Drabble 01 | We say goodbye

[toremainbehind]

It hasn't been long since Totsuka's death.

A mere few hours since Mikoto burnt their best friend's corpse into ash in the dead of night, the flashes of the King's flames remaining vivid in Izumo's mind. He couldn't even grieve, already being forced to work to find the one responsible. Even young Anna was put to work as everyone was struggling to find the one responsible.

It was close to dawn already and Izumo forced everyone to get some sleep, even their King who was adamant to stay awake for once.

He tapped his finger against the counter of his bar, slouched over as he gazed blankly at his glass of Vodka sitting in front of him.

Everywhere he looked, he saw memories of Totsuka. The last song sung by him echoing in the empty bar. It made him curl his fingers around the glass, tight enough to almost break it. However, he refrained himself, knowing it would only wake Anna and Mikoto up. He just managed to them to sleep; he didn't want them waking up.

Breathing out, he reached for his pack of cigarettes that laid near his glass, taking one out and putting the filter into his mouth. A snap of his fingers had it lit, the slow ember illuminating the room. He breathed out smoke, eyes sliding close. If he concentrated hard enough, he could hear Totsuka's voice again, filled with cheerful laughter and a peace only he could bring.

But then all he could see and hear was that moment on the rooftop.

He could still feel the blood on his hands from when he carried Totsuka back to the bar, refusing to allow Yata to be the one to do it. It was wet, warm, and it terrified him.

Even now, he could still feel Totsuka's blood on his hands, and the weight of guilt building in his stomach.

As he opened his eyes, Izumo puffed out another smoke before he took the cigarette out of his mouth, lowering it. He picked up his glass, holding it out with a heavy heart to a silent toast.

"Goodbye, Totsuka."