was deathly afraid of forgetting his brothers, wanting to memorise everything about them before they left.
He might have some attachment issues, but we are talking about his brothers here.
Leo arrived right on time.
Wemmbu watched his every move carefully.
The way he talked to Spoke.
The way he patted his hair.
His facial expressions when Spoke wasn’t around.
Inside, hidden deeply he was looking for a reason.
A reason to pull Spoke back.
A reason to kick that man out.
A reason to spend more time with his brothers.
He helped Spoke pack his stuff, which wasn’t much.
Just a few clothes, toys, and his toothbrush.
He probably would have started sobbing by now, if it wasn’t for his perfect act of keeping it together.
When they were at the door Wemmbu couldn’t even manage a smile.
He watched as Flame and Parrot both hugged Spoke in goodbye.
He crouched down to Spoke’s level, giving him a hug as well.
“Promise to never forget me, okay buddy?”
He whispered in Spoke’s ear, his arms pulling his brother closer.
The voidling hugged his neck, reaching his year before whispering back.
“I promise…”