Archive of Our Own

Lizzie never expected her life to be changed over a single cup of coffee. A vanilla frappuccino as she remembered to be specific. It was fall of the same year she and Joel had opened the Shadowbeans cafe. After years of tireless work, Lizzie finally got the cafe of her dreams and Joel was here to support her. There were good days and bad days, busy days and days with not as many customers, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world.

An autumn aroma filled the cafe with the pumpkin spice flavor newly in season and cinnamon-based pastries being on display. Fairy lights were hung across the walls, glowing a warm-hued yellow. The blackboard menus mounted above them were written in orange chalk with curly letters to match the time of year. As Lizzie worked the espresso machine, keeping up with the morning rush, Joel worked behind the register taking orders.

For the time being, it was only them working at the cafe. Given its small size, there wasn’t a need for more employees unless a sudden boom in popularity demanded they would consider them, which wasn’t any time soon.

“Are you done looking at the menu, or do you need another fifteen minutes? What do you want?” Joel grumbled, trying to rush along an indecisive customer as the line was forming longer behind them.

“I’ll take a cappuccino.”

“Oh so sorry, we don’t do cappuccinos here.” He said sarcastically before putting in the order.

Her fiancé didn’t exactly have the ideal attitude for customer service. It wasn’t helped by the fact that unlike Lizzie, he wasn’t a morning person, or any time person for that matter. Perhaps Joel would be less grumpy if he woke himself up with a warm cup of coffee, but insists he doesn’t drink it, which was ironic given his place of work.

Lizzie loved him nonetheless. She had to admit his blunt attitude was better at getting to as many customers through the morning rush, as she was quicker at making drinks. Finishing swirling the whip cream on top, Lizzie uncapped her sharpie and started to write the order name on the take-out cup.

Dealing with many patrons everyday, her hands worked faster than her mind. It wasn’t until she curled the bottom of the letter ‘y’ that she paused mid sharpie stroke and registered the name. It was the same as her last name, which came as a shock as it was by no means a common surname.

Glancing over to see she was about done, Joel called out the order. “Vanilla frappuccino for Solidarity.”

Before she could process this finding, the drink was taken from her hands. Whoever ordered it must’ve been in a hurry as he was out the door seconds after. Lizzie only managed to catch a glimpse of blond hair and a blue eye, not thinking much of it until their next encounter.

“Order for Solidarity!” Lizzie called out another day, only realizing the name until after shouting it.

She found herself staring face to face with the recipient, a young man that was college aged. As he took off his sunglasses, he revealed his right eye was brown, his left blue. It was blue as the ocean, like her own, just like hers. The more she looked at him, the more Lizzie realized how much he resembled her. This caused the smoothie in her hand to tremble as her mouth remained slightly agape.

Noticing her trembling, he asked in concern, “Are you alright?”

His voice caused Lizzie to snap out of her trance and she handed him the drink. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”

“It’s okay, I get that a lot.” He said with a smile, not taking it to heart. “They were actually both blue when I was born, but one turned brown when I was a baby. My parents were afraid that maybe I was dropped on my head, so we went to see my dad’s best friend, who’s a doctor. Turns out it was perfectly normal.”

Hearing that left Lizzie unable to properly respond and a little bit mortified. Fearing he said too much, “Solidarity’s” cheeks turned red in embarrassment. He was quick to take the smoothie and leave the cafe.

To her dismay, that was the last Lizzie saw of him for a while later. Fortunately, a few weeks later, she spotted him again sitting alone at a table. The clattering of his keyboard could be heard as the cafe experienced less traffic and chatter at this hour.

“Order for Solidarity!” The sound of the terracotta mug pounded against the wooden table as Lizzie set it down.

His mismatched eyes glanced up from his laptop as he stared directly at her. “I’m surprised you remember me. You know, since you probably meet a lot of new faces and get a lot of regulars.”

“I do, my memory isn’t perfect, but I try to remember every customer I can.” As she said this, Solidarity sunk down in his seat, most likely from the humiliation of her remembering their last encounter.

While what Lizzie said was true, she really did try to familiarize herself with every face that entered her cafe. However, he was the one she looked the most forward to seeing again lately. Solidarity was an enigma to her, someone she desperately wanted to learn more about. After their last encounter face to face, there was no denying the resemblance between him and her.

“When opening this place earlier this year, I didn’t think we’d get popular this fast. It’s more work for us, but I’m not complaining as we’re not going out of business anytime soon.”

“I can see why. You picked out a pretty good location between Hermitcraft and Empires University, where I’m currently attending. But it could also be because you guys know how to make good drinks.”

Lizzie couldn’t help but beam at the praise, sitting down in the empty seat across from him. “What are you studying if you don’t mind me asking?”

“This fall is actually my first semester there. I plan on going into marine biology.” There was an eagerness that came with him explaining it, which Lizzie couldn’t help but find contagious.

“I wish you the best of luck with that.” She hummed. “I went to Empires too, I got my business degree there. It’s how I was able to start up this coffee shop as it’s something I dreamed of doing since I was a little girl.”

“I guess going to Empires is one thing we have in common.”

“It might not be the only thing…” Lizzie muttered, twirling a finger around a long, wavy, strand of pink hair. “So, Solidarity?”

“It’s actually my last name, not my first. I thought it was more exciting to use than Jimmy or James and would avoid confusion in case somebody else had it.”

“It looks like we have the same last name!” Lizzie smiled, holding up her nametag, decorated with a fairy, cat and axolotl sticker.

“I guess that means I’m not in solidarity any more.” His own terrible joke got a light chuckle out of him.

“That’s going to change in the near future.” Lizzie smiled, holding up her left hand to show her engagement ring. “Joel, get over here!” She grabbed her fiancè, who was currently mopping the floor, pulling him into the conversation.

Jimmy curiously looked up and down at the couple. “Congrats, so how did you two meet?”

“We’re actually high school sweethearts. We first met through our school holding a stage production of Grease. Lizzie was the female lead, Sandy, while I played percussion in the pit.” Joel explained, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.

“Joel used to be so jealous of our friend Oli, who was the male lead. He hated all the times we had to practice “You’re the One that I Want” for that reason alone and would always raise the tempo.” Lizzie added with a mischievous grin.

“You don’t need to tell him that!” Joel was quick to shush her. “But can you really blame me? I thought Lizzie was the most beautiful girl around, she still is, and hated seeing her perform a romantic duet with someone else. It all worked out in the end as Oli and I became friends after the fact, and he’s even going to be the best man at our wedding.”

“Well, I found it very sweet.” She leaned up to kiss him on the cheek.”

“You know, I’ve actually never heard of Grease.” Jimmy admitted, leaving the two in slight shock.

“The real reason I wanted to talk to you was to ask if you know a Cordelia? I noticed we have the same last name, and was thinking that maybe we are distant cousins or something?”

Her parents had moved to Hermitropolis during their elopement before having her. Lizzie didn’t have any family in the city to her knowledge, and wondered if they had moved here recently.

“You mean a Cordelia Solidarity, right?” He narrowed his mismatched gaze, to which she nodded. Jimmy appeared hesitant to tell her, but finally confessed, “She is my mother.”

“Wait, she’s your mother?!” Lizzie’s shouts echoed throughout the cafe. It was in her luck that the rush died down and not as many people were here, or else she would’ve gotten a lot more strange stares.

Jimmy covered his ears by the proximate loudness of her voice. Composing himself, he cleared his throat, glancing downwards as he explained more. “–Yeah, she’s blonde like me with blue eyes. I remember her being a talented singer. She wanted to make it big as a musician or actress, but that never ended up happening unfortunately…”

“That’s my mum too!” Matching her description exactly, Lizzie’s eyes widened as she put her hands over her mouth.

The shocked expression of her supposed half-brother closely mirrored own as this was a surprise to him. Lizzie’s mind was racing as processed the emotions of a lingering mystery to her suddenly being solved, as if opening a closed wound. Cordelia vanished before she turned four. While Lizzie had little memories of her mother outside of family photos and stories, she always felt her missing presence in her life.

Her father was never the same ever since his wife’s departure. Time and time again, Lizzie asked to know more about her, but could always hear the heartbreak and confusion in his tone, as if he never knew the reason for her leaving himself. It turned out Cordelia abandoned them to settle with another family this whole time, never bothering to send them a single explanation or notify them of the existence of her half brother.

Lizzie’s parents' wedding photos and her own baby pictures always indicated they were a loving family until the day of her mother’s disappearance. If Cordelia truly wanted to cut ties and move on, she should’ve been honest, not taken the coward’s way out.

Processing this, Lizzie settled on resentment. “Well, that explains a lot. She left to have another kid without telling me. Given that we don’t look that far in age, she moved on fast.”

Hearing that comment made Jimmy wince visibly. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be, it’s not your fault.”

“She never told me about you either. Maybe if she was around longer she would’ve.” There was a reluctance in his tone as he continued. “Our mother died in an accident when I was six.”

“She died?” She let out a quiet gasp, the anger subsiding as tears started to pool in her ocean blue eyes.

The silent yet somber nod Jimmy gave her was all the confirmation she needed. Lizzie was desperate for answers to the millions of questions she had over the years, and now the person who could provide them was now standing in front of her, bearing a strong resemblance to her deceased mother. Yet seeing Jimmy’s pained expression, she knew now wasn’t the time to ask for details.

“Lizzie, are you alright? We don’t have to talk about this anymore if you don’t want to.” Joel gave her hand a firm squeeze.

“No, I need to hear this.” She wiped away the tears that streaked lightly along her cheeks. “I think we should continue this conversation elsewhere.”

Getting away from the prying eyes of observing customers, Jimmy was caught off guard as Lizzie started to drag him back by his arm as Joel served customers in her absence. The breakroom was a lot more plain than the decorated lobby with nothing much besides a simple table and chairs, coatrack and refrigerator. Lizzie didn’t use this room often due to her and Joel’s apartment being upstairs. It was the first time she’s ever let a guest in this part of the cafe since its opening.

When she did bring someone back here, never once did she imagine it would be under the circumstances of discussing her dead mother with her surprise half brother.

“Do you have any close family members that we can talk to about this as I feel this is important. Is your father around to talk to?” Jimmy’s mismatched eyes darted around as he took in his new surroundings.

“No, he died when I was still in high school.” Lizzie admitted, watching as posture slumped as his expression changed to regret.

Her father passed away when she had only been dating Joel for a little over a year. Between grieving and worrying about the stress of applying for colleges, it had been one of the most stressful periods of her life. It was only because of the support of Joel and his family that she managed to pick herself up.

“What about yours? Our mother was with him last. Surely, he would know some important details unless he’s dead too.”

“He’s alive to my knowledge, but we haven’t spoken since I was a kid.” He quietly explained, which only made Lizzie narrow her gaze. “I was mostly raised by my aunt and uncle since moving here, but I have other family members on my father's side.”

The chatting of customers, clanking of mugs and serene music drowned out the silence they stood in. Neither had expected their small talk to end like this. Their mother kept the existence of another sibling from them their whole lives and they were only learning of that now. It was better late than never, she supposed.

Lizzie decided that wasn’t a bad thing. Despite finding out about the death of her mother, the idea of having a younger brother sounded exciting, growing up as an only child her entire life. Cordelia may be gone, but now she had Jimmy, who was just as much of a mystery to her, and she wanted to get to know him better.

As Lizzie’s ocean blue eyes met his, one brown and one nearly identical to hers, she couldn't help but ask, “I guess that makes you and Joel my only family now. If it isn’t too much trouble, can you stay a little longer?”

“Rollerblades, really? You do realize how impractical they would be.” Pearl paused her typing of a college news article as her azure eyes caught a glimpse of pink and white among black.

Loose leaf papers were sprawled across the round, wooden table. Sketches of designs for Grian’s vigilante persona were mixed in with drawings for his architecture homework as the two piles fell over and mingled with each other. While his secret identity was very much still a work in progress, Pearl had to admit he’s come a long way since his initial idea of Poultryman.

“But they would help me get around faster. And unlike you or Jimmy, I can skate without immediately falling over.” Grian leaned over from across the table as he poked his finger at her. “Besides, Mumbo can build me ones that are practical in combat and more durable than normal rollerblades.”

“We have wings, Grian. Why would you need extra mobility?” She puffed out her brown feathers, which contrasted her brother’s colorful scarlet macaw ones, as she playfully batted his hand away.

“What if I hurt my wings and need to make a quick escape, or get around on the ground really fast? They wouldn’t be my main weapon as I have the pistols, but an additional one. They’d make Hotguy’s bow dual-sword thing look lame in comparison.”

“It looks like somebody is already jealous of the competition, and you’re nowhere close to your debut.” It was Pearl’s turn to poke fun at him, both figuratively and literally. “I remember Mumbo saying that his weapon was nothing short of state of the art engineering.”

“It has nothing to do with jealousy!” Grian picked up the papers with haste so would be out of her sight.

As he haphazardly did so, he hoped he didn’t misplace the vigilante drawings in his architecture class folder. It would be difficult to explain to any curious classmates as his alter ego was supposed to be a secret to everyone outside of his siblings and Mumbo. Yet the entire time, Pearl stared at him, unimpressed.

Grian heaved a sigh, hating the fact that his sister knew him better than anyone else and always so right through him. “Fine, maybe I want to show off a tiny bit, but can you really blame me? Hotguy’s ego is massive as it is and it won’t hurt if it’s knocked down a few pegs. But at the end of the day, it’s about sending a message to the people.”

“How exactly do rollerblades relate to the rights of hybrids?” Pearl asked before her eyes drifted to an incomplete drawing of a building, partially buried among others. “Also shouldn’t you be doing your assignment right now? You haven’t even started your sketch of the back and it’s due at midnight.”

“Nobody looks at the back of buildings anyways. Why bother making them look pleasing, or designing them at all?”

“Guys you won’t believe what I just found out!” Jimmy shouted as he slammed open the door to the apartment, causing his siblings to snap their heads towards him.

“That Mumbo has full custody over Grian’s single braincell?”

“No, it’s obvious that rollerblades are cool.” Grian shot a glare at her before talking in his typical tired tone that was normal during his college days. “Welcome back, Tim, you’re home late.”

“I have an older sister!”

His two older siblings turned to each other in a mix of confusion until Grian burst into cackling laughter. “This isn’t exactly new. You’ve known Pearl your entire life. What’s so surprising about that? Are you sure that our father didn’t drop you on your head?”

“No, no, I mean, Pearl is my sister, but I meant another half sister on my mother’s side from the surface. Another sibling that’s been in the same city as us this whole time and we never knew. Can you believe it? Her name is Elizabeth, but everyone calls her Lizzie. She’s the pink haired lady that works in that new coffee shop we all stop by. We exchanged contact information and she told me to stop by again.”

As Jimmy explained more, his sibling’s snickering expressions morphed into shocked silence. There was a pause as the two processed this sudden drop of information as they stared aghast with open mouths. Something clicked in Grian’s mind as he muttered under his breath, but audible enough for Jimmy to pick up on.

“Elizabeth, I just wished I could’ve seen you one last time…”

“What?” His mismatched eyes stared widely at his brother.

“That was the last thing Cordelia said before she died.” Grian admitted with reluctance.

“Why didn’t you tell me this?! We could’ve tried to find Lizzie sooner if I had known!” Jimmy snapped at him for withholding this important information for him for years that he deserved to know sooner.

“I didn’t know what it meant at the time! If she didn’t tell you, her own son, about her daughter, then how was I supposed to know?! You weren’t there when it happened.”

“I’m sorry…” Hearing the anguish in his tone, Jimmy regretted his actions, knowing what he meant.

There had only been one present to witness Cordelia Solidarity take her final breath. It wasn’t him, their father, or Pearl, only Grian. By the time the rest of them arrived, she had already left this world. Jimmy still remembered laying his innocent eyes upon her body, golden blonde hair soaked in a pool of blood, before his father quickly shielded them.

That was the last time he ever saw his mother.

In attempts to lift their moods, Pearl grabbed her older brother by the shoulders and shook him excitedly. “But look on the bright side, Grian. You may possibly have a new little sister!”

Cordelia was long gone and never coming back, but now they had Lizzie. She’s still here and that’s what was important. It wasn’t too late to make a connection with her and let her be a part of their family, and that was enough to make Jimmy slam his hands on the table as he eagerly corrected her.

“Actually, Lizzie is older. I asked about her birthday, and she was born in October the year before Grian was.”

“I guess I’m not the oldest anymore.” His colorful wings slumped as he light-heartedly sulked.

“But you could no longer be the shortest.” Pearl added, which brought a rare smile to Grian.

As the two expressed their excitement over having a new sister, a pop of pink caught Jimmy’s eyes among the scattered papers. Unburying it from the pile, he held up Grian’s vigilante drawing, a pair of white and pink rollerblades standing out among his mostly black outfit. “You added skates?”

“Yeah, I felt like my design could use an element to make it stand out, and make me different from the other vigilante wanna-be’s. But Pearl thinks it’s a dumb idea, and she’s most likely right. It’s just going to be another thing to add to the long list of cut content.” He snatched the paper out of his hands.

“Well, I think it’s cool and that you should do it.” Jimmy told him, causing Grian to pause before he ripped it to shreds.

He knew how much skating meant to his brother, and if anyone could pull it off with style, it was him. Jimmy attempted to do it a few times himself, but was never able to maintain his balance no matter how hard he tried, and eventually gave up. He never got his mother’s skating genes. Cordelia had loved skating before she moved to the Undercity, and was the one to first teach Grian.

“If she were still around, I’d think she’d like it too.”

“I’ll consider it then.” There was a poignant glint in Grian’s brown eyes as stared down at the drawing.

“That reminds me, you didn’t happen to tell her about our secret, did you?” Pearl walked over and waved a hand, dispelling the illusionary magic that made Jimmy’s ears appear human-like.

His half-siblings always had a stronger hold on their magic due to their witch lineage.

“No, I didn’t tell her about us being avians, or half-avian in my case, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Feeling the ache in his back from keeping them hidden longer than originally planned, Jimmy slipped his light blue jacket off, unbinding his yellow and cerulean wings. “Lizzie may be my sister, but we only just met. If I do end up telling, it won’t be until I know we can trust her.”

“Sorry, I’m late. It took longer than I expected to get here.” Jimmy announced his presence as entered the couples’ apartment under their invitation.

If only the stupid laws of the Overcity that forced him to conceal his traits weren’t in place, then he could’ve gotten here a lot faster by flying. Instead, he had to rely on the use of public transportation, biking and his feet in daily surface life. As annoying as it was, it wasn’t worth the risk of being caught and cast back into the depths, or imprisoned by the government.

“You’re actually on time as I just finished cooking dinner.” Lizzie turned off the flame to the simmering pan, greeting him with a smile, only to frown as she realized. “I should’ve asked if you liked fish first. If you don’t like it, we can make you something else or order you a carry-out.”

“Actually, salmon is one of my favorites. I’ll pretty much eat any fish as long as it’s not cod.” The smell filled the room, making his mouth slightly water.

“Really? That’s my favorite too!”

“What’s wrong with cod?” Joel raised an eyebrow.

“It’s nothing about the taste. They’re just my favorite fish, so I’d feel bad eating them…” Jimmy explained as he sat across from the couple and put a portion on his plate. “Did you know that a lot of cod species have cold resistance? It’s mostly found in ones that live in colder bodies of water because they can create an antifreeze protein.”

Joel stared intensely from the other side of the table, causing the blond to set down his fork. “Jimmy, I have an important question for you that I think is a good judge of character. Depending on how you answer will change the way I see you. So, obviously no pressure.”

“Not this again, Joel. You can’t keep asking this to everyone we invite over.” Lizzie rolled her eyes as she cut the salmon with her knife.

“What is it?”

“What is your favorite Shrek movie and why?” Joel asked with all seriousness. “I swear to god if you pick Shrek the Third. I don’t care if you’re Lizzie’s secret brother or something, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“He’s not leaving, Joel. If that one happens to be his favorite, you’ll just have to deal with the fact your future brother in law is a Shrek the Third fan.” Lizzie smirked, getting an angry response from her fiancè.

“It’s not canon! You can watch the entire franchise and skip it and it won’t affect the viewing experience! Shrek the Third ends with the triplets being born, and Shrek Forever After starts with a montage of the babies! It changes nothing! If anything, it takes away from the series!”

“I have never seen a single Shrek movie in my entire life.” Jimmy confessed, which made Joel’s shouting subside into shocked silence instantly.

The way Joel gawked at him made it appear like he had just murdered his family, not something related to an animated ogre. “I can excuse Grease, but you’ve never seen Shrek?! Do you live under a rock or something?”

He was born and spent a large chunk of his childhood in the Undercity, a vast cavern with limited access to sunlight. He didn’t live under a rock, but lots of rocks, making Joel’s statement correct in a way. Television and streaming wasn’t exactly a thing down there.

“No, but I grew up out of town before moving here.” Jimmy glanced aside. Technically, he’s not lying as the Undercity is considered separate from Hermitroplis.

“But you still must’ve been able to see some movies? How country are you?” Joel furrowed his brows, finding it hard to believe.

“Well, my best friend’s parents own a ranch so you're not that far off.”

“Oh, a ranch! I want to see the cute animals! Do you think we can visit sometime?” Lizzie’s face lit up at the thought.

“I’d be down for going, as long as there are no horses.” Joel added.

“We’ll see about that. I would have to talk to them first…” Jimmy trailed off, knowing it wouldn’t happen any time soon, or ever.

While he and his siblings were born and raised in Delver’s Beginnings, the first layer of the Undercity with parts akin to a lush cavern, Tango lived three levels down in the Frozen Wastes. The ranch his family owned was quite different from the ones Joel and Lizzie probably pictured. There were no cute farm animals such as pigs, cows, goats, chicken or sheep, but beasts such as tamed wardens and ravagers. Jimmy was quite fond of them himself, but could understand why a normal person would be terrified.

“So Jimmy, what was it like growing up outside of Hermitropolis? Do you like it better here in the city or back at home?” Lizzie’s intrigue by his past only grew the more they conversed.

“My childhood was absolutely boring. I’d like to hear more about yours first.” Jimmy desperately tried finding a way to dodge the question.

“I don’t know, nothing you’ve said sounded boring to me.” Joel said.

“I feel like you already know most of these things, but oh well.” Lizzie sounded a little let down, but continued. “You’re actually the only relative I’ve met besides my parents. They cut contact with their families before getting married, moving here and having me. My father never liked talking about it, something about a forbidden romance?”

“This is all new to me.”

“I vaguely recall mom’s singing and our family being happy together. Then, suddenly she went missing and my father and I never knew why, and now I’ll never see her again…” There was a pause as she halted motion with her silverware, pink bangs covering her ocean blue eyes as she glanced downcast at her plate.

“Oh Lizzie…” Joel comfortingly put a hand on her shoulder. “I know it sucks that they’re gone, but look what you have. You finally got your own cafe you’ve been dreaming about for ages, your very strong and handsome fiancè, yours truly, and now Jimmy’s here too!”

Hearing the second part of Lizzie’s story caused Jimmy to sink in his seat as fidgeted with his fingers. While never getting famous like she dreamed, Cordelia had a content life with a loving family before it was ripped away from her, never knowing the full reason. Meanwhile, he deprived Lizzie of her mother too, none the wiser to her situation on the surface, only adding to his guilt.

“You’re right, mom may be gone, but now you’re here.” Lizzie wiped away the forming tears, facing Jimmy with a slightly shaky smile. “I bet you remember her better than I can. So, I was hoping you could tell me about your life with her before coming here.”

“I’ve told you I was born and raised outside of Hermitropolis, someplace pretty far, but not really.”

“From what you’ve said, it sounds quite far. Like out in the middle of the desert. Do you think you could point to it on a map?” Joel asked.

“–It’s been so long. I don’t exactly remember…” His winged ears, concealed by magic, dropped as he lied.

The Undercity felt far, but it wasn’t really, being located directly below Hermitropolis. Though, normally citizens rarely acknowledge it. If he were to answer that question honestly, he’d be pointing to their current location. The couple would’ve assumed he either went mad, thought he was stupid, which he got a lot. Or they put together the implications of him being a hybrid, which would’ve been the most dangerous option.

“I grew up in a “strict” household, so I wasn’t allowed to do much without asking.” That certainly was one way to describe his childhood situation. “I remember some stuff about mom, not as much as you were hoping, but I wasn’t entirely alone. I have two older siblings from my father’s previous relationship. First there’s Grian. He’s currently in his final year at Hermitcraft University and is studying to be an architect with plans for grad-school. Then, there’s Pearl. She’s one year behind Grian, and is doing journalism, and writes for our university’s newspaper.”

“Now that you mention it, I think I’ve seen you three together in the cafe at one point.” Lizzie put a finger to her temple. “I knew you were closer than just friends studying together. Something about the way you all seemed so close.”

“Huh, I guess it was that obvious…” Jimmy muttered with fondness.

Knowing that Lizzie picked it up quite fast wouldn’t make Grian happy. He went through all this effort to conceal the fact the trio were siblings to those they weren’t close with. It was a precaution in case one of them got exposed, the others weren’t guilty by association, especially with his brother’s future plans.

It’s why Grian kept their father’s last name while Pearl used their mother’s maiden name. Jimmy took on Cordelia’s last name of Solidarity. If it weren’t for that agreement, then he and Lizzie would’ve never figured out the truth of their siblinghood. Or not as soon, as Jimmy had a feeling fate couldn’t keep him and his eldest sister apart forever.

“I like it here, but there are parts of home I miss.” He decided to open up to them a little more.

Nothing could replace the feeling of the warm sunlight against his face and the cool wind through his hair, but it wasn’t perfect. He missed soaring freely in the Undercity like he did in his youth or whenever he returned to visit. Due to the laws of hybrids being illegal in the Overcity, he was forced to pass as human and bind his wings for uncomfortable periods of time.

Jimmy dreamed of a day where he could fly under a blue sky without fear of anything bad happening, but knew such a day was far out of reach.

He ended up staying after dinner for a while to chat with the couple, but their conversations never reached below surface level. When it got past dark, Jimmy dismissed himself, returning home to his studies. Cleaning up afterwards, Joel loaded the dishwasher and Lizzie straightened in the chairs. Approaching Jimmy’s she stopped as she spotted something off-color. Her ocean blue eyes widened with confusion as she held up a yellow feather.

As the visits became more frequent, Jimmy found himself becoming a regular. Oftentimes, he would head over right after one of his classes, hanging out in the cafe near its ending hours. Then, when the couple were done with their closing duties, they would all go to their apartment together. Despite feeling like he’s known them longer than he really did, Jimmy found himself forming a connection with Joel and Lizzie. Although, he had yet to reveal his secret.

“We might be a while, Jimmy. You should go up.” Lizzie suggested as she counted cash from the register.

“I don’t mind helping clean up if it means you guys will get done faster.” He offered, sitting alone at a table in an otherwise empty cafe.

“No, you just had an exam today. You deserve a break. We’ll meet you up when we’re done.” Joel tossed him the keys with an underhand throw.

They nearly slipped out of Jimmy’s hands and onto the floor before he caught them. Seeing no use in fighting them, and admittedly needing the time to rest, he obliged and went upstairs. Entering their apartment, he headed straight for the couch, kicking back his feet and extending his arms across the top of the soft cushions.

As Jimmy leaned back further, he winced as he felt his own weight crush against his wings. There was a constant pain that came with them constantly being bound in public, and headache of keeping up the magic for his ears. His height and sitting down for long periods of time certainly didn’t help. Avians weren’t meant to live underground or hiding their traits, but it was an unfortunate reality they all had to deal with.

Glancing over his shoulder, a foolish thought crossed Jimmy’s mind. He quickly shook it off, trying his best to return to resting. Yet as the throbbing pain never subsided, the idea sounded more enticing. Joel and Lizzie did say he deserved to relax after all. Spending enough time around them, he was able to figure out how much time they took to close. That gave him about fifteen minutes on the safe side.

They would never find out.

Setting a timer on his phone, Jimmy dispelled the magic making his ears appear human. Then, taking off his denim jacket and undoing his binding, his large wings fluttered with their newfound freedom. Bright yellow feathers and cerulean blue, his wings extended along the back edge of the entire couch. The pain being relieved, Jimmy was able to close his eyes, enjoying the brief moment of respite.

“Good news, since today was slow, we got done earlier than planned.” Lizzie announced her presence as Joel was by her side.

The sound of her voice caused Jimmy’s winged ears to jolt in alarm. He frantically searched for his jacket, finding it nested between two cushions and had to unbury it. Slowly turning his head, Jimmy saw the couple silently staring at him wide-eyed as he had one arm in the sleeve. He noticed as Lizzie’s eyes trailed from the yellow feathers at the base all the way down to the blue bottom layer, taking in the entire sight.

“It’s not what it looks like!” He pulled his wings in tightly as an attempt to hide them, but it was far too late.

“Well that explains a lot… I knew you were hiding something since our first meeting! I just wasn’t expecting this…” Still in shock, she dramatically motioned to all of him.

“So, you’re the one leaving feathers in our apartment! I was going mad thinking I forgot to lock the windows!” Joel reached over from a nearby counter, frustratingly holding up multiple blue and yellow feathers.

“Sorry…”

“Wait Lizzie, does this mean your mother is an avian and you never told me?! Unless the whole secret brother thing was a lie, which doesn’t surprise me given its absurdity.” Joel turned to his fiancée with crossed arms but maintaining wide eyes.

“No, I’m human and I’m pretty sure she is too. And given their similarities, I don’t think Jimmy is lying either, which means…” She suddenly went silent, most likely connecting the dots from the shift in her expression.

That was it. He was done for. Lizzie and Joel were going to turn him in since hybrids were illegal in the Overcity. He’d be forced back into living in the Undercity best case scenario. Returning to his father wasn’t an option, so maybe Tango would let them bunk together. Hopefully Pearl could visit him, assuming they didn’t get caught also. As the couple still stood in shocked silence, ideas raced through Jimmy’s mind of what to do before it was too late.

He could fight back like Pearl, baring her teeth and opening her full wingspan, whenever they faced a threat as kids. No, Joel and Lizzie were family, and couldn’t be compared to those people from their youth. Jimmy was capable of harming them if needed, but would rather suffer the consequences than ever consider laying a finger on them.

Or he could be like Grian, take off by the flight of his feathers when in over his head. Just like how he took them and fled the Undercity, refusing to set foot there ever again. No, running only delayed the inevitable, and somebody would probably catch him flying out of the window.

Exhausted of options, Jimmy froze. Tensing up as he closed his eyes and held his wings close to his body, only awaiting the worst outcome.

Witnessing his distress, Lizzie’s ocean blue eyes softened as she slowly approached. “This doesn’t change the fact you’re my brother, Jimmy. I’m not going to report you to the government, and I’ll break up with Joel if he does.”

“What makes you think I’m going to turn him in?! I’m already keeping your secret!”

“What secret?” Jimmy’s mismatched eyes opened in confusion.

“It’s hard to explain. I guess the best way is to show you.” Lizzie cleared her throat and started to sing gracefully. “This could be love. Reel, reel, reel love~”

Listening to her voice, Joel’s pupils widened as he started to dramatically tear up. He pulled his fiancée into a tender hug as he cried. Meanwhile, Jimmy watched completely dumbfounded.

“Oh Lizzie, I love you!” Joel shouted mid-sob until the enchanting effect wore off, causing him to snap as furrowed his brows in anger. “Hey, I told you not to use your weird powers on me!”

“Sorry, I had to give a demonstration for Jimmy. What I’m trying to say is that I’ve had this ability my whole life. I can make people feel or act a certain way through my voice. The easiest way for me to do this is through song.” A gentle smile formed on Lizzie’s face as her gaze fell upon Jimmy. “You’re the only one who’s never reacted when I do that. So, I guess it means we really are related.”

“You’re a siren like her… Why did I figure that out sooner?” He muttered in awe.

Although Jimmy was not one himself, Cordelia was, and he inherited immunity to their abilities. Much like witches, who possessed a strong affinity with magic and physic powers, being a siren was a trait passed from bloodlines, both being more common in biological females. Their specific abilities varied, but the one thing they all shared was the channeling of their powers through their voice.

“A siren? She looks human to me.” Joel stated.

“No, it’s just a term used by the government. It’s not just merling species, anyone can be a siren. In Lizzie and our mother’s case, they’re human-variant sirens.” Jimmy quietly explained. “It’s time you both deserve the truth. I’m actually from the Undercity.”

“The Undercity?!” They both shouted in unison.

This all being too much for Lizzie to process at once, she sat down on the couch next to Jimmy. “I thought humans weren’t allowed down there, like how the government doesn’t let hybrids up here. Why would our mother go to a place like that?”

“There is no rule against humans living there. It’s just not common. People normally don’t go there for happy reasons. She was no exception. Much like hybrids, witches and sirens have to keep themselves a secret. I don’t know the full story, but I know the government found mum out, and wanted to do bad things to her like cut her vocal cords, so she fled to the Undercity before they could do anything. Down there, she met my avian father and I think you can figure out the rest…”

“It all makes sense now…” Lizzie ran a hand through her pink bangs.

“Sorry I didn’t give you the full story sooner. But, you know…” His wings fluttered nervously.

“Don’t be too harsh on yourself, Jimmy. I’m sure any of us would’ve done the same in your position.” Joel reassured him.

“I guess that’s why she never got to say goodbye.” Lizzie’s posture only slumped further.

“She never stopped thinking about you.” Jimmy mentioned, causing her ocean blue eyes to widen. “I wasn’t there when she died, but Grian was and said she wished to see you one last time.”

His ability to remember his childhood wasn’t the best, and the moments before Cordelia’s passing were even foggier. From what little Jimmy could recall, that despite their bleak situation, she almost always managed to smile around him. Yet there were glimpses where he spotted his mother without her knowing. In these moments, Cordelia would always stare longingly at the cavern ceiling, mourning what she left behind on the surface. It was as if she were a different person entirely. And after all these years, Jimmy finally knew why.

“Thanks for telling me this. I know it must not be easy, but I’m glad you shared your secret with me.”

“She’s your mum too and you deserve to know what happened to her.” He brushed it off, scratching the back of his head.

Lizzie was able to lift herself up and meet his gaze, smiling as she took in the sight of Jimmy with his yellow and cerulean feathers in their entirety. “Now that I’ve seen them, I like you better with wings.”

“A siren and avian family, how crazy is this?!” Joel wrapped his arms around them from behind the couch, bringing them all close together.

“And you’re regular ol’ human Joel.” Jimmy teased.

“But we love him for it.” In response to his pouting, she leaned her head up to kiss Joel.

“Wait, if our mother was a siren, does that make us seablings?” Jimmy’s mismatched eyes danced with excitement as he pondered the possibility.

“I think we are.” Lizzie pulled him in for a hug.

Even the yet noticeable twitch of his both pairs of wings, Lizzie couldn’t help but laugh lightly as Jimmy was caught off guard. As the shock subsided, he closed his eyes and smiled serenely, and wrapped his large wings around her. Filled with warmth, Lizzie reached out a hand and soothingly ran them through his feathers, meeting no objection from Jimmy. They wanted to remain like that for a mere moment longer, enjoying their first hug as family.

Compared to his siblings, Jimmy’s childhood memories of his time in the Undercity were hazy at best, or missing portions at worst. He supposed it was due to spending less time down there as the youngest, or maybe he considered himself to be forgetful in general. Jimmy didn’t have many memories of Cordelia before her passing, but the ones he did remember he still thought about from time to time.

He recalled running in his worn-out shoes, hand-me-downs from Grian like all his clothing was back then. With his fluffy feathers not yet ready for flight, he was forced to take the long way home after a family gathering turned sour. His feet and warm tears tapped along the unguarded, metallic, spiral staircase that circled around an enormous stalagmite.

Various types of hybrids with their homes also carved into the dripstone occasionally peered their heads outside as they heard his cry. They quickly returned to hiding and locked their industrial doors once they remembered who he was.

The place Jimmy once called home looked just like the others dug into the dripstone, only higher up. Once inside, he made a dash towards his room and climbed onto his hammock, patched together with various blue fabrics. As he laid, his young wings were too small to reach the floor as they hung lowly. Jimmy rocked himself until his tears ran dry. He listened to water drip from the stalactites outside as he stared blankly up at Grian’s red hammock.

Hearing footsteps against the stone floor caused Jimmy’s winged ears to flicker, the tears returning to flow as sat up. She stood in the carved out doorway with her gentle, ocean-blue eyes. Her long, golden hair like sea waves and sunkissed, freckled skin showed she hailed from Overcity.

“What is wrong, my darling?” Cordelia sat on the edge of the hammock, letting Jimmy cry into her blue, pink and white sleeved dress as she ran a hand through his straight, dirtier blond hair.

“Am I cursed?” He muttered with a sniffle as he still leaned into her.

Hearing that caused her hand to go limp as she looked down at curious, mismatched eyes. “Why would you say such a thing?”

“Grian and Pearl’s mum is a witch. She could’ve done bad magic on me when I was in your belly.”

Jimmy was unaware of the reason behind their mother’s departure, still not knowing the full details to present day, but he knew she didn’t leave them on happy terms.

Cordelia’s eyes darted around before asking with a smile. “What brought this up?”

“Grandma and grandpa said–” No, they weren’t his grandparents, not by blood and especially not after what they said to him. “Grian and Pearl’s grandparents said if I weren’t born, their daughter would be here. And that there’s no point in having me because I'm not a siren like you.”

“It was wrong of them to say that. I’ll talk to James later to see what can be done.” She sighed tiredly, lifting his downcast face as their gazes met. “But you’re not cursed, Jimmy. You’re the only good thing that has happened to me since coming down here. Your father and I are blessed to have you.”

“I’m glad to have you too…” Jimmy couldn’t help the tears from coming back, flapping his wings as he tightly hugged her.

“When you’re big enough to fly, let’s leave this place behind and make a new life on the surface together. Then, you’ll never have to deal with anyone here being mean to you ever again. Does that sound like a plan, my canary?”

Cordelia let out a melodic laugh as her son let out a chirp. She started to hum as she gently ran her hand through his fluffy, blue and yellow feathered wings. Jimmy remembered when his father preened his wings, he told him he was a canary avian like his paternal grandmother.

The blue in his feathers came from his father, who was a scarlet macaw avian like Grian. James spoke of his own mother with pure fondness. Jimmy wished he could’ve met her, but she died, orphaning his father at a young age. He wondered what his paternal grandparents would’ve thought of him. And if they would’ve loved him the same way Grian and Pearl’s loved them, despite the fact he was never meant to exist.

“I know exactly what you need to make you feel better.” Cordelia left the room and came back with a makeshift, wooden guitar.

Painted on it were various things that Jimmy liked that his mother allowed him to decorate her instrument with. There were some canaries, cats and poppies, but it mostly ended up being different types of fish he read about. In hindsight, the paintings were awfully done. Cordelia should’ve allowed his siblings, who were far more artistically talented than him, to decorate it too. But she assured him that she loved all his creations and wanted nothing more than to display them as she played music.

“You and I are friends of empty graves, black air, and black, black lungs.” His mother started to sing as she strummed the acoustic guitar.

Hearing his bedroom filled with a familiar soothing tune, Jimmy closed his eyes, smiling wobbly as he leaned against her. The song was from a band on the surface she liked, and often sang to him as a lullaby ever since he was a baby, or in moments like these when he felt down. Because to her, he would always be the canary she looked to in this cave of darkness. His mind drowned out the lyrics as he focused on the comfort of listening to his mother’s voice.

“But if in the end I lose my voice, will you forget about your love for me?”

Due to Cordelia passing when he was young, Jimmy had trouble remembering a lot about her. Growing up, Grian and Pearl told him he looked more like her than their father. Lizzie had told him the same. Jimmy remembered his mother not through her face or appearance, but her voice and the songs she sang.

“And when you break the surface oh without me. Please don’t return me to the dark of all my memories.”

As the tears started to dry, Jimmy still leaned against her as she started to drift to sleep. While this was a happy moment, he couldn’t help but look back at it with sorrow, knowing the fate of his mother. While Cordelia had not intended it, she broke her promise to him.

They never got to venture the surface together like she hoped. Cordelia died, being buried deeper in the ground before she could ever see the blue sky and sunlight she desperately longed for again. He too had broken their promise, reaching the surface for the first time without her.

The laughter of everyone around the table ceased as Lizzie’s apartment door clicked open. As Jimmy entered his eyes first widened before he huffed and crossed his arms. Her brother must’ve instantly recognized the avians that sat across from her and Joel, knowing that set of brown and colorful feathers from anywhere.

“Hey Tim, I didn’t see you there. I guess we were having too much fun without you.” Grian acknowledged him with a dismissive wave before returning to enjoying himself.

“What are you guys doing here?” He motioned to his paternal half-siblings that were currently interacting with Lizzie.

“Spending quality time with our new family members. What did you think? You never bothered to invite us along all those other times, so we took it upon ourselves to pay them a visit.” Pearl playfully rolled her eyes.

“I wanted to know more about your childhood, so Grian and Pearl were generous enough to come over and show us some old photos.” Lizzie clapped her hands as she explained with a smile.

“This is embarrassing…”

“We’ve been having a great time getting to know each other. You should join us.” Before Jimmy could turn around and leave, Joel dragged him by the arm and forced him to take a seat.

Messily scattered across the table was a collection of old photos. The older ones that Grian and Pearl brought were not as crisp as the ones they have after moving to the Overcity. They were taken by a discarded polaroid camera that their father repaired, according to them.

In return, Lizzie entertained them with some of her own childhood photos. She showed the two siblings pictures of her family together, but stopped as she noticed Grian’s smile fade the more he saw Cordelia. Changing the subject, she showed them early photos of her and Joel from their early dating days. The story of their time in high school theatre got a good laugh out of the avians.

“Oh, you were adorable!” Lizzie couldn’t help but squeal as she picked up an old picture.

The portrait-style photo consisted of a six year old Jimmy, mismatched eyes closed as he held up a bucket and smiled widely. He appeared to be in some kind of lush cave with moss, pools of water and glow berries in the background. Inside the bucket was a pink axolotl that peeked its out, the source of his joy here.

Lizzie noted how much paler her brother looked in this compared to present day. His hair was a dirtier blond, more akin to Grian’s current color than the one Jimmy had in the present day, closer to their mother. Her hands slightly shook, realizing this was a result of him growing up deprived from sunlight.

“I remember taking that photo.” Grian leaned over the table to see the one she was gushing over.

He recounted the tale of how that moment came to be. Admittedly, Grian wasn’t always close with Jimmy, tolerating his half brother at best in their early youth. It wasn’t until after Cordelia’s death and Jimmy entering a stage of deep depression that Grian stepped up as his role of guardian figure. In hopes of lifting his spirits, Grian took him to a secret location in Delver’s Beginnings, a grotto full of axolotls. There Jimmy smiled for the first time since his mother’s passing, and Grian was able to capture that moment in time.

“He’s been obsessed with them and all fish ever since. So, it’s pretty much my fault that he ended up like this.” He reached up and ruffled his brother’s hair as he sat back down.

“Look, here's a photo of all of us that includes Tango!” Pearl held up an old childhood group photo, her brown and blonde streaked hair noticeably in a bob-cut compared to its current longer length.

“Who’s Tango?” Joel asked.

“I’m surprised that Jimmy has never mentioned him to you before, seeing that you never shut up about him around us.” Grian mentioned.

Jimmy’s expression of teased annoyance immediately changed to overjoyed glee at the opportunity of talking about him. With a warm smile he pointed to the hybrid in the photo with hair made of yellow and orange flames. Tango wore red and black, matching his eyes that were entirely deep crimson with irises of a paler red.

The ends of his clawed fingers were colored charcoal. He smiled widely, showing off his pointed teeth as the photo captured his swaying, flamed-tipped tale. All traits that unfortunately made him too inhuman to pass setting foot in the Overcity, even with the aid of magic.

“Tango is my best friend in the whole world. He’s an engineer and one of the best weapon makers in the entire Undercity. He’s a blazeborn so he might look a little scary, but I promise he’s really cool. I still visit him regularly and I can have you meet him through a phone call if you want.”

“He’d be more cool if he agreed to make me stuff for free.” Seeing a fifth young figure in the photo, Grian quickly snatched it from Pearl. He covered their face with his thumb to keep Lizzie and Joel from seeing, returning to the topic of Jimmy. “I forgot how stupid you looked back then with your bowl cut.”

“Don’t you dare show her that!” Jimmy’s face turned a deep red as he unsuccessfully tried tearing it away from his brother, who fought back.

“I want to see!” Lizzie cheered as Grian showed her and Joel the photo, the room being filled with laughter at the expense of his terrible hair cut. “You look like one of those canaries with the bangs! What was their name again?” She quickly searched it on her phone. “A gloster canary!”

“It’s not my fault I looked like that! Pearl was the one that cut my hair after mom died. Sometimes I think she made me look that way on purpose.” Still flustered by embarrassment, he pointed in blame towards his sister.

“I did the best I could back then! Be glad it wasn't Grian, or else you would’ve been bald!” She shouted in defense.

“Hey Pearl, is this a photo of you during your emo phase?” Jimmy grinned as it was his turn for payback, showing them a photo from his early teenage years.

It was of the three of them with their younger cousin, sitting on their uncle’s couch with their wings all visible. Grian wore a green t-shirt with a yellow Triforce, donning the glasses he received after moving to the Overcity. Jimmy wore a red and black flannel jacket, his hair cut closer to present day.

Their younger cousin sat between the brothers with his golden wings and cow plushie. Sulking on the edge of the couch was Pearl. Her straightened, dye-black bangs covered her left eye, the other visible one having heavy mascara as she wore a gray tank-top.

“I’m so glad I didn’t go through a terrible hair phase like my siblings.” Grian laughed at his sister’s emo phase along with the rest of his family.

“I could change that right now!” Pearl smiled threateningly, pulling out a pair of scissors.

“No!” He jumped out of his seat and bolted towards the other end of the room. “Not before my debut!”

“Debut of what?” Lizzie tilted her head.

“Nothing!”

“I got your picture, I’m coming with you. Dear Maria, count me in–” Jimmy sang mockingly before viciously being tackled by Pearl, being knocked out of his chair and landing on the carpeted floor. “Grian, help!” He screamed as she started to wrestle with him.

“Sorry Tim, but you’re on your own. You brought this on yourself.” He sat back, watching in entertainment as Pearl happily sat on the back of a defeated Jimmy.

“Where are you! And I’m so sorry!” Joel started to sing.

“Stop!” Pearl’s brown winged ears dipped with embarrassment.

“Pearl, don’t let him bully you like that. Joel of all people should not be making fun of someone over an emo phase.” Lizzie defended her, the betrayal getting an offended gasp out of her fiancè.

The joyous laughs of Grian, Pearl and Joel could be heard through the cracked apartment window as Jimmy stood on the roof. He gazed blankly up at the dark, cloudy sky as a chilling autumn breeze ruffled his feathers, making him slightly shiver. With it getting late and colder, Jimmy didn’t bother binding his wings, simply covering them with his jacket as the chances of any visitors up here was low.

Staring at the gloomy sky, it reminded him of the first time he set foot in the Overcity. It was a frigid night like this, but only more as they came up in winter. Grian had been the first to enter, scouting for danger as Pearl followed not far behind. As his sister dragged him out of the sewer, Jimmy was greeted by a starless sky, disappointed it didn’t meet up to the expectations of his late mother’s stories.

In hindsight, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. Their cave-dwelling eyes were not used to intense natural light as it took them days to adjust. Arriving in sunlight would’ve blinded them like bats. The moon and stars could’ve also been too much for them.

Even now, Jimmy sometimes still thought about his promise he broke to Cordelia.

His concealed winged ears fluttered as he heard footsteps and heard the door to the roof open. Turning around, he relaxed as he saw Lizzie, basked in orange lamp light as she held up two steaming, terracotta mugs. The sight brought a slight smile to Jimmy.

“I thought you’d get cold up here, so I made this for you.” Lizzie handed him a cup of hot cocoa as she joined him. “I know you probably wanted some alone time since they were getting loud, so I hope you don’t mind the company.”

“No, not at all–” His face scrunched up as he burned his tongue on the drink. Lizzie let out a laugh as she watched him compose himself. “As I was saying, you’re good.”

She focused and listened as an occasional car rolled past the building. “I offered Grian and Pearl some too, but they didn’t want any. This is the first time anyone has rejected free hot cocoa from me.”

“Don’t take it personally, they can’t have the same things we can.” Jimmy was forever grateful he received the best of both worlds genetically when it came to what he can eat.

Lizzie stared at him as they both remained under the orange tinted light. Her vision trailed down from where his winged ear would’ve been, ocean blue eyes widening as she noticed the pink discoloration on the side of his lower neck. Her hand gently brushed along the scarred skin, causing Jimmy to flinch away.

“–Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, it’s alright.” He laughed it off, quick to fix the collar of his jacket to hide the scar. Collared shirts and scarves in colder seasons being his main way of concealing it, often opting them into his daily fashion.

“How did you get it if you don’t mind me asking? It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it…” Lizzie nervously fiddled with her hands.

“I don’t normally tell people this story, but I think you deserve to know. I got this one two, maybe three, years ago? Some masked guy in a purple robe shot me because they thought I was Grian. Bad idea to wear red that day, and I don’t do it as much because of that.” Jimmy saw shocked confusion flash across her face from his peripheral vision as he faced forward. Lizzie focused on the scar on the same side as his brown eye, the same color as his brother’s. “I don’t remember much because I shortly passed out from the shock and bleeding. But I freaked Grian and Pearl out a lot that day. I always had a feeling I’d die before them and thought I was a goner for sure.”

“I’m freaked out too just hearing it!” Her shout echoed across the otherwise silent rooftop. “Why would anyone be after Grian? What did he do to have enemies?”

“It’s honestly a long story…”

Grian already hated how involved Pearl and he were in his dealings with the Watchers, despite their shared background. After meeting Lizzie, Jimmy better understood where he was coming from and the desire to keep them safe. She was his sister, but unlike them, she was just a civilian, and he wasn't about to endanger her with their family’s secrets.

“Don’t feel bad, everyone in the Undercity has a scar or two. It’s just how life is down there. At least I’m not like Pearl, who has one over her eye. She’s gotten good with makeup over the years that I’d bet you didn’t know.”

Lizzie balled her hands into shaky fists and she glanced downwards, eyes filled with regret. “I just wished I could’ve found out about you sooner and been there to protect you. It’s what I should’ve done as your big sister, but I left you alone to fend for yourself.”

“Don’t feel bad, none of us knew, and I wasn’t alone. Just you being here now is enough. I’m glad you were able to live without the worries we had growing up. Our mother wanted for us to both be safe.” Jimmy took a sip from the hot coca as turned to fully face her, his ocean blue eye mirror her own. “You know it’s funny. My scar kinda matches what happened to her, but she wasn’t as lucky…”

“Stop, you don’t have to tell me any more.” She placed a finger on his lips, and Jimmy let out a sigh of relief as a weight was lifted from his shoulders, not ready for that conversation just yet.

The two stood in silence for a mere moment, listening to the traffic roll by and the laughter of the rest of their family from the apartment down below. Lizzie took a step closer to Jimmy, huddling for warmth on the chilly autumn night. Both of their hands grasped the terracotta hug, trying to absorb its diminishing heat as the steam rose into the clouded sky above.

“You know, I never expected any of this, or everything about you, but I’m glad she didn’t leave me with nothing when she died. I couldn’t have asked for a better younger brother.” Lizzie reached up to playfully ruffle his hair.

“I’m sure me being your canary avian brother came as quite the surprise, but I wasn’t expecting you either.” He gently batted his hand away, his wings fluttering from beneath his jacket,

“Let the dirty hang heavy in your chest. Drag me deeper down the long, dark ground. Know that all my love will be your breath. I will save you when your lights go out.” Lizzie closed her eyes and sang, the lights of the neon city reflecting on her as she stood under a dark, overcast sky.

Jimmy couldn’t help but pause to observe his older sister in awe. The chilling wind flowing through her wavy, pink hair and his yellow and blue feathers, but neither seemed to care. Their mother had died before she could keep their promise, and never got to eventually introduce them to each other. Even in her death, he had a feeling she would’ve been happy to know they found each other by themselves. As he quietly listened, Jimmy knew he would always look back in fondness.

There was the sound of rhythmic waves as seagulls called in the distance. A breeze entered through the cracked hotel room window, swaying the white translucent drapes as Lizzie sat on the bed, wearing a sleeveless dress of the same color. Standing up, she walked towards the window, revealing its floor length form as the top was embroidered with floral lace.

Gazing out, the vast sea-green water reflected in her blue eyes as she leaned her elbows against the frame. Although, it was only the large oasis located in the center of Hermitroplis and not a real ocean, Lizzie didn’t seem to care as it appeared close to the real thing. A warm May breeze gently ran through the loose pink fringes at the front of her crown braided hair and long veil.

As she was glamoured up, all Lizzie could now was wait for the ceremony to begin. Reaching from the nearby table, Lizzie picked up a golden apple with a glowing purple aura. It had been a wedding gift from Pearl, her future sister in law. Lizzie caught a glimpse of her among the small crowd of people, wearing a navy blue suit with a silver crescent hairclip. Grian remained close to her, wearing a red suit of his own, but there was a clear lack of someone with them.

She tried searching for him, but couldn’t find him anywhere. He promised he was going to be here on her happiest day. ‘But what if he didn’t show up?’ As the thought crossed her mind, Lizzie saw the hint of a frown as she stared at her reflection in the golden apple. She shook her head, removing the notion. He was going to be here. She was sure of it.

The sound of flapping wings and a flash of blue and yellow caused Lizzie to let out a small yelp as she stepped back from the windowsill. She watched wide-eyed as Jimmy entered the hotel room, catching his breath and with something shiny in his hand.

“I’m so glad you could make it!” Lizzie quickly pulled her brother into a tight hug.

“I was worried I was going to be late, but I wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world.” Upon letting go, he started to bind his wings and put on his black suit jacket over his white dress shirt. “I was in a hurry and hoped nobody saw me back there.”

“I was wondering where you went! You started to make me think you weren’t going to show up!” Letting out an agitated yet relieved huff, she helped him straighten out the jacket and fix his navy blue tie.

“I was running late because I had to go all the way down to get your gift. I wanted you to have it before the wedding ceremony.” Opening his palm, he held up the necklace for Lizzie to see.

It was ornate, having a large aquamarine jewel in the center, edged in shining silver. There were chains linking it to various pristine, white and pink-tined pearls, opals and smaller blue gemstones of various shades. Capturing the light of the spring sun caused the necklace to dazzle. It was sure to draw everyone's attention, truly a piece of jewelry fitting for a bride.

“Woah, is this real?” Entranced by it, Lizzie’s ocean blue eyes sparkled.

“Yeah, I gathered all of the gems from the Crystal Crevice. Tango was the one who actually made it.” Jimmy handed her a pair of earrings crafted in the exact same style.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, Lizzie put them on, observing the aquamarines dangle from her ears. As she remained still, Jimmy wrapped the necklace around the front of her neck, clipping the clasp together as it hung loosely over her collarbone. Lizzie’s hand gently traced over the large gemstone as she admired herself with the jewelry on. While her wedding dress was already perfect in her eyes, she couldn’t help but feel like the fit was more complete with the ocean-themed accessories.

Hearing a knock at the door caused Lizzie to break her gaze away. “It looks like it’s finally time.”

“I suppose it is. I’ll see you later then.” Jimmy softly smiled in return before they parted ways temporarily.

The wedding went off without a hitch, being everything her and Joel could’ve wanted and more. After all these years of being together, she could now finally call him her husband. A lot of tears were shed during the ceremony, from the bride, groom, but most of all the best man Oli. The reception also took place on the same beach as their wedding. It was a small, but intimate party full of all their close friends and family.

Lizzie and Joel slowly danced to the sway of seafoam waves with a sherbet sunset background and remained like that for quite some time. The couple’s rings shimmered in their intertwined hands as they walked along the shore together, and Lizzie’s long, white dress and veil billowed with the calming wind.

During their stroll, they spotted the three avian siblings amongst themselves. Jimmy smiled brightly as he saw his older sister and now brother in law. As the family chatted together, the photographer approached them with the offer of a group photo.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to take away attention from your special day.” Jimmy insisted, holding up both of his hands.

“Come on, I want nothing more than you to be part of it.” Not having any of it, Lizzie pulled them all together for the picture.

With a flash of light, the wedding photographer captured the moment of time with them all together. The newly-wed couple were front and center as they all stood in front of the peaceful oasis with a clear pink and orange sky. Grian and Pearl stood on Joel’s other side, while Jimmy was by Lizzie’s, everyone looking so happy.

While Lizzie had no childhood memories with her younger brother and other siblings, she didn’t really mind as it was never too late to create new ones. There was no better time like the present. This was their first true moment together as family, and she was sure there was plenty more to come.