Darius's hands lowered slowly, his fingers spreading as if trying to hold onto something that had already vanished.
His whisper emerged broken and rough, meant for no one except the wind that pulled at his crimson hair.
"I... there was so much I wanted to say to my boy."
His hands opened and closed, the gesture small but carrying weight that pressed against his chest.
"I… I didn't even get to see his face."
A pause, his breathing becoming audible despite his attempts at control.
"Didn't even get to kiss him goodbye."
His fingers trembled fractionally, the only outward sign of emotion bleeding through.
"Didn't even..."
The words caught in his throat, refusing to complete themselves.
Then he stood up slowly, his movements steady despite the alcohol making the world tilt slightly.
The tears vanished from his face as if they'd never existed.
His gaze lifted, finding stars scattered across darkness between clouds.
'It's tonight, isn't it?'
