The Home

It was late afternoon, the sun steadily making its way across the horizon, a cool breeze rustling the grass in front of the Mortis house.

Umbra fumbled through his pockets as he approached the porch, shoving his keys into the lock. The rest of the family spilled in behind him, casually ignoring his rule against shoes being in the house.

The house was quiet, a silence that deadened any energy sparking between them. None of the lights had been turned on, the closed blinds creating a somber semi-darkness.

Aunora stretched her arms over her head as she walked through the kitchen, pausing in the living room. Matthew was exactly where they had left him- curled on the couch, asleep. She let her eyes linger, and then sighed.

Shirt slung over her arm, Aunora trudged up the stairs, reading to rinse off the thick layer of sweat that she had developed. Turning off the hall, she crouched by her dresser, gathering a fresh set of clothes.

An obnoxiously fruity smell hit her nostrils. “Yeah, what’s up, Umbra?”

Umbra leaned against the doorway, jaw clenched but eyes apprehensive. She knew exactly what was up.

“I think we should just let him go home,” Aunora murmured, shaking her head, “He told me last night that's what he wanted to do. He might be happier at his own house.”

Umbra’s expression darkened. “That's out of the question, not in this state.”

“Umbra, he's miserable.”

“He's an alcoholic, Aunora. The second he gets home, Matthew will drink himself into a coma, or worse.”

Standing up, Aunora grit her teeth. The air was tense, too tense for her liking. But she couldn't joke it away, not like she had earlier. Aunora knew he wasn't kidding.

“Has he said anything to you? Anything at all?”

“Nothing at all,” Umbra said, rubbing his arms, “He barely even lets me get near him. Is this...is this how you felt when Victor brought you back? Were you depressed?”

The markings on her wrists tingled. Aunora pushed her bangs out of her eyes. “It felt freaking weird for a couple days, but I wasn't that down. I know there has to be something else going on.”

Umbra let his head fall on the door frame. Aunora hadn't noticed how tired he looked. She wondered how many nights he had stayed up with Matthew. “Esper saw whatever happened in that warehouse.”

“And he hasn't said a word about it,” Aunora muttered, instinctively cutting her eyes to the side of the bed Esper slept, “He's been sleeping really bad too. I know he's having nightmares, but he won't admit it.”

Umbra massaged his temple. “I suppose all we can do is support them until they're ready to talk about it.”

“Hey, Umbra.”

Umbra eyes widened, twisting on his heels. Matthew stood in the hallway, arms crossed. He was blinking slowly, eyes adjusting to the light. His hair fell messily at his shoulders, unwashed and tangled.

Umbra took a step closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Ah, dear, you're awake.”

Matthew pulled away. Aunora saw pain flicker across Umbra’s face. “Infinity called a couple hours ago. He wants us in his office. It's important.”

Author's Note- aw, umbra and aunora being nice to each other makes me happy ♡♡♡