January
♤♤♤♤♤

All of Vagu watched as their former king was driven along the roads of each state. The shops ran out of black cloth, all bars were shut down, and it wasn't uncommon to see someone crying in public anymore. It got so worrisome that the queen needed to shorten the mourning period in fear of the country going bankrupt.

Beom and Marie moved back to Vagu once their son was buried in Normandy. They lost two children in one country and couldn't stand to be there any longer. Before they left, they took Lloyd's things back. They took most of his clothes, his blankets, his recorders and vinyl, little toys, and almost all of his jewelry. Most of it belonged to Da-Eun. François was heartbroken when they took the earrings he wore on their wedding day. He begged them not to, but Beom said they were his mother's and wanted them back.

François was left in that quiet house by himself. He only had five of Lloyd's outfits because they were either taken back or put in the museum. He had two of his bracelets, one necklace, his piano, all the paintings they liked, two of his notebooks, ten of his books, his pillows, and his tape recorder. He couldn't bring himself to listen to it yet.

In the middle of January, François gave all the animals to his grandparents. They were a painful reminder of what Lloyd loved. They would sit by the door for him, sniff Apple's dog bed, lay with his pillow, they wouldn't eat unless they were shown a picture of their owner. He couldn't tell deal with that. It wasn't their fault. He knew that. It was just too much. 

They didn't know what to do with themselves there. Pierre's happiness returned when he played with them, though it was short-lived. Everything changed too fast. Before, they had Lloyd to snuggle and love them, and they had Apple to play with. Now, they're somewhere new. Lloyd's scent was gone, François was gone, everything they adored was taken from them, and they were put here.

Benjamin was the most upset. He looked for Lloyd in different rooms. He would look out the window for his owners. He couldn't do anything about it. He didn't eat, he didn't sleep, all he did was silently grieve.

♤♤♤♤♤

Lloyd looked up and saw the woman. He reached out for her, and she let him sit on her finger again. Apple sniffled around.

"What's going on?! I'm so confused and scared!"

She rubbed his curly hair. "Dear, you're asleep for now."

"Asleep?! But today is me and my husband's anniversary! I can't sleep through that!"

"You'll see him soon, I promise you will." She saw him relax. "You're going to do that job for me, but first, I want you to meet new people. They're were born with the gift you have, but they weren't able to finish the job. It wasn't for them."

"Oh, okay." He looked around. "Where are they?"

She put him on a planet that was violet. He couldn't move, so Apple did the exploring for him. As she moved and sniffled all the new flowers, she heard footsteps. She barked as she immediately ran back to her owner to protect him, Lloyd looking on as the footsteps got louder.

He saw a man with old clothes and tired eyes walking towards him. He bowed to him.

"Your majesty." He spoke in old Korean. He let the little dog sniff him so she could relax. "Welcome."

"Um, hello." He was picked up by the man. "Who are you?"

"Ye-eun, your very great grandfather."

♤♤♤♤♤

"What, grandma? I was sleeping."

"François, Benjamin died. He was still waiting by the door."

The day after, he immediately brought the remaining animals home. Blueberry sat by the window with Jr, who was oddly quiet. In Lloyd's will, he told François to never get rid of his pets. He didn't listen, and look what happened. He failed him again.

---

February
♡♡♡♡♡

It was supposed to be Haruki's big day. Him and his wife were supposed to be married, and their families were going to come and have fun.

But now, because of Covid, nobody could show up. He couldn't risk the safety of his wife and baby to have her family show up, and his family couldn't leave their countries. Besides, all of them were too wrapped up in grief.

He wished Lloyd could be here. He would've loved to see him so happy. He at least tried to call François, but he got no answer. That man was avoiding the whole world. Nobody's seen him since the burial.

However, there was only one person who showed up. He got a special pardon from the queen, and he was the only person he felt comfortable showing up because he was a germophobe.

"Thank you so much for coming, Father."

Ho was sitting across from him, wearing gloves and a mask. "I'm very happy to be here. I'm very proud of you."

Haruki only smiled. He never thought he would enjoy his father's company as much as he was. He was saying how beautiful his new wife was and being very careful around her bump. He was eager to have another grandbaby to spoil.

"What's the gender of the baby? I brought both clothes just in case." He brought four bags of boy and girl clothes. He also brought special diapers just in case it had Lloyd's condition.

"We don't want to know yet. Plus, you know how things are today. It could always change."

"Oh, that's true." He was drinking green tea, one of his safe drinks.

It was quiet for a while. Ho gave the bride a pair of his mother's earrings. He felt very happy to do so. He gave all his children and their spouses belongings of his parents. Valentino has two of his grandfather's blankets that he made, Haruki and Hunter were given his metals, Susu has a few of her grandma's dresses, Sarah has her ring, and Clara had her bracelet but Ho took it back after the separation. When Luna is old enough, she'll have a piece of jewelry of hers as well.

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"How was I adopted?" Ho stopped drinking the tea. "Okaasan never told me."

Haruki was surprised by his father's reaction. His face never showed any type of emotion most of the time. He looked almost scared to tell him.

"I was walking one day, and I saw a woman who was selling all her things. I looked in the box, and she was trying to sell you."

His eyes got wide. His mother loved him. He never saw his real father, and she refused to talk about him.

"She told me that she needed to leave right away because your father was going to kill her."

"WHAT?!" He made his father cover his ears. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Oh, it's okay. But yes, she tried to sell you because she needed to leave and thought you'd be safer away from her. She didn't take any money. She told me to look after you, so I took you home." Ho shifted in his chair. "And I held you. You were maybe a newborn then. All you had on was a blanket and a diaper. Your mother gave me a locket with your birthday, her name, and your name on it."

Haruki took off the rusty locket he always wore. Ho's eyes widened as he reached for it. He didn't know he still had it. His son didn't know it opened and was at awe when it was. He read the Japanese letters inside.

"Haruki Aikawa, April 4, 1995. Junko Aikawa."

"Wow." He put it back on. "I've been wearing this every day for nineteen years and had no idea it opened. So, you took me home after that."

Of course, Ho's ADHD was forced on a crumb on the table. "Hm? Oh yes, I did. I'm happy I did, I think it was the best decision I've made."

Haruki was shocked as he watched his father hide a tear that fell with a napkin. He never saw his father cry. He was good at hiding it. He was only told he did so afterward by other people. Valentino said he cried for weeks straight after he left. It touched him. His father really did care.

"Dad, how did you adopt the others? I'm very curious."

Ho couldn't answer for a few seconds, gaining his composure again. "If I tell you about Sarah's, do you promise not to tell anyone I told you?"

Haruki nodded, sitting up.

"Lloyd wasn't your only cousin. There's five others, but they all died as babies." The older man felt sick. That was an open secret, but nobody ever asked why Marie, Lloyd, and Beom let off balloons four different days every year.

He couldn't imagine losing the unborn child he had, yet alone six. He also felt melancholy that Lloyd's name was mentioned for the first time since the funeral. Nobody talks about him or shows his pictures. In a way, it felt nice to talk about him. He was a real person, not just a memory.

"One of their daughters died while she was still in the womb, and they were very sad." He remembers the day it happened. Marie was two months pregnant with Da. She was so happy to be trying again and to finally Beom home after the first war. It was a hot summer day and they went to the beach. As she was swimming, she felt the baby go. Ho still doesn't understand it. One moment, she was pregnant and swimming. The next, she was crying and walking back with Beom to the car to go to the hospital. He remembers seeing blood in the sand as he walked behind them. 

His son shook his head. "Terrible, absolutely terrible."

Ho nodded as he continued. "I knew they wanted a baby very badly. So I had an idea. I went to the adoption center and picked the cutest baby girl for them. I thought that if I could buy them a baby, they'll be happy again. When I gave Big Brother the baby, he became very angry with me. He shouted at me, cursed at me, and he told me to get rid of her and to never do that again."

Haruki couldn't be angry with him. He knows how his father works. In his mind, he thought he was doing the right thing. He only wanted to make him happy. At the same time, he knows how wrong that was. To be grieving someone that shouldn't be gone, and then to have someone try to replace them. That's like him giving his uncle a skinny, brown-eyed young man and telling him that's Lloyd and to not be sad anymore. That's a disgusting thing to do, but it was with good intentions.

Ho learned the hard way what he did was wrong. His brother pushed him out of the house, basically threw the baby at him, screamed and cursed at him, called him stupid, then told him to do whatever he wants with the baby but to never bring her around him again.

"I was going to give her back, but then she looked with her big blue eyes and-" he choked up, wiping his eyes. Haruki smiled at him. He never saw this side of him. "-..and I just couldn't do it. I brought her home, named her Sarah, and I raised her."

"I'm so happy you did that. It's surprising, though. Uncle Beom really loves Sarah."

His voice began strong again. "He came around eventually, and I'm happy I did that. Well, I'm not happy because I made him upset, but I'm happy I got her."

The other felt so happy to see him so emotional. He was going to ask about Susu, but of course, Hunter needed to be added.

"I adopted Hunter when he was one. He-"

He didn't hide his digust. "What about Susu?"

"Aw, my princess. You asked for a little sister for your second birthday, so I went to the same adoption center I got Sarah at, and you picked her." He smiled at him. "Happy with your choice?"

He chuckled. "Yes. What about Valentino? You adopted them pretty late."

"I don't really know his backstory. I just know that his parents couldn't afford him and brought him to Vagu because the adoption here is better." He looked to the side, his eyes wet. "He's a good person, I'm so proud of him."

Haruki's chest felt warm. He loved seeing his father like this. He's so stonefaced all the time.

"Father, do you want to stay here until the baby's born?" He saw the other's eyes lit up. "She could always use more help while I'm a work."

"Yes! I'll love that!" He reached over and embraced him. Haruki didn't freeze up this time. "I'm so happy about this!"

♡♡♡♡♡

Lloyd now knew how to move around. He wasn't fast, but it was better than being carried about by a stranger. The stranger was nice, though. He said he's been here for a while and was glad to have company. Apple was just happy to be here with her owner.

And, it got even better. When the tiny dog was using the bathroom, she saw her big pitbull brother happily running to her. They were tail wagging, cries, and licks.

"Ben! You're here!" Benjamin cried and frantically kissed his owner, not caring about his new look. "Aw, my big boy! I missed you so much!"

Ye-eun suddenly picked up the big dog, scaring both of them. "Ah, you finally brought a proper dinner!"

Before Lloyd could question him, he was holding his whimpering dog over a boiling pot. Remembering he could fly, he scooped him up and picked Apple up as well.

"Hey, you can't eat my dog! Things aren't like that anymore!"

The man's big ears turned red as he bowed. "My apologies."

---

March/April
♧♧♧♧♧

Just as things couldn't get any worse, the pandemic began. Nobody could leave their houses. Everyone was scared of this killer virus. Worst of all, there was no toilet paper.

Some people, like Marie and Beom, were joyed to be home alone. Nobody will harass them about their son. They could finally grieve in peace. Ho was also happy. He got to spend time with Haruki's kind wife as his son worked overtime. François was glad, too. He could be left alone and rot.

However, most people were afraid of the sudden change. Sarah was panicked, having to find ways to protect and comfort all her people. All the hospitals were packed, and there were people who were still getting sick. Her and Luna were the first people who became ill. It was horrible. All of the siblings became sick, though it was mild. Everyone in the family got it eventually, yet most recovered.

François' family, however, wasn't so lucky. Everyone got it, yes, but it was more severe for them. Most of them were old and fragile, and their bodies just couldn't fight it. A lot of people from his side, who survived the Nazis and their death camps, died of Covid. Each one was difficult blow for the family.

The most difficult one was when Covid hit Pierre and Rose's home. Marcel was staying with his cousin because he was thrown out of school and was kicked out because of it, so he was fortunately not affected. Rose was hallucinating from the fever and throwing up everything. Her husband took care of her the best he could before he too became ill. It seemed like the more she improved, the more he became weaker. Then, on the last day of March, he died in his sleep.

François broke. Two big losses in one year, he couldn't talk to his therapist, see his friends, and he had no idea where the hell his brother was. They couldn't even have a funeral to say their goodbyes. His grandfather had to be buried in a mass grave away from their family because it was too dangerous.

He sat in the bedroom by himself, sobbing and pulling at his now long hair. He was unkempt. His hair was now down to his shoulders, he had a full mustache, and he looked like an old man.

"Franny."

He stopped for a brief moment. It couldn't be. There was just no way.

"Franny, love, look up at me."

He paused, then slowly looked up. He cried out. It was Lloyd! He came back to him!

"Lloyd! Lloyd! You came back!"

He rushed to him and hugged him, on his knees and clinging to his pants. He wasn't alone anymore.

He looked up to see his face, then realized he wasn't there. He was hugging the desk. He gasped and sunk down to the floor. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He was talking to himself for five minutes and didn't realize it.

He looked over at the books next to the bed. He kept everything the way Lloyd left it. The now dry bowl and cloth were still by the unmade bed. The last he wore was folded on the chair. He sniffled and looked through the pile. He picked The Great Gasby book that Lloyd gave him during the war. He shamefully hadn't read it yet.

When he opened it, a piece of yellow line paper fell on his thin lap. He was scared to touch it. He remembered all the silly notes Lloyd gave him that day. It was there the whole time. With shaky hands, he opened it.

"It's your favorite, and you're mine too. :)"

It was silly how much that made him cry. Out of all the romantic love letters he had left, this made him cry for hours. He held it to his chest. Jr, who was now a big boy, curled up next to him and made biscuits with his jeans.

♧♧♧♧♧

Aurora was enjoying herself, and then this mysterious virus came. She was having lots of fun being alive. She discovered she liked to dance and sew. She was good at playing the kantele without much practice. She was happy with her fiancee, who was growing to love her more and more.

However, the virus changed things. Everyone but her got it, which was great for the baby growing in her stomach. She liked to rub her tummy, loving the little body inside of her. She took care of her mother-in-law, who was grateful for her.

Her fiancee was panicking. She recovered quickly, but she was still worried. She would wash her hands for hours at a time, refusing to see anyone in fear of germs, and would lose her shit if she thought she heard anyone cough.

"Jóhanna, it's me, Aurora." She stood by the door. "I'm going to come in, okay?"

"No!"

She didn't listen. She opened the door and saw Jóhanna crying and quickly trying to hide it. She sat next to her on the bed.

"Are you okay? I've been very worried about you lately. I haven't seen you in a while."

Her tone was bitter. "Yes, now get out."

She titled her head. "I really don't want to. You don't seem fine."

"I'm crazy, okay?!" Her voice was shaky and loud as fat tears streamed down her face. "I have OCD, and that makes me crazy! I'm scared about this stupid virus, I can't control anything, and now I'm yelling at you, and I don't know why!" She covered her face with a pillow. "I know that you're going to hate me now, and that's fine! I hate me too!"

The other slowly put her hand on her shoulder, making her look up. "..I don't think you're crazy. This virus is crazy. And you're right. We can't control this, and that sucks."

She was breathing hard. She didn't expect her to be so calm with her. "I don't know why I get so angry... and crazy.."

"I really don't think you're crazy. This whole thing is scary! And it's okay to be mad sometimes. It's not a big deal. I think you're really nice."

Her blue eyes widened as she embraced Aurora. The other realized she loves hugs now. She hugged her back, enjoying this warm feeling.

"You're the first person who said that I'm nice." She sniffled, letting go of her. "You're so understanding, I wish everyone could be like you."

She had a new feeling. She didn't know what it was. Seeing Jóhanna look so beautiful made her feel this warm feeling. Her blue eyes were shiny, her hair was frizzy and down to her back, and she kept looking down at her chest.

Jóhanna noticed her staring. Aurora looked even more beautiful pregnant. Her hair was shiny, her skin was clear, her boobs were larger, and she really looked like a goddess.

They got naked and started to have sex. Aurora enjoyed every minute of it. She didn't know something this enjoyable existed. She made strange sounds, and so did her other.

When they finished, they were both exhausted and sweaty. Jóhanna was holding her close to her and kissing her all over, especially her belly. She was laughing and covered in pink lipstick.

"I actually feel a lot better, to be honest." She laid her head on the pillow, making sure both of them were comfortable.

The other grinned and poked her boob. "Can we do it again? Y'know, to make sure all that stress is gone."

"Yes.."

----

May
◇◇◇◇◇

Today was Lloyd's birthday. François continued to hear voices while nobody celebrated. It was too painful. Well, almost nobody. The country of Vagu had parades, parties, and lines of roses around his statues. By next time this year, it'll be a national holiday.

His grandparents were sick with worry. Lloyd should've been here months ago. They checked every religion, every idea of an afterlife, yet nothing.

They went to see their granddaughter. She was currently getting married. She looked so beautiful, and her bump was showing. They were shocked. After the wedding when she was alone, they came to her. Seeing two spirits would've scared anyone shitless.

"Aurora, it's us." Su-Yeong spoke gently, wanting to touch her. "Are you angry with us...?"

"W-who are you?!"

They stared at each other. Da-Eun wanted to cry.

"Oh, we must have the wrong person." He grabbed his wife's arm. "We apologize."

They went back as Aurora stood there, shocked. Her new wife came in and kissed her cheek.

"Dance?" She rubbed her belly, making her smile. "A mommy and mommy and daughter dance?"

She giggled and held her hand. "Yes!"

Meanwhile, Da-Eun was weeping. She really wanted to love her, she hates the fact that she has neglected her for so many years. In a way, however, she was glad Aurora didn't remember any of the heartache she experienced. If anyone deserved a happy ending, it was her.

"Beom might know where he is." He clicked on the globe to see it was white, meaning he was sleeping. Perfect.

They stepped into his dreams. They've only been there a few times. The rest are just figures of his imagination. There was no house. He was outside by those stairs, crying upon them.

Da-Eun put his head on her thigh. Su-Yeong sat next to her, rubbing his back.

"Oh, eomma!" His voice was horse. "He would've been twenty! My boy!"

"Yes, son, he would've." She kissed his head. She hasn't seen him cry like this in his entire life.

"I'm a terrible father! I've lost all my children! God knows I don't deserve them!"

His father frowned. "That's not true, Bennie. Many people lose children."

He looked up, Da-Eun wiping his eyes. "But who loses six?! Oh, appa! He doesn't come to me in my dreams!" They both felt their hearts sink. "Have you seen him?! Is he safe now!"

His father swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yes, please don't worry about that."

They gave him a happy dream instead of this one. He was young again, rocking in a blue chair with his baby son. They left his dream.

"He's broken." She was crying again, wiping her tears with her fingers. "This is terrible."

Su-Yeong wiped a tear. He moved his finger to the castle. "I-I need to go to Ho. This is our last chance."

Da-Eun couldn't come into his dreams, which hurt her. He doesn't remember her face. The last she tried, she looked like a faceless monster chasing after him. He got so scared that he wet himself. It hurt on a different level to know that your son is afraid of you.

Su-Yeong opened the door to his childhood bedroom. He was sitting on his bed alone, numb. It was unusual, considering that he usually dreamt of his family or trains.

Knowing his son, the father passed him a piece of paper and pencil to express his feelings with. It took him a few minutes, but he showed him a well-drawn picture of Lloyd.

"You miss him, don't you?"

He nodded and mumbled, "Today is his birthday. Big brother was very sad."

He suddenly began to cry, reaching out for a hug. Su-Yeong held him, soothing him and stroking his long black hair.

"There's so much change! There's Covid, a-and Lloyd's gone, and I'm going to have another grandchild!" He rubbed his forehead.

The older one rubbed his back. "That sounds like a lot, and I know you don't like change. But, this sounds really exciting! You love your granddaughter, and now you're going to have a new one!"

"But I can't even see my granddaughter. I miss her so much. I hate Covid!" He coughed in-between sobs.

"I know you do, but it'll be over as soon as you know it. And guess what? You'll get to be with the two of them really soon."

Ho smiled slightly. "That's true, this thing can't last forever. Researchers are close to a vaccine!" Then he stopped. "I feel really bad for big brother. I tried mentioning Lloyd today, but he shouted at me again." His voice broke. "I hate when he shouts me..."

It broke his father's heart to hear that. Beom rarely got angry with Ho. During both their childhoods, he only got angry once when he was a baby. He wanted his mother back and blamed him for taking her away. This is the third time he yelled at him.

"He's hurt, my darling. He's grieving, and he can't think straight. I'm-" He stopped himself. He couldn't even say he didn't experience it either. "Have you been seeing Lloyd in your dreams? I need to know, it's very important that you tell me.'

Ho shook his head. "I wish. I miss him, and nobody wants to talk about him." He wiped his tears. "I love you. I'm sorry for not saying that a lot."

He smiled wide. "Oh, my boy, I love you too."

He was going to kiss his head, but then Ho started to cough. The other stopped. This wasn't good at all. He tried to reach out for him, but he woke up.

"Well?" Da-Eun froze when he saw his face. "Su, what's wrong?"

"Ho. We need to check on him."

It took forty minutes because they didn't know where they were going. They were confused, they've never seen anything like Japan. The city lights, the sounds, it was overwhelming. They were in front of a hospital.

"Oh no."

Da-Eun hated that her first thought was to blame Jo. He hurt Lloyd. Why wouldn't he hurt Ho? They saw him on a ventilator in a hospital bed, light green. Haruki was on the other side of the glass in his hospital uniform.

"I don't understand! How could he have Covid?! Of all people!" He was crying, unable to look at his father in such a pathetic state.

"Covid can happen to anyone, you know that, Mr. Doh."

Su-Yeong stayed with his grandson as he cried into his hands. He knew that he needed to tell everyone and how upset they would be. They can't lose him. They're barely surviving Lloyd's passing. Da-Eun was with her son, looking over him. She regretted destroying the blade. She would've been able to put him out of his misery. He had to fight by himself.

◇◇◇◇◇

"Everyone has a power, you know that, right?"

Lloyd looked at him, Benjamin sleeping on his stomach. "Really? I didn't know that!"

He flew behind Ye-eun as he took him to an empty side of the universe.

"Watch."

He moved his hands around. Thousands of planets were created. Lloyd had his mouth open. He saw suns and then blackholes being formed by the movements of his fingertips. He saw stars and supernovas. All these different colors were flashing in his eyes, and he didn't have a seizure.

"Let there be light!"

And as if it couldn't get even better, the universe lit up. He saw different oranges and blues and everything else! He touched it then quickly drew his hand back when he felt cold.

"This is amazing! I can't believe you can do all this!" He picked up his dogs so they could see it, Apple sniffling then licking a white star. "That was so beautiful!"

"I wish I could see it, I'm colorblind." The other turned back and smiled at him. "Now you try it!"

He blushed as he put the dogs down.  "Sure, I guess!"

He tried moving his four hands, but nothing. Ye-eun almost laughed.

"Well, you'll find yours eventually."

-----
June
¤¤¤¤

On June 4, Haruki's wife went into labor. He wasn't home at the time because he was taking care of his father, whose condition was worsening. Beom had come over to watch over him.

She came in screaming and crying as Haruki rushed towards her in his scrubs.

"It's okay, my love!" He let her squeeze every bone in his hand. "We're going to meet the baby today!"

He hoped the baby would be born soon so his father could see it. He's been in and out of consciousness, and right now, he was awake.

¤

Su-Yeong and Da-Eun were waiting by the hospital bed behind Beom, who was crying and apologizing for everything he ever did wrong. They could nothing by watch.

"Big brother!" He sounded like was drowning. "I see appa!"

Beom wailed. He hasn't even recovered from his son's death yet.

"Little brother, I'm so sorry! I've been lying to you about something very important!" He held his hand as he heard the poor woman scream from across the hallway.

"Me too. Please don't get angry."

He moved Ho's hair out of his face. "I won't be angry! You can tell me anything you like!"

"I know about Hunter. He's dead." Beom's eyes widen. "I found out from the news. You kept saying he was alive, and I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.."

"Oh, it's okay!" He hugged him, feeling his shaky breathing. "I was going to tell you the same thing!"

¤

"Push! Push!"

She screamed again. It's been four hours already. Haruki was worried for her and his father. He really wanted him to see the little thing.

"So close, love! You got this!" He kissed her.

She pushed again, and much to everyone's delight, a baby crying should be heard.

"It's a boy!"

Haruki got to be the one to cut the cord and clean him. He gave him to his wife, kissing her all over her face. He then ran out to tell his father about his new grandson.

Everything was blurry as he ran, his chest hot. He was a father. He'll be a proper one. He'll love him like nobody else could. Ho will love him too. He'll hold him, he'll kiss him, he'll love him so much when he's all better.

He stopped by the glass, the world stopping as well. Ho was gone, and his bed was made. Beom was sobbing on the bed. Da-Eun and Su-Yeong were gone as well.

He banged on the glass, getting his uncle attention. He backed up six feet as he opened the door, leaning on the wall.

"He told me 'I love you.'" He started sobbing again. "I'm sorry, H-Haruki. He-He would've loved the baby."

Haruki walked back. Everything felt so slow and clear. He came back into the room to see his wife playing with the baby, making him smile. She looked up at him and saw tears running down his sweaty face.

"Dad's dead." He sat down next to her again and cried into his hands.

She hugged him with her free arm. This should've been a happy moment. He asked to hold the baby. It was a little red guy crying his lungs open until daddy held him.

"You can name him if you want." She rubbed his knee.

Haruki looked at her, and she nodded. He decided to follow the family tradition of middle names.

"You're my Tae Asahi Doh." His wife smiled as he cried and kissed the baby. "You're my light."

¤¤¤¤

As Lloyd's family grieved another loss, François celebrated his birthday alone. Not even his own family remembered. He didn't want to answer Bella's calls.

He understood that the visions and voices weren't real, but it was only the thing he really had left of such a beautiful life that was robbed of him. Sometimes, he wouldn't open his eyes because that meant it would end. Yesterday, he hugged him for two hours as he heard all those sweet things he used to say. When he opened his eyes, Blueberry was shaking and staring at him like a crazy person as he saw he was clinging to the piano leg.

Today, he heard many voices. He heard his grandfather's, mother's, but Lloyd's voice was loud and clear. He sang to him, told him he loved him, it was almost like he was really here.

"Franny, open the presents I've given you!" He was being led to the closet, where he put all of the gifts he would've got on their anniversaries and now his birthday. Lloyd brought gifts for him and his parents in advance for the next five years.

"Aw, okay, my darling! Anything you like!" He kissed his head, making him laugh.

He turned his back to open the closet. All the gifts were waiting for him. 

"Which one should I open first?" He turned back to him, only to see he wasn't there. He breathed deeply and shook his head.

He still picked up the ones he was supposed to open in March. He couldn't look at the ones from January. There were two.

He sat on the bed, the smallest one on his lap. He wished the hallucination would come back. It's the only thing that's makes him happy again. He opened the box and saw a ruby ring. It was too big for his finger. He lost so much weight. He kissed it, tears swelling in his sore eyes. He was able to put it on his middle finger.

He went to the other one, seeing his own tears get on the red wrapping paper. He opened it slowly and sobbed. It was a beautiful homemade mirror.

It was an oval. It was even on all sides, which made him smile slightly. The back had carvings of roses. The handle had a ruby on top, a sapphire at the bottom, and an amethyst in the center. At the bottom of the glass was a heart that had "F+L."

He looked at himself in the mirror. His now long hair was dry and frizzy, his face wrinked and ugly, his mustache was full and was starting to form a beard. He looked disgusting, and Lloyd would surely feel the same way.

"You're gorgeous." François saw Lloyd above in the mirror. "My handsome man."

"...You're not real. Leave." His voice was weak.

"Leave? But I love you!"

"You're not going to be there when I look up."

After a few moments of silence, he looked up. Lloyd wasn't there. He curled up next to the mirror and cried the rest of the day away, stroking the L in the heart.

---

August
××××××

The siblings were frustrated. They looked everywhere for Lloyd. They checked where Jo was and didn't see him nor their older brother. There was just a thing with eight eyes looking back at them. They all ran away when they saw it, causing it to cry.

In the middle of August, Lily heard someone in the room next to her mother's. She gasped and got her older siblings.

"I think Lloyd's here!" All of their eyes lit up. "It has to be!"

Deciding to surprise him, they quickly opened the door, the stranger being too distracted looking at trains moving from the 1920s. Lloyd was a lot taller than they remembered.

"Surpise!"

They screamed when a strange man with a ponytail stared back at them. He looked happy to see them and began to talk about how the trains were made. Grandpa came in to see what the noise was about, Lily hiding behind him.

"Grandpa, who's that!? That isn't Lloyd!"

Ho picked up a toy train. "I'm Ho Tae Doh. I've heard lots about all of you!" He shook Étoile's hand. "My brother would be very happy to meet all of you!"

Su-Yeong got on his knee to meet all of them in the eyes. "This your uncle Ho. He's been very excited to meet you all."

They tried to be happy, really they did. Their uncle was very nice. Étoile was very happy with him and started asking about the trains. Da started crying.

"But where's Lloyd?! He should've been here months ago!" Lily rubbed her back. "He isn't in hell, is he!?"

"Aw, no, no." He picked her up, wiping her blood tears. "We really don't know where he is. But we're going to find him soon."

"I hope so. He's missing out on all these trains!" Étoile rolled a toy train on Ho's arm, making him laugh.

××××××

The giant popped up to check on the duo. Ye-eun showed her the dance they made up for her. She clapped and praised them while she put them and the dogs in her hand.

"Have you discovered your power yet, Lloyd?"

Lloyd peaked through her fingers to see light moving. "No, not yet. Can you give me a clue?"

She put them on a different planet. It had grass. "Weather. That's all I can say."

"Where are we?" Ye-eun looked around. He forgot what grass looked like.

The dogs ate the grass as she explained, "Lloyd has met you, and now it's time for both of you to meet the second person with the blessing."

She vanished. They looked around. Ye-eun saw her first.

"Lloyd! Look!" He picked her up from a river, the young girl clinging to his shoulders. "A little girl!"

Lloyd flew over to her. She was crying as he moved her brown hair away from her face. "Oh, love, don't cry."

"I want my mommy! I haven't seen her since I woke up!" She let Lloyd pick her up.

Something in his heart ached for her. He always wanted a little daughter. "You'll see him soon, I promise. Look!" He held out her hand and picked up Apple with his other set of arms. "Dogs!"

She smiled and laughed as Apple licked her hand. "Do you want to see something super awesome?!" The men nodded.

Lloyd put her down as she moved her hand to the grass. Sunflowers poked out and grew up to the white sky, one touching Lloyd's nose.

"Isn't that so cool!"

"Yes!" Ye-eun bent down. "Look at this!"

As he made a nightsky for her, Lloyd picked one of the flowers and spun it around. Luna loves sunflowers. They would be such good friends.

---
October
●●●●

Aurora woke up in the middle of the night in the worst pain of her life. She screamed as she clung to her stomach, waking up her wife and their dog.

"Aurora, it's time! You're going to have the baby!"

She cried human tears as she grabbed the blanket for support. The maid rushed to see.

"What's going on?!"

Jóhanna picked her up and carried to the bath. "Get the nurse!"

"Oh my, is it time?"

"NOW!" Her tone was sour, making the maid run as fast as she could to get the midwife and nurse. She turned to Aurora. "It's okay, love, I'm right here."

Unlike her mother, it only took sixteen minutes for the baby to come out, alive and well. The pain was gone once she was born, though she was very tired as she was given water and kisses by Jóhanna.

"Good job, love." She kissed her lips.

She smiled as she cleaned up. "I did it."

It took a few minutes, but the baby was cleaned, wrapped in a pink blanket, and brought to Aurora for skin to skin. She was overjoyed, crying and stroking her red skin.

"It's Laddie, Jóhanna." She kissed her, then the baby. "After my brother."

She hugged her wife. "I think that's a great name."

●●●●

"I can also make these!" She showed Lloyd red roses.

He hugged her. "That's really awesome. What's your name? You never told me."

"Oh, I don't remember my name. Can you give me a new one?"

"Sure." He kissed her forehead like she was his own child. "How does the name Jeannette sound?"

"Wo, yeah!"

---

This horrible, scary year was actually coming to an end at last. François cried by the bottom of the stairs until he fell asleep, a bottle of wine in his hand. Beom and Marie cried together, remembering their son and Ho. Sarah didn't celebrate, and neither did her siblings.

Meanwhile, a clock went off. The young girl covered her ears and went behind the growling Benjamin. Lloyd was afraid, too, holding Apple for support.

"Ye-eun, what's that sound mean?"

"It means one hour has passed."

----

Stanisław Grocholski
Death of an Orphant