Rain

Michael's fierce and wild laughter rang unrestrained across the courtroom.

Jorge froze at the sight. And so too did everyone who was gathered there. It was too much like…

Jorge's thoughts paused there. He struck his gavel down on the bench, and gave his decree before Michael could say anything further.

"Very well. The criminal Marshall Michael has admitted to his crimes and will be executed forthwith by firing squad!"

—----

Clouds began to gather in the sky, and the wind began to rush between the groves. It pushed the waves harder, and rocked the vessels by the shores.

Sunlight hid behind a blanket of gray, and the scent of sea salt dispersed in the air.

Outside the Judicial Ship, a crowd of civilians, marines, and government agents followed a casually dressed black-haired man in cuffs. Those shackles shuffled and rattled along with each of his steps.

Lieutenant Brannew escorted the criminal by his side. He observed Michael with curiosity. Even now, mere minutes before his death, the man carried himself with dignity, pride, and a smile.

Brannew, for the first time, felt that his collar was too tight. Ever since he was a child, he thought that marine uniforms looked quite heroic. He admired Garp growing up, and how the hero accomplished enormous feats against all odds. He wanted to be like him, so he wore his uniform just as the man did. Now, however, looking at Michael, he had a somewhat different perspective.

No matter how neat his outfit was, a man's worth could perhaps only be seen in the way he carried himself.

He continued to escort the man to a tall stake dug into the dirt, and tethered it to Michael's cuffs. He felt that it wasn't all too necessary. He didn't feel like Michael would run at this point.

"If you could do me a favor, good sir," Michael's carefree voice entered his ears as he was arranging the man's execution site.

Brannew paused, hesitating whether he should ignore the man or not, but before he could come to a decision, Michael continued.

"My wife and child, help them out later, would you?" Michael said airily, as if he had requested something simple.

Brannew stopped what he was doing and looked Michael in the eye. He removed his shades, and Michael's eyes stared straight back at him.

He saw all of it in Michael's unwavering eyes. Worry for his family after he was gone, and an irrational sense of trust he granted towards him.

Brannew's mouth opened and closed slightly, as if to say something, but he could not get his words out.

In front of those eyes, refusal seemed impossible. Also, it wasn't his hobby to torment a grieving wife and child, so the request wasn't all that outrageous in his opinion.

He sighed, looking back at Michael, then put his shades back on, saying, "I'll do what I can."

Michael's smile widened at that, and replied as his back became a fair bit straighter, "Thanks."

Brannew retreated with a slight nod, and ordered his men to line up.

He raised his hand.

—-----

Michael watched as the marine with the green afro walked away. He glanced up at the sky. The clouds were getting a fair bit thicker. It'd rain soon, probably.

Speaking of which, wasn't it his daughter's birthday tomorrow? He and Rose had something rather special planned for that day. Lily would always forget and then get pleasantly surprised whenever that day rolled around. It was a shame he wouldn't get to see another smile on his angel's face.

He took his eyes away from the sky and into the barrels of the rifles aimed at him. He scanned the dense crowd of civilians with his eyes, and then he saw them.

Lily and Rose. His life's joy and treasure.

Rose was… he should probably apologize. Things perhaps happened too fast. They hadn't even had the chance to say a proper farewell to each other. Though they had known each other long enough to know what the other was thinking.

He saw it in her eyes. She wanted to help him, but knew that it would only hurt their daughter. Even now, it seemed Rose's thoughts were on their little Lily. Should he be jealous at that? He sent a sheepish smile towards her, and her tears barely clung to her eyelashes.

He looked at Lily. Their sweet little angel. There were so many things he had wanted to do with her. So many things he wanted to show her. So many smiles he had yet to give her.

He knew she was hurting inside. Him and Rose both knew it. They had never asked about it, and in all honesty, they didn't really even care to know. All they wanted was for her to be happy, and for her pain to ease away. They both tried their best to do just that. 

Lily's tears fell uncontrolled, the only thing holding her back from running towards him was his wife's grip on the girl.

The girl gave him a wobbly smile, even as her eyes became rivers. He offered a gentle, doting smile in return. He knew she would understand him. He could see it in her watery eyes.

And, just as he was about to close his eyes and welcome the incoming rain of bullets…

Lily's trembling lips moved.

Michael's eyes widened, and a tear threatened to escape him, even as he was beside himself in joy.

He read those lips, and couldn't help but feel fulfilled. His daughter finally said it to him, too.

'I love you, dad.'

*BANG*

—---------------------

Rose looked at her husband tethered to that stake in front of a firing squad of marines.

She couldn't do anything but hold her sweet Lily back from running to her father.

That's right. She couldn't break down here. She had to be strong for her precious little daughter. She would go back and stew in her feelings when her little one wasn't looking. She had to be the one to take care of her from now on.

Her poor Lily should not ever have to feel alone.

She had to be strong here…

Wetness gathered in her eyes, and she forced her tears not to fall.

Michael gave her an apologetic smile, and that only made her want to go there and beat the bastard up.

How could he do this to them? She knew the answer to that, but it still angered and upset her.

A tear precariously clung to her lower eyelash.

She had to be strong here…

*BANG*

She had to be strong here…

*BANG*

She had to -

*BANG*

She stumbled, and her knees fell to the ground.

She couldn't. She covered her mouth with a palm, attempting to stifle a sniffle.

 All of her pent up tears escaped her as they rolled down her face.

She simply couldn't. She had to be allowed this moment of weakness. She would take extra care of her Lily after this was over. 

She couldn't even hide her sobs anymore. What would her Lily think of her? How could she take care of Lily on her own if she was this weak? How -

"Hush, hush… it's okay…" Rose felt a small hand run through her hair, as a hoarse, choked up voice attempted to offer her comfort. She looked to her daughter through her watery vision, and saw Lily with as many tears as her own, standing in front of her, offering whatever relief she could. 

Lily continued stroking her hair, and pulled Rose's head to her small chest.

"Hush…" *Sniffle* "Hush…"

Her Lily, who would seek solace in her embrace after waking up from painful nightmares.

Her Lily, who was fragile and frightened by the merest suggestion of pain and suffering.

Her Lily, who only a few weeks ago found the courage to declare her love for her.

Rose's tears fell harder as she embraced her little treasure.

The bullets ceased their fire.

A droplet of rain fell.

And then, an obnoxious, entitled voice wormed its way through everyone's ears, stifling them all.

"Why's it so noisy here-eh?"