If We Have Each Other

Growing up, Jonah always feared losing his loved ones. He didn't like the thought of loneliness, nor darkness. It scared him. But again, he also didn't make any long-lasting friends up 'til seventh grade.

There, in his first years of high school, he met Ebony. The moon to his sun.

The sparrow hawk remembered the day so vividly, meeting the raven and immediately getting along with the boy. He wouldn't trade that moment for anything, really. He cherished Ebony too much.

As stupid as it sounded, their friendship was what made them whole. It had been years, nearly a decade, and they still haven't parted ways. Jonah would rather keep it that way.

The two of them practically gone through pretty much everything in their life. Every smile and laughter, every scream and every cry... Ebony was always there.

It was a breezy night, the storm raged outside of Jonah's room. The hawk curled himself up against the soft mattress, their wings shielding him from the crackling noise of thunder.

It seemed so dumb, so petty to be upset over something so small. Yet here he was, seeking for even the tiny ounces of comfort from someone. Anyone.

They sniffled into the sheets, puffy red eyes not even making any effort to look what society deemed normal. He just wanted to cry until he fell asleep.

Well, that was their original plan.

Jonah jumped from the sound of ringing, his wings shooting up in a form of self defense as if harm was about to be inflicted on him.

Curious, yet cautious of whoever was calling at such time, they reached for their phone, shakily picking it up and positioning it near his ear.

"...Hello? This is Jonah speaking." They muttered, hoping their voice was audible enough to be caught by the object.

Then he heard it. A familiar voice that immediately made him ease.

"Jo? It's me, Adam. You alright? Heard about what happened, and just wanted to check if you were fine." The boy on the other end of the call reasoned, and those words brought a sense of safety and comfort for the young hawk.

Chuckling, and cranking up a light-hearted joke, Jonah slipped in a, "Woah.. Going soft now, Murray? That's new." He smiled playfully, despite the fact his best friend couldn't even see him.

Not even a minute in and the boy heard a heavy sigh come from the phone. The tan-skinned male couldn't help but snicker quietly at the sound.

"Shut it, asshole, just answer my question or I'll hang up on you." "Aww, I know you wouldn't dare!"

For the rest of the call, they threw insults and short laughs, a friendly banter of two close friends who even at their lowest remain there for one another.

Jonah just hoped this bond were to stay forever. He couldn't bare the thought of losing the raven boy.

"Hey, Jonah?" Upon the mention of their name, the hawk was brought back into the depths of reality before he replied a small,

"Yeah?"

...

"You're a dickhead. Next time and all the times after that, call me when you're not feeling well. And don't hesitate, you know I rarely sleep anyway...So feel free to ring me whenever."

This surprised Jonah, not expecting Ebony to even utter those words. Though, as he recovered from his shock, he smiled. Cheekily even.

"Alright. I will... Thanks, Adam." They sighed, content with the situation.

And when they heard the other boy reply, they could hear the softness in its voice. "No problem, Edmund."

"Ughhh, I told you not to call me that, dude!" "Couldn't help it, my bad."*

And then everything else was a blur, something now lost in history yet kept in his heart. Though, Jonah was sure about one thing.

Ebony's presence was enough to make him happy.

It always was enough. Even the raven's happiness was his own. He'd do *anything* to see even the slightest smiles it can give.

Jonah had to admit, he wanted Ebony here. Right now, at his side.

He wanted it to be there, not in front of him. Hidden beneath the ground, a burial.

He wanted Ebony back.

But they knew, that would never happen.

They failed as a best friend and brother to Ebony. And God, did they wish they didn't.