October 13th
Watching Sunday enjoying the space center is always Darius’s favorite memory. She had taken him here the most out of all the brothers in previous lives, but in this loop, it was Grayson she had dragged along.
“She’s going to hurt herself,” Grayson says worriedly as Sunday jumps from one station to the next, her dress fluttering around her. Examining all the placards, touching all the interactive spots, exploring all the areas.
“Let her have fun,” Axel argues.
At one point in the day, Sunday needs to use the restroom and the air grows tense, but then she leads them inside to a central area.
The brothers hold their breath the entire time she's out of their sight. They all wait for her, expecting the worst.
But then she returns. In one piece.
“She’s alive. And she’s going to stay that way.” Darius isn’t sure if he’s trying to convince his brothers or himself.
“She is. And this is going to work out. And you two will wonder why you didn’t trust me all along,” Axel replies snarkily, striding forward, wrapping an arm around Sunday’s shoulders.
“Luna was a part of this, too,” Darius blurts out. “She remembers everything. All of the loops.”
Grayson flicks his attention over. “I heard. I couldn’t imagine her suffering. I hope she does what she can to heal.”
Darius goes silent, his mind flipping and whirring in guilt and unease. In a lot of ways Luna reminds him of his mom. Caught in an endless loop of trauma.
“You know, I don’t blame you,” Grayson’s words hit Darius unexpectedly.
“You don’t?”
“No.” Grayson reaches out, ruffling Darius’s hair affectionately.
Axel and Sunday are arguing now, she’s trying to drag him onto a simulator ride and he is having no part in it. But then she whispers in his ear, and he launches forward with her.
Leaving Grayson and Darius to themselves.
“I’m the reason our mom left. Why she couldn’t stay behind.” Darius has spent years feeling unwanted. As the odd one out.
Grayson heaves a sigh, wraps an arm around Darius offering a half-hug. “She wasn’t doing well before you were born. It was only a matter of time before she stopped coming home. And besides that. None of that is your fault. You were the victim. Tripp and Axel always had each other, but you were always so alone. I wanted to be there for you, but I was afraid I would overstep. I was afraid you would decide to leave us. To choose to be with the Thornes, and then when I realized you weren’t going anywhere I was so terrified of losing our house that I forgot to check in with you.I’msorry for that.”
Darius leans into Grayson, watching as the simulator rides raises and lowers. Rocks side to side. He can almost hear a masculine scream from inside.
“You were forced to grow up too fast. You must have been lonely too.” Darius pulls back from Grayson as the ride ends.
He waits with bated breath. And then there she is.
Sunday.
The dress she wears is bright and yellow, covered in sunflowers, it is a reminder of their past.
The promise of their future.
He watches as Sunday steps off. Sees Axel’s eyes track her movements. Notices the way Grayson’s body relaxes at the sight of her. Feels his own heart beat just a bit faster.
“But we won’t be alone anymore. She is the glue that holds us all together. The piece we didn’t realize we were missing. And maybe we don’t deserve her, but I’m so glad she chose us. So glad that fate wrapped us all up together.”
Grayson’s attention doesn’t shift from Sunday’s form. “Me too.”
56
October 13th
