Here Lies Love ✯ isaac night

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────୨ৎ 1988 ୨ৎ────

''How long are you in here for?'' Demitra asked, stabbing a fork at the strange concoction of food she'd been given for lunch.

It had been a week since the pair first met and they had grown into close friends. They could confide in each other and there was something about being in each other's presence that made them safe.

''The doctors say I only have a month left to live.''

''Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't-''

''No it's alright, it's why I need to finish this heart.''

''Anything I can help with?''

The boy laughed wholeheartedly, ''No offence Rose, but I'm not sure you'd get it.''

The girl scoffed a laugh, ''Hey!''

She jokingly scooped a dollop of mash potatoes onto her finger and wiped it onto the boy's nose.

He froze in shock as Demitra erupted into fits of laughter. The sound made him smile - he loved her laugh.

He then did the same - he scooped up some mash potato and smeared it down her face.

The pair erupted into laughter as a full blown food fight broke out. 

Isaac wasn't used to laughing so much - his time in the hospital thus far had been full of work and intense calculations. He really rather liked this girl's company.

──── a week later ────

Isaac was quiet today - she noticed - he hadn't knocked the door for her yet.

And Demitra was far more than worried, what if there was something wrong with his heart? What if she never saw him again?

She shook her head - diminishing the scary thoughts and rung the bell next to her bed, summoning her nurse.

A minute passed and a strict nurse waltzed in, her hair pulled tight and sharply, almost reflecting her personality, and her bony frame peered down at the girl.

''Yes Demitra?''

''Is Isaac ok? I haven't seen him today.''

''Isaac's been taken to the operation room.''

Demitra flew up off of her bed at this news, ''why? Is it his heart?''

''He finished his clockwork heart, they are fitting it now.''

''So he's going to be ok?''

''If the operation goes well, yes.''

────

Demitra waited next to the boy's door, awaiting him to wake up from his deep sleep. She was sat on the floor, back propped against the wall, foot tapping on the ground nervously.

That's when a girl, around her age, with mousy brown hair and a fringe, holding a singular red balloon, walked up to her.

''Hello, are you waiting for my brother?''

''Your Francoise? Isaac's told me a lot about you.''

''Yes, all good thing's I hope?'' Francoise chuckled.

''Of course, he thinks the world of you.''

The girl smiled sheepishly, ''You must be Demitra, I've heard about you as well.''

''Isaac talks about me?''

''When I visit he can't shut up about you - Rose, he calls you.''

Demitra smiled, ''That's sweet, do you want to wait together?''

''I would like that a lot, Demi.''

Demitra grinned at the nickname, ''As would I, Francy.''

────

Isaac had changed after his operation.

And not just physically - although that was a big change - a golden heart was now embedded in his chest and a constant ticking followed him.

But the boy had changed mentally - he seemed colder, less welcoming. His time was almost completely occupied by a machine he was designing, one he didn't tell anyone about. In fact, he had grown so distant that he had no time for anyone else.

Demitra's release date had come round. She had to admit, it had been one of her favourite visits to the hospital.

As she exited her room, a part of her was disappointed that Isaac wasn't there to see her off, but the other part of her had kind of expected it. 

His clockwork heart had changed him.

Isaac watched carefully out of his bedroom window as Rose left the hospital and walked into a taxi, driving off into the distance.

He knew he'd grown distant but he had to finish the machine. It was his new goal.

A machine that could remove outcast abilities.

For his sister and her hyde.

And for Demitra and the pain the strings caused her.

────୨ৎ────