Title: Last Day of the Sun
Author:
dria1029Pairings: OT5, OCs
Genre: Angst? Siblingship. Family
Warnings: Bleak. Just bleak. And a little fluffy
Rating: PG
Summary: They are Shinee’s biggest fans. All the way to the very end.
Word Count:
a/n: Not my best in terms of writing voice/style/vocab. Just wrote this how I saw it in my dream. Doesn’t really revolve around Shinee, but they are important nonetheless. Crying may ensue…I’m sorry.
A woman once gave birth to identical twins; a beautiful boy and girl. The newborns were pictures of health, what with their loud lungs and fresh, pink skins. There hadn’t been any complications during their births, and the woman and her husband considered themselves lucky once more because the pregnancy had been pretty normal as well.
She proudly named them Andrew and Ariel. Life went smoothly and blissfully with her little joys. Her mulatto miracles. Hard earned wealth was on their side, so the twins wanted for not; but it didn’t mean they were ever spoiled. If anything, all they really needed was each other; the two were latched to each other’s hips all the time, as twins tend to do-very close, very compatible. There was no good twin/bad twin, no rivalry. Not even a difference when it came to gender construct: Ariel and Andrew, her slightly older brother by a few seconds, enjoyed the same things, whether it was Barbies or Battleship.
So it was no surprise that when they were introduced to kpop at age 13, they both fell in love with the-then novelty that was contemporary boy band, Shinee. Loved them even before they officially debuted, with a bootleg version of Replay always on repeat to lull them to sleep at night. Indeed, it was their love for Shinee that brought them even closer than they already were; at the time where puberty would eventually separate them, wanting to share in listening to Replay and whisper about and squee over their favorite parts-or sing along- convinced them to remain in a room together.
Unfortunately, around the same time they came to love Shinee, their days of picture perfect health came to a screeching halt. Andrew fell ill first. Ariel showed symptoms of the same illness only a month later. To their parent’s greatest heartache, the twins were diagnosed with a rare case of brain cancer. The doctors and specialists could only guesstimate that the disease had lain dormant in the twin’s bodies from the womb-which was devastating enough in itself. But when countless hospital visits and consultations with the country’s best neurologists proved that no one knew how the twins could have contracted the cancer, the family’s aching hearts finally cracked.
They did all they could. The husband saw to it that they were seen even out of the country. No amount of money was too much to seek a cure, and he’d spend every dime. Even their youngest son, just as loving and sweet as his older siblings, contributed. The eight-year-old often led the family prayer in the hospital, where he and his parents would gather around Andrew and Ariel’s joint beds and hold hands, praying in earnest.
No amount of money was too much. Yet all the money in the world didn’t seem to be enough to save them.
Their health diminished by the day despite the family’s desperate efforts. Giving up wasn’t an option, of course; yet in the meantime, the parents decided to at least make their babies comfortable. The family moved, and the twins were permanently admitted into a first-rate hospital in Atlanta.
The twins, however, were the least affected by their circumstance. Amazingly, they were as optimistic, bright and lively as they always were. Like they weren’t sick at all on the inside though on the outside, the spreading cancer was all too visibly clear. As long as they had each other and as long as they had Shinee, the cancer didn’t exist. Nothing could discourage them. So the mother went out of her way to make sure they owned all of the albums and posters and cute Korean knick knacks that featured Shinee. For every comeback, she was among the first to purchase the memorabilia, to buy the music for the iTunes on their laptops. Tenderly rolled Minho socks on her son’s feet and then turned to put Onew’s on her daughter’s. On nights where the twins weren’t too ill for company, the mother brought the youngest son, and they’d have a little Shinee concert together with the works. She’d sing along and dance and smile, ignoring the old, weary swell of hurt in her chest for their sake. Always.
Only behind closed doors did she break. Only then she’d shakily gaze at the picture of Andrew and Ariel’s first birthday…the picture where they were both smearing each other’s plump faces with cake and laughing….and she’d cry herself into a fitful, migraine-inducing sleep.
Three years later, still cure-less, she was even less prepared for the news the doctors had to relay. With the entire family in the room, they solemnly explained that Andrew and Ariel’s cancer had reached a terminal stage. More than likely, the twins wouldn’t make it past three months.
The twins had been sitting up in bed, squeezing each other’s hands tighter and tighter with each and every heavy word. Yet their silent, endless tears were more for their parents, grandparents and baby brother than for themselves. The stagnant sorrow hovered unforgivably, to seemingly linger in the room even after they all had filed out-including when the mother finally left after a few days at their side.
During that time, the twins showed the first sign of dejection for their situation, which would have further derailed their mother had they not expressed in soft, strained smiles that they would like to attend a Shinee concert before those crucial three months had come around. The hushed comforts were mutual-with the twins better at it than she, and by the time they made her leave to take care of herself, plans had already germinated for the twin’s exciting trip to Korea.
So in the wait for their concert, the twins spent as much time possible with family and friends. They did indeed weaken, health steadily descending into such poor conditions that they were started to lose hair in clumps and had to be in wheelchairs. Still, they were as strong as ever. Perhaps, growing closer and stronger the more their bodies shut down.
Then, on the day they were to fly to Korea, something miraculous happened. Both woke up feeling better than they had in a very long time. The wheelchairs weren’t needed, as they could stand and walk on their own as if they had never been immobile in the first place. Their complexions were vibrant and clear, coughs and shakes completely gone. For the first time in a long time, they could freely move and laugh without the bother of physical impairment. As healthy as they day they were born.
The sun bloomed its brightest high in the sky.
It was hardly believable. The hospital staff, which had grown quite attached and accustomed to the close pair, saw it as pleasant coincidence in their befuddlement. The doctors frowned in confusion and family members covered their mouths in shock. The twin’s mother believed it the least though they literally leapt and danced and sang before her tear-welled eyes. It took hours before a smile could surface, for her to accept that even though something didn’t feel right about her children’s sudden improvement, she’d celebrate with them anyway while she could. Genuinely set aside her hurt for a change.
The family flew with them to Seoul. Hundreds more memories were made and captured in their grand tour and exploration of Korea’s capital-all the while, Andrew and Ariel light spirited and showing no indication of expiring from exhaustion, lapsing into their usual bouts of vomiting after strenuous activity, or complaining of extreme headaches.
Their mother had gone to great lengths to see that their concert experience was flawless. She personally drove them to the venue. Bought them all the merchandise on display, sat with them in their front row seats and exerted the same amount of energy with them as Shinee performed. Screaming. Waving around her glow stick. Crying not because she was star struck by the five young men on stage, but from looking to right to see her teenage children bouncing, enjoying themselves to their hearts content. Their dreams, their wishes being fulfilled. Ariel squealing from that Onew fellow reaching down to sing to her and touch her hand; how as Minho rapped, Andrew’s round, gleaming eyes watched him in awe, mouth moving to perfectly lip sync all of the words.
She even managed to get them exclusive backstage passes-when Shinee hadn’t even had those available for this particular concert; a prior phone call to SM’s CEO about her children’s plight (unbeknownst to anyone) took care of that. The fidgety, anxious twins hand in hand with their mother behind them, they made their way to the back.
A union to never forget. The family was back there, and highlighted in the center…five dazzling smiles of Andrew and Ariel’s beloved idols. Cameras flashed. Hands clapped. Food was prepared. Yet the twins didn’t see or hear any of it. All there was…was Shinee.
After quick, simultaneous kisses to their mother’s cheek, the short, slender 16-year-olds surged forward in eager bows, jittery in their Korean greetings to Shinee. The initial puzzlement and questioning eyes to the family from the boys, especially Jonghyun, was short-lived, however, once they realized how unbelievably cute Andrew and Ariel were. The evening progressed in laughter and mirth. For the first time, the two were separated consensually-with Onew holding Ariel’s hand the entire time, making her blush shyly with his jokes , unrehearsed flirting and words of flattery; yet her brother was too engrossed to be overprotective and annoying . Andrew and Minho had their “manly hug” and spoke for a long time in a corner to themselves. Group pictures, autographs, exchanged gifts, games, the ever amusing presence of the language barrier. It all ended with long, individual speeches of encouragement from the boys and strong, heartfelt hugs that lingered for over a minute; Shinee being the ones to teasingly complain that they’d break in half instead of the thin, fragile siblings. There wasn’t a dry eye as they all dispersed, the mother sniffling dreadfully as she hugged and thanked the idols for granting her children’s wish-making sure to leave out “dying” because it was too painful to for it to have left her lips. Key went the extra in rubbing her back and whispering in her ear that she reminded him of his grandmother; and that she was a wonderful mother. To stay strong for them, stay stronger than them.
Like how they arrived, the twins were to return to their temporary hospital with their mother. They sat hand in hand, joyously tired in the backseat. Their mother watched them gingerly in the rearview mirror occasionally, yet she didn’t hear their soft voices speaking to each other due to the low music floating from the radio, nor could she see their mouths moving because of the passing shadows
Ariel’s eyes were droopy. She was smiling. Cringing on the inside from the sudden excruciating pain in her head.
“Its wearing away Drew,” she breathed. Her petite hand clamped around his slightly bigger one even tighter. To lessen her pain, to quell her fear, to calm herself-who’s to say why or which. “Its wearing away already…”
“I know. I feel it too.” Andrew’s deeper voice wavered. The same pain suffered him as well. He turned to her and mirrored her smile. “Don’t cry. You promised you wouldn’t, you know.”
“It just…it went by too fast. I’m not ready to go yet…” She balled her lips.
Andrew was silent for a while. Then in a hoarse rasp: “You knew it would be temporary. That’s what we asked for when we prayed…”
“I’m not ready,” she simply whimpered.
Smile fading into a piteous, somnolent expression, her brother leaned in to kiss her temple. Attempted to wipe away most of her warm tears with the pad of his thumb. “Still, you promised…”
“I’m not…I’m not ungrateful or anything. I’m not disappointed either. I…just wanted to hold his hand for a little longer. I want to stay and hold his and yours forever. Him on my left, you on my right….” Ariel hiccupped gently.
He was quiet again. Musing over her words, wincing from the unbearable pain.
“Ari,” he muttered soon, snapping the girl out of her fantasy.
She gazed into dark brown eyes so like hers. He swallowed.
“Ari....do you remember when we talked about…how it might look up there? Remember, huh? How there could be fountains of banana pudding for you and monster trucks for me to flatten the clouds with? All the ruckus we could make. Disturbing the peace then making up for it by doing aegyo for Him.”
She couldn’t help it. She slowly grinned.
“Yeah,” she peeped. “And-and being able to keep track of all the idols. From way up there. Cause it’s the best seat in the house…”
He giggled shortly. Squeezed her hand.
“Now, just imagine that. Remember everything we said. I will remember with you, in fact. Keep remembering, okay?”
Ariel didn’t hesitate. She kissed her brother’s cheek, croaking “Okay,” and settled back against the seat. Laid her head down on his shoulder, shutting her tired eyes.
Back and forth, they tossed their old conversations and ideas about that place upstairs. Until Ariel’s voice grew fainter and fainter, her heartbeat slower, her hand colder…until Andrew no longer heard her replies from her lips, but in his mind. He didn’t know it, though.
At least, not till he ran out of on-the-spot ideas, and a comfortable silence settled between them. Sighing happily, knowingly, he let his head fall atop hers and closed his eyes.
“You’re awfully quiet. How’s the view so far?”
“It’s better than every idea we’ve ever had about it…I can see ALL of the idols, Drew. ALL! -Onew! Oh Drew, its Onew…my poor baby. Taemin’s helping him from the van. Minho’s tugging too…Shame. He got his shirt stuck in the door…
Andrew laughed.
“Hurry up, Drew!” she pouted. “You’re missing everything.”
“I’m on my way, you retard. Don’t rush me.” He wrinkled his nose. “Gosh this hurts so bad.”
“It’ll be over so quick, Drew, you won’t even notice. Hang in there! Don’t punk out now!”
“But you were the one crying!”
“Whatever. Just hurry!”
Andrew was about to reply when something flashed entirely too bright, a ringing noise. Then….no pain. It was gone.
He and Ariel grinned at each other face-to-face, and then peered down from paradise to seek out their favorite boys, as well as their driving mother. Biding their silent farewells to her with large, white, golden tipped wings. Hands interlaced again. They’d enter the gates in time. For now, they’d just watch…
The next time she glanced up, their mother, she smiled at the peacefully sleeping pair as she braked at a red light. Always the locked hands...
“I love you sweethearts,” she whispered, a tear of contentment running down to her chin, her hands compressing the steering wheel.