🥀Trigger Warning🥀

  Major character death

~

    "Carol of the bells is just my favourite," Felix said, reading the program.

  "I don't see how, it is kind of scary," Yunjin said.

  "I just love how it starts slow and builds then it slows down, just to build back up, and it comes back to the starting notes and releases,"

   "I still don't see why you aren't in the music department,"

   Felix pressed his lips together and hummed.

   "I heard that there was a flare between you and Declan, what happened?" Yunjin asked.

   "Eh, he and I had a bit of argument and it got a little heated. We talked it over when he got back, but decided that the relationship between us needed to end and so we decided to just be friends," Felix answered.

   Yunjin nodded, "I thought you guys would at least make until after today, however, I think it is good that you ended it. Does this mean the you know how you really feel about him?"

   "It does, but it is clear that he doesn't feel the same, so eventually I'll get over it,"

   "You two are Belly and Conrad in book three," the younger said.

  "No, we aren't," Felix muttered.

  Yunjin nodded.

    The lights in the auditorium dimmed and soft Sound of Dance of the Sugar plum fairy began.

    Declan was in the mix of students on stage.

  As the song ended Felix's phone lit up. It buzzed and buzzed.

  "I need to take this," Felix said getting up.

  "Declan's performance is going to start soon," Yunjin said.

  "I know, but it is Yeji. It could be about Juni or Vi,"

  Yunjin nodded.

   Felix quickly walked out and answered the phone.

  "Hey, what's up?"

    The blond nearly dropped his phone.

  "I'll-I'll be there soon. Is Viola okay?"

   He took a deep breath and nodded, "She has a-a blanket when she get anxious it helps. It should be in her room in the chest at the end of her bed. I will be there soon,"

   Felix quickly hung up and took another deep breath. Tears welled in his eyes, he tried his best to blink all the tears away.

   It would all be okay.

~

   Yeji didn't know what to do. She held Viola close hoping it would comfort the girl, but she wouldn't stop crying. The red head could blame her, she was scared too.

  "Yeji! Viola!"

  Yeji looked up, Felix was walking down the hall he looked like he had been crying.

   Viola stood up letting her blanket fall as she ran over to Felix. Her cries becoming louder as she got to Felix.

   Yeji took a breath and looked away blinking away her tears.

   Felix held Viola close trying to calm her. What was he to say? He couldn't say it would be fine, because he couldn't promise that.

   He just held her as she cried. He just held her until she fell asleep in his arms because of all the crying.

   "Yeji, what happened?" Felix asked.

   "He was driving to see you. He was going... he was going to tell you he loved you. I got the call ten minutes after he left... I tried not to panic because I didn't want to scare Viola, but I don't know. I couldn't think, it felt like I couldn't breathe when I got the news... Felix, they don't think he'll make it,"

  Felix held tighter to Viola.

  What would happen to her if he didn't make it? Would she go back to Julianna? Would Yeji take custody?
 
    The two sat for hours waiting for the doctor.

  When she finally came out, their world shattered.

   "I'm sorry," she said softly.

   Yeji broke down crying, which woke Viola who seemed to figure out easily what was happening.

  "Felix?" She said softly.

   Felix took a deep breath and looked at the small girl. Her eyes were glimmering with tears, the apples of her cheeks red as cherries because of her crying.

   "I'm sorry, Vi," Felix said softly.

  She shook her head, her tears falling rapidly as she began to cry, "But... but he said he wouldn't leave me alone! I don't want to go back to Julianna. I want to stay here! I want you and daddy!" She cried.

   "Vi, you won't go back to Julianna, I promise,"

   It wasn't a promise Felix could make but he did.

   "This isn't fair" Viola said.

  Felix wiped the shiny tracks of tears on the small girl's face, "I know. I wish it was different. I wish he was here holding you and laughing at whatever silly thing you do. It is unfair," he said, trying his best to comfort her.
 
    Viola's lip trembled as she began crying more.

    Felix hugged her tight.

  It wasn't fair at all.

~

    The week leading up to the funeral was difficult. Viola was having a hard time, the girl was crying none stop. Yeji was having the hardest time comforting her, which led it to fall on Felix to comfort her.

  Felix didn't mind, it helped. It helped him avoid the fact that he too wanted to absolutely break down and sob.

  There were other things distracting him too, including the fact that Julianna was trying to get custody of Viola back. She was failing but it scared Felix especially when he heard from Yuqi that it was unlikely that Yeji would get custody because of her ex-husband.

   "What if I took custody?" Felix questioned suddenly.

   Yeji and Yuqi looked at Felix surprised.

  "You do realise what that would entail right?" Yeji asked.

   "My parents are dead, Winslow is in prison till he is dead. I don't see another option unless your grandmother or mom take custody of Vi,"

   "Not just that Felix, it's not like you are asking to take custody of a teen who could easily make themselves food and stuff," Yeji stated.

   "Trust me, I know. I don't say this lightly, I not being willy-nilly about saying I will take care of her. I know her allergies, I know her medical conditions, I know what doctors she goes to. I am not going it this blind. If you think I am then you are wrong," Felix stated.

   Yeji opened her mouth to say something, but pressed her lips together. Felix took a deep breath and stood up.

  "I need a minute," he muttered, quickly walking away.

   "Has he grieved at all?" Yuqi asked softly.

   Yeji looked at her hands and shook her head, "He had been taking care of Viola and helping with funeral arrangements, then things started happening with Julianna so he's been trying to keep Viola out of the loop... he hasn't cried,"

   Yuqi pursed her lips, "Maybe you should go talk to him, see if he is okay. Give him a shoulder to lean on," she suggested.

   The woman stood up and went to the other room.

   Felix looked so tired. He had dark circles under his eyes and his eyes looked so distant.

   "Did you know that on days where Viola had to go to the doctor's Hyunjin would take her to farmers market to get anything she wanted," Felix said.

   "No, I didn't,"

   "I was with them once when she had an appointment for her heart," 

   Yeji's brows drew together, "Her heart?" 

    "She has a heart condition Hyunjin found out after Vi's first appointment with him," Felix said.

  "I'm sorry about earlier... I just... this is a lot and I don't know what to do," Yeji said.

   Felix nodded.

  "Felix, it's okay to cry, even in front of Vi. I know you want to be strong in front of her, but sometimes you just need to,"

  The younger took a deep breath, "I don't want it to be true. I want it to be a dream. I want him to be here- I need him to be here. He is the person I love and I didn't get to tell him that. I just wish it was different,"

    He wished he told Hyunjin sooner.