Ignite These Somber Flames

Marlowe wasn't sure how to feel about Frank Iero. Afterall, it's been four years since she last saw him.

"You're really leaving, huh?" Gerard asked.

Her luminous, summer sun hair flowed down her back in quite waves. He realized then that her bangs had grown over her eyes, hiding her icy orbs from him. It broke his heart knowing that even the mighty can fall so far.

"I'm sorry," Marlowe whispered; she couldn't bring herself to look up at him. "I have to get out of here." She suddenly wrapped her arms around his torso. The top of her head rested on his sternum, just below his collarbone.

Without hesitation, he hugged her back. "Take care of yourself, kiddo," he pulled away, giving a half-smile. Pain tugged at the strings of his heart. It felt as if he was saying goodbye for good. He didn't want to believe it. The least he could do for her was let her go, as painful as it was for him to accept.

"You too, grandpa," she smiled back for the first time that evening.